advice please

[socaha]

Im looking to buy a telescope, its been 10 years since i last owned one so im basically a beginner again, very keen on a Skywatcher 8 inch Donsonian
Is there any known issues with these or would you more experienced stargazers agree that its a safe bet?? really want something that i can use with my kids and see the basics, planets, good views of moon etc etc but also something that will be good as we advance.:) thanks

[renormalised]

A SW 8" dob would be an excellent buy, especially since you're only just getting back into the swing of things. Plus, it'll be a great scope for the kids to look through. Reasonably portable and easy to use. You'll be able to see a lot more than just the planets and the moon with this scope:)

Oh BTW....Welcome to IIS:):)

[darrellx]

Hi Megan

Welcome to IIS. I have a Skywatcher 8 inch that I purchased on a dob mount. I have had it now for just over 2 years and it has been great from my point of view. I did buy an EQ5 then an EQ6 mount so I could get into some photography.

Yes, you can see all the basics with it - planets, moon etc. You should also get some reasonable views of deep sky objects. I have had no trouble with astrophotography with it. I have a Canon EOS400, QHY5, DMK21 and an ATIK and all of them can be focused fine.

I have no issues with it. I had it collimated when I purchased it and it has remained pretty good ever since.

The only mod/accessory I have put on it is an electric focuser.

So from my limited experience, I think it is a good safe bet.

All the best.
Darrell

[socaha]

Thanks so much to both of you that makes me feel much better about spending the money to get it!! im also keen to ( further down the track) get into astrophotography so im pleased to hear its good for that too, my last telescope - cant even remember what it was now, didnt show alot of detail even of closer objects like mars and moon, was frustrating to use and basically drove me mad so im pleased to be getting a better quality one this time round, my kids will love seeing so much detail too. :)

[erick]

Yep Megan, good choice. Come back here with questions after you have it. There are tricks and tweaks that will help. Cheers Eric

[socaha]

Eric,
thanks Im sure there will be MANY questions, i will prob drive you all mad :lol:

[Esseth]

Pretty sure most of us are already mad, we will be waiting to greet you lol

[Scorpius51]

Hi Megan

Welcome to IIS!

I have an equatorially-mounted Skywatcher 8" Newtonian and it's a great 'scope. The Dob-mounted SW 8" would be very good value, particularly for a beginner. It's very portable, easy to use, but it will give you great views of planets and deep space objects. Go for it!

Cheers
John

[socaha]

:lol: nothing wrong with madness, im happy to hear we will see alot with it it certainly seems like the best value option.

[astro_nutt]

Hi Megan and welcome to IIS!
Yep!, an 8 inch dob will give you years of viewing enjoyment. Whatever you choose, enjoy!
Cheers!

[Suzy]

Hi Megan, :hi:

Don't forget what Erick said. Many of us (myself included) have tweaked our dobs to track more smoothly by replacing the bearings. They can tend to be a bit stiff (I know both of mine were), and once these are replaced you can pretty much move it with a touch of a finger. Don't let this scare you though and feel you have to do it, just makes it that much better is all.
Erick, this is what you meant right?

The 6" dob is considered "the entry level serious scope", so going 8", will be a very good choice and keep you happy for quite some time. You will see galaxies (albeit feint), globular clusters, loads of nebulas, the rings of Saturn (incl. the black Cassini Division), the bands on Jupiter, their moons etc - lots!

All the best with your choice, :)
Suzy.

[erick]

And other things, Suzy.....

How to deal with the "dob hole". Using finderscopes. Collimation. Handling eyepieces. Dealing with dew......

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Megan,

Our Astro club has an 8" dob, and it is suprising just how many faint Deep Sky Objects are visible in it (in dark skies).
I often get it out on club nights coz it's easy to set up (I'm getting lazier by the year).

You will enjoy it.

