How many scopes are too many?

[Starkler]

How many telescopes is too many?
How many telescopes do you own? Please don't count toy or trash scopes unless you actually use them :)

Soon I will have four :scared:
GSO 10" dob, 5" newt, and two scopes coming, a 15" SDM truss dob and a Vixen ED115S.

This is the place to confess if you have succumbed to telescope acquisition syndrome. Is there a cure?

[[1ponders]]

Your question doesn't make sense Geoff. The grammar is correct but the context is too obscure for me. :shrug: :screwy:





;)

[Starkler]

You're quick off the mark Paul, responding before I have even finished doing the poll :scared:

I think you did this to me once before :confuse3:

[Kal]

I have two scopes (in sig) and a pair of 25x100 giant binoculars. My friend at work owns 8 scopes, funny thing is the first scope he bought was 11" aperture and the latest one was 66mm aperture....I think his 9th scope will be a borg 45mm scope :lol:

[nightsky]

G'Day,
Well I have to admit that I have the following:
18" Dob, Meade 10" LX 200 GPS,LX90 8" UHTC, LX90 8" EMC, and a Meade ETX 125 Oh and there's a ED 80 on it's way,Although I intend selling both of the LX90 8" very soon,as I'm running out of room :P
Cheers
Arthur

[Dave47tuc]

I don't have enough eyes for more than one scope:P

Does not matter how many you have as long as you enjoy what you have:thumbsup:

But I have one and would like a pst or something like that.:D

But I'm not allowed to buy any more astro stuff or my wife will as she said
" divorce me":scared:

[rumples riot]

Hey Dave I thought you had more scopes than that?

I got 4 at the moment, and about to get another and loose one. Got the 18" SDM, PST (double stacked), C9.25 and ED80 (which I have sold but sitting in my lounge room). Have placed an order for a C14 on CGE mount, so will sell the C9.25 in coming months.

Nothing else better to do with my money, so astro gear is the way.

[Dave47tuc]

Hey Paul,:)

No I only have the one. But I have owned a few over the years.:rolleyes:

[iceman]

Just 1, but always want more :)

[mill]

Owning 2 scopes 10" dob and a 70mm refractor.
Also have an 127mm ota without a lens :(
Still looking around for that lens, then i will have 3.

[Dennis]

In one’s collection, be it one or many;


Those that do get used are the right number.
Those that do not get used are too many.

Cheers

Dennis

[jjjnettie]

3 scopes is my aim.
I've got the 10" dob
An ED 80 on a decent mount is next.
A PST is on the wish list.

[g__day]

One - if its big enough!

[ballaratdragons]

Me:
2 scopes (maybe 3)
2 binocs

My Sons:
2 scopes (maybe 3)

I have 2 main scopes: GS 12", and Saxon ED80, and I also have 20x80 Binocs and 10x35 Binocs. All get used regularly.

But I also have a 100mm guidescope hand-made by Bert, if guidescopes count.

My sons have an 8" reflector and a 60mm refractor. Their 8" has a short-tube 80mm Achro as a finderscope.

So I suppose if you include guidescopes/finders you could say we have 6 scopes and 2 binocs in this house. 7 including the finderscope on the 12".

So I have marked '4 or more' as thats how many in this house, even though only 2 of them (maybe 3) are my own.

[bluescope]

4 = 2 Newts - 2 Maks

:thumbsup:

[Omaroo]

8 :ashamed:

( + the binoscope which isn't built yet = 9 )

They all get used except the 80mm Meade refractor. Maybe it'll become the farm scope.

[nightsky]

G'Day Chris,
I though I was bad ;) I know a good "shrink" who has a lovley couch I can put you in touch with him :P and that go's for some others on this thread as well.
Cheers
Arthur

[h0ughy]

lets see:help:


ed80
Intes M500
C8 ota
R200SS 8" Vixen
meade LX200R 10"
PST
nothing wrong with that:whistle: :whistle: ;)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I've got 3 at present: a 12" dob (originally bought a 10" but I 'upgraded') then the ETX-70, now recently a 114x900 reflector (so far unused, looking for a mount for it).

