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[gryphter]

I've been looking into picking up my first "quality" telescope, and figured I'd turn to everyone here for some advice. I currently own a Meade DS114, but never have much luck getting up close or detailed views of anything but the moon. I was looking into possible getting a 10 inch Dobsonian, after reading through the forums. Being able to see decent detail in Jupiter, Saturn, and nebulas other than just a colorful "dot" is what I am really interested in - in fact, I wouldn't mind getting into photography later down the road. Of course, I do live near Midway... so light pollution would definitely come into play. Any advice you could give would be appreciated, and, if it helps, here's the links for the two models that I was considering:


www.telescopes.com/products/celestron-starhopper-10-inch-dobsonian-25833.html

www.telescopes.com/products/zhumell-10-inch-dobsonian-reflector-telescope-38399.html

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Gryphter,

First, thank you for joining the Chicago Astronomer family - where we mock the light pollution and observe anyway. And second, for your first question.

A starting telescope is a very important decision not to be taken lightly. If you underbuy, you will be disappointed and rarely use the scope. If you overbuy, it may be too complicated of an instrument or too heavy to be dragging out for observation sessions. There is a medium ground for everybody, and we are here to assist you in finding yours.

A Dobsonian reflecting telescope is an excellent starter scope, and one I usually recommend to those asking which one would be the best. It's economical - more bang for the buck, takes a beating and provides good views. Get the biggest you can afford. On the downside, Dobs are rather clumsy, can be quite heavy and are not motorized without special adapters, but then the price goes up dramatically. Not well suited for serious astrophotography. Sometimes the odd angle of a Dob goes into aiming toward a desired object is hard on the neck, but an accepted contortion of an astronomers past time.

I recommend an 8" or 10" Dob.

Let's take a look at the two you narrowed down as they are both 10 inchers - It's a tough call between the two...

Zhumell 10 Inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

Features Include:
10-inch, Fully Multi-Coated Optical Mirror
2-inch, dual-speed, Crayford Focuser
Cooling fan
8x50 RACI finderscope
Included 2-inch-to-1.25-inch Eyepiece Adapter
Quick Collimation Screws for Easy Mirror Alignment
32mm, 2-inch-Format, Wide Field and 1.25-inch, 9mm Plossl Eyepieces
Zhumell 1.25in. Laser Collimator Included

Celestron StarHopper 10 Inch Dobsonian

10-inch primary mirror;
50-inch focal length;
BK7, optical-quality glass;
Roller-track bearing provides smooth swivel motion;
Variable-tension clutch system for balance and smooth alt-azimuth control;
Includes 32mm, E-Lux, 2-inch eyepiece;
9x50 finderscope;
Includes 2-inch focuser, 1.25-inch adapter;
Built-in cooling fan.

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Price. They are both listed retail for $499.00

Aesthetically, I like the Zhumell better, but it's not how the scope looks on the outside, but how objects look in the inside.

Cooling Fan. The Zhumell has a cooling fan. A good option to have when you really need to stabilize the temps between the outside and internal air. Until they are, you are apt to be the victim of convection current and blurred images. The Celestron also has one included. So far tied.

In the finder scopes. The Zhumell has a 8x50 and the Celestron a 9x50. Not a great deal of difference, and sometimes lower mag finder scopes are better to locate objects. The straight through finder scopes should all be replaced with angled ones. When the dob is pointed anywhere above 60 degrees, one has to twist one's head/neck into highly uncomfortable positions to sight thru. A 90 degree finder scope makes an observation session much more pleasant.

On the 10" mirror. They both seem to be of standard coating, which is aluminum. Although the Celestron mentions a Bak-7 glass, it also states normal coating, so no real advantage.

Eyepieces. The Zhumell comes with two eyepieces - a 32mm 2" wide field and a 9mm 1.25", which means instant observing with two powers. The Celestron only comes with one - a 32mm, a 2". Once you go with a 2" eyepiece, you will never go back to 1.25" easily again. I think the Zhumell wins out here, but just slightly. You will require more eyepieces and a 25mm 2"/1.25" would fill out your immediate need.

