Equipment Buyer's Guide

Thinking of purchasing a telescope?

Here you can find a list of astronomy retailers nearest you, a glossary of terms as well as links to new products, software and book reviews.

Also, from the November / December 2005 issue of SkyNews, the article "Tips for First-Telescope Buyers", from the November/December 2002 issue of SkyNews, "The Best Telescopes Under $1000" and from the November/December 2004 issue, "10 Steps to Successful Stargazing", each in PDF form.

Click here for the article "Tips for First-Telescope Buyers".
Click here for the article "The Best Telescopes For Under $1000".
Click here for the article "10 Steps to Successful Stargazing".

Recommended reading material for more in-depth information includes The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer, and NightWatch by Terence Dickinson


Looking for great astronomy gifts or stocking stuffers?

From the November/December 2006 of SkyNews, "This year, give yourself an astro-accessory".
(PDF, 148kb)

From the November/December 2005 issue of SkyNews, "Stocking stuffers for the backyard astronomer". (PDF, 150kb)

For more information on the recommended gifts and stocking stuffers, contact a vendor fro the retailer list below.



Retailers Near You | Book Reviews | New Products | Glossary


Astronomy Stores

Ontario | Quebec | Prince Edward Island | Alberta | British Columbia | Manitoba | USA |

Others


Ontario

AstroMechanics
320 Bayfield St, Bayfield Mall
Barrie, ON L4N 3C1
705-725-0625
www.astromechanics.com
info@astromechanics.com
Authorized dealer for Skywatcher and Olivon products.
Camtech Photographic
588 Concession Street, Hamilton, ON
905-389-8545
www.camtechphoto.com
Since 1976 Camtech has provided the Hamilton and Niagara region with quality telescopes, spotting scopes, microscopes and binoculars. Authorized dealer for Celestron, Nikon, Pentax Bushnell and Starry Night software.
EfstonScience
The Science & Astronomy SuperStore
3350 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON M6A 3A4
416-787-4581
1-888-777-5255
sales@telescopes.ca
www.telescopes.ca
Canada's largest hands-on showroom of astronomical and observing equipment. Premier dealer of all major brands including Meade, Celestron, Vixen, Sky-Watcher, Tele Vue, William Optics and SkyPOD. Browse and shop online! We'll meet or beat any Canadian published price...don't buy until you've called us!  
Focus Scientific Ltd
1489 Merivale Road, Ottawa, ON K2E 5P3
613-723-1350
sales@focusscientific.com
http://focusscientific.com
Kendrick Astro Instruments
2920 Dundas St. West, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8
416-762-7946
sales@kendrickastro.com
www.kendrickastro.com
World famous retailer and manufacturer of astro equipment. Expert advice, excellent service, huge up-to-date web site, used equipment and sales. Free shipping on orders over $250 (North America only)!
Khan Scope Centre
3243 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON M6A 2T2
416-783-4140
1-800-580-7160
info@khanscope.com
www.khanscope.com
Now in our 20th year of serving the astronomical community. Knowledgeable staff, Meade Celestron, Tele Vue, William Optics, Lumicon and many others. New and used equipment, service and repairs.
KW Telescope and Nature
162 Victoria Street S, Kitchener, ON N2G 2B5
519-342-2376
www.kwtelescope.com
info@kwtelescope.com
O'Neil Photo and Optical Inc.
356 William St., London, ON
N6B 3C7
www.oneilphoto.on.ca
Exclusive Canadian dealer for Stellarvue telescopes.
Perceptor Telescopes
17250 Highway 27
Brownsville Junction Plaza, Suite 201
Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0
905-939-2313
1-877-452-1610
perceptor@on.aibn.com
www.perceptor.ca

Serving the astronomy community for over 25 years.  Providing all major brands, including quality products from Astro-Physics, Celestron, Meade, Losmandy, Orion, Sky-Watcher, Takahashi, Tele Vue, William Optics and more.
PM Telescope
191 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay, ON
705-472-9311
www.pmtelescope.ca
Sky Optics
4031 Fairview Street, Unit 216B, Burlington, ON L7L 2A4
905-631-9944
www.skyoptics.ca
SkyShed and SkyPod Observatories
519-345-0036
www.skyshed.com
www.skyshedpod.com
SkyPod now on sale!
Starlight Theatre
1-800-278-2032
www.starlight-theatre.net
Now on DVD! Can your students recognize the Big Dipper? Unlike textbooks, our pads of easy to use star maps and videotapes bring the sky into the classroom. There's more for astronomers too.

