I am looking for some advice on which telescope to purchase next – I was given an entry level 3” Newtonian for Christmas and after viewing Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons for the first time, I’ve definitely caught the bug!
Before I became a member on db-astro.org, I got a lot of advice from here on which websites to visit to view telescopes, second hand sites and also found out about Stellarium through one of the posts which has been an amazing help.
After weeks of searching, viewing and reading, I’ve narrowed it down to 6 telescopes (not a very short short-list I know) and would appreciate any comments on my selections which I have listed below. I have set myself a limit of £300 but for the right scope, I think I could persuade my girlfriend to let me part with a little more cash! :)
I have been looking through the second hand sites but unfortunately no one seems to be selling in Scotland – so here goes:
1. EXPLORER-150P (EQ3-2) 150mm (6") f/750 Parabolic Newtonian Reflector – best price I’ve found is £229.99 from pulsar-optical.co.uk – this has really great reviews and would love to be able to afford the 8” Explorer 200P but a bit out my range

2. SKYLINER-200 203mm (8") f/1200 Parabolic Dobsonian – best price £269.99 again from pulsar-optical.co.uk – my garden isn’t that flat; don’t know if that would be a problem for this type of scope?
3. SkyMax-127 SupaTrak AUTO (f/1500) 5 inch (127mm) Motorised Maksutov–Cassegrain with Auto–tracking, best price £269.99 from Viking Optical Centre
4. Digimax-90 is a Maksutov-Cassegrain with a 90mm diameter and f/1250mm, also has GoTo tracking system, launch offer of £289, RRP £349 from UK-telescopes.co.uk - this does seem to be a great price although a bit smaller – perhaps paying extra for the GoTo?
5. Celestron Omni XLT 150 on CG-4 mount, price £229 from telescopesplus.co.uk – spec seems similar to 150-P Skywatcher but not found any reviews for this scope.
6. Celestron 200mm C8-N Newtonian Reflector Telescope, CG-5 Equatorial Mount, £375 from obm.co.uk – dream telescope, slightly out price range but does anyone feel it’s worth the extra?
Any advice or comments really are appreciated as you guys are my nearest amateur astronomy club, I’m just over the water in West Lothian but I hope that won’t go against me :lol:
Look forward to reading your replies soon.
Cheers
Steve