Beginners imaging rig

[GazzMeister]

Good evening everybody

I've just received an unexpected financial windfall. Yay! Anyway, I've been thinking about a light scope with GOTO functionality. I'm hoping to get into imaging soon also, so I'm also thinking of that area. My budget is around $2000 so I can't really get any of the best equipment. What packages would you recommend? I've been looking at something along the lines of an EQ5 and a Skywatcher ED80 combo, which would be around the money I'm looking to spend. I guess if I could get a mount that might occasionally take my 10" as well it would be a bonus...

I'm being a bit vague, i know, but I'm really still at the very first stages of looking around. I've only ever had really positive responses from you guys before, so I hope you can give me a few more suggestions. Thanks all in advance.

Gareth

[MortonH]

Andrews Communications in Sydney is selling the Skywatcher ED80 Pro with HEQ5 Pro GOTO mount for $2199.

Morton

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/

[Tamtarn]

Hi Gareth

There is a HEQ5 Pro mount listed in buy and sell at $1250 ONO with a version 3 Hand controller ( Telescopes & Mounts ) that would make a great combination with an ED 80.

You could get your set up for well under your budget and the HEQ5 has a bigger carrying capacity than the EQ5.

David

[iceman]

Definitely get the HEQ5 or the EQ6, because you will want the auto-guiding port. I don't know that the standard EQ5 has that.

But combined with an ED80 and a cheap widefield refractor as a guidescope, you can be up and running for under $3k. I assume you have a DSLR already, though :)