Another Newby after a telescope.

[Supa Acsum]

Hey Guys,

Found this site think its great with heaps of info and large forum community.

Ive been interested in Astronomy for a few years but finally feel its time to invest in a new telescope. Dont really want to spend more than a grand and would prefer a goto system (Ive never bought a telescope before cause I know id get bored/frustrated trying to find stuff).

Any suggestions for a good starter, thought of looking at ETX models, anyone know about their quality. I want to look at everything - first obviously, the moon, planets, sun, and then deep sky stuff. Id also later look into connecting to a laptop and learn about astrophotography.

So in otherwords, I want the best i can get with my limited budget, and later buy more equipment based on this telescope.

Cheers.

[ving]

hi and welcome aboard :)
what did you find us with google?

anyhow, i know little about goto but there are plenty here who do so sit tight and wait... i am sure there'll be sum1 along soon :)
you could try calling bintel as they stock goto scopes.

[asimov]

Welcome....First, we need to know your budget.

Sorry, just spotted it. Not more than a grand. :D

[asimov]

How can you get bored finding stuff? To me, goto is boring! The thrill of finding stuff yourself is a pretty good feeling. If I just punched in some coordinates into a telescope to find an object, I think I would have been bored years ago lol. This is just my personal opinion though. If it were me, knowing what I know now, I would get the scope with the biggest aperture according to your budget...forget goto. You can get a 12" reflector on a dob for about the grand mark...But then I see you wanna get into photography as well. Usually an Equatorial mount is best for that, although you CAN motorize a dob for photography....at a cost.

Perhaps David Pretorious could advise you further, being in roughly the same predicament/circumstance as you at the moment. Your going to get a flood of varied comments shortly, I'd say lol.

[dhumpie]

I agree with John and I think the GOTO will get old very fast unless you are an avid astrophotographer. Part of the thrill I find with astronomy is star hopping. Sometimes you even stumble on better objects than the ones you set out to observe :) IMHO the best you can do for a grand is one of them GSO 12" dobs with no bells and whistles...just plain and simple raw aperture to pull in all those ancient photon's !!!!!!!!!!!

Darren

[seeker372011]

As someone who owns an ETX and really likes it..my recommendation for a first scope-get an 8 inch or larger Dob!

the views through an ETX are just not satisfying enough especially from a suburban location. You need aperture.

Now for a second, travel scope...thats when an ETX is worth thinking of. I'd put the other budget GoTo telescopes in the same category.


However, if its astrophotography you are after you may need to consider rethinking your budget.

[asimov]

After my experience of owning an 8" newt....After looking through it for a couple of weeks, I realized I wanted to go bigger straight away! Aperture fever! Now Iv'e got that bigger aperture (12.5") & I must say, I dont feel the need to go bigger. It satisfied me.

I agree seeker....minimum size 8" for satisfactory viewing.

[davidpretorius]

Welcome,

I have just got my telescope plan authorized by the chief of finance.

This is what i showed her given i had a $1100 odd tax refund to play with

Initial purchase ie tomorrow as soon as Andrews is open

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 463pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=617 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 116pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5489" width=154><COL style="WIDTH: 221pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 10467" width=294><COL style="WIDTH: 22pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1052" width=30><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><COL style="WIDTH: 56pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2673" width=75><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 116pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=154 height=18>Supplier</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 221pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=294>Partno</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 22pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=30>Qty</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64 x:str="Price">Price </TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 56pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=75></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=18>Andrews Communication</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Guan Sheng GS-880-BK7-CRF + freight</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="774" x:fmla="=699+75">$774.00 </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="774" x:fmla="=D2">$ 774.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=18>Andrews Communication</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">9mm eye piece</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="0">$ - </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="774" x:fmla="=D3+E2">$ 774.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=18>Andrews Communication</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">15mm eye piece</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="0">$ - </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="774" x:fmla="=D4+E3">$ 774.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=18>Andrews Communication</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">20mm eye piece</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="0">$ - </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="774" x:fmla="=D5+E4">$ 774.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=18>Andrews Communication</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">25mm eye piece</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="0">$ - </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="774" x:fmla="=D6+E5">$ 774.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=18>Andrews Communication</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Cheshire site tube</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="29">$ 29.00 </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="803" x:fmla="=D7+E6">$ 803.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=18>Andrews Communication</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">Outstanding 2" 80 [degrees] 30mm f.l. eyepiece.</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="149">$149.00 </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="952" x:fmla="=D8+E7">$ 952.00 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[davidpretorius]