Focusers. The Celestron has a standard focuser. The Zhumell has a crayford 2-speed focuser. Highly desired, the crayford is a good focuser. The Celestron requires an adapter, (included), to change back and forth between 1.25 and 2" eyepieces, as does the Zhumell The Zhumell wins out here too.

Base. The Celestron boasts a variable clutch system for it's base. The Zhumell seems to have Teflon pads. I really don't think the Celestron's system is any better than the Zhumell's. Tie

Weight. The Celestron is 65 lbs and the Zhumell is 60 Lbs. Maybe not a lot, but every pound eliminated from lugging the beast out to a observing site is doing your back a favor. Zhumell wins.

One also gets a laser collimator with the Zhumell. I have one, don't use it that often, but glad to have it when I do my once a year heavy maintenance on my scope.

Overall....

I think if I were in the market for a good Dob, both good scopes, I would choose the Zhumell over the Celestron in this close comparison. It provides more items and options for the same price. I like the much better focuser on the Zhumell anyway. Some may consider the additional items the Zhumell offers as a way of hiding inferior construction, but I don't think so in the case.

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Cloudynights.com should have a review on both scopes there with seasoned astronomers posting working sessions of the instruments.

Let us know what you decide and since you are close by, I invite you to join us on our many mini star sessions the Chicago Astronomers conduct and will include your email address in our email notification list.

[gryphter]

Thanks for the quick response and the information. I'm leaning toward that Zhumell... wound up doing more research last night after I posted, and the Dob seems to be the best choice. I think I may take a look around, check a few shops in the area before committing to a purchase. This way I can also look into the 90º attachments for the finder scopes and other lens / filter kits.

<edited> Found this...

www.amazon.com/dp/B000M88AAW/ref=nosim/?tag=dealtime-ce-feed-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B000M88AAW&linkCode=asn

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Gryphter,

Stay with the Zhumell selection.

The Skyquest is over a hundred dollars more that Amazon is selling, with really no substantial additional items or options. We have a few Skyquests at the Adler Planetarium, including the 10". They are fine astronomical instruments, but not for the price Amazon is asking.

I think you will be satisfied with the 10" Zhumell.

[gryphter]

Ordered the Zhumell last night, paid less than $400 too (I love the net). My next question would be concerning eyepieces. I should be getting a 2" 32mm and a 1.25" 9mm plossi eyepiece with the scope. With the "remainder" of my initial investment, I could go with a higher quality Barlow (was reading that the Orion Shorty plus would be a good choice) and a higher quality eyepiece (TrueVue Plossi line), or I could just go with a kit from Zhumell or Celestron. The later kit has 5 different 1.25" plossi eyepieces, a barlow, and filters.

I've read that there is a noticeable difference as you move up in quality of the eyepieces themselves (including the Barlow), and I also know that the filters can tend to get expensive. Though, with the kit, I can start getting a feel for the different lens and filters (which I haven't had any experience with). Again, any advice or input would be appreciated.

Celestron Kit:
www.telescopes.com/products/celestron-eyepiece-and-filter-kit-1-25-inch-format-11535.html

Zhumell Kit (found for $99):
www.zhumell.com/specialty/zhumell-accessories-packages.html

[gryphter]

Well, it's been a week waiting on the Zhumell... from what I read, the optics are a bit better than that of Orion ( www.astronomy.com/ASY/CS/forums/348337/ShowPost.aspx Check out the reply by skywriter). I also ordered the 1.25" eyepiece kit from Celestron (5 EP and 5 filters) and an Orion 1.25" Shorty Plus Barlow.

Pulled out the old Meade (DS114) this weekend as well, and with a cheap 25mm / 3x Barlow combo I managed to see Jupiter - slight detail, with the center band being faint, and all 4 moons. Granted, the planet was small ~ 3/16" and the moons were like pin pricks. None the less, that was a first. Checked out the moon using a 12.5mm and 3x Barlow as well Can't wait to get the higher quality lenses.

I also perused Meade's web site, they actually still have some accessories for sale for the DS, so, I ordered the EP mount for 1.25" EPs.... figure that I'll be able to use the better EP's with both scopes... granted I will have far better results with the new 10" dob.