Jim if you are having trouble with your eyes I suggest getting one with an eyepiece with as much eye relief as possible - it makes a huge difference to comfort. Most cheap scopes have really small eyepieces. Go second-hand and you'll get something really good for the price of those Celestrons. There's really not much that can possibly be wrong with a second-hand scope from a reputable dealer. My second-hand Leica served me well for years

Thank you very, very much for all your responses and suggestions.

I am going to take these all to heart and forget about Celestrons, at least for the time being. My current scope was second hand and has done sterling work over the years since I bought it from In Focus so I shall probably go the same route again.

So thanks again to all.

Me Too, a second hand model at a cheaper price would be better than a brand new cheaper made scope, ebay, or even on here in the sales section, keep your eye on it, scopes do turn up for sale for reasonalbe prices, or any optics shops with trade ins could be worth a try, good luck

Jim,
If your on a limited budget I would suggest investing in a decent secondhand scope,there's usually a few on E.bay,and I'm sure most optic suppliers have second hand scopes that they have traded in for sale.

Doc Brewster wrote:

---

If you specifically want to chat to me rather than other staff please ring first, phone number in the private message so not to be blatently advertising

---

Not blatantly advertising Paul?

John is right, Jim, you have to look through scopes/bins before deciding as everyones eyes differ. You get what you pay for to some extent, but pay ever increasing amounts for smaller & smaller improvements in quality, so a happy medium may be best. I have sent a private message about Celestron scopes which is important, so please read that. As John says too you would be very welcome to pop out to Focalpoint & if you make yourself know I will brew up for you if it is a day that I am in. If you specifically want to chat to me rather than other staff please ring first, phone number in the private message so not to be blatently advertising

I would say look through similar threads on here,I would not venture further than Opticron or Nikon at the cheaper end of the Market,and go to one of the dealers who specialise in birding optics,eith Focalpoint or In focus at Martin mere and see what you can get for your money,before you venture into the unknown.
cheers John

My old telescope is becoming a liability rather than an asset and I have been considering getting a new one. The problem is, on a low pension my options are very limited.

However I saw that Amazon are doing a range of Celestron scopes at what looks like quite good prices.


The Celestron Ultima 100mm Straight View Scope is only c£250 and the 80mm Celestron 52254 Ultima 80 Straight View Scope is under £150!

Can anyone give me an unbiased (or even unbiased!) view of these? The 100mm is really out of my price range but with my deteriorating eyesight I thought it might be worth trying to stretch for.

Any suggestions?

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

Doc Brewster wrote:

---

If you specifically want to chat to me rather than other staff please ring first, phone number in the private message so not to be blatently advertising

---

Not blatantly advertising Paul?

---

well.......................... not advertising as such, just trying to help, I hate birders getting advice on optics from non-birders at some outlets, just doing my bit As always folk don't have to buy from us but I am happy to give them advice all the same

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 04:05:23 PM