Telescope or Binocular ?

Well, ..., Don't buy a telescope untill you have enough money to afford a decent scope. So, IMHO, you go for the binoculars. A good pair of 10x50's are a versatile pair of binoculars for moth terrestrial and astronomical observations. 20x50 will work to just remember that, due to the greater magification, your feild of view will be a bit more narrow that the 10x50's. See the write-up below on howto buy a decent pair of binoculars.

Buying a Decent Pair of Binoculars

----------------------------------------------------

I've owned a pair of Bushnell 10X50 Powerview binoculars for the past 14+ years and I love them. I've used them for astronomy, as well as, terrestrial observing and they've always been great! They still work as well today as the day I received them as a gift 14+ years ago. I haven't tried the 20x50's but if they work for you then get them. Some things you should look for in binoculars are:

1) The image quality should be consistent from edge to edge, top to bottom, and throughout the field of view ... no 'coke bottle' effect.

2) Color rendition should be exactly the same as normal vision. So avoid binoculars with Ruby tinted objectives. The objectives should be tinted with a blue green multi-coating. If there is no multi-coating on the objectives do not buy the binoculars.

3) The Image should be correct both up and down and left and right. No inverted images

4) Items (1,2,3) above should remain true through (once focused) zoom.

5) Items (1,2,3) should remain in focus through zoom in and zoom out operations.

6) The binoculars should pass the 'cable test' through zoom in and zoom out operations.

Cable test - find both thin vertical and horizontal cables with binoculars. As you observe the cables in up and down, and side to side, transitions from sides to side and up and down. The cables should display no chromatic distortion (red, yellow, green, or blue) on either side of the cables.

7) They should be comfortable to use and hold not bulky or difficult to handle. Anything beyond 50mm on objective size begin to be difficult to handle which is why 10x50, 16x50, and or 20x50's are great general purpose binoculars. This is of course a purchase decision you must make for yourself.

8) At least one or more oculars should be "focusable"

9) Both oculars should have comfortable cups for your eyes and the oculars should be at least 0.5" (1/2 inches) diameter (or better)

10) Focus both in and out and return to focus. The focus should "snap-in" and images in the feild of view should have a "crisp" or sharp image. No fuzzy images except for things very close. Far away items should be in focus. If you think of binoculars as being an extension of your eyes then that is how they should work.

11) The primary objectives should be free of any marring, bubbles or grit in the glass, and should be multi-coated (bluish green in color).

12) Turn the binoculars around and (with the lens caps off) look thought the main objectives to the oculars (you may need to focus slightly. The oculars should be free of any marring, bubbles or grit in the glass.

13) Don't buy the "straight barrel" (roof prism) type binoculars. By the traditional type (porro prism). The Porro Prism type binoculars are optically better performers.

14) Generally, any set of binoculars over 50mm (in objective size) are usually too heavy for the average person to hold steady (unless your Arnold), so, you will most likely need a Trapezoid, Tripod, or Monopole to hold them steady. Of course for pure Astronomy work the larger the objective the better (70mm, 80mm, or larger). just bear in mind that you will need some type of mount to properly steady them ... so figure that cost into your purchase price as well.

BTW, If your binoculars fail any of these tests don't buy them or return them immediately. BTW, Wal*Mart sells the Bushnell 10X50's for $52 and the Bushnell 20x50's can be found on Amazon for $75 which is a great deal.

I'd say neither. A 20-power binocular is nearly impossible to hand-hold. Also, good, large roof prism binoculars cost more than good 8" dobs, and cheap roof prism binoculars are trash, especially for astronomy. A telescope smaller than 2" is too small to be of much use - you need more aperture. You'll get more use out of a 7x50 or 10x50 porro prism binocular. That's a great instrument to begin exploring the night sky with, and to help plan star-hops with the dob when you get it. It's also a good general-purpose glass for wildlife etc.

It depends which satellite you mean..A man made satellite tv for pc, moons, or space junk. But sure you can find any satellites with a telescope, binoculars, and a scope. Whatever that advances sight closer to you.

I would personally go with a smaller pair of binoculars, like 7x50 or 10x50. They're easier to hold and will produce steadier images if you don't have a tripod.

telescope for sure.