Multiple choice ... what would you chose?

[toryglen-boy]

Howdy

am looking at getting a new scope after xmas, and i have 3 options based on todays prices even though i wont get it for a good few months yet, so i thought i would ask on here, budget is around $2700, here is what i am thinking, each option costs about the same

1. Skywatcher 12" Flextube dob, and Argo Navis

2. Skywatcher 12" Felxtube dob, auto tracking.

3. GSO 16" truss dob

I know about these scopes, so i am not really interested in the practical information on them, more your opinion of what option you would chose, and why?

:P

[MrB]

If you're able to deal with it's bulk.... aperature wins!

[jjjnettie]

It's nice to have tracking, and Argo Navis is just great, but when you get right down to it, aperture wins hands down.

[StarGazing]

Apparature sure does win but you need to pick the scope that you will make the most use of. How easy will it be to log around ????? Weight issues ??? etc........ My best bet would be the 12" with the Argo Navis. Good enough size with a great push goto system. Best of luck.
Alex.:thumbsup:

[gbeal]

Yep, me too, Argo and whatever you can afford with it, 12" LB would be my choice, they look good.
I have a 10" f5, been with me for years, and built a 16" which I sold after about 6 months. Great scope, but a beast to use, and also a lot of money just sitting. The 12" would be the pick.
Gary

[dpastern]

Go the GSO 16" and add argo navis later.

Dave

[toryglen-boy]

LOL

a man after my own heart!

;)

[astroron]

Duncan, Go with the 16"and Argo Navis I did :D
I will be on the road with mine in the next few weeks , and will probably visit Camberra,:)
I may even see you there:thumbsup:

[DavidU]

16" + an

[AlexN]

Yep.. 16"... save for the Argo Navis later...

You know you want to...

[dpastern]

:D:D:D

It's the logical thing to do imho. That said, there's not a lot of difference between a 16" and 12" when used visually, at least from my very limited experience viewing through Andrew and Kev's dobs. Views from either were totally awesome!!!

Dave

[astroron]

Sorry, I do not agree, a 12" does not hold a candle to a 16" scope.
I have had a bit of experience with a 16" scope and When I am asked to look through someone else's 12" and compare,it is Chalk and Cheese:thumbsup:

[andrew2008]

I'll put in another vote for this option:rofl:

Don't imagine it would get a whole lot better for visual observing without spending a heap more.

[Screwdriverone]

OK, let me buck the trend here...

Number 2 please,

Skywatcher 12" with Autotracking.

Why? Cause its an absolute pain in the ass having to keep nudging the scope at high magnification and with the tracking on, you have much more time to see what you want to see.

A push to with AN would be fabulous, 12" OR 16" but when you get there, you still have to nudge it.......

Of course, an autotracking collapsible 12" WITH Argo Navis would probably do me for the rest of my life...I dont think (in my opinion) that this combo could be beaten in terms of convenience, portability and aperture for a LONG time.

There is my 2.2 cents (inc GST)

Cheers

Chris

[MrB]

That candle would look almost half as bright thru the 12" ;)

[GrahamL]

Tried this one I guess Duncan ?
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=49807

Garys on the money , I'd love a 16" . but my 12 " does the job
and even with its pretty compact mirror box its still a fair weight to
lug through the night (22 kgs).

[norm]

Option 1.

Argo is a must have accessory. Cuts down on the finding time of objects.

Good Luck :thumbsup:
Norm

[dpastern]

Well, to my eyes, I didn't notice a vast amount of difference. True, I'm a relative newbie when it comes to viewing DSOs, and the Leyburn skies weren't apparently that nice to us on the 2 nights I was there (I enjoyed it though). Maybe if the skies had been darker, and if I was more experienced, I'd have noticed a larger difference. Yes, the 16" was better, no doubt, what I am saying is that, to me, and on the nights in question, it wasn't a lot better. Andrew's 12" dob wasn't embarrassed by any means imho.

Dave

[DavidU]

Duncans getting a 16 LOL

[toryglen-boy]

yeah, i must be over compensating for something .... ;)

although not until next year.

[Kevnool]

What more can i say................Nothing.
I like your quote.
Cheers Kev.

[dpastern]

I'm bloody well tempted myself. I really really liked AN and the dobs at Leyburn left a fantastic impression on me. Even though I really got back into Astronomy at the beginning of the year with astro imaging in mind, I'm finding myself more and more drawn to visual observing. Funny, isn't it?

Dave

[dpastern]

thanks Kev, I presume you mean the "where's my learner plates?" comment? Well, I'm being truthful at least :) I'm a newbie when it comes to EQ mounts, imaging and DSO observing. This has been the best thing I've done for myself in the past 20 years imho and when I get better at imaging, and get a car, it'll only get even better. I'll be a reg at the meetups at Leyburn etc :)

Dave

[marki]

As with all objective questions the answer is usually "C" or in this case "3".

Mark

[astroron]

David, as long as you are enjoying what you are doing in Astronomy, that's all that matters:)
How far you go in any of the disciplines is up to you:)
Enjoy the journey:thumbsup:

[toryglen-boy]

Lots of great answers here guys, thanks


:)

[Gallifreyboy]

How long (Gene Genie) Duncan until you post a thread looking for advice on the right mount to handle the 16" scope for astrophotography ;)

[andrew2008]

I've read a couple of reviews of the 10 & 12" version of these and they do sound very good. Really couldn't help wondering myself if Wildcard will be bringing out a set of encoders for it. I'm selling my dob with AN at the moment so i can get tracking but via a GEM though i would probably feel a lot more comfortable with the tracking dobs and and the AN. Has anyone heard if this is in the works??

[toryglen-boy]

LOL

you read my mind !!

;)

[dpastern]

it wasn't that hard to read that you'd want to be astro imaging with it lol!

Ron - I've always enjoyed astronomy. As I said earlier, getting back into it has been one of the best things that I've done for myself in a good number of years. Sure, there's been frustration, but no more than in any other hobby and it's just newbie teething problems. I've had fun, met lots of nice people and learnt and seen new things. Can't ask for much more than that!

Dave