Barlows

[justme]

A while ago I asked for advice on a 6" dob for my kids for christmas. After some suggestions from you guys and some more research I've pretty much decided to stretch the budget to an 8" dob.

So my next question is:

Do I need a barlow right away or should I not worry about it initially?

Then, when I decide to get a barlow, what's the diff between a short and a long one? Other than the fact that one is longer than the other, obviously. :lol:

I can feel that I'm already on the slippery slope to poverty and I haven't even bought anything yet....:eek:

[DavidU]

Don't worry about a Barlow just yet. I would get the best(around about) 5mm, 10mm and 25mm eyepiece you can afford.
This will get you going nicely.
Short barlows are less hassle in a focuser.

[Suzy]

Hi Justme,

Congratulations on going ahead with the 8" dob - you won't be sorry and you will be in for some truly breathtaking views.

Everything Dave said is spot on!
Learn to use and familiarise yourself with the scope first. After a bit of time, you will be in a better positon to really know what you want. Beginners can often get caught up in over magnifying objects with a barlow and lose quality without realising it (a mistake I made myself - barlow was the first thing I bought). The seeing conditions will dictate when to magnify. In both my 6 & 10 inch dobs, I've found that a 7mm eyepiece hits the sweet spot nicely for planets. That being said, the 10mm that you get with the scope won't disappoint either. A 5mm can be a bit temperamental depending on the seeing, but is still good to have when the seeing dictates.

If you want to spend some money right now, let me take you shopping :D ... this easily adjustable observing chair from Bintel for $179 makes viewing soooo comfortable. I have one and won't part with it for quids.


https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Images/Stock/7201.jpg

Have fun!

Kind regards,
Suzy.

[justme]

Thanks David and Suzy.

Looks like I'll just get the scope with the basic accessorites to start with then.

Love the look of the chair Suzy but... I'd be worried it wouldn't be sturdy enough to hold my *ahem* sizeable butt. :(

[Suzy]

Trust me, this chair is rock solid sturdy - it's quite heavy. :) I think it may even hold an elephant. :question: Apparently it takes quite a bit of weight anyway - I have to use both hands to move it.

[Liz]

Oh Suzy, and here I thought you were still using those phone books to sit on!! :rolleyes:

Well done on the 8" Justme!! Its a great scope, I had one for many years before finally upgrading to a 10".
As Dave and Suzy say, dont worry about Barlows at this stage. I bought a snazzy one recently, and stil ldont use it. :shrug:
Back to chairs, I use a height ajust stool on wheels from Officeworks. I love it, so easy to put up and down, and on wheels, you can scoot around scope. :D

[Suzy]

Hi Liz,
I only got the chair about about a month ago - the stool and phone books weren't working out for me anymore with the 10" dob, as it's mounted higher on the base.

As for the office works chair, ahemmm *clear throat* against Bintel chair - it folds slim and flat in the car (or at home), so very easy to transport & store :D:D. I had considered briefly the office chair, but not being a tall person, I doubted whether the chair would have lifted to the heights needed for Zenith.