My new scope - Initial costs to take up astronomy.

I've decided I picked the right scope for a first scope. I've now owned my Orion Skyquest XT8 for a little over a week and am perfectly happy with it. It is an 8" Dobsonian Reflector scope, and is depicted in my avatar picture. It cost $369, plus $60 shipping, plus $64 for a case for the optical tube assembly (OTA). The scope came with a laser collimator and two good ploessl eyepieces. So, about $500 to start. I've just purchased an eyepiece case for $30, including shipping, a decent filter set for $70 including shipping, and a 2X Barlow lens, for $47. I think this is all I should need for a long while to really go to town with this hobby. So, the hobby costs roughly $600 to start. I'd say that is pretty close to the minimum one should spend on this to start (though ove can argue that once could do without the filters and and Barlow). You can go up from there. If you get a comparable refractor, or Cassegraine, it will cost you probably a few hundred more. If you want a computerized mount and scope, you are talking not less than about $1200, not including filters and extra eyepieces. I have now seen spectacular views of the moon, numerous star clusters, Saturn (including the rings), Mars, at least two galaxies and lots of stars.

For me, this was the perfect starter scope. I wanted to learn my way around the sky and the way to do that is by reading about it and using star charts. Personally, I think for me, as a beginner, a computerized mount would have been a mistake.

The Orion Skyquest XT8 is a high quality scope, and very easy to work with. Orion also has excellent customer service. The views I have seen are unbelievable. The optics are simply fantastic.

I recommend it wholeheartedly.