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Old 09-01-2010, 07:20 AM
ausastronomer (John Bambury)
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ausastronomer is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Shoalhaven Heads, NSW
Posts: 2,620
Quote:
Originally Posted by wavelandscott View Post
Welcome to the club!

While I agree that a dobsonian mounted reflector telescope is a wonderful thing, I'd strongly encourage you to visit an astronomy club or viewing night before you spend your hard earned money.
Hi Scott and Anne,

Usually Scott's advice is good advice, but that may not be possible at Geraldton WA. It's a fairly remote part of AUS.

I agree that a 10" newtonian reflector is likely the best way to go. Personally I would consider the 10" Meade Lightbridge which is made by Guan Sheng Optical (GSO) in Taiwan. Optically I have found the GSO reflectors to be at least as good and on average a touch better than Skywatcher which are made by Synta in China. The big advantage that I see with the 10" Lightbridge is that it is much easier to store and transport, than a solid tube dob. You would not be able to use it for photography if you wanted to head down that path in the future however I dont see that as an issue at all because the way to start with astrophotography would be with an 80mm to 100mm refractor on an equatorial mount, not with a 10" newtonian.

Cheers,
John B
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