AOE150m cassegrain vs black diamond 127mm. opions please

[lookus]

Hi. I am new to the forum and also to astronomy. I am looking at buying a telescope and after reading up on the various telescopes i believe that i would like to go with a maksutov cassegrain. better for planetary viewing, smaller. ( please let me know if anyone thinks this is a bad decision)

A local store will sell me a 127mm black diamond mak/cass. on a EQ3 mount for $750.

I have also stumbled on a 152mm maksutov cassegrain on a EQ5 mount for about $1000. the brand is AOE. is this brand OK? a similar option in a black diamond brand would cost about $1700, but $1000 is my limit. In terms of value for money will it be a better option than the 127mm black diamond option?

your opinions and/or advice would be highly regarded.

[PCH]

Hi Luke,

and welcome to IIS. IMHO, I'd go the Black Diamond any day. It's a Skywatcher brand scope, which are made (in China) to a good standard. Whereas the AOE is likely to be a rebadged who-knows-what (but possibly Guan Sheng Optical or GSO). GSO in themselves are good, don't get me wrong. But the Black Diamond would be way better.

And thar price is great too! You could pay $1100 for that combination, and I've only looked at one other store, and that was meant to be $100 off !

But many would say get a decent pair of binocs first, and spend some time scanning the skies with them first, - before you shell out serious $$$ getting some kit that may turn out to be a boat anchor, collecting dust in the shed ;) It's a good piece of advice too and will serve you well in the future.

All the best with this most intriguing (and expensive !) hobby.

Cheers,

[dannat]

I have had good dealings with AOE but mostly with binocs, i think the eq5 mount will be a plus over the eq3 as it can handle the weight better. what are the f ratios of the two scopes? i think the aoe is f13 , can't remember about the black diamond

[toryglen-boy]

+1

;)


PS. if you can stretch it, Gerry Gibbs Camera House in WA has an offer on just now, a HEQ5-Pro mount with the BD OTA you mention for $1500.

Thats less than some places sell the mount for alone ...

[toryglen-boy]

actually upon reflection regarding your original post, i would offer this advice.

Forget the EQ mount and Mak, get a 10" Dob or similar, and a pair of 10*50 binos to accompany them. much cheaper and easier for a beginner to use.

:thumbsup:

[lookus]

hi. thanks for the help. your comments are much appreciated. I ended up getting a good price on a saxon 200mm mak-cass and a heq-5 mount for $1500. i understand it's a bit more than a 10" or similar dob, but i think i will forget about the money ( in time)

is this a good unit/combination?

[toryglen-boy]

for someone who had never used a telescope?

No.


but hey, you got it now. enjoy !!

;)

[gazza83]

Sounds like a great deal. I'd be interested to see how you go with it.

Cheers

[Wavytone]

That's a great deal, hope the scope is a good one.

[lookus]

have been using my scope for the last 3 nights. i love it! have bought a couple of new eyepieces and it was even better. the 14mm seems to be the best balance. 9mm is not quite clear enough. my biggest issue is the finder scope. when i am looking straight up i have to kneel awkwardly and often painfully on the cold wet ground. ( i am almost 2metres tall so this really is uncomfortable) am considering an angled finder or laser or something. any ideas here would be welcome.

all in all the scope seems great so far. so onwards and upwards.

[PCH]

Hi Lookus,

a right angled finderscope is an absolute must imo :thumbsup:

[Wavytone]

I use my 9 x 50 finder - BUT - and here's the catch - my scope is on an altaz mount and I raise it as high as possible which makes it pretty easy to use the finder.

Alternatively you could consider a red-dot finder, a Telrad (or similar, there are clones and making one is not all that hard) or a laser pointer. The laser pointers are complete no-brainers to use.

[lookus]

thanks for the ideas about the finders.

i am considering a laser finder in conjunction with a right angled correct view finder as i believe a magnified view is probably very useful. and a laser seems easier than a red dot or telrad. could anyone suggest which one might be better.

is it possible to see the laser point also while looking through the finder scope?

ideas and opinions appreciated

if this is starting to veer off the subject of the original thread please move it or let me know and i will start a new one.

thanks

[TrevorW]

Red dots are easy as pie and is answer to your question no