I think though in reference to the question of how many scopes is enough I can see that will always be "at least one more". ;)

Once I get the little reflector mounted then I'd like to get a PST in the next year or so (definitely prior to 2009/2010 anyway), but down the track I'd also like a much larger dob, maybe a nice ED80 for widefield viewing, etc.

I think this telescope owning thing is a VERY slippery slope once you start in on it. Bot SO much fun!
:D

[RB]

LOL Arthur, book me in for some sessions too. :lol:

I have 5 - (1 SCT, 4 refractors)
I need a Dob.....

My daughter Elizabeth has a 8" LB.
And my other daughter Sia, has a 4" Newt.

:D

[duncan]

I'd like one more, but the bloody bank won't finance it,LOL. A nice 6" refractor on a very expensive mount along with the best cameras that money could possibly buy!!!.:lol:

[Omaroo]

Excellent Andrew - we can get a bulk deal on our next quackular visitation. :lol:

[erick]

One telescope, but does having four pairs of binoculars count towards "needing help"?

[Omaroo]

hehe :)

What can we say.... we just love nice machinery!

[ving]

talk to cheryl and she will tell you one is enough, ask me tho and id say 3...

my current scope plus 1 80-90mm shortish refractor and 1 huge dob! :)

[cahullian]

I have 2
8" Dob
6" Refractor
I love the dob to bits as it is the first scope I ever owned.
I have had the refractor a few months and am still trying to come to terms with the position the eyepiece gets sometimes.

Gazz

[wavelandscott]

Multiple scope ownership kind of "sneaks up" on you...I wish you had not done this poll...we have 5 scopes at home...oh and one back in the US (I don't think that one should count)!

[MortonH]

If you haven't used a scope for more than 6 months, you've probably got too many, unless like me you like to look at them as well as through them.

I love small refractors. I'll never have anough of them!

Morton

[ballaratdragons]

Gee, been a while since this thread was added to. Thanks Morton for firing it up again.

I have to add one more scope to my previous post. A Saxon 120mm f5 Achro Refractor used as my Guidescope.

[KenGee]

I have just put together what I'm hoping will be an excellent imaging setup. A Williams 132 triplet with a 80mm guide scope on a Losmandy G11. I'm going to use a SBig st402 to guide and a QH8 to image. I'll keep you posted on how I go, I have only had a chance to do visual observing while I learn how to use everything properly. I’ve fallen in love with refractors and If nothing else this setup looks good. I've attached a binned capture to test focus distance of NGC 104.

[janoskiss]

Houghy, you NEED a Dob!

[Louwai]

I have a C8s-GT + an AT80.

Am currently trying to make a decision as to what the next one will be.
I'm looking at a C-14 or a 20" Obsession fully loaded.
Which ever it ends up being, I plan to have it by Feb 08.

[danielsun]

Four scopes for me;
10" dob,
8" dob,
ED 80
with a 70mm refractor on top as a guide and hopefully a PST a bit later on.

[coldspace]

1 pair 9 X 63 Bino's
8 inch F4 Newt on GE mount
5 inch Mak.
12 inch LX200R arriving in a few weeks.

[acropolite]

I have an LX90 and an Ed80/Eq6. With all that zipping, popping, whirring, chicken dancing go-to hardware, you'd think I'd be satisfied, but no, what I'd really like is a largish dob, preferably with an Argo Navis.

I reckon h0ughy's already got the formula worked out, too many is when you can't fit it all in to a Subaru Wagon with trailer and roof pod attached...:P

[ballaratdragons]

If Houghy couldn't fit his gear into a Subaru Wagon with trailer and roof pod attached, he'd just get a bigger car, trailer and roof pod :lol:

[h0ughy]

;) I am biding my time - I will eventually get a 16":whistle:

[h0ughy]

:D

worth every photon
:lol::thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

I used to have a Kia Carnival:lol: took out all the seats in the back when I had the 12" SCT

[h0ughy]

I have added a second:whistle: ED80

[LX200]

Sweet :thumbsup:



Lets see now :confuse3:

Permanent pier mounted LX200GPS-12"/ZS80 guide in ROR OBS +
for portable get up and go use a GPDX-SS2K/ED80 +
tinkering with LX5-8" peir/Argo-Navis

All Good :D

[§AB]

got 2 scopes but have this constant urge to buy more and more eyepieces. Everytime my bank account gets some juice in it I can't help myself. Think I need to see a therapist.

