Quote:
Originally Posted by neversommer
Taking it like that..those dobsonian seem to be the same like I have to maunally move them around ? They dont look like a slow mo controll to have? How do they look like on the ground? Also they are quite expensive..
What is the difference and why do you recommend such a thing? Just cause I am new?
Those look weird and have limited movement capabilites.
Why not getting the skywatcher 150mm wouldnt that one do a good job? It usually costs a lot of money.
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Re dobs:
Yes , you have to manually push them about to keep objects in view (you'll get sick of that !!!), and they don't have slow motion controls.
Those cheap ,mass produced dobs don't permit you to rotate the tube to put the eyepiece in locations that make viewing more comfortable ... if you've a bad back that's a serious issue and will detract from your enjoyment seriously.
But they can be set up each night lightning fast - no polar alignment required.
BUT with a GEM , providing the tripod is leveled near enough, the angle of the dangle (corresponding to you latitude) is within cooee and you've pointed the polar axis in the general direction of the South Celestrial Pole - within cooee , for visual observing you'll be fine enough and you'll track well enough for visual observing , and the setting circles will help get you from one interesting object to another - if you bother using or even looking at them (more often it's easier to go to a low X eyepiece and star hop and not even refer to the setting circles or just look at the DEC reading to get into the right part of the sky)
*** accurate polar alignment and leveling is only necessary for photographic imaging via the telescope or piggy back style else you'll get field rotation , then it pays to be a perfectionist ***
You can motorise dobs - costs real money !!
You can put digital setting circles on them too - costs real money !!
Dobs are not so flash for astrophotography unless you add an equatorial platform under the base plate .... cost ya real money unless you make your own , and you will get field rotation in long exposures.
Most the el-cheapo small dobs have base plates made from particle board - the cheap stuff - bad news if they regularly get wet sitting on damp dewy grass - the stuff swells and disintegrates.
There doesn't seem to be a 6" or 8" dob cheaper than the Skywatcher 6" you've settled on (Meade , GSO, Bintel, AOS, other ?? , I think Celestron no longer make dobs) so nothing to be gained in your case - unless someone knows of a good 6 or 8" dobs being sold somewhere in Oz.
Many people buy a dob , and later buy a EQ mount and tripod and tuberings so they have the best of both worlds. A lot to be said for that approach.
Dob's aren't for everyone though.
Here's Skywatcher's site
http://skywatchertelescopes.com.au/H...%2cProductName
Looks like the 6" f/5 newt you are interested in has had the GEM downgraded from an EQ4 to the EQ3-2 to lower the selling price.
Did the vendor email back ?
How'd you fair at the bank ?
You've had a really rugged start to your hobby .... cudos to you for sticking with it . It is worth it in the long run - you'll get a lifetime of enjoyment from your telescope , and if your gf likes looking through it too can have heaps of quality time together sharing the night sky - so long as she doesn't commander it .