Next I will order my toucam for photography, as i have a little left over I am ordering this tomorrow

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 463pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=617 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 116pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5489" width=154><COL style="WIDTH: 221pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 10467" width=294><COL style="WIDTH: 22pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1052" width=30><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><COL style="WIDTH: 56pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2673" width=75><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 116pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=154 height=18>Supplier</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 221pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=294>Partno</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 22pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=30>Qty</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=64 x:str="Price">Price </TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 56pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=75></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" height=18>Telescopes - Astronomy</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8">Tuocam + freight</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="157">$157.00 </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="1109">$1,109.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" height=18>Telescopes - Astronomy</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8">Long exposure mod for toucam</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="140">$140.00 </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="1249">$1,249.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" height=18>Telescopes - Astronomy</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8">5m usb cable for toucam</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="24">$ 24.00 </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="1273">$1,273.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" height=18>unsure</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8">adapter for toucam to telescope</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="1273">$1,273.00 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[davidpretorius]

And finally after a few months of savings:

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 463pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=617 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 116pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5489" width=154><COL style="WIDTH: 221pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 10467" width=294><COL style="WIDTH: 22pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1052" width=30><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><COL style="WIDTH: 56pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2673" width=75><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 116pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=154 height=18>Supplier</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 221pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=294>Partno</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 22pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=30>Qty</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=64 x:str="Price">Price </TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 56pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=75></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" height=18>Telescopes - Astronomy</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8">Baader filter for toucam</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="80">$ 80.00 </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="1353">$1,353.00 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.2pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 13.2pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" height=18>Bintel</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8">Orion Barlow Shorty-Plus 2x (1.25") + freight</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num>1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="145">$145.00 </TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8" x:num="1498">$1,498.00 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


The superwide, filter, barlow and webcam are all extras to the basic unit ie $803 is the bare minimum I would recommend spending.

This 10" dob comes with crayford focuser, bk7 glass, but no fan. There is a cheaper model 10" dob, but all the guys and girls here recommend going the extra.

I was seriously looking at the 12" which you can buy for $1099 (with crayford, bk7, fan) but you add $95 freight to tassie and then those extras i have listed here and it is all starting to get closer to $2000, not $1000.

[davidpretorius]

I chose Andrews Communications for the scope, (check recent beginner forum for recent discussion on Bintel and Andrews). Both are great, just servicing different markets. I will use the likes of bintels for better quality eyepieces down the track. The guy at Bintels was bubbling as he described what it is like to look through a 9mm Nagler superwide. He reckons when you can look at the galaxies up close and nice and wide, then you have crossed the line and start kicking the wife out of bed and sleeping with your scope!

Hope this helps. I have found looking at the signature of what guys have, seems to say to me that with at least a 10" dob, you can't go too far wrong.

Hope you have as great a time, as i have had

[jackenau]

Hmmm, have just aquired a 9mm Nagler for my 12" dob, so looks like my ever faithfull dog is going to be happy with the extra time I will be spending with him.

Looks like you have done your research and am purchasing wisely. Enough goodies to keep you enthused as well as giving you variety as you search for the many objects on offer to view.

I purchased my scope from Bintel and cannot complain. However their instructions were out of date and apart from that during the purchase process you really had to prod them for information.

I thought the toucams came with the adapter to make them fit into your existing 1.25 ep.

Good thing with the dobs is that they allow you to get in to the hobby at grass roots level, at a reasonable price, with a scope offering excellent views and can be relatively easily upgadable with an array of equipment to enhance ones viewing expectations.

Enjoy your new purchase.

Good luck

Ken M

[davidpretorius]

thanks ken, i will work my way up to a 9mm nagler one day. Having just got this purchase past to the keeper, I can already see the wheels clicking in my wife's pretty head on what i have to do to repay her for letting me buy the gear. i think they say, "It is only the depth that varies!"

[acropolite]

The others have summed it up a grand and goto simply don't mix. If your budget is only $1K go for a dob as you'll have to spent 3to 5x that amount to get an equivalent aperture. I wouldn't agree with Darren's statements regarding go-to. A goto will allow you to quickly find objects that may otherwise go unseen and allow you to quickly learn the sky.

