My final 3 choices

[Esseth]

Ok so i have narrowed my first scope down to the following contestants after hours and hours of research/review reading/eliminations.

After i read this however i decided to make a decision

"Finally, avoid "paralysis-by-analysis." If you spend more than an hour a day reading telescope catalogs, you are probably in this category. Just get something; you'll feel a lot better."

Skywatcher SW680 Dobsonian - 8"/200mm, f6 - $499 from either Sirus Optics or York Optical.
Guan Sheng GS-680 - 8"/200mm, f6 - $499 from Andrews.

Or

Orion Skyquest XT - 4.5"/114mm - $499 from Sirus Optics.

So Just after any opinions and clearly the Orion is there in case brand between the listed makes that much of a difference, i know it can make a big difference with eye pieces.

PS i put away $200 last week so its not far away ;)

[jjjnettie]

I'd go the Sky Watcher.
You can have it straight away, no waiting for delivery.

[mental4astro]

Sky-Watcher 8", as well with me.

You can get better EPs as the piggy bank fattens up. Goes for all scopes.

[Esseth]

lol yeah i have seen some that cost double the cost of the scope!

[mental4astro]

Some EPs probably weigh more than the scope too.

[stephenb]

Aperture, aperture, aperture. Go with with one of the 8" jobbies.

[barx1963]

I'd go the Sky Watcher over the GSO if they are the same price and aperture. If you are a first time user the GSO instructions are very rudimentary. OK if you already know how everything is supposed to look but otherwise pretty well useless. The SW from what I have heard is much better in this respect. Don't get me wrong the GSO scope is a fine instrument, just the instructions are not up to date.
As to aperture, always go bigger! So get the 8"
As to EPs, the GSO I think may come with a 26mm 2" Plossl EP which is a not a bad EP but you can get similar fairly cheaply. You will find yourself getting premium EPs very quickly once you have the scope.

[Liz]

Yes, the Skywatcher 8" Dob - it will be excellent!!!
A supherb first scope ... I had a 8" Dob for many years, and it was great.
I have a 10" Dob now (GSO) and reckon there's not a lot of difference :rolleyes:

[lacad01]

Can't go wrong with the 8" Dob :)

[erick]

Another vote for an 8". Either will do. You might split them depending on the answers to:- What focusser does each come with and what eyepieces? Does either come with a cooling fan?

[bmitchell82]

The skywatcher is a better scope all round, it has Pyrex mirror (low expansion and contraction due to temperature its the same glass you use for cooking with) the tube construction is sturdier, there is extra material where the finderscope sits (less damage due to accidental bumping) and better coatings on the tube.

The standard SW focuser beats the GSO Varient HANDS DOWN even with its 10:1 option. if you put a heavy EP in the GSO focuser it struggles.

Eye pieces do not get sucked in by an offer of more and different ep's most of them are sheeeit anyhow they work for a beginner but once you figure it all out youll go from there.

If you go to the dark side (astrophotography) camera's will come to focus in standard form. :) this i know...

[DavidU]

Skywatcher.
I am very happy with my 12". Optics are great.

[Esseth]

Well apperently there is an australia wide shortage of Skywatcher solid tube dobs because the factory over in china missed a shipment.

I called around most of the dealers and none had any in stock... Awaiting several call backs and ill let you know how i go.

Update, i just got a call back from York saying they have 3 left, however they are in either Melbourne or Sydney.

Now to pass confirmation past the "Boss" lol

[bmitchell82]

bite the bullet wait, the shipment should be over here at the end of the month/start of next.

[Moon]

Alan
Prices are really good these days with affordable high quality imported scopes and a strong Australian dollar - a great time to get into Astronomy.

I think you have received some good advice here - I'd wait and get a skywatcher too. In the mean time you can plan your first observing session!

I'm looking forward to your first light report :)

[Esseth]

Done, i have it boxed up in my apartment, now just to work out how to put it together and the collminate it.

It's gunna be a long night

[garyp]

Great work. you will enjoy the views you get with it.

:cheers:Here's to many clear nights.:astron:

Cheers

Gary:)

[hulloleeds]

I'd go with the GSO dob, primarily because it comes with so many EP's. If you can get a dealer to match that with a skywatcher, you're in business.

Edit: I'd have gone :)

[Nightskystargaz]

I would go with the Sky Watcher.

:thanx:,

Tom

[bmitchell82]

What scope did you end up getting Essth?

[Esseth]

Got the Skywatcher 8" dob, and i'm about to go take it outside to cool down becasue its nice and cloud free tonight :D

[mental4astro]

Dude, you know the drill- no pics, no scope!

[DavidU]

Enjoy Alan ! Give us a report

[Esseth]

Tonight i am trying to track down my first few non-Jupiter/Mars items lol

[mental4astro]

Who's a happy chappie?

Good on ya, mate.

I'm sure you are going to get a long time of happy observing with your gear.

[Esseth]

Wooo, i think i have just tracked down M42, but im far from an expert. I think its game over for me, but damn i want to stay up later damn work.... gah why can't the sky be this clear every night?

[bmitchell82]

you would have been lucky to get M42 its not up to really early in the morning. if your facing south try for LMC and SMC with 47 tuc and Tarantchula neb, they are quite easy to find though your finder scope and then visually they are easy to see too.

Congratulations on your first dabble into the hobby you have chosen well.!