Dob or APO

[denpavlov]

Hi,

I have been interested in astronomy for a while and reading lots of articles and news related to it. Not so much about equipment.

Now the time has come and I have a budget say ~$3,500.
My primary goal is to observe galaxies and nebulae. Secondary - the solar system. I am based in Brisbane. Not planning to travel with the equipment but mostly use it in the backyard.

I understand that my budget can afford a sizable dobsonian with goto or entry size APO.

What would be your recommendation?

Cheers

[Kunama]

DOB or APO ?

Definitely DOB. Galaxies are not really in reach of refractors at the ~ $3500 level, especially if that budget has to cater for a mount as well.

To stretch your $$$$ further, I suggest buying a used one rather than new

BUT before opening your wallet at all, I suggest you get along to an astro gathering in your area and try a few on for size.....

Clickie here: http://www.astroanarchy.com.au/telescopes/Skywatcher_GoToDob_14.html

[glend]

As Matt says, a Dob is a good place to start. I would suggest a 10", as they start to get heavy above that size. Andrews is running a 10% off sale on Skywatcher goto dobs at the moment. You could get the 10" Skywatcher Goto Dob for $1849 - 10%, so about $1664, and they will ship it to you, probably for much less than the discount amount. Buy the shroud for it ($69-10%).

[Wavytone]

A dob. Aperture rules for galaxies and nebulae and they don’t need high magnification, so manual tracking (pushing it) is not a problem.

You’ll need 3-4 eyepieces, for a dob buy Televie ones, they’ll last you a long time.

[Atmos]

I'm another one to vote "DOB".
I would also suggest that if you can have a look at a few different sizes in person it will make a big difference. The last thing you'd want to do is buy the biggest that you fits your budget just to realise after it has arrived that it is far bigger, heavier and awkward to move around than you like.

As Glen mentioned, 10" is a great size as it does get bigger and bulkier from 12" and beyond. You may find a 16" perfectly fine or you may not, best way to find out is to find a local astro club :)

[The Mekon]

Yes, buy a big dob. make sure it has wheels to move around. Install them if it doesn't. Make an off aperture mask for it 5" for a 12" dob, 6" for a 16" dob and you will experience the "Apo" effect without the cost.

[xelasnave]

All good advice.
Personally I would go for a 10 inch f5 on a heq5 mount...that way you get goto and can take photos later as you may want to do...if you have a dslr its only a few bucks for a connection (t ring) and a remote control and you can take photos of nebula.
With the mount you will find things easy and it will track while you say change ep or take a break.
Alex

[Karlzburg]

10 inch would be pushing the heq5 alex then adding a dslr.

[xelasnave]

I thought so once but some do I believe...I was going to suggest an 8 inch f5 but that was just recomending my preference for something lighter but I think 8 inch is not bad for visual for that matter.

I think Andrews sell a heq5 and 10 inch combo...

I come from a time of long exposures and understressed mounts but that heq5 of mine takes the eight the dslr addititional tube rings 70 mm viewer scope and guide scope...once I would want that on a eq6 minimum...
Another thing if you later wanted a good refractor say a nice little 80 mm you would have a mount for it...
One thing to include is a good set of binnos...I love my 80 mm for visual...and I just bought this other 50 mm pair at a counyry show...bushnel...20 x mag which if I had of noticed at the time would not have bought them ...I thought they would by usual mag but they have turned out the be excellent.

I have been useing them during so many photo sessions...great views in a dark place and well adapted.
Alex

[raymo]

This subject keeps turning up like the proverbial bad penny. The HEQ5 will
physically handle a 10" quite easily, the limiting factor is not the physical strength of the mount, [ which would in fact handle a much larger Newt,] it is the power of the motors. I know of two people that have used 10" Newts
and one that used a 12". The essential thing is to carefully balance the
scope slightly against the drive direction, and be aware that the larger the scope the more susceptible to wind caused vibration it will be. With a
permanent installation, a pier is the way to go.
raymo

[Kunama]

I don't agree with the recommendation of a 10" Newtonian on an Equatorial mount as a solution to the OP wanting to observe galaxies from his backyard.

Just thinking about where the HEQ5 will have the focuser oriented has my neck in spasms.

Den, go with a Dobsonian and if possible 12" or larger if you want to see galaxies.......