[Supa Acsum]

Thanks for the response guys. After reading, I may have to change my mind and go for the dob after all, Ill just have to be more patient and learn the sky in a bit more detail.

Thanks for all the info DP, keep me posted how you go when you receive the equipment. I wasnt sure what you meant by Toucam. Judging that your buying a usb, it connects to your pc. How does it work witht the pc?

Anymore opinions would be welcome.

I can tell already that this forum rocks.

[iceman]

Hi SA, :welcome: to the forum!

How did you hear about us?

There's a tonne of info about the GSO dobs on this forum, there's been many a purchase of these in the last 6-12 months (through recommendations here) and there hasn't been an unhappy customer yet. For the cost, they're unbeatable value for money.. big aperture for under $1k.

The ToUcam is a webcam, it can be used for plantery and lunar imaging. It connects to a laptop/PC and records video through the telescope (you use it in place of an eyepiece). The telescope acts like a large telephoto lens. Processing of the resulting video then let's you extract the best frames in moments of good seeing to produce the final image.

If you're interested in imaging, you should read the article I wrote, Astrophotography with a dob (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=63,201,0,0,1,0). Whether you plan to do imaging with a dob or not (it is difficult and time consuming!), it contains some useful info to get you started.

If you're on a budget of $1k, the dob is definitely the best option for large aperture. If you want something smaller and portable with goto, then the ETX is the best option.

Oh btw, where abouts do you live?

[davidpretorius]

[QUOTE=Supa Acsum]Thanks for all the info DP, keep me posted how you go when you receive the equipment. I wasnt sure what you meant by Toucam. Judging that your buying a usb, it connects to your pc. How does it work witht the pc?
QUOTE]

Pleasure, I have just faxed Andrews the order for the telescope, cheshire site tube and ultra wide. The ultrawide is a small gamble as there is mixed opinion on what you can get. Some say let them cool down and they work fine. I will be getting back to the forum with my results for the ultra wides.

As mike has explained, the toucam is a webcam that you link to your computer. The modification for $140 lets you take a long exposure or to lots of individual shots. Individual shots for dobs, long exposure for telescopes with equatorial mounts. I am planning to try and link my telescope thru the toucam to my laptop through the wireless adsl to my web servers and then can broadcast to the internet. ambitious, but boy will it be fun to share with the guys on the forum.

My second project like so many other dob guys is to try and motorize the dob (both movement and focusing) to be able to "goto". My feeling is that I will have to buy Mick Pinners equatorial Mount after giving up in disgust and asimov can say "you youngsters, I told you so!"

Will keep you updated

[Supa Acsum]

I heard about the site after reading a reply by iceman in an ebay forum (me thinks). I just clicked on the link.

Im at Toowoon Bay, I've notice quite a few Central Coast people here, including you. I also read an old thread about a viewing night you have up at Mangrove Mountain. Any plans for another soon. Id love to come and check out your systems and find out more before committing myself to a purchase. I really dont know what Im talking about, but im slowly becoming more informed due to you guys.

[iceman]

Wow another from the central coast!? Why didn't you say so! :)

You're more than welcome to come around to my house (i'm at Wyoming) and check out my dob, probably should wait for the full moon to disappear though :) ausastronomer is closer to you, he's at Berkeley/Killarney vale.

We go up to Kulnura (Paintball Place) every new moon weekend, so the next one will be in 2 weeks. You're more than welcome to come up and join us!

David, that's not entirely accurate. By default, the ToUcam lets you take lots of individual shots, ie: 5 frames/s, 10 frames/s etc. The long exposure mod is only useful if you have tracking, and will let you take long exposures (eg: 2 minutes) as you track an object. This is used for DSO photography.

In it's default mode, it's only useful for planets/moon/sun.

I'm sure the mod has a switch to allow you to change between one mode and the other.

[Librarian64]

I disagree with the Dob purists. Be very suspicious of anyone who thinks one type of scope is the only type of scope and rubbishes others. They're all good; all types of telescopes are a valid choice. You can still find objects manually with a goto scope as I have done on quite few occasions. I use atlases (Uranometria 2000), Burnham's etc and preplan my observing nights. I get a real buzz out of hitting the books beforehand and reading superlative descriptive works like Burnham's. I even own a descriptive astro book called The Midnight Sky published in the late 1800s which is gorgeous and has a ton of engravings of Greenwich Observatory and other scopes of the day. There are many ways to enjoy astronomy and you don't actually need a particular type of telecope to learn the sky. I've been using binos/atlases for many years and learned the sky well before I ever bought a telescope. A friend of mine in SA build a dob and it was brilliant but for my needs at this point a GOTO was perfect.

