Hello from Adelaide

[Sundog]

Hi all. I've decided to join iceinspace because I am thinking of changing my telescope gear. I currently have a Lunt solar telescope but am now thinking of changing over to night time astronomy.

Quite a few years ago I owned a Pentax refractor (70 or 90mm) and really enjoyed viewing the night objects. The telescope cost about $600 when I purchased it in the 1980's. It seemed all telescopes were expensive at the time, except for Tasco brand but I kept away from them.

I think I will probably buy through the classifieds because there are some good buys to be had and some great gear.

It has been cloudy of late here in the day time so not much solar viewing happening. The pics in your images section are amazing - especially the sun in Ha and this is why I got back into astronomy but with the Lunt telescope, 60mm.

Regards Paul

[brian nordstrom]

:)Hi Paul and :welcome: to IIS , you will learn plenty here .
That Pentax scope sounds like a beauty , very nice .
Brian.

[Sundog]

Cheers Brian

When I bought the Pentax I knew nothing about telescopes and then I bought Collins Guide to Stars & Planets. The book said a 4" scope was minimum for astronomy so I became a little disillusioned with my telescope - although I had it for over 10 years and regularly viewed through it. I bought it because of the name. At the time I was earning about $300/week as a postie so it was a big purchase.

Today, I was offered a Saxon maksutov-cassegrain telescope, just the tube. It is either a 6" or 8". I have looked through this scope a few years ago and it seemed ok but not as good as the Pentax (from memory). But it is cheap price and will do for now. I will be sitting it on a Celestron cg4 mount. Hopefully, it will be stable enough - I am only doing visual, no cameras.

However, I am interested in a couple of telescopes in the Classifieds. I will make a new post in Equipment section. I have some queries for which will suit me best.

Thanks

[brian nordstrom]

:DQuery away mate , don't be shy there are many great people here only happy to help.
Brian.

[Sundog]

Thanks for the welcome and encouragement.

[Ric]

Hi Paul and welcome to IIS. :thumbsup:

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Paul , if you want a very good APO refractor that 100mm ED in the classifieds is a good buy ( I know Matt and he would probably thro in an eyepiece or 2 ??? if you asked ) , these ride nicely on an EQ3.2 mount , about $400 new from Andrews Communications , great combo . Even that AZ3 in the classifieds would do as a starter and at $90 its another great buy . Its a buyers market at the moment , plenty to choose from .
This would be as good as your old Pentax only with a larger aperture .
My 5c.
Brian.

[Sundog]

Hi Ric. I always enjoy your avatar :)

Thanks Brian but I am not looking for a refractor. I did not know about reflectors and the like when I bought the Pentax. And now I want to see into deep space preferably with goto. I was unable to find many objects when I had the Pentax.

I am not in any rush. I am considering whether to sell the Lunt because I don't want to have so much $$ tied up in this hobby at one time. Not to judge anyone at all but I am amazed at how many telescopes some people have. I certainly enjoy the technological aspect of telescopes - that is partly why I bought a solar scope; to have a high technology precision instrument that is able to filter out all but a narrow band of light to see the awe-inspiring features of the sun. Telescopes are wonderful!

So plenty of time to think. The 2 scopes available in the classifieds were excellent in appearance and size but after some helpful comments from other members I am rethinking about what I will be happy with.

IIS is a great site and a great community :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: