Hypothetical question about a scope ....

[Dealy]

If someone had about 1k to spend on a scope for imaging, what would you suggest?

I know EP80's are popular, but what about this 10" f4 reflector (http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Reflector/Bintel-BT250-f/4-Imaging-OTA/19/productview.aspx)?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the two.

The mount would be, hypothetically of course, an EQ6 or one of similar capacity.

[multiweb]

ED80 would be easier to handle ad no collimation involved. A cheap 10" F/4 is hard to collimate and won't hold it.

[Woffy]

I agree, a 10 inch newt will be much harder to use than an ed80 to start. Guiding accuracy on the EQ6 will be better, and you will have just as many interesting targets with the ED80. The ED80 is a wide field scope that you will continue to use for years, but you may want a better scope than the newt in the future. Most astrophotographers have more than one scope, and one is usually a good wide field refractor, like an ED80 or ED100.

John

[acropolite]

+1 for for an ED80 with an appropriate FR/Flattener. If you were to go for a Newt, perhaps consider the 8 inch, a lot less work for the (hypothetical) EQ6.

[Merlin66]

If this is going to be your first scope, then the ED80.
The 10" f4 (or better f5....) would make a good second scope as you go along the astronomical path. Better resolution, better light grasp but bigger, heavier, less portable and more maintenance....

[Dealy]

Thanks for the sound advice.

I made my first visit down to Bintel in Sydney today to have a look around and pick up my new AZ EQ6 :)

My hypothetical almost made it to reality but I managed to maintain self control and walk out with only the three things I went down there for.

That's even after my wife said I can spend as much as I wanted in there.

I thought all my Christmas's had come at once but realised she was only talking about time :(

The scope I have now is a 8" f7.5 that I ground and polished myself. I think it's ok visually but then again I haven't yet had the chance to compare it with anything. To improve it enough (if at all possible) for imaging I would need a new focuser, a bigger diagonal, and then move the primary mirror. Definitely not worth the effort and cost.

After speaking to the guys at Bintel I nearly bought a 8" f5 but in the end I decided I would use my 8" for visual, wait until I'm due a birthday present, and then maybe get an ED80 and accessories for my entry into imaging.

That can wait but for now I still have a new big white toy to play with :D.

Kev