$3000 to spend, help me out.

[White Rabbit]

I'm due to come into some money from work shortly (it's taking for ever though) and I'd like to upgrade my scope. Currently I have a
ETX125 on an EQ5pro mount. The I'm a little tired of looking at the same stuff in the sky and need a deeper look.

Option one:
I've been toying with the idea of getting a 10" Lx200r and but this means that I will have to upgrade the mount pretty quickly as the weight might be a bit much for the eq5. The reason I was going this route is because it's portable and it has a reasonable aperture and I don't need a new extension built on to the house to house it.

Option two:
Getting a meade 12" light bridge, I've recently cleared some space in tha garage that I could house this scope, where as previously it would have had to live in the house. My girlfriend isnt that happy with that idea, not sure why though :shrug:. It's pretty much the only reason that I've never really bothered going down the dob path.
I would get the argo navis for as well at the same but I'd like to get something like servocat for it as well. Are there any other motor options out there other than the servocat? has anyone done this on a 12" LB?

I think I'll end up getting 8" newt and slapping that on the EQ5 if I want to do photography later on down the track.

Mmm, well now that I've actually got all that down and thought it all out I think I'm sold on option two now. Never mind carry on..

[h0ughy]

for 3 grand I would get a 16" lightbridge and a scopebuggy

[JimmyH155]

Settle for a 12" Lightbridge, with an Argo Navis (I have same and they are really great) Then with your change left over, get a viewing chair for great comfort:D

[sejanus]

maybe 12" LB and a few ripper eyepieces?

Or I notice there is a 2nd hand 16" LB in the for sale section

[CoombellKid]

For 3k and if you want servocat and argo Navis, you'll almost have about
enough left for a no frills 12" GSO from Andrews... if they're still on sale.
Drop the servocat and keep the Argo Navis.

I think someone have a Mel Bartels drive and goto system for sale in the
Trade forum recently.

regards,CS

[Starkler]

3k to spend?

12" lightbridge or flextube - 1k
Argonavis fitted -1k
10mm XW - $350 from Kokusai Kohki
31 nagler 2nd hand -$700

Ok we are $50 over. Thats how I'd spend it if starting over on 3k total budget.

[Phil]

I have my LB for sale 16" yours for $1500
Phil

[White Rabbit]

Thanks guys

Phil I'd love to but 16 is just to big for me to me.

[Ian Robinson]

What about a nice DSLR or two (I think you can pick up brand new 400D bodies for about $600 locally if you look around) and a telezoom and maybe an autoguider ?

The little lady might be less cranky if you get new toys that she can play with too .... she might be more amenable to your upgrading the scope (might even contribute to the cost) if you play your cards right ....

[Phil]

yeah to big for me to. that's way i am selling it.
Phil

[toyos]

What about a refractor? Nothing can beat the image quality of a good refractor.

[Suzy_A]

Option 3: Buy me a ticket to Surfers' Paradise or Broome and book a room in a 5 star hotel and I'll show you show you heaven!













(You get to sleep outside in a bus stop so you get a better view of the sky....):D

[Ian Robinson]

Broome at this time of the year would be paradise , and not nearly as full of ratbag tourists and blow ins as Surfer is.