What telescope for grey nomads?

[blackpearl]

I will be a grey nomad next year and cannot take the 12" dob with me. What is the best scope for travelling? I am not into astro photography in a big way, but looking forward to big black skies across Oz. A Skywatcher ED80 has been suggested, is this a good idea? any other suggestions? What would be a cheaper alternative?
This is still a friendly, interesting community that I have neglected for far too long

[casstony]

I like the Celestron Nexstar 6SE as a travel scope, or if you don't need goto just the ota on a manual alt/az mount. You get 6" aperture with good optics in a compact, lightweight package.

[brian nordstrom]

:) The 6 inch Celestron SCT would be perfect !
These pack down really small for transporting and are set up in 5 miniutes . :thumbsup:
I have some Grey Nomad friends in NZ with one , doing what you are planning and they cant be happier :D with theirs .
Brian.

[Terry B]

Another choice would be a Meade ETX 90 or 125. Both very portable and just plonked on a table.

[ArcaneMagik]

If you are looking cheaper, you could always get a baby brother to the 12" in the form of a 6". The cassegrain scopes look to be a tad pricey, and the smaller dob still gives the same aperture. After the year is out, it would make a perfect first scope for someone lucky.

Depends on how much transport space you have.

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Margo,

What about a Celestron 4SE? nice and small, computerised and a bargain on Icetrade!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=81568

Worth a look, a 4 inch Mak or SCT in a dark sky would perform quite well?

Cheers

Chris

[Allan_L]

Hi Margo,
I am with Chris,
I use a Celestron 4SE for exactly that purpose myself.
Packs down nicely.
MAK quality design.
Computerised goto mount (takes batteries or cig lighter plug)
And the mount plonks down on a table. (although the tripod is more stable).

And they are pretty inexpensive at certain sites now. :rover2:

[blackpearl]

Thank you very much for your feedback - I am chasing up all suggestions - and that celestron does look good value - niow to set up my 12" dob for sale.

[xstream]

Margo,
Before you sell your 12" have a good think about it, Anna and I are grey nomads and have been on the road 3 years. This is what we travel with:- http://www.sdmtelescopes.com.au/SDM028.html

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Margo,

Check your private messages.

Cheers

Chris

[Robert9]

Hi Margo,
My wife and I, already grey (or in my case, bald) nomads, have travelled with caravan, dog, and Nexstar 6SE through the outback of W.A., S.A., N.T., Qld., NSW and Vic. Its a great little scope for the purpose. Yes, there are some wonderful skies out there, just waiting for us.
Robert

[GrampianStars]

G'day Margo,
I had a MEADE 8"SCT road warrior for over 10 years.
It packed nicely into a 1200x800x600 case. +tripod/wedge, combo wrapped in canvas. :thumbsup:

Nowdays my preference is to go with this refactor 111 ED triplet
http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/K56U1T2Q7KWF8GDVGLKVBN1PL3/product_id/AT111EDT :thumbsup:
and the new MEADE LX80 mount
http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/EQ-Mounts/Meade-LX80-AZ/EQ-Mount/1280/productview.aspx :thumbsup:

[blackpearl]

Thank you all for your information - it has made me think of lots of ideas. Have a Happy Christmas and a great 2011