On The Prowl

[Jarvis]

hi guys and girls. i was just after a bit of info. im in the hunt for a new scope for a little bit more serious astronomy. i was looking at getting either a 8 or 10 IN DOB JUST WONDERING WHICH WOULD BE BETTER. oops capslock. anyway, just wondering about any brands or places where you can get them from in australia. preferably queensland but anywhere is fine. if possible between $400 and $800.:drink:

[acropolite]

If you have the funds, the bigger the better and the deluxe model 10 inch will serve you better in the long run (better focusser, fans etc), but why not spend an extra couple of grand and get a goto....:P Be sure to get some advice from the forum before deciding on eyepieces, some informed choices at purchase will save you dollars in the long run.:thumbsup:

[TidaLpHasE]

:thumbsup: a few links to get you looking in the right places

http://www.bintelshop.com.au/

Andrews Communications (http://www.andrewscom.com.au/)

www.sirius-optics.com.au

www.aoe.com.au

Happy hunting.

[asimov]

I would do a bit more saving & go with a 12" & be done with it...Depends if you have to transport the scope to a dark site though..A 10" is more portable.

[davidpretorius]

from andrews:

Guan Sheng GS-880-BK7-CRF
$699.00 AUD

check out any extras that he may throw in

+ freight and i would spend that little extra to get a 30m 80 degree ultra wide for $149.

+ $150 for a good barlow down the track

[asimov]

Hi Dave. you really swear by that 30mm 80 degree ultra wide don't you. Any 'seagulling' at the edges mate?

[atalas]

Hi Jarvis ,go for the 10" It will last you for years and the GSO dobs have very good mirrors in them you can't go wrong with them.

Cheers

Louie :thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

no mate, not that i can detect. i take it out to cool with my scope and i use it the most of all ep's. maybe the stars in the outer 5%, but i do not notice it.

mind you, this is the best eyepiece i have (series 500 for the rest)

2 of the tassie boys have bought them after last new moon, they were blown away with the views!

[asimov]

Hmmm..thanks Dave, one is now on my list 'to-get'

[davidpretorius]

a review by iceman i think <---- Mark hodson actually not the iceman!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=42,134,0,0,1,0&hashID=35385fe50786aedf37f5e0415bec c6fc

the 15mm ultra wide is due anytime, not sure if at 15mm, you want ultra wide views, but maybe????

[janoskiss]

Yes, of course. You always want ultra wide views! :D (Okay, maybe not on planets.) But until I see it for myself I remain skeptical about the inexpensive ultra wides in fast scopes. And now that I've got a 13mm Nagler on the way, I'd be scared to look through them anyway, lest I find out I could have almost the same views for 1/3 the cost! :eek:

[asimov]

After reading the review I'm thinking twice now. I'm pretty intolerant of those seagulls...that's why I ended up selling the 30mm SV.

[davidpretorius]

may i look thru your 13mm nagler at snake valley for a report i am compiling?

i promise to wear gloves and will surround myself with pillows

[davidpretorius]

oh Jarvis,

if you are looking at a 30mm ultrawide and eventually a barlow, then i would not go for the 4 series 500 eyepieces, ask for an upgrade to say a 12.5mm and a 20mm in a gs eyepiece or something even a little better????

i do not use my 6.5mm, too hard to look thru, the 12.5mm is goo, so is 25mm and i do use the 40mm for imaging large nebulas or clusters

[janoskiss]

Sure you can David! As long as you're wearing the gloves and the pillow covers are made from lint free fabric. :rofl: I hope I can check out your ultrawide too. :D

[janoskiss]

Jarvis, The 10" Dob would be your best option. I got the 8", because it's so cheap and so portable, but once I'm observing I wish I had the 10" or the 12" even. But when I'm loading up the Corolla for a night away under dark skies, I don't miss the 12". :D

The 10" is probably the best compromise between light gathering power and portability. But if you have the $ and the will, go for the 12", which should keep aperture fever under control for quite a bit longer.

http://www.staroptics.com.au (StarOptics) is another dealer (of Saxon type Dobs). BTW, Sirius Optics' Dobs (and the larger Saxon dobs) are more expensive than Andrews' or Bintel's but claim to have pyrex mirrors, which is good if you're impatient. Pyrex has a much lower thermal expansion coefficient than other types of glass, so it won't warp so much while cooling down, so you can observe pretty much as soon as you take the scope outside during a cold night. But once it's been outside for 30 minutes or so, pyrex mirrors should not make any difference.

Either way, what you get for your money these days is truely amazing! :D

[Jarvis]

its so hard being a student. my parents are even pitching in to help buy it. i just want a telescope that will let me see something other than the grey spots in my 60mm scope at the moment. i can always go bigger later on. thanks for your help so far guys i will inform you later on on what i decide and get your opinion on it.

you guys are too cool.

[Starkler]

Not a chance!
You can rest easy ;)

[janoskiss]

Sounds like you're really on a tight budget, Jarvis. I'd say get the 200mm (8") GSO Dob from Andrews for $399 or if that is too much then the 150mm (6") Dob for $299. I know I said it before, but I'll say it again: These are amazing value for the money! They would have been considered to be BIG telescopes only 10 years ago, and despite some people owning scopes with apertures of 250mm, 300mm or more, the smaller BIG scopes can show you a lot.

Whatever you get, you will want to get a good comprehensive set of eyepieces with it. Let us know if/when you've decided on a scope, and what options the dealer offers.