114X500 reflector or AstroScan or similar

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

I'm after a little reflector, in the 114 (4.5") range, with a short focal length, as I'd like to make a little dob for my kids. They are excited about my involvment with things astro and ask me everytime to allow them to join me on outings to dark sites and help me out with rebuilding my big dob, and so I'd like to make them their own dobbie.

I'm aware of the short comings of most 114 short focal length scopes, but as it will be a low power scope, its optical issues won't be a big deal, and I'd rather give a disused scope a good new home.

So, a little 114X500 would be great. If it has a finder and one or two 1.25" eyepieces, great. I don't need a mount, but I'll take it if it makes things easier to move. Can anyone help?

I'm in Sydney.

Cheers

Mental.

[orestis]

hi alex:hi:,

I have a 130mmx900mm reflector:shrug:.

Regards Orestis:thumbsup:

[koputai]

Hi Alex,

I have a 4.5" Tasco T11 for sale here on IIS.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=58071

A few things that might put you off:

It is 114 x 900
It has a 0.965" focuser

I reckon the 900mm FL makes it the perfect size for a kid sized Dob.
The 11T is known for its very good optics. Various people have put 1.25 focusers in these, or you could get some decent 0.965" eyepieces.

Cheers,
Jason.

[mental4astro]

Thanks for the replies Jason and Orestis. The reason I'm asking for such a short focal length scope is that my kids are 3 and 5. At 900mm focal length, the tubes are longer than my son is tall. On a dobbie mount, even my daughter wouldn't reach the EP, :(.

If I don't get any other offers, I'll have to consider your kind offers.

Kind regards,

Mental.

[mental4astro]

'Bump'

Anyone have one of these little scopes. I'd also look at the Celestron FirstScope or similar. Don't need the mount if it makes it easier, and EPs are optional aswell, though a 25mm would be nice. The OTA is what I'm after.

Mental.