I got into astronomy about a year ago, so am still learning. However, a couple of tips:
1) Bigger is better (as always). Bigger in this case being tube diameter/aperture/mirror size. The bigger the aperture, the more light you will be able to collect. More light = brighter, sharper image.
2) Decide what you want to view, it greatly influences the choice of telescope. Basically, you need to decide if you want to primarily view the moon/planets or view deep space objects [DSO](galaxies etc).
3) If you want to do DSO photography you HAVE to get an equatorial mount (or just possibly a wedge fitted onto an alt-az mount). For exposures of up to say 30 seconds of planets/the moon an alt-az mount will do.
4) Consider if you an automated tracking and finding (Go to) device. With one, it will automatically tell your scope your position (lat and long), which otherwise can be a fiddly, time-consuming job for a beginner. They have a database of up to several thousand objects pre-stored; you press a button saying "Go to object X" and the scope will go there and automatically track the object. Purists hate them since they get off on fiddling around with the set up, are proud of their knowledge of where objects are and have the dexterity to manually track the object. For me, it's been a total godsend.
5) If you need to transport the telescope to a suitably dark place, remember that telescopes and mounts are HEAVY!
If you need any further help, don't hesitate to PM me....
1) Bigger is better (as always). Bigger in this case being tube diameter/aperture/mirror size. The bigger the aperture, the more light you will be able to collect. More light = brighter, sharper image.
2) Decide what you want to view, it greatly influences the choice of telescope. Basically, you need to decide if you want to primarily view the moon/planets or view deep space objects [DSO](galaxies etc).
3) If you want to do DSO photography you HAVE to get an equatorial mount (or just possibly a wedge fitted onto an alt-az mount). For exposures of up to say 30 seconds of planets/the moon an alt-az mount will do.
4) Consider if you an automated tracking and finding (Go to) device. With one, it will automatically tell your scope your position (lat and long), which otherwise can be a fiddly, time-consuming job for a beginner. They have a database of up to several thousand objects pre-stored; you press a button saying "Go to object X" and the scope will go there and automatically track the object. Purists hate them since they get off on fiddling around with the set up, are proud of their knowledge of where objects are and have the dexterity to manually track the object. For me, it's been a total godsend.
5) If you need to transport the telescope to a suitably dark place, remember that telescopes and mounts are HEAVY!
If you need any further help, don't hesitate to PM me....