Joe, is a Meade, Model DS-114ATE, 144mm reflecting with a 910mm focal length, and Autostar Tracking, is that a passable telescope for getting started?... After what you guys have posted as your basic equipment, I feel a bit intimidated with my little Christmas present. It does have the video capabilities attachment, but ...
That's a great scope. You can learn a whole lot with that instrument. I have had over 8 scopes. Reflectors, refractors etc. All of them I had purchased used, except my current one. And I traded my old one for that. LOL!
Some people make the mistake of spending too much on their first scope, and find out later, they don't have a lot of interest. It's always better to start smaller and if it sparks your interest, go from there. Have fun. Check out the planet Saturn, if you haven't already. It's out now.
Thank you, Joe. The weather has really sucked here in E. TN for the past two weeks. I've played with the 25mm scope lens on the tube, but haven't even taken the other two (a 3mm and a 4.5mm out of the holders. I'm waiting to attach the motors until the weather gets better. I suppose the comet is beyond the horizon now, so that is lost, but ... all the lighted moon are belong to me!... Eventually