upgrade path over a number of years

[mark3d]

hi all - new to astronomy, and the forums. i have done a bit with binoculars - enough to know i want a telescope.

after reading a lot, this forum included, i've decided to get an 8" GSO dobsonian. i'd like an EQ mount and shorter focal length reflector for portability, but i realise i need to spend at least the value of the dob just on the mount to get a decent one, so dob it is for now (and well, we will just have to make it fit in the car ;)). that should keep us happy for quite some time.

id eventually like to get a Mak or similar on a decent EQ mount for viewing and imaging. i enjoy (non-space) photography so will probably get a DSLR at some stage anyway.

it sounds like i can upgrade to a better scope in increments, to avoid forking out lots of $ all at once? i'm also mindful about not having to buy the same things over again.

for example, my first purchase after the dob could be a couple of good eyepieces - useful for the dob but also later scopes.

could i then get an EQ5/EQ6 mount and mount the dob on that? that would get me into some basic imaging.

after all that i understand i could finally get a Mak or similar OTA to put on the mount to replace the dob?

does this sort of upgrade path make sense? the way i see it i'd end up with a scope that to buy outright would cost say $3000 - but id be buying it in chunks like $250 (eyepieces) $1000 mount and say $1750 Mak? all the while having a respectable telescope (the dob) to use!

thanks for reading :)

[rumples riot]

I would look at getting a 10" dob if you want to go down that path. So when you get and eq mount the 10" will give you plenty of aperture.

[ballaratdragons]

The EQ5 won't carry a whole lot of weight. Whereas a HEQ5 or an EQ6 will.

[mark3d]

thanks guys.

will keep that in mind about the mounts.. i probably should have been less specific about 5/6 because i dont know much about them except they are out of my price range for now ;)

re: 10" dob yeah its tempting because its not much longer, wider or heavier than the 8" - so i guess it would be just as portable - if we can take an 8" we can take a 10". the extra cost is a bit of a factor, but as you can see im trying to think a bit long term, so over 5 years spending an extra $200 would be worth it.

would a 10" dob and an entry level DSLR (like olympus E500 or canon 400D), and decent EQ mount be a good base for imaging? it would need to keep me happy until i finally upgraded the OTA (my estimate of $1750 was probably on the low side so that might come a while after the mount)

btw stunning jupiter images!

cheers :)

[ballaratdragons]

Depends on what you want to take images of. The ED80 is fantastic for DSO's, and the Dob would be good on Solar System.

[rumples riot]

You would need a guide scope to guide the 10", so yes it would serve its purpose. As Ken has said a ED80 would also be good as a DSO imaging scope if you wanted to go this way also.

DSO imaging really relies aon a good solid mount to work with. I am sure an EQ6 will do that for you as many people around Australia are using them for a variety of imaging tasks.

Thanks re the Jupiter images, appreciated.

[mark3d]

wow those ED80's do look nice. id be happy with that instead of a Mak (like the mounts that was as much an example as anything).

it sounds like with the dob and ED80 combination, with a rock solid mount, id have good options for viewing and imaging both solar system and DSO.. sounds ideal. i think i'll get the dob purchase underway very soon.

thanks for the help! :thumbsup:

[Stephen65]

Mark

have a look at this thread, similar discussion going on:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=20259

Stephen

[Zuts]

Hi

I am very new to all this, but an entry level EOS400D camera body is still around $1100 in OZ, maybe 850 on ebay (plus customs) which takes a lot of budget.

An EOS300D can be got for between 400 and 550 and is a good camera. In a few years you may still be able to sell it for 150 to 250. A 350D would be better but then you are spending more and may want to look at the 400d new.

Paul

[Sgtfretsurfer]

Personally, for your situation i would go for an 8 inch dob over a 10 because your thinking long term. if your planning to eventually mount your dob on an EQ mount (before upgrading to a new ota (mak, ed80, or watever u decide)) then it might be worth considering the cost of the mount needed for each dobs. Basically you will need a HEQ5 for an 8 inch dob, and an EQ6 for a 10. The price difference between these two mounts is around the 1k mark. You've also got to consider the weight of your next ota, as you need mount capable of handling it.

[ballaratdragons]

Actually, it's only a few hundred dollars between the HEQ5 and the EQ6.

If you intend to mount a dob AND an ED80, go the EQ6. HEQ5 probably won't handle both well.

A Dob and an ED80 make a great imaging/visual combination. You can image in one and do visual or guiding in the other, and visa-versa :thumbsup:

[Sgtfretsurfer]

well actually the price difference is $825 (see myastroshop.com.au), but lets not split hairs. For me (uni bum) its a massive difference, but obviously it comes down to your budget. Just be aware that choosing a ten inch dob over an 8 inch almost guarantees that you will have to spend more on a mount capable of handling it later down the line

[ballaratdragons]

About $400 the difference between the 2 at Bintel. :thumbsup:

[Sgtfretsurfer]

wow bintel IS cheap (iv heard good things about them), although from what i can see its still a $600 difference (500 without skyscan). I just read in another thread (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=20347) that you can get an EQ6 with skyscan for under 2000, but im still waiting to find out where from. In spite of the controversy, i still think that if your on a budget the price difference between the two mounts is worth considering when you decide which size dob to get.

[Stephen65]

NVT has them at $1995:

http://www.nvt.com.au/Telescopes/Skywatcher-Telescopes/Skywatcher-Telescope-Mounts-Inc-Tripods/Skywatcher-Full-Go-To-13-436-objects-M-NGC-IC-Computer-compatible-SS-Tripod-stepper-motors/