Beginners Imaging Rig Suggestion, GSO 8" f4 vs TEC140

[netwolf]

Hi All,

Looking around for something else entirely i came across this most interesting article. And I thought given that a few people have asked for advise on a starters rig this may be a good article to read.

http://msfastro.net/articles/gso_tec/gso_tec_compare.html

I have been considering the GSO 8" F4 for sometime now and wondering if it would be worth it. I dont think i could afford a TEC140 anytime soon. I really think this GSO Scope and other similar scopes are a very good Beginners scope. It would be perfect on a EQ6 or even a HEQ5pro, and given the recent price drops in these its more affordable. If budget is tight then you could probably getaway with a Cg-5 or EQ5 as well.

Having imaged with a C8 and my DSLR i know how much more critical mount errors, polar alignment, and other factors affect you at longer focal lengths. Most beginners don't need this headache and should really consider smaller focal lengths to start with.

Some food for thought.

Regards
Fahim

[Starkler]

Interesting read for sure, not that I know enough about pixels per arc second to critique it.
The gso ota certainly looks to be a good cheap option if you have the mount to carry it and you are willing to invest some time in maintaining collimation. I think the heq5 might be pushing it for AP though...

A very similar but higher tier scope is the Vixen R200SS which is also a 200mm f4 newt but with demonstrably better optical quality. I think that one goes for around 2k.

[davewaldo]

I've had my eye on the gso scope for some time. It seems like a good beginers scope for my HEQ5.

I'm not sure where is the best place to buy. Everyone seems to sell it in a package with an EQ3 rather than just an OTA.

Does anyone know how much and where is best to get the OTA only?

Cheers,

Dave.

[netwolf]

Andrews has it with mount for 499, and I asked him some time back how much just for the OTA and he advised 399. The mount is a SV1, something similar i would say to a Eq3. There is also one for sale in the classifieds section.

I would have thought a HEQ5 could manage F4 scope.

You could also over time save a bit of money and buy some premium 8" F4 optics. Then perhaps upgrade your mount to a G8 or G-11 or better. The key here is that you invest in the mount rather than spend more on the scope. From what I have read the mount is the key for AP.



Regards
Fahim

[acropolite]

I've waiting for a Skywatcher 200mm F5 OTA only, from Andrews for $399. Comes with dovetail, rings, finder and 3 crap ep's. I decided to give it a try together with a Baader MPCC after seeing the results some other forum members are getting with Newt/MPCC combo's, e.g. Eric (Ezystyles) & Barb & Dave (Tamtarn).