Help me choose between....

[AndyTee]

Hi all

I have been a naked eye observer for ages but recently got hold of a decent pair of binoculars and am ready for the next step.

I have a VERY limited budget - I want to keep it under $1000 including extra eps etc. The scope CANNOT be a Dob - while I could probably manage the scope I have physical constraints that make lugging a dob base around simply not possible. Trolleys won't help, there is a steep narrow flight of stairs involved which I simply cannot negotiate carrying a heavy, awkward 'lump'.

I have narrowed the search to a couple of Skywatchers - this refractor (http://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatcher-120mm-refractor-az3-telescope-sw120.html) or this MAC (http://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatcher-mak102eq2-maksutov-cassegrain-telescope.html).

I am leaning towards the refractor, but are there any profound advantages/disadvantages of one over the other? I have to admit that the EQ mount on the mac worries me a bit! Quick set-up in the dark will be a plus favouring the AZ mount that comes with the refractor. Living with a limited budget astrophotography is simply not in my future, this is going to be a purely visual scope...

Thanks all...

[Allan_L]

If you are considering a 4 inch MAK, but dont like EQ mounts (and I agree),
then why not a Celestron 4SE.
4 inch MAK on an Alt Az mount with computer GoTo and tracking.

As a bonus, the mount has a built in wedge (which you can still use goto with).

and a separate camera port.

Light and easy to set up.

and at around $900 (last time I checked) well within your budget.

[AndyTee]

Thanks Allan but the 4SE is well over $1k which blows the total budget before even thinking about 'extras'.

Also I like the idea of getting to know the sky by finding things for myself, and there must be an optical quality trade-off on a budget scope with full go-to/tracking software. OK - thre's going top be an 'optical quality trade-off' on any budget scope, but the go-to has till gotta be paid for somewhere....

[Allan_L]

Not so.
Wrong on both counts.

I bought a brand new 4SE for $890 from Andrews Communications about 2 years ago.

And it is a Celestron.
Optically top of the mass produced brands.

But thats just my opinion (having looked through many types of scopes and many different brands).

Sure any 4 inch MAK does not compare to a 10 inch Dob, but you said a DOB is not possible for you.

[AstroJunk]

How about this Andy? http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Dobsonian/Orion-StarBlast-6i-IntelliScope/1559/productview.aspx

Which is a sort of compromise between your previous choices and looks just about portable enough to be manageable and with a push-to object finder as well. It's still a bit bulky though.

Its very hard to find a next step up from binoculars without it being a dob!

BTW, of the other two, the MAC would be much better on the moon and planets and give you some real alternatives to your Binos.