$1000 does limit you but that doesn't mean GOTO is boring.

[iceman]

All good points. In the end it may depend on the individuals budget or needs.. If astrophotography is your prime focus, a dob is not for you. If you only have $500 to spend, a goto scope is not for you.

If I had the money, I would've bought a goto scope (like a 10" Meade LX200 SCT) when I got my scope. But I only had $1k so I bought my 10" dob. At that time, astrophotography wasn't a major concern for me.

I like hunting things down, but I mainly prefer the convenience of my DSC's. I still learn the sky, but it also means I can see 5x more objects in a night. And with my limited spare time, that's more important to me.

Goto certainly isn't boring, it's about convenience.

[Supa Acsum]

Iceman, i definitely want to join u next new moon (As long as the Mariners are not playing!! - football is my number 1 love). It would be a great way for me to get some hands on expertise to make a more knowledgable judgement. Please fill me in with details of when.

[cahullian]

Hi Supa
As you can see I am a Dob owner also, but I dream of 8'' with goto one day. My starting budget was about half of what yours is so I went for the 8" and a couple of bits and pieces. I am learning the night sky quite well and during the viewing nights the blokes with the big goto scopes will show you where in the night sky they are viewing. I write these things down as soon as I can and then go looking for them in my own time. I have fun finding things myself but I must warn you that I have spent many many hours frustrated at not being able to hone in on what it is I'm looking for. It sounded to me that on your first post you didn't want to spend ages looking for DSO's. If you get the Dob that's exactly what's going to happen. You could still get your smaller scope with goto and after a few months getting to know it and the night sky, sell it in the forum for a small loss (if you look after it well) and use the extra time and the sale price of your scope to get a very large Dob.

Not all us Dob owners are one eyed, but for the pleasure of better vieving when you get objects in your FOV the Dob is the go . To get to see 5 or maybe 10 times more objects per viewing night then dont hesitate and get the goto.
The best scope is the one you use the most.

Hope this helps

Gazz/Irish

[slice of heaven]

Yep , hook up with the central coast guys and check out your options. A big dob will give you good views but their expensive to fit with a goto mount. Theres a few dob users on this site that would like to change mounts but because of the large OTA sizes are limited to expensive eq/fork mounts, or adding goto to the dob, also expensive.
Dobs are quick and easy to setup and cheap for the size of aperture.
The $1000 budget limits the range of worthwhile goto scopes available.

[ving]

yup, theres no better way of seeing what scopes for you than turning up to one of these ob nights.

meade make a nice littel 80mm goto refractor and louie (atalas) has a nice goto scope too which offers really nice views... but you will get more apperture for you money with a dob. its up to you as to what your priorities are.

[asimov]

No David, I never will say 'I told you so'. Everyone need's to learn their own way. I never had any advise from anyone when I got into this, all the choice's Iv'e made thus far, have been my own doing. It's the 'hind-sight' thing.....Oh if only I hadn't bought that...hadn't done this & so on. Had there been such a thing as a dob back in my day, I dare say I would have gone down that road too. But I just know....EVENTUALLY I would have up-graded to an EQ mount.

Even if it has no tracking motor on it, I feel if you HAVE to 'nudge' a scope to follow the object....then I would rather be nudging the damn thing on ONE axis, rather than TWO!

A little story for ya: Age 14, I made my 8" reflector on EQ mount....ground our own primary as well (Which turned out to be NOT figured properly = RS view's) Came across an 8" for-sale coupla years later....but it was on a altazimuth mount (a bit like a dob)..... bought it. The mirror was FANTASTIC! Used it as it was for awhile (on the Alt. mount) Now after using an EQ mount, this Alt. mount was a real pain to use! Why put up with this crap when Iv'e got an EQ mount!!?! So I swapped the optic's over, & sold the Alt reflector I bought, with my crappy mirror in it.

