Expert: Paul Wagner - 4/30/2008

Question
Hi there!
Our basement was recently flooded and a Jason telescope that my husband bought for the kids at a garage sale became damaged.  We are allowed to purchase a new one through insurance, but have no idea what telescope might be cosidered a good substitute for the jason model.  I just read that the Jason model has been discontinued.  If you could offer any advice on what might be a fair replacement, it would be a great help.  Also any suggestions as to where we might go to purchase one in Southern Ontario?  Thanks for your help!

Answer
HI Tanya

Jason scopes were entry level telescopes, and most had a few problems that made them a little hard to use.  Instead of looking for a replacement for that scope, I would look for the best way to spend that money to get the scope you want.  Most amateurs would tell you that the larger the diameter of the scope, the more you can see.  So I would go to the website at Orion telescopes and take a look at all that they offer--they have a great informational site about what to look for in a scope, and what scopes are best for what kinds of observing.  

And they have pretty good prices, too.

Here is a link:

http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=telescopes;jsessionid=19F...

Hope that helps.  And send me a note once you think you have a few ideas, and I'll be happy to give you my recommendations.

Paul Wagner