Just a further comment on Glen's posts:
The Skywatcher can be used as push to, goto, or a combination f both.
This is a great feature.
It can make it quicker to get to any object, and it can conserve battery power.
The skywatcher GOTO DOB does "track" items.
I have put Saturn in the middle of the view, left to socialise, and come back several hours later to find it still within the field of view.
What it doesn't do is track equatorially, of course.
So the tracking is not precise enough for astro-photography.
But then again, field rotation from any Alt-Az mount will preclude long exposure shots anyway.
Finally, when I was looking for a goto or push to add on for my 10", I did not come across any low cost systems that I was happy with, or that I thought I could add successfully myself.
Perhaps that is just me.
But I have regularly found it is best to buy systems that are designed to work together in harmony rather than add an aftermarket generic system.
Although I am aware others have successfully done so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glend
Go as large as you can afford, and it doesn't really matter if it doesn't have goto as most dobs can be fitted with pushto systems at a fairly low cost these days and in most cases pushto is faster and lighter than factory goto. Remember that alt az goto systems, like on that dob, will not track objects with accuracy the way an equatorial system will, what they can do is find things - but pushto systems do the same thing. Goto will add complexity, and weight, and motors and controllers are usually the parts that need attention down the track.
Stick some encoders on the 12" and set it up with Sky Safari Pro and a wifi device like Astro Devices Nexus (they also sell the encoders and brackets now), and you will have a Pushto system.
PS, Shop around, check out Andrews in Sydney located here:
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm
go to the Skywatcher page and scroll down to your scopes, and find out what each supplier will throw into the deal and how much they will charge from shipping. Being in Tasmania that could be an important cost differential.
You can also get a good 12" dob for much less money if you check out Bintel's Dobs, and they have a shop located in Melbourne. Check out the specs for both, resolution, limiting magnitude etc, there won't be much difference.
http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/...oductview.aspx |