[Mutley]

Hi Megan, Have a think about portabilty and moving it from where it's stored to where you view. I have a SCT that weighs half a ton (joking) ;) Also depending on which type of scope you go for you may have to get a box or a stand for the 'smaller' members of the family to view. Go for the biggest and best that you can afford and enjoy. :thumbsup:

[socaha]

:)thanks suzy that did clear that up a bit and yep i remember finderscopes being the most frustrating things to get the hang of is that the sort of thing ya mean erick?
If a stro club use one then im pretty sure iv made a good choice although going on what everyone on here has told me and what i have found on the net i havent heard anything bad about a dob yet! :thumbsup:
Yeah i think a rather big box for my youngest to stand on wil be in order as she WILL NOT want to miss out on having a look might have to have hubby build a wee platform for them!
another question...sorry.... anyone recomend any particular online stores etc to buy on from? have found a few but want to know where the more experienced buy from :thanx:

[erick]

Megan, which stores have you found. Tell us the names, that's fine.

[ballaratdragons]

I can personally recommend Andrews Communications (Sydney) and Bintel (Sydney and Melbourne).

I've had great dealings with both and they both sell the same 8" Dob.

[mozzie]

hi megan
there a great scope use mine for camping star parties.no issues with it 1 minute to collimate great visually been chasing comet 2p encke low in the western sky and seeing it as a fussy in twilight skies :thumbsup:

[socaha]

Peter, wow i didnt know they were good for comet spotting too, can you get a good view of it?
Erick i have looked at them on ozscopes and telescopeshop.com.au, still shopping around, wanting to make sure i find the best deal cos im a tad frugal!!!!;) seems like $519 bout the best price i have found. Im happy to spend that if i get something that i can see that much with and will last me ( and kids ) a long time. Had a look at the site for the optical store here in adelaide didnt see any dobs on it, we are also seriously looking to move up to north queensland early ish next year so if by some odd chance i havent brought one by then (will certainly be hoping i have however) i will look into what stores there are locally there but so far online seems like a good option.

[erick]

Yes Megan, comets as well!

Do have a good look at Andrews and Bintel as Ken suggested. Call them up and see what they can do for you. Ask shipping estimate and availability. Ask about warranties and how they will deal with it, if the scope arrives with a problem.

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/

Look at Guang Sheng and Skywatcher dobsonians on Andrews

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm

Look at Skywatcher and Bintel dobsonians here

Come back to us when you have chosen a few possible purchases and we can comment further. Sometimes we may suggest you pay some more dollars in return for additional benefits.

Eric

[socaha]

Thanks again for all your help Erick :thumbsup: these sites look good!

[ZeroID]

I know it's not a whole scope but I just bought mirrors from Bintel and can vouch for good service and good price. Have fun looking.

[GraemeT]

Megan, I went for a Skywatcher 8" collapsible Dob as my entry scope. The biggest problem with it is that it's ADDICTIVE!
As far as dealers go, I bought from York Optical at a few dollars more than Bintel because the service and advice was streets ahead. Lately, I have had excellent service from Andrews with eyepieces.
Cheers.

[socaha]

hi Graeme
thanks im really pleased that so many ppl are happy with dobs its defintly the way im going! i think it will be worth the slighty higher price to get a 8"straight away so i can enjoy it all the longer! i can imaginei ts addicitve lol although im pleased i havent rushed out this week and got one as we havent had clear skies here for a while now!
i have seen york optical too so thanks for that.:thumbsup:

[Scoper]

Megan, I would go for it and get the 8" Skywatcher dob, you won't regret it. I believe that the most important piece of equipment for any amateur astronomer is not the size or quality of the telescope; not the quality of the eyepieces but the state of mind of you, the observer; it's the enjoyment you get from observing that really counts. I now have a 10" GSO dob but my most memorable and enjoyable observing since 1989 was done with a rough and ready 8" f 7.4 dob. Forget about aperture and "state of the art" equipment, go with enjoyment----an 8" will serve you well for many years. I wish I had my handy 8" with its unsexy eyepieces back again.