|
Hi Michael,
Hope this is helpful info to check out, for its own logic ie don’t base things on my shared back-careful personal experience and opinion.
Instead of limiting ‘scope size, I use wheels and aids to expand my choices.
Before buying my ‘scope I spent time seeing several at societies, stores and used/lifted/transported some.
I found that a good EQ with weights can be heavy. Mounting a tube on it can be MORE challenging than putting (placing, locating) it on a Dob. mount. A good EQ is much more expensive than a Dob. base, but please check.
Wheels, rollers, pulleys, sliders, ramp, car-loader are fun to make into contraptions for reducing back strain. A solid 2-position dolly is so general purpose, everyone should have one. IF necessary, timber poles, secured to a roof rack, can provide a point for pulleys. I made a tray with 3 castor wheels (with brakes!) and bolt legs - Real easy (not even the lifting with wheel barrow style handles) for home use.
(BTW. Only for ideas what the future could hold or what second-hand could buy…. If with time and skills, check out Albert Highe’s book how to fashion portable ‘scopes. He stated that he uses a wheelchair. His engineering approach makes great reading.)
(BTW. Personally, although a firm fan of refractors, and have one, after all is said and done I'd go for aperture first for general observing. My main ‘scope is a 10” solid tube f/ 5 reflector on a Dob mount, which is as big (aperture) as is practical for me plus wheel-y aids, and for other various factors as Ed described. Not aiming for imaging (read reviews 'Don't' I think probably by Ed Ting), I would prefer an f/ 6, as my wheel-y things etc allow me a longer tube, but none available new for price.)
Lastly, in the budget I’d allow for other ‘stuff’.
For me they were a Telrad and a laser collimator (this latter an easy way out for now –has its own issues), given that my Bintel one came with good eyepieces, a Barlow, a right angle correct image finderscope (reposition to reduce strain). And I made simple things like dew shields, covers, straps. And my own adjustable-height observing chair…..Watch your back there!!!
Cheers
Sol
|