I don't know how to start this or even mention it, but i want to see how this will go so far with others as much it is nice to know sometimes.
Assume that you have equipment right now that is not high end yet but it is not very cheap as well, and you gained somehow say maximum $10k, what will be your next wish list or plan for equipment then?
An !environmentally friendly! means of transport to a dark-er site. AND a subscription to an escort service...
not what YOU think... I just need a strong (looking) male to accompany me to the dark site away from city lights and to stay with me as body guard until I'm safely back home.
on second thought: I'd spend the 10k to bribe a city council member... so he'd change the recent decision on LED lighting to make the skies above Rostock darker with new energy saving lighting concept, not brighter. This way, I'd not have to get some form of transport and body guard because I'd not have to spend time away from my safe space @home.
If you'd asked a few weeks ago I'd have traded my Santel Mak for the last of the APM big maks - a 10" with LZOS optics and Matthias Wirth OTA - though it has sold (and quickly).
I already have a shopping list with prices. Of that $10,000, I'd be spending $2165 on kit. As for the rest, I'd have to think about how I'd use it.
$975 SkyWatcher 127mm AZ-GTi Maksutov Cassegrain - GoTo WiFi.
$545 Saxon Cielo HD eyepieces, 2.3mm, 4.5mm, 9mm, 18mm, 25mm, $109 each.
$158 Meade Short Focus Barlows 2x and 3x, $79 each.
$238 Saxon 6x30 Finderscope with Bracket (90 degree) x2, $119 each.
$249 SkyWatcher 12v PowerTank 17Ah Power Supply.
I could use the OTA from my existing scope, a SkyWatcher Heritage 130P Dobsonian, on the AZ-GTi mount, or use the 127mm Mak on the Dobsonian mount of the 130P.
I already have the 6.5mm and the 12mm of the Saxon Cielo HD eyepieces, so completing that set is something I do want to do.
The rest of the accessories list is pretty straight forwards. Better quality Barlows. Finderscopes that are more comfortable to use than the stock red dot finders, would make things a lot easier. And a decent capability power source.
A motorised observatory on top of the hill on my property linked to the house 500m away. But still think I'd go sit in there to get away from Keeping up with Kardashians
Yes Annette sadly, though most nights I'm stacking and editing photos as I am now. Law and order is on at the moment whilst I watch kappa-sigma count down on DSS
Yes Annette sadly, though most nights I'm stacking and editing photos as I am now. Law and order is on at the moment whilst I watch kappa-sigma count down on DSS
I'd watch a DSS stacking count over 90% of TV to be fair.
As far as MY $10k. It would have to be a good future proof mount EQ6 pro etc... and probably a retractable section of roof in my garage. It may sound like that's over 10k but I'd build the roof myself, just need the materials.
Well, sounds the comments aren't encouraging after all.
Thanks anyway.
G'day Tareq, I think it's worth remembering that producing a sensible "shopping list" can be hard work for just $1,000 let alone 10, and few (if any) would be prepared to invest the hours required to do that work on the remote possibility that 10 grand (that they wouldn't need for anything else!) might just fall into their lap. An equipment growth plan with such increments probably isn't something most IISer have in mind, and the replies to this thread so far reflect this.
G'day Tareq, I think it's worth remembering that producing a sensible "shopping list" can be hard work for just $1,000 let alone 10, and few (if any) would be prepared to invest the hours required to do that work on the remote possibility that 10 grand (that they wouldn't need for anything else!) might just fall into their lap. An equipment growth plan with such increments probably isn't something most IISer have in mind, and the replies to this thread so far reflect this.
I saw that just now, i didn't know, i thought i may got so many options or suggestions/recommendations that are worthy, but as you said, no one want to do the homework then, that is fine, i am not forcing anyone to, and i appreciate it.
Assume that you have equipment right now that is not high end yet but it is not very cheap as well, and you gained somehow say maximum $10k, what will be your next wish list or plan for equipment then?
Hi TP,
The equipment I have now sounds a little like that, not high end, but not cheap for what I have. It's a Meade 10" LX200GPS on a wedge, and tripod and I use a Canon 450D on that. There is a Orion ST80 and a QHY5 on that. Add in a focal reducer, Moonlite focus, adapters, dew heaters and all the other stuff etc.....
And for all of that I can get galaxies, nebulas and other DSO, but that's where it stops as the pictures only get so so, compared to just about every other photo here on IIS taken with CCD's etc.
So, If I had 10K, here is my list, not an any order:
* Decent CCD camera (or new tech CMOS)
* Filter wheel and filter set.. RGB, Ha, OIII others...
* Decent Planetary camera
* Nice F4/5 Refractor setup on EQ mount plus bits and pieces...
* Observatory, Roll off roof shed
* Pier for scopes x 2
Hmm, I broke it down into 3 different 10K shopping lists. I want them all, but I see 30K. I'd go with the cameras and filter wheel first though.
Also want a decent 1 shot colour CCD, better guide camera, extra filters............................ ................... and the list goes on.
The equipment I have now sounds a little like that, not high end, but not cheap for what I have. It's a Meade 10" LX200GPS on a wedge, and tripod and I use a Canon 450D on that. There is a Orion ST80 and a QHY5 on that. Add in a focal reducer, Moonlite focus, adapters, dew heaters and all the other stuff etc.....
And for all of that I can get galaxies, nebulas and other DSO, but that's where it stops as the pictures only get so so, compared to just about every other photo here on IIS taken with CCD's etc.
So, If I had 10K, here is my list, not an any order:
* Decent CCD camera (or new tech CMOS)
* Filter wheel and filter set.. RGB, Ha, OIII others...
* Decent Planetary camera
* Nice F4/5 Refractor setup on EQ mount plus bits and pieces...
* Observatory, Roll off roof shed
* Pier for scopes x 2
Hmm, I broke it down into 3 different 10K shopping lists. I want them all, but I see 30K. I'd go with the cameras and filter wheel first though.
Also want a decent 1 shot colour CCD, better guide camera, extra filters............................ ................... and the list goes on.
Cheers,
Damien.
Nice, this is a nice list you posted above, making the decision easier or it can enlighten what i should think about then.
Sounds my main item i will buy first if i will get that $10k is a Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4, i tried to find any scope that can smash smoke outperform this scope but it is less price than this and i couldn't find, so i keep it now as my first choice and later i can think about what i can do with the rest of the budget [again, if i have it].
$10000 would let me take the time of work to be able to clean up our house and 75 acres in Yorke Peninsula S.A. and put it on the market.
Ive been trying to get there for over a year now and somthing always pops up!!!!
If we sell this 75 acre, 600m beachfront, bush block with zero light polution ( sounds like an ad doesn't it ) then we mortgage free and have all the available income to get any astro gear we want.
Cheers
Andy
$10000 would let me take the time of work to be able to clean up our house and 75 acres in Yorke Peninsula S.A. and put it on the market.
Ive been trying to get there for over a year now and somthing always pops up!!!!
If we sell this 75 acre, 600m beachfront, bush block with zero light polution ( sounds like an ad doesn't it ) then we mortgage free and have all the available income to get any astro gear we want.
Cheers
Andy
Good for you, you know what to do for yourself if you get this budget or more.
I have another house that if i sell it then i can have any astro gear even 1-2meter scopes, but i am not an idiot to sacrifice a property to think about my hobbies and equipment, i can have time if i live long to buy stuff one by one, just i asked so i want to start right or wise, so far all gear i have is not bad but not the best to be used, so that i think about some upgrades for long term.