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When buying a telescope, many people either buy the first telescope they see or buy the best telescope they can find. Buying the telescope which will provide you enjoyment for years to come is the key. Many people all to often who would have years of enjoyment with astronomy, leave soon after because of buying a low quality telescope. And what makes this happen, is usually down to a very low telescope mount.

 

Galileo had telescope optics which were nothing of the quality compared today, however, he had a great time with astronomy, because of the quality of his telescope mount.

 

Good telescope mounts should have two available adjustments, the azimuth, which is left to right movement, and altitude, which is the up and down adjustment. It should also hold the telescope steady while focusing or adjusting the scope or even in the wind. If the scope mounts allow it to move or jumps every time your head bumps it, interest will probably wane like a fading moon. Most new to astronomy think about taking pictures of the stars and telescope mounts may seem to make that easier as the telescope will not move, but many forget that the earth does move.

 

There are automatic telescope mounts that once properly setup will follow the movement of the earth, maintaining pinpoint focus on the star or moon that is being aimed at. Astrophotography is an expensive and time-consuming hobby or occupation and most newcomers will settle for blurred pictures of circles in the sky.

 

Telescope Or Mount Is Better Investment

 

The question many people ponder is it better to have an expensive telescope or a more expensive mount. Essentially, for the best viewing opportunities it will require both. A good quality telescope with a couple of eyepieces offering adjustments to the focal length and field of view will help make finding smaller stars easier. Good telescope mounts will help when focusing and making other adjustments, keeping the view stable for fine tuning focus.

 

To say one type is better than another may be a stretch as what works well for one person may not be comfortable for another. There are many parts to a telescope and they all have to work together to provide the desired results. The eyepiece, the telescope itself, telescope mounts and the ability to find the stars all have to work together to provide exciting images through the telescope lenses.

 

The choice of telescope mount is crucial in having a long term hobby with stargazing. Even the worst telescope can have a major improvement with a good telescope mount. Remember that there is a fine line when choosing your telescope with a telescope mount. A more steady mount, perhaps made from aluminium or some other metal could become too heavy to carry.

 

This happened to me a few years ago. I purchased a telescope after years before buying a cheap telescope with a poor telescope mount. The telescope mount was way to heavy to be portable to carry to and from the garden. Gradually the telescope stayed in the garden, and gradually got rusty. Keep this in mind, and look at your particular needs.