Introduction to Tasco Telescopes

Reflectors (or Newtonian telescopes)
Refractors
Spotting Scopes

When asked to help someone choose which telescope they should buy the  first question is always “Who will be using the telescope?”.  We have a large range of telescopes for every age from basic models for younger children to more advanced models that can open up the whole universe.

The second  question is “What do you want to look at?” because while you can look at anything with any of our telescopes, they are all designed to be better at something in particular. So if you answer is:

“Only or Mainly (>95%) looking at the night sky”.
Then you should be looking at a Reflectors telescope. 

 “Both stars and things on the ground”. Then you should be looking at an Astronomical Refractor telescope. 

“Only looking at things on the ground”. Then you should be looking at either a Terrestrial Refractor or a Spotting Scope . 

Reflector Telescopes

Reflector telescopes use a concave mirror to reflect and focus light back from the “back” of the telescope onto a secondary flat mirror which then reflects the light to the side and into the eyepiece. The eyepiece then focuses and magnifies the image. 

Reflector telescopes are characterised by the much larger diameters of the telescope tube which allows a lot more light to enter the telescope. Because of this they are best suited for astronomical use (star-gazing).

Reflector telescopes don't normally have an objective lens however sometimes they do and are called “Catadioptric”. The additional lens at the front of the telescope allows for a more compact telescope design.

Refractor Telescopes

Refractor telescopes are the type of telescope that most people think of. They have an objective lens at the front of the telescope and the eyepiece at the back. As the light passes through the telescope it is bent or refracted, into a focal point. The eyepiece then magnifies the image for the eye to see.

There are three main types of Refractor telescopes:

Astronomical  Refractor Telescopes

These are the most popular type of telescopes that we have. The power or magnification is changed by inserting different eyepieces. As well they can be adapted so that an SLR camera can be attached to the telescope by using a 'photo adaptor tube' (available separately). Although the image is shown upside down and back to front, by inserting an ‘erecting eyepiece' (supplied with the telescope) the image is “flipped” the right way round for when you wish to look at a terrestrial object such as a distant building.

Terrestrial Refractor Telescopes

These telescopes differ from the astronomical refractors in that they usually only have one eyepiece (which cannot be removed) which both zooms over a large range of powers (eg 30-90 magnification) and ensures that the image appears the right way round.

Spotting Scopes

Spotting scopes are a compact form of the ‘terrestrial refractor telescope'. They were originally designed for use by target shooters in competitions to enable them to “spot the target” or see where the shots had landed without moving from the firing position. 

They are also used by both hunters and nature watchers who wish to “scan “ or keep a watch on an area. The spotting scope provides a much higher range of magnifications than binoculars can (up to 60x) and the comfort of using a tripod for extended periods.

The tripod for a spotting scope is usually only 30-45 cm high (12-18 in). Spotting scopes are available with either a “straight - through” eyepiece or with the eyepiece raised 45 degrees. 

Their combination of excellent optics (clear view) and compact size has made them very popular with people who don't have the space for a full size telescope and tripod but who, like hunters, want more power than binoculars can provide and the comfort of a tripod. A spotting scope on a table (such as a dining table) is an excellent alternative to a full size telescope.