Like to get a 5 or 6" Mak on a decent GEM for those times when I can't be stuffed carrying the dob outside or if it looks like it might cloud over (nothing worse than hauling a 10" outside only for it to cloud over!), and for fitting into a car full of holiday gear to a dark sky site.

Maks are cool I want one!

[huckabuck]

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23672&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1171785558 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23672&d=1171785558)

check out the background. enough said????

contributed by unipol @ http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=194764#post194764

[snowyskiesau]

I have three scopes, an ED80 and two Celestron C8's, one on a fork mount and one on a SP mount.
I should get rid of the fork mount C8 as I rarely use it these days, perhaps replace it with a small dob that would get some use - when the rain stops.
Now I have a decent mount for them, the binoculars get the most use these days.

[ZeroID]

N + 1 ( N being the current number of scopes you've got ) :D

There's always an excuse\reason\desire\need\etc for another scope to do something else.

[MortonH]

The question should be re-framed as how many scopes are too few? :P

[castor]

My first scope was a 70mm f/5 Synta short-tube (sold it)
Currently-
Skywatcher 8'' f/5 Dob, Synta 4'' f/5 ST, Orion ED80, Takahashi FS-60C and 5'' Celestron Goto SCT

Celestron Skymaster 15x70 binos and generic Chinese 20x80 binos

Canon 15x50IS binos.... need a lower power pair that's high quality, suggestions?

I'm almost glad I'm terminally single. Optical equipment is notoriously divorce-genic.

[barx1963]

Well, I am now up to 7!!
20" Dob
8" Dob
130mm Newt on an EQ2
6" GSO RC
SWED80
80mm Guidescope
60mm Lunt Solar Scope

Not sure if that counts as too many!!

Malcolm

[ariefm71]

I have a 2-in-1 scope! :)

[astroboof]

God this old thread!

well managed to cull it down to 3 at home, 4 if you include an st80 demountable atop an ed100. The 8"f5, ed100 and vixen 130 are all modified prime scopes that are a joy for sheer usability. A scope ain't much good if its to much of a hassle to set up.

The rest are loaned out at present, and I am happy with that.

[g__day]

One - if it's big enough and you know how to use it!

[rally]

Since this old thread is still going I thought I would add my original thoughts since I didnt want to bias the orginal poll !

I have to say - The Poll was flawed from the start !
The OP had already biased the poll because the options listed presumed that 4 is a lot and that one needs help with 4 or more.

Its pretty obvious that you need multiple scopes for multiple purposes !
The longer you enjoy astronomy the more purposes you realise you need to satisfy

In particular for astrophotography where you need to create an appropriate image scale for whatever type of specific imaging you are doing and the cameras you may have.

Every one needs - for example :
At least one of the following

Solar scope
Polar Alignment scopes
Finder scopes (on each main OTA)
Guide scopes (if not using OAG)
Travel visual scope (compact)
Main large aperture visual scope (probably Dob)
Primary visual refractor or smaller aperture scope
AP scope - long focal length
AP scope - medium focal length
AP scope - short focal length
AP scope - compact travel scope
The remote observatory scope
NEO/Comet spotting scope

Then we need to consider the collectables - first scope, brass antique scopes, the one you built yourself, all Takahashi refractors, All AP scopes etc etc !!
Pus a few toy scopes - eg Galileoscope, desk dobs or mini Alt/Az scopes.

So really you dont have a problem until your collection exceeds say 15 to 20 except if you are collector and then its surely got to be up in the 30-40's . . . or more !

Need to stop writing - I am running late for my OCD therapy appointment !!

But seriously - this is like socks - you really do need lots of different socks for different things - long wollen socks for winter, short cotton socks for summer, tennis socks, running socks, gardening socks, bushwalking socks, black socks for the suit and at least a few changes of each of these for avoiding any antisocial interation with people within smelling distance. Plus you absolutely must have some odd socks for when you locate that missing sock in the filter of the washing machine, the dogs basket or under the wardrobe !

