[LVAS] 100mm Table Top Reflector Question?

[Laura Kelm]

Hi Roger,
I don't have any experience with any of the beginner scopes, but I was asked
by someone at work to make scope recommendations for a first scope for a 7
year old.  After checking out the Orion website, I have come up with a short
list, which will include the Sky Scanner 100mm reflector on the list, and
the Orion GoScope 80mm refractor (both $99.95).  From reading the specs,
they both sound like decent scopes, but my issue with the reflector is that
it doesn't appear that you can collimate the primary mirror, which could
lead to issues.  I read some reviews obviously by people who have been doing
this for awhile that they were able to modify the tube so they can collimate
the primary, but this isn't something a beginner would do.  Refractors don't
have the collimation issue, which makes me think it might be a better first
scope.  As I said, I don't have experience with either of these scopes, so
maybe someone with more experience has some input?

Laura

On Mon, Feb 15, 2010 at 7:21 AM, roger ivester <drivester at hotmail.com>wrote:

>
> One more thing, the 100mm has a true parabolic f/4 mirror, rather than an
> f/4 spherical in the 76 Celestron. A huge difference.
>
> Roger
>
> ------------------------------
> From: drivester at hotmail.com
> To: lvas at lvlug.org
> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:00:48 +0000
> Subject: [LVAS] 100mm Table Top Reflector Question?
>
>
> All,
>
> I had sent an e-mail earlier saying that I wanted to get my nine year old
> granddaughter a 76mm Celestron FirstScope. Since that time I have noticed
> that Orion has a *100mm "SkyScanner 100mm Table Top Reflector for $100
> dollars. *Looks like the same Chinese factory makes both scopes.
>
> It is not much larger in size, better EP's, and a red dot finder. It has a
> spider holding the secondary, rather than a single stalk attached to the
> focuser. *The price is only $50 dollars more. *
> **
> *I would have to get a finder for the Celestron, so that is extra money
> added to the initial cost of the 76mm. *
>
> I am hoping that maybe a better scope might also inspire my son Brad to
> start doing a bit of observing.
>
> *Question: Has anyone every seen or had any experience with this scope?  I
> know that it is not going to work as well as my 4-inch refractor, but I do
> believe all the messiers and more would be possible with this scope. *
>
> I know that I could buy a tried and proven "StarBlast", but that is another
> $100 dollars. If I could be for sure that the scope was going to be well
> used, I would get the "StarBlast". The "SB" might also be too big for Zoe to
> handle.
>
>
>
> Thanks, Roger
>
>
>
>
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>
>
> *    The moon and stars to govern the night.....   Psalm 136:9*
>
>
>
>
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