Telescope Purchase

[Jeffkop]

Hi to all viewing. I'm new to telescopes, but have been fascinated by the skies since the first time I looked up. I'm in a position now to get involved in astronomy. Ive spent countless hours looking at different websites etc. I have decided on a scope PROMAK150-SKY. I will be observing from 2 different locations and so this scope appears to be the ideal traveling companion. Can I have some input into my decision. I am also VERY interested in capturing images from my scope, and that has complicated decision making as well. Do I opt for a CCD or get a DSLR camera? My budget is $4000 or so. Any advise, suggestions from forum members would be appreciated. I would enjoy a wall with some great images of the planets that I have taken and I guess other celestial objects, most of which I dont even know their names.
Incase some of you are wondering, this is not a whim, but rather me finally having the opportunity to get a decent scope and start a journey.
Thanks Jeff

[iceman]

Hi Jeff, :welcome: to IceInSpace!

Can you give us a link to that telescope? I'm not familiar with it..

[edwardsdj]

Hi Jeff,

Welcome to IceInSpace :)

Looks like a nice choice of scope. It looks very sturdy on the HEQ5 mount. I assume you are getting it with the HEQ5. It does look portable.

To be honest, if you are spending that much, I'd be tempted to get at least 8" apeture. I've had the Celestron C8 for 10 years and am still very happy. It is a great all-rounder that is very portable and particularly good for planetary work. At F/10, pretty slow for deep space imaging though. I've got the F/6.3 focal reducer which helps but still not that fast.

With a focal ratio of F/12 it will be very slow for deep space imaging. The 6" apeture will not allow spectular planetary images either.

If you are interested in imaging, have a look at the equipment people are using for imaging on this site. The equipment you need depends on the type of images you want to take and the type of results you expect.

The most important thing for your first decent scope is to get one you will be able to use frequently. If it is too complicated to setup you will lose interest.

You could always get an 8" GSO Dob from Andrews Communications in Sydney for $299 to get a feel for what you can see with 8" apeture. Not as portable but really cheap and easy to set up. Would require you to purchase a collimation tool as well though.

If you wanted to do imaging, you could then mount the tube on a beefy mount like the EQ6 at a later time.

Hope this helps.

Have fun,
Doug

[Jazza]

I think they're the Skywatcher eq's on heq5 mounts but could be wrong...

*grin* Beaten to it.

[Jeffkop]

Thanks for the replies, its really helpful. OK here is one link to the scope and mount (http://www.yorkoptical.com.au/ProductMenus/Telescopes/tabid/42/CategoryID/327/List/1/catpageindex/5/Level/a/ProductID/84/Default.aspx?SortField=UnitCost%2cP roductName)

[Miaplacidus]

Isn't there a review of the 180mm version in the Equipment Review section of Ice In Space?

[g__day]

Welcome aboard Jeffkop!

I suggest a few options - a Carbon Fibre 8" Celestorn at Andrews is $1999 so with a CG5 (I'd prefer a HEQ5) it would be Around $3,000. But I like the HEQ5 or 6 over a CG5. Next I get better dovetails than the skinny Celestron ones.

A Canon 400D can do alot for astro-photography all up that should keep within you budget.

[Rodstar]

Hi Jeffkop!

I noticed that OPT have a sale on a 5 inch Maksutov style scope (Celestron) that you might be interested in. It is about $900 US including mount. Just bear in mind freight costs, GST, and the exchange rate!

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Same scope and mount listed separately at Andrews:
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm
$950 + $1399 saves you around $350 on the price as listed at York.

[Jeffkop]

Thanks one and all for your comments and help. Did end up buying the MAK180PRO with the HEQ5 mount yesterday ... looking forward to looking now. Only decision left now is the imaging device .. holey moley !!!! Ive discovered that questions seem to only lead to more questions in all things astrotography ... Really though, its a choice between the D40 DSLR or something like the ATIK 16C. While im here .. Ive looked and looked trying to find out whether software like MaxDSLR will provide guiding to the HEQ5 mount ... It is a reasonable question considering the Goto system can be guided to a target from a serial conection to a PC .. So if anyone can help solve that ...THANKS HEAPS ... Jeff