I rest my case.

Rally

[astroboof]

I am glad you rest your case Rally, because most of us don't even need half the crap you listed to do functional, even scientific astronomy.

Cheers for the humor, gotta love that! 10/10 fun.

[stefang]

There is a mathematical model that proves the number of telescopes any astronomer requires.

The theorem is

(n +1)

where
n = the number of telescopes owned
+1

[croweater]

Stefang in your case maybe n could also mean number of eyepieces owned.:P Impressive signiture list mate! Cheers

[mental4astro]

17

<sigh...> and only one pair of eyes... :(

Poll is rather inadequate for me, eh... :rolleyes: :lol:


OK, I've unzipped my fly... Who's got more?...

[LewisM]

I have 1 scope, if you don't count the finder and the finder-guider. It's all I need, and it's one of the best.

I am happy.

[glend]

It might be interesting to explore the difference if the question was asking about imaging or visual scopes. A visual scope can be an imaging scope (in many, but not all, cases) but an imaging scope (ie astrograph) is usually optimised for imaging. Visual people may have more scopes than imaging people, but the 'rule of three' may apply both ways: one widefield short FL, one medium FL, and one long FL. A break down in optics type would also be interesting, as would a look at the relationship between time in astronomy with scope numbers and type. I guess I am suggesting that a simple poll really doesn't tell us much, but a IIS Scope Census could give a great insight.

[RB]

Yes, that we're a compulsive lot....

:lol:

[rally]

Awwhh c'mon Lewis we need to include all scopes in the last 24 months :)

[LewisM]

I have the right to remain silent...:help:

[acropolite]

A similar collective obsessive disorder exists with musicians GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) and Like BCAS (Black Camera Acquisition Syndrome) there's always room for one more :P

and then there's h0ughy.....

[rally]

You misunderstand - there is no such collective disorder - its entirely a case of need :rofl:

[dimithri86]

I have 3 scopes and 2 binos, I promised my wife I would sell 2 scopes and a binos in order to purchase my latest and most expensive scope.

Now I've had a change of heart and only want to sell 1 scope. I think 2 is fair, 1 for imaging and one for visual. And I need 2 binos...one large for astro, and one 7x40 for travelling (its portable and the image is AMAZING, so it always gets good use travelling)

I'm going to try and negotiate to see a mountain bike instead. Wish me luck

[SkyWatcherMike]

Three scopes, four binoculars.
C8, a late 90’s Starbright with Fastar secondary.
A “York” (made in Kung Ming) 80ED, not bad, but a little colour.
And a SkyWatcher 130 Dob, my balcony scope.
7x50 Fujinon.
8x42 Minox.
9x62 Celestron Ultima, the non-waterproof version made by Vixen.
20x77 Miyauchi, 45° viewing angle, slightly out of collimation, but I love this thing.

[multiweb]

FSQ106N for widefield, 8" newt for closer views, C11 + hyperstar for faint stuff, or just visual and mewlon 210 for long FL on the field. Heaps of various pentax prime lenses for widefields too. I use them all because each does a different and specific job very well. The scope you don't use is the one too many IMHO.

[Tropo-Bob]

15 Scopes, which means I have an average of only 4 eyepieces for each scope. Too many?? Not really, I use them all! (Just not on the same night. :lol:)

[gregbradley]

The problem I had occasionally with 4 or 5 scopes for imaging was that I sometimes had to relearn which adapters went with each as often they were subtley different.

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

42 ;)

[Bassnut]

Head slap, of course! :thumbsup:

[Retrograde]

Bought another scope today which puts me into the 4 or more category.
Can I change my vote? :lol:

[AEAJR]

How many are too many? When you run out of room to store them. Then you have too many. But I would say 2-4 is optimum unless you are just a collector.

The number of my scopes keeps changing.

2 years in the hobby and 18 months with at least one active telescope. I have an old Sears refractor that I don't use so I don't count that one.

