Yet another Dob question...

[Red Nine]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for yet another question on which Dob to get, I'm sure they're getting quite tiresome. The information so far has been absolutely invaluable from reading through the responses in other threads. My partner and I purchased a 70mm Refractor a little over 6 months ago, and the astronomy bug has really caught on. I've also got a pair of 15x70 binoculars, and love getting out when I can. It's now getting to the point though, where I want to see so much more than I can through our current telescope and have finally saved up the money to get something bigger ;)

Basically, I've been looking at the 10inch Skywatcher Collapsible Dob, which comes in at $799 @ Andrews. It works for me in terms of both space and cost, so no issues there.

However, I keep thinking would the GOTO version be a better option? The 10inch is $1349 @ Andrews. I live in an area with some light pollution, but find it hard to get out as often as I would like. So I'd like to maximise my viewing time when I get the chance - which is where the GOTO appeals to me.

I know there are push to options such as getting an Argo Navis, however the cost of this is significantly greater than paying the extra now for GOTO.

My budget is pretty much $1500, however can stretch to $2000, to allow for some eyepieces and other accessories.

There is also the option of getting the 8inch in GOTO, for $999 @ Andrews. However, the extra aperture is very appealing, and I would probably forever be wanting to know what it looks like through the 10inch.

So after months of research, and constantly changing my mind this is where I've finally got to. Any help would be wonderful as I cannot wait to finally get a new telescope. Thank you all very much! :hi:

[erick]

Evan, if you can stretch to the 10" goto, and have some money left over for one or two nice eyepieces, go for it! It is not only goto, but tracking that will be useful for you as you want others to see things at higher magnification and not want to worry about the object drifting out of the field on them.

[barx1963]

Evan
I think you are on the right track. Light pollution makes star hopping both easier and harder, easier as there are fewer stars to confuse, harder as some stars get wiped out. So if you have any serious LP Go To is an option. And it will maximise your viewing time and the tracking makes sharing a scope easier for you and your partner.
Having said that aperture rules, so amke sure you get the biggest scope you can 1. afford and 2. handle.
You will need some $$$ left over as within a few weeks you will back at the shop buying eyepieces, coliimation tools etc. so leave some in the piggy bank.
From what I have seen and heard the 10" SW is a fine scope and will give lots of nice views, so if you think its the scope for you, go for it!

[Red Nine]

Thank you both for the replies so far. As you say Eric, the tracking feature was a major plus, as we are often out together.

I'm not too worried about the size, as I'm still young and fit so I shouldn't have many issues moving it. I can always look at getting a trolley or modifying the base to make transporting it easier.

I guess the main purpose of the thread was wanting to make sure that the goto option is worth the additional cost... which so far seems to be the case in this instance.

[erick]

I have to say that I am quite amazed at how low is the price that these telescopes sell for. As you said, just adding ArgoNavis and encoders will add more cost to a basic 10" dob, than this goto package. The normal combination of Argo + ServoCat would be way more expensive.

The reports on the Skywatcher gotos that I have read are very positive. I look forward to hearing of experience over time - robustness, maintenance issues, retaining precision etc. If none of those arise, then these are good purchases.

[barx1963]

Evan
Usually I would say get aperture first, get the biggest scope you can afford, but there is a case for go to, especially if you have limited time to observe. Thats where these go to dobs are great, decent price and decent aperture.
Compared to the little go to SCTs with only 4" or 6" or in some cases less aperture that cost a lot more, these are a bargain IMHO

Malcolm

[Red Nine]

Thanks for your replies everyone, thinking the 10inch goto will be the one! Will look at placing an order with Andrews over the next week or so!

Just another quick question on eyepieces... I can probably afford to get 2 good quality ones, and I know most will say if I can afford Televue to go for them, especially with the current sale on them. If I were to go down that route I'd probably look at the 24mm Panoptic and a 13mm Nagler - I already have a Barlow that would work well for them.

Alternatively, I may be able to afford an extra one if I go for a cheaper brand. I was looking at the Orion Stratuses and they seem to get relatively good reviews for their price, has anyone used them or could recommend any others that would be better value for money? I love looking at the planets, but would really love to spend more time looking at DSOs, hence the want for a bigger telescope. Any suggestions on recommended eyepieces are welcomed, thank you all once again!

[barx1963]

I am currently using the 24Pan and 13Nag as my main EPs. Have an 8mm Stratus, it's OK, certainly better than a 10mm plossl, but haven't anything in that focal length to compare it with!
The 24 and 13 are brilliant and if you can only afford 1 get the 24mm Pan, its a lovely piece of work and easily my most used EP. Adequate eye relief, I can wear specs while using, nice wide field, crisp stars to the edge, all around nice and excellent value ATM.
The 13mm gives OK planetary views, and helps to get Planetary nebs identified but where it excells is on Globulars. 46Tuc looks just brilliant through it.
I use a 2x TV barlow (not a powermate) and it is useful for splitting closer doubles, and enlarging smaller brighter PNs but not the best option for small faint galaxies, too much glass in the way probably.
I think you are on the right track. Try too leave a bit of cash for a Dew prevention system, depending on your climate it can be absolutely essential and makes observing much easier.

[stattonb]

Instead of gettin one or two eyepieces save the money and get yourself a set of eyepieces,you can get a set of William Optics Super Wide Angle Eyepieces for around $100 which gives you 9mm (1.25"), 15mm (1.25"), 20mm (1.25"), 25mm (2"), 33mm (2"), 40mm (2") this is a good option so you can have a good eyepiece collection and lets face it the more eyepieces you have the more options you have.

[Red Nine]

So, I ended up biting the bullet (and splurging a lot...) and got a the 12 inch in the goto along with a few new eyepieces. I got about an hour and half in the other night before clouds swept over, and its been cloudy the last two nights, damn Brisbane weather...

Anyway, I posted a first light report in the observing section here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=696863#post696863 if anyone is interested.

It is a very good scope, and albeit very big, I would recommend it to others, even though I've only used it once.

I'd like to thank everyone for their help during the process, even if it was just through advice for others on other threads :)