I guess I've kind of asked this question before, although some years ago, there might be more options now?
What I would like is some gear that is
good for visual use, is
easy to transport (I do not class a collapsible Dob as easy to transport - especially with a hernia...) and is
quick to set up.
My ideal scenario is, two minutes to chuck it in the (not large) boot of my Toyota 86, 10-15 minutes up to the top of a nearby hill, 5-10 minutes set-up (including alignment), 1+ hours observing, quick pack-down and back home.
Any advice/ideas gratefully received, money is a problem
, maybe $1,500ish, hopefully using existing eyepieces etc.? Happy to hear other options though....
Thanks in advance!
Background:
When I moved to Mildura in 2006 I realised a bit of a dream and bought a 10" Dob, later getting a few new bits for it including an Argo Navis. The skies were great and I loved to use the gear regularly.
Since I have moved to Adelaide in 2009 I have used it only a handful of times because (in order):
- My house is on a slope with lots of trees, so I can only see small patches of sky, maybe 25% in total, biggest patch <10%. Makes it difficult to move/set-up the dob and can't see anything when I do.
- I have only a fraction of the time I used to have, with way more work and loads of kids activities in the evenings.
- I don't really have a way of easily moving my current gear to a place where I can use it (interacts with point 2 - time).
- The skies are nowhere near as good as Mildura and more often cloudy as well (interacts with point 3 - can't move the gear).