But hey! This is your first scope Dave! Just get out there & enjoy it, & the skie's, ok?? Lets face it....If youv'e never used an EQ mount....you wont know what your missing, therefore the dob will be a joy to use!! :thumbsup:

I find it real hard to give advise or give my opinion, because 9 times out of 10 someone will say...'I dont agree with that' Well, I'm not asking them to agree, lol....Just reporting the fact's as I know them, or as it happened to me.

[[1ponders]]

Hear hear!!! John (Librarian 64).

Nothing wrong with a good goto. I found it very frustrating at times when I first bought my Celestron refractor, trying to find object. After having the Meade goto for a while though I found it much easier to locate objects with my refractor as I'd become more familiar with the night sky. And that came largely through the use of the goto. I do use a number of books now (no goto) but its much easier now than when I first started because I know where to look in relation to objects I'd found through the goto.

[davidpretorius]

i have to agree with you, but i wouldn't worry, noone on this site rams anything down anyone's throats. I get to hear actual experiences so i can make up my own mind.

although it is good to see a friendly rivalry between the dobbers and the eq'ers

[cristian abarca]

Hi guys

Hey David just wondering what you get (for the long exposure mod for the toucam), from telescope -astronomy for $140. I have downloaded the method to modify your own and it seems a little tricky.

Regards Cristian

[davidpretorius]

http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/toucam_philips.htm


quote
"Please inquire for the Long Exposure Modification. Modification includes a switch for changing
between Video and Long Exposure. This allows the user to capture faint objects and stack images
using free software from the internet."

hope this helps
I should get mine tomorrow, so i will let you know!

[Supa Acsum]

hmmmmm,

asimov and cahullian have put forward other convincing arguments. Guess the best thing to do is to check out all different equipment and try and make a hands on approach.

From what I understand...Ive got three options for $1000:

1. A Dob - a big aperture which lets me see more objects and clearer. Downside - can be frustrating at times trying to find objects, and is harder to track objects due to mount. Not the best for possible photography in the future.

2. A Goto - easily find and track objects. Smaller apperture, so I wont see as much through scope. Question: Are objects seen through a smaller aperture smaller or fainter or both? Best option for photography in the future.

3. In between - Smaller apperture than a dob, but larger than a goto - but on a eq mount without motorisation. Makes tracking objects easier, but doesnt make finding objects any easier. Will be ok for photography in the future.

Is my summary correct??

[davidpretorius]

my plan is that for now i have bought a large tube (10" dob). in a few years time, i can always buy a really good heavy duty equatorial mount for my 10" scope (eq6). It might be close to $1500 on its own. Once i have that, all the long exposure techniques, goto's, tracking etc are then available.

But for now, I have some really cool stuff to get going with and an easy upgrade path!

[asimov]

Your summary is fairly correct, yes. Through a small aperture scope...as an example: through my 4.5" reflector, I see the planet Jupiter as a relatively small disk with two dark bands on it's 'surface' at low power. At fairly high power, the disk will be larger, but the view is not as clear/crisp, because I have reached my magnification limit for this telescope...which VARIES from night to night because of varying seeing conditions..ie: the presence of the jet-stream/upper or lower atmospheric wind/transparency. etc etc..

In my 12.5" reflector, I will see jupiter (as directly compared to the 4.5") as a disk at least twice as big with the same low power eyepiece, with a lot more planetary detail 'resolved'..And then we have the focal length factor of the telescope to contend with. As a rule of thumb, long FL scope's dont give you very wide field's of view, in other word's the bit of sky you see threw the EP will not be as big at...as another example: a 8" reflector at F/10 compared to an 8" at F/5 The F/5 will have a wider field of view (FOV) so it will take longer to move across your FOV if there's no tracking on the scope. (this also depends on what EP your using too) In a 8" F/10 at high magnification, the object your looking at is going to whip across your FOV really quickly.

There's plenty of stuff/articles on the net explaining all this better than what I can! lol

[ballaratdragons]

I have a method for finding DSO's fairly quickly!

I start with my 2" GS 30mm SuperView Galaxy Magnet. 90% of the time I can spot objects (small but obvious). Once centred in the FOV I switch over to my 15mm. After having a look at the object for a while I then switch to my 9mm for a much closer look.

Supa, Don't expect to find faint fuzzies starting at 9mm in a dobbie. Start at a reasonable size EP and work your way down to the higher mags.

Please ignore this info is you have massive light pollution and buy a GoTo!! Lol

[asimov]

Ken's right of course..I do the same.