Thoughts on Skywatcher Sw 102

[Juan]

Hi everyone , I am new to this forum an astronomy in general.
So don't be surprised if I ask something stupid. Ok.
I want to buy a refractor telescope & tripod not more than $700 for general sight seeing , bird watching from long range and wildlife observation from long range, whale watching , that kind of stuff. Also something that I can have a casual look at the moon and maybe the sun with the correct objective filter .
I was thinking the Skywatcher Sw 102 on the AZ3 mount.
It will be carried in the car tripod in the boot and scope in the back seat area in a protective case .
I don't want a heavy tripod as I am not young and my back is not great .
I may have to carry the tripod while my wife carries the scope for short distances in the bush but mainly it will be set up not far from the car .
Is this scope a reasonable choice for the situation mentioned ?

[jjjnettie]

Hi Juan, welcome to IIS.
It sounds like a fine setup for your purpose.

[renormalised]

Hi Juan, welcome to IIS:)

Sounds (and looks) like a good setup. For the observing the Sun, you want to get a mylar filter to put over the front of your scope. They cut down on most of the light coming from the Sun. I'd also get a "moon" filter. They help cut down on the glare from the moon through a scope.

[GeoffW1]

Hi Juan,

I have just this setup as a grabitandgo scope for use on holiday trips, as my large scope cannot be fitted in along with a suitcase and other stuff.

It is very suitable although not a top line refractor (what else for that price). I use it just as you plan to, for terrestrial viewing as well as astronomy.

I found that results are very noticably improved by use with a good quality eyepiece (duh), but you will not be so bothered with that refinement I think, as it is mainly something which is apparent on stars and nebulae and so forth.

I discovered that on the light weight AZ3 mount, focussing is difficult as the image leaps about and wobbles for a long time when you turn the focus knob. I fixed that with an electric focusser attachment, about $100. So if this wobbling irritates you, there is a cure.

When you buy it make sure you mention you want to view daytime terrestrial things, so you are supplied with the correct prism on the viewing end.

Best price is at Andrews Communications for $399 on sale. Bintel in Sydney and Melbourne have this scope at the moment for $600 plus post, and Telescope & Binocular Specialists have it for $575.

Cheers

[Juan]

Thankyou everybody for the kind replies . That is interesting info. Thanks Geoff for the heads up on Andrews price.
I saw their price but was confused by the additional price below the add for the tube assembly I think , so I thought that it was in addition to the $399.
Plus Andrews has no information on what accessories come with the scope . Makes it very difficult to compare prices.
Is the Andrews price for the whole setup , scope , tripod , finder , diagonal , and two eye pieces ?
What are the optics like in the SW 102 to use ?
Does the focus system work smooth and give a sharp focus?
Appreciate your comments about the tripod vibration.
I guess that is the price you pay for less weight .
In your opinion what part of the mount and tripod is the flexing comming from?
I think to get a really sturdy mount the tripod will be too heavy to carry around any.
Storage in the boot is also an issue and a EQ3 mount looks a bit bulky.
Its confusing.
If necessary I can make this modification and just lump the extra kilo.
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=401

[renormalised]

if you buy the OTA (Optical Tube Assembly) from Andrews for $250, you can get a very good and what appears to be a sturdy mount from Bintel (https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm) (p2 of "Mounts"), a Bintel Sky View II Alt Az Mount, for $379, which will mean you've spent $629. That's under your $700 limit.

Although for $399 the Andrews package is better pricewise.

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

I did not purchase from Andrews so cannot say for sure, but I think it would be for those bits illustrated, ie OTA, mount, red dot finder, diagonal and either one or two eyepieces.

The optics are OK without being brilliant and are (subjectively) improved with better eyepieces, as expected. There is some chromatic aberration.

The focusser is a rack and pinion, a little stiff, but it is usable.

I think the flexing in the mount is mainly the legs, and the wobbling can be improved by shortening them and using a chair.

Given that having an equivalent setup of the best quality would cost anything up to 10 times as much, it is good value for the purpose.

Cheers

[dannat]

I presume it is a f9-f10 - not a short tube refractor. Andrews have a celestron 90mm/900 f10 refractor on az3 for 229:eyepop:, at this price you could afford a decent widefield ep like baader hyperion 24mm for $219 & also a generic planetary ep (in the LP section for $99-the 6mm is much better thn the 3). i rhink the ep's will make the viewing better than spending bit extra on the scope.
total cost = 548, which allows for postage as well

[Juan]

No , according to the advertising its a 510 mm F5 scope so I presume that it's classed as a short tube scope.

[Juan]

Thanks Geoff , Maybe I should look again at buying just the OTA of a better model , Oh I just made my first acronym how exiciting! Then work on the accessories one at a time through advice from the forum.
Maybe that would result in a better quality setup . Have to think about this a bit more.

[Mike21]

Hi Juan,

I'll give you 2 other options. It is a bigger scope, but since it's 2nd hand, it'll be no more expensive. I bought the SW 120X1000 with and EQ5. I replaced the focuser with a GSO Crayford (miles smoother than any rack and pinion). I'm willing to part with the scope and mount since I've out grown both. Or I'm willing to part with the scope only and let you load it onto a mount of your choice. I would happily keep the EQ5 for observation.

[mac]

Does anyone have an email address for Andrews? I can't find one on their website...

[Mike21]

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm

[Mike21]

Sorry, I that's their w/site isn't it. I do have the email address for the Luke, but he hardly ever checks it so don't hold your breath.

luke_manwaring@aol.com.au

[hulloleeds]

Andrews seem to favour phone communication quite significantly. Shame, really, because with their prices you would think an online store would pay for itself.