Bought Meade ETX 80

Was given a Tasco 76 mm Newtonian

Bought an Orion XT8i Intelliscope

Gave the Tasco to a friend

Added broken ETX 60

Added used ETX 125

ETX 60 fixed and will be given to a friend so I am not counting that one.


So now it is ETX 80, ETX 125, Orion XT8i They are all computer assisted but I have used them all manually, with the computer turned off. I run them manually about 50% of the time, when I am visiting familiar sights.

Based on the survey, 2-4 seems to be the most common situation. Three for the moment. I also have 4 sets of binoculars, two I actively use and two for hand-out at outreach events. I think that is enough as each one fits a different place in the toolbox so to speak.

Meade ETX 80 - 80 mm Goto refractor - Wide view, small and light GoTo - Great for vacation travel. I can put the scope and goto mount in a Gym back for travel on vacation. Or I have a backpack for it. I can leave the tripod at home and use it as a GoTo tabletop.

Meade ETX 125 EC - 125mm Mak GoTo - Just got it used. Long FL. Should be excellent for planets and double stars. Fairly small so easy to put it in the car and go somewhere. This can also be used as a GoTo tabletop.

Orion XT8i - 8" computer assisted Dob. This is my main scope, probably 70% of total telescope eyepiece time. XT8i is a good all around and easy to put in the car for local trips to the darker sites, but too big to take on vacation trips. Not enough room in the car for all the other stuff we take when we go on vacation.

They all stand fully assembled and ready to go in my garage so I can have any of them set up and observing in minutes. If I were to buy something else it would likely be an Orion XX14I Intelliscope or XX16G GoTo truss dob and sell the XT8i.

[JA]

It depends what lenses you count/or not, but probably 4, with one DIY project planned in future
300mm
400mm
600mm
1100mm

Best
JA

[pixelsaurus]

No such thing as too many. I don't have enough.

[Wavytone]

After 55 years...

Depends what you're doing. Some imaging types have just one scope and don't even look visually through it.

But for a visual observer three is probably nirvana:

One scope for high magnification lunar & planetary - long focal length eg mak or SCT;

One small scope for grab&go, kids, friends and outreach events;

One scope for deep sky where aperture counts, provided you're prepared to go to a dark site to use it...

[poppasmurf]

3 for me
GSO RC8 CF for imaging
Orion ST 80 for guiding
and last but not least my Tasco 114 which is taken with us when we go camping for some visual at darker sites than at home.
Also thinking of replacing the ST80 with a nice triplet to double up for widefield imaging and guiding.

[sn1987a]

and a 3.5 Questar :P

[alocky]

Is that the Questar under the Plettstone to level it?

[sn1987a]

Of course, it's not some common Obsession where even a Unitron would do, what kind of savage do you think I am? :P

[Boozlefoot]

Its simple. You see a scope and it obviously needs a good home. There are mad cat women, people who collect spoons, hoarders of all types. Telescopes are a thing of beauty, timeless in a lot of respects, don't offend people (unless pointed into neighbours bathrooms) and represent a challenge to their owners to perfect and maximise their performance. Mine would not be regarded by many as good scopes, but they've all been stripped and rebuilt (I'm inquisitive by nature) and have their own individual look (the old flames around the aperture trick) My favourite is a 12" dob, 28mm UWAN, laser finder, finderscope, and a piggybacked Mak90. The mak doubles as an illuminated reticle finder on those really dark nights, and is mounted low enough on the tube to both balance out the UWAN, and its other duty is providing my grandson with an ideal viewing height so he can also see what I'm gazing at without being boosted up. It's all a hodgepodge of homemade and modified proprietary gear, its as ugly as sin, but we love it. (Next week it'll have a digital inclinometer and a digital compass, so it will be "pimped"! There was a time when the house was being over-run, now theres a dedicated thermostat/fan cooled and dehumidified shed . Its full. But that DOES NOT mean I've got too many!

I'm always on the lookout for more scopes!
:)

[skysurfer]

Three scopes, all 3 grab&go, including the 40cm Dobson which is stored in the shed and can be pulled easily out of it for use.
The 8cm tabletop scope is a quick scope for a quick session and the 11cm ED on EQ mount is a travel scope, which I take with me on my New Zealand trip starting tomorrow.