[Kunama]

I like the way you think John :thumbsup:

[xelasnave]

I agree I had not thought of ep position ...I recall my delight with my 12 inch which was the first time I had used a dob both at the ease and comfort really.
And it was easy to set up☺ open the door and roll it onto the deck.
And the dances I have had with that scope...you will get your moneys worth out of a twelve...what a 16 cost☺
Alex

[raymo]

I agree with the Dob being the way to go. I was just pointing out that the HEQ5 would do the job asked of it. Incidentally, I resolved the eyepiece position problem with a $5 D.I.Y. mod which I have described in other
threads over the last few years.
raymo

[AndrewF]

Get an 8/10" dob, keep the rest of your cash aside and if you still want something bigger in 6 months upgrade then. During that time you'll figure out exactly what you're after while learning the basics of observing.

[denpavlov]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. it looks like everyone is voting for a dob as a starting point. This was a bit surprising to see as I expected at least some people to lean toward an APO.

I will follow the advice to first of all experience the telescopes before making any decisions.

Could you recommend any places I could do that? I live in Redcliffe but am willing to travel.

cheers

[doug mc]

A big go to dob on wheels. Doesn't get much better.

[gaseous]

+1


And if you decide to pull the trigger on the 16" Goto Skywatcher in the classifieds (which I see you've sent a pm regarding), then I have an almost new 16" Skywatcher dob trolley which would make the perfect companion for your new scope! :)

[TareqPhoto]

^^^ And why someone would sell his 16" Goto dob [Skywatcher or whatever] if it is that good really?!!!

[gaseous]

to buy an ever bigger goto dob! :D

[TareqPhoto]

And what is bigger there that is better from skywatcher?


18" and 20" someone told me to "STAY AWAY" from them, he heard a lot of bad reviews, mirrors are not good, he will not say that if he didn't hear or read, so it will translate that "bigger" in this case[Skywatcher] isn't "better".

[TareqPhoto]

And it is funny when i asked about a Dob between 14" up to 20" all told me to forget the dob and go to SCT or if i have to get a Dob then 12" or maximum 14", and someone selling 16" to go larger/bigger then?!!!

[raymo]

I don't know where you're coming from Tareq, people often upsize to Dobs
of 18,20,22, or larger. There are no amateur level SCTs larger than 16" on
the market anyway, so if you want larger it has to be a Newt[Dob or GEM
mounted.]
I'd love to know who told you to stay away from the 18 and 20 SWs.
Everything I've heard says their mirrors are very good indeed.
You obviously didn't read the advert in the classifieds, the seller says that he needs money to rebuild his car engine.
raymo

[TareqPhoto]

Ok, good you told me about it, so if that someone will tell me to stay away from it then i will ask his proof, i am open to all suggestions or recommendations, i was thinking more about imaging, but i should really add visual in my experience, and all said there is nothing like a Dob for visual, so let's be it.

[denpavlov]

Thanks everyone. I got a dob. Last night was the first night. I was stunned with Orion Nebula which appeared to have a lot of light blue colour. I think I sensed traces of red colour on its edges but not sure if it was real.

[mental4astro]

Hi Den,

Seeing red and blue is REAL :)

You are fortunate to be able to see red in particular!

Read post No. 2:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=169840

Will serve you well to go through the whole article. Will explain a lot about what you see, what you don't, and why :)

Congrats on the new dob too! :)

Alex.

[denpavlov]

Thanks Alex. Very insightful article indeed.
So much to learn

Будет здорово пообщаться с вами как нибудь когда окажусь в Сиднее

[RobF]

Your biggest challenge Den is knowing if you'll likely want to take long exposure pics any time soon. If so, then you will need an equatorial mount and should get either an 8" or 10" on HEQ5Pro, as others have suggested. Small refractors are where most people taking pics start out, but a newt, that is able to reach backfocus for a DSLR or other camera, is a great option for both visual and AP.

The AP bugs frequently bites unexpectedly and you may want to look over the should of those with PCs in the field taking pics next time you are able to visit a night gathering.

If you're fortunate enough to have time travelled forward 2 years and know for sure you will only be doing visual :) , then definitely focus on a dob on an alt/az "canon" mount. Then the challenges are whether to get active tracking, what eyepieces to buy, where you will keep the scope at home and how easily can you get it outside.

[denpavlov]

Thanks Rob, never say no but for now astrophotography is not of interest to me. The various pictures of nebulae and galaxies are awesome but one can easily find them online. Visual observation is the experience I am after.
Photography is a hobby of mine since my dad and I had a lab and printed film shots ourselves. I still prefer film black and white photography especially night city landscapes. There i have no boundary to the personal touch. Every shot is how I see an object. I do not see how I can have a personal touch with astrophotography. Maybe I am just new...

Re eyepieces, I have read some threads and it seems that for DSO’s I need 31mm, 17mm and 8mm. I got 17mm with extender to 14mm and stock 25mm and 10mm. Thinking about used Nagler 31 and Delos 8. Any suggestions are welcome

Cheers
Den