Quebec

AJ's Telescope Workshop
514-809-4532
www.ajstelescopeworkshop.ca

Prince Edward Island

NatureWatch
1-902-628-8095
1-800-693-8095
naturewatch@eastlink.ca
www.naturewatchshop.com

Atlantic Canada's source for telescopes, binoculars and accessories. Free Delivery in the Maritimes. Special: CPC 8 GPS XLT—just $2499!

Alberta

All-Star Telescope
Hwy 2A
Didsbury, Alberta
866-310-8844
www.All-StarTelescope.com
Western Canada's newest astronomy store featuring Celestron, JMI, William Optics, Sky-Watcher and Antares equipment with secure online ordering and no provincial tax. Only thirty minutes north of Calgary.

Sky Vue Telescopes
144 Edgehill Close NW, Calgary, AB T3A 2X1
403-239-8386
skyvue@telus.net

Telescopes, mounts and accessories from the best manufacturers and suppliers in the business.

The Science Shop
316 Southgate Centre, Edmonton, AB
1-888-434-0519
scienceshop@telus.net
www.thescienceshop.com

The SCIENCE shop is Western Canada’s largest telescope and accessory retailer.  We stock a variety of products from the biggest names in astronomical products, and can special order upon request.

British Columbia

Island Eyepiece and Telescope Ltd.
Box 133, 647 Hunter Place, Mill Bay, BC V0R 2P0
250-743-6633
Fax: 250-743-6907
sales@islandeyepiece.com
www.islandeyepiece.com
Canada's Source For Astronomy. Personal service and a great online website. We carry a large selection of major brands and hard to find items. Give us a try, you won't be disappointed.
Science Works
1889 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, BC
250-595-6033
1-877-593-8831
Vancouver Telescope Centre
3303 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6R 1N6
604-737-4303
fax: 604-738-5717
www.vancouvertelescope.com

United States of America

Lumicon
750 Easy Street
Simi Valley, California, 93065
1-800-420-0255
www.lumicon.com
Oceanside Photo and Telescope
1-800-483-6287
www.optcorp.com
OPT is a leading dealer for Meade, Celestron, SBIG, Televue, Coronado,Takahashi and more.  OPT stocks thousands of telescopes, eyepieces, CCD cameras and telescope accessories for immediate delivery to Canada and beyond!
Scope City
1-800-235-3344
Simi Valley, California
Sherman Oaks, California
Costa Mesa, California
San Diego, California
San Francisco, California
Las Vegas, California
www.scopecity.com
For the latest in astronomical equipment and accessories visit www.scopecity.com, any of Scope City Center in California and Nevada or call us directly. Scope City features all major brands at Discount Prices!

Others

Antares/Sky Instruments
Telescopes, eyepieces and other optical equipment.
1-877-270-4225
Fax: 1-800-648-4188
www.antaresoptical.com
Astronomers Inn
The Arizona Astronomy and Nature Retreat
1311 S. Astronomer's Road
Benson, Arizona
85602
vegasky@earthlink.net
www.astronomersinn.com
At our retreat, we offer dark skies while still enjoying the comforts of a modern Bed and Breakfast.  Astronomy for beginners to advanced amateurs. Telescopes from 6-inch to 20-inch.
Astronomy Buy & Sell
Canada's trading post for new and used telescope accessories.
www.astrobuysell.com
Branblewood Bed & Breakfast
519-376-8816
www.bramblewoodbb.com
The Star Lady and Bramblewood B&B team up with the Bright Stars of Georgian Bay for an unforgettable stargazing experience!
Celestron
Telescopes, binoculars and other optical equipment.
www.celestron.com
Firefly Books
Publisher and distributer of astronomy books and more.
www.fireflybooks.com
Gentec International/Zeiss
Zeiss optics, telescopes, binoculars and other optical equipment.
www.gentec-intl.com
Imaginova
Starry Night software
www.starrynight.com
Jasper
Green astronomy lasers.
www.luckyduck.com
Meade
Telescopes, eyepieces and accessories.
www.meade.com
ROBOsky.com
Robotic observatories and observatory hosting services.
www.robosky.com
Custom robotic observatories for astronomy and environmental science. Observatory hosting (Canadian dark sky location), control robotic telescopes over the Internet, live weather station data and e-Learning Space Resources for K-12 students.
Sky-Watcher
Telescopes, eyepieces and accessories.
www.skywatchertelescope.net
Software Bisque
The Sky software, ME Robotic Telescope Mount.
www.bisque.com
William Optics USA
Telescopes, eyepieces and accessories.
www.williamoptics.com
Now available: Limited Edition Patriot 66 mm refractor. A donaton to the Red Cross is made with each order.


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