Another beginner!

[Jom]

Hi Everyone,

I've been doing research online for a while now, trying to figure out exactly which telescope would suit me and my budget. I've been posting a bit on other forums but looking to get all the advice that I can.

Basically, from what I can tell, the two reflectors + mounts that would be most suitable for me are a Skywatcher 200mm Newtonian EQ5 mount or a Saxon 2001 EQ5 mount. However, a lot of people have recommended going with a dob instead, and I see that's a very popular topic on the beginner's forum. I just like to look of the EQ mounted newts :)

I hope to be able to be able to observe the planets, the moon, star clusters and nebulae, and I'm not that concerned about photography at this stage. I will mostly be transporting the telescope to good viewing locations, i imagine.

I have also received advice to try and join a local club to get some telescope experience before buying, to make sure I get the right one. I have emailed a couple in the Melbourne area, but any other tips regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

Please give any feedback that you can regarding these choices! Thanks so much.

[ZeroID]

Hi Jom, :welcome: to the mad house. You're going through the same unponderables that many on here have done.

I've got both an EQ6 newt and a 10" Dob. If you are going to be visual and a newbie the bigger Dob will give you more bang for buck and be a heck of a lot easier to use.
For the price you will pay for a EQ5 mount and suitable newt you will easily get a bigger better Dob ( and I recommend a 10" rather than an 8" ) that will give you views that will astound you..

The EQ mount is the only way to go for serious astrophotography but can be a real awkward beast to play with on visual.
I know they look like 'the thing' to look at but they are not 'the thing' to look through. Difficulties getting it to point where you want, awkward eyepiece positions and unless you can afford a big mount you are restricted to the size and weight the mount can handle.
I think most others on here would concur that a biggish Dob is the best starting place for beginners.

The beauty is that whatever you start with now can easily be sold on later when you decide to follow another idea. Plenty of good second hand gear listed on here and astrogeeks being what they are, normally in damn good upgraded condition with plenty of advice to get you going. Most of my equipment has been part of someone elses upgrade path other than the Dob which I built myself.

Good luck with whatever you decide and don't forget to post a 'first light' report. :thumbsup:

[barx1963]

I'l back up what Brent says. Having had both EQ and Dob mounts, the EQ sits in the corner while the dob gets out and used!
Remember, in the dark, it doesn't matter what the scope looks like. Go and check what size dob you can get for the price of your EQ mounted scope and remember that doubling the aperture increases the loght gathering 4 times, so you always get more bang out of a dob.

Malcolm

[Liz]

:welcome: Jom.

Yes, its a big decison and $$ to decide what to get. As you have mentioned though, it would be best to go to a club viewing night and check out some scopes. Go early so you can see the set up as scopes on EQ mounts do take a bit more time, precision and effort.

I have a Dob and is quick and easy to set up. I have had scope on an EQ mount before and had nothing but trouble and frustration with it, but many others dont. :help:

There are other easier options out there too, that are not EQ or Dob mounts, which may be worth looking at.


https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Catalog.aspx?category=telescopes&page=2

[Jom]

Oh no... i can slowly feel myself convincing myself to get both a dob mounted telescope and and equatorial... this is going to become a serious hobby I can tell. Before I make any rash decisions like that though I will surely go along to a club activity and try them out!

Can anyone recommend exactly where to buy from? I'm probably going to go for a brand new telescope. internet? there doesn't seem to be many physical stores around melbourne, not that I know of anyway.

Thanks again...!

EDIT : Andrew's communications certainly seems to be the most competitive. I might also try to get to Bintel for some in person advice.

[barx1963]

I gather you are in Melbourne. Bintel in Burke Rd Camberwell (a couple of ks south of the Junction) are a good place to go if you like a shopfront, from personal experience give good service and able to answer queries.
Andrews are certainly price competitive and I have bought from them and the service has been great, but they are in Sydney so you will pay freight.
Visiting Bintel will give you a good idea about how big the dobs are before you purchase. Also try to get to a star party or observing night so you can see the different types of scope in operation. If you are thinking of getting both types of scope, buy the dob first as you can alway mount the OTA on an EQ mount later on if you go that way.

[ballaratdragons]

Seriously Jom, forget the EQ mount.

You will hate using it, until you need it for Astrophotography.
They are a real pain in the butt to set up, and you very rarely have the eyepiece in a position where you can see through it unless you are a 9 foot tall contortionist.

It may look all 'Astronomical, and scientific' but they are not a good visual astronomy mount, unless you use a refractor.
Even then the setup (polar aligning ans star alignment procedures) can put you off.

If you want GoTo, the new Skywatcher GoTo Dobs sound fantastic!
Jen (a member in here) has one and she is having a blast with it.

We got to use hers at Camp last month and I was amazed at how accurate it is.

Anyway, you asked our opinion, that's mine:
Don't get an EQ mount for visual work with a Reflecting telescope.

[Jom]

The best thing, they actually have free shipping to everywhere in Australia at the moment for brands including skywatcher.

I'm going to an observing night tomorrow.. the astronomy alive club in Bentleigh so I will get to check them all out.

Thanks again everyone:thumbsup:

[Red Nine]

Hi Jom,

I'm still relatively new to the hobby, however having just been through this whole process I'll back up what the others have said. When I first began looking I wanted an EQ mounted newt. However, the more research I did (a good 6 months worth), I eventually got to the point where I picked up a 12inch GOTO collapsible dob - I love it.

I would like to get into imaging one day, however right now for my visual needs, it is perfect. I would recommend all other wanting to get into visual astronomy and just starting out to get a dob. They are wonderful telescopes.

[Jom]

Ok, thanks for that. I'm pretty sure I'll do it too. Everyone says it's the way to go! And photography can wait til later :)

I want it to be reasonably portable... can I live with a 10"?

[barx1963]

I have a 12" solid tube dob and a small Astra Station wagon. I am able to transport it no worries, though the base can be a wrestle to get it in the car. 10" should be no problem in most cars. I know Jen was able to transport her 12" in her little car, but it was a collapsible.

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Jom,

If you are looking at Andrews already, I reckon, if you went for a 10" GOTO Flex Dob for $1349.00 you pretty much cant go wrong.

Great price considering I bought my 12" collapsible (no goto) 18 months ago for $1499.

10" is PLENTY of aperture, has goto to keep it tracking and can also later on do some short (<30 sec) pics if you want to.

Not too big and not too small....goldilocks scope if you ask me.

Might seem a lot for $1349, but trust me, for what you get, that scope is a KEEPER. AND free freight to boot!

Them's my two cents.

Cheers

Chris