Portable Gear

[E_ri_k]

Hey guys, I have been thinking for a while that I would like a portable setup, in addition to my G11 and RC10. It's a bit too big to move around and get in the car etc....

I was thinking an EQ5 GOTO, and maybe a small refractor like a Black Diamond ED80 or something.

The only refractor I have ever used was my first telescope, a Tasco from the early 90's. I have no idea what is good these days, and what the optical quality is like?

I'm budgeting around the $2000 mark. Any advice?
Erik

[Poita]

Visual or photography?

I reckon a little scope on a ioptron cube is had to beat for portability.

Or this one if you want an EQ:
http://www.ioptron.com/index.cfm?select=productdetails&phid=03c86716-b870-417b-8beb-0c0ba49ddf1d

[E_ri_k]

For photography Peter. Either CCD or DSLR. Had a look at the iOptron mount. Looks nice and compact, not sure if has autoguider capabilities though?
Erik

[whzzz28]

HEQ5 + ED80 (short tube for more portable) + Orion Miniguider is your best bet.

An ED80 will set you back around $1000 for a short tube. The HEQ5 still goes for around $1100 - you may be able to get one second hand.
The miniguider is $130~ without guide camera, $400 with guide camera.

I have just completed the above setup which i use for my nebula work.
I have a Meade 5000 ED80 (old scope, cant buy it anymore, pretty much the same as the 6000 series or Orion ED80) and my first test of this setup i got some decent results:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=100074
The HA is 5x 20min exposures and there is next to no trailing (odd top left corner, think the filter isn't sitting flat or something).

Not really in your $2000 budget mark, but if you can spare the $2500-$3000 for it, you won't regret it.

[E_ri_k]

I have a 80mm short tube and SSAG, guide package, wrong FL for the guide scope for an ED80 though, so I could just get the mini guide scope.Nice image! That's what I'm after, cant fit any large nebula in the frame with the RC10 haha!

Wont be until the new year when I decide to go a head with it, so I have some time to think about it.

Thanks
Erik

[mithrandir]

I don't see why the ST80 and SSAG would be the wrong focal length, apart maybe from being overkill and a bit heavy. That gives you 2.68 ASP.

An ED80 and APS-C or 8300 sized chip will give you something between 1.7 and 2.6 ASP depending on the chip.