Well I am going to ask that time old question, which I know has been asked NUMEROUS times before, and I know I will get many varied answers, but I am going to ask anyhow!
What should I get as a first telescope?
For all you great people out there, here are some of my criteria, that will help you give me your informed and unbiased opinion.
1. I have up to $3,000 to spend! (Lucky me I know!)
2. Reasonable portability (I own a Hyundai I 30 Wagon)
3. I want to start with general viewing, BUT, would love to try Astrophotography down the track (after I learn my way around the sky for 12 months)
4. Collimation scares me, but I guess like most things in life, it is something I can learn from an experienced observer.
5. Buying now while the bargains are on would be good (EOFYS!), but not a deal breaker.
6. I thought I had decided on a Skywatcher BD ED100 on a HEQ5Pro Mount, but now I am not so sure!
7. The more I look, the more confused I get!!!!
8. I currently live in a 2Br unit complex, but in the next month will be moving into a 4Br house with a REAL backyard!
So there you have it. I have tried to get along to some of the BAS Public Viewing nights, but many things have worked against that, not least of all the weather! I have scoured through the Cloudy Nights Forums and also the IIS Forums, read MANY copys of Australian Sky and Telescope, so I have seen MANY MANY ideas! The more I see, the less confident I feel to make a decision. I have always been one to gather the facts, research the data, and then make a decision months later (my wife hates this! "Just buy one for goodness sakes" is often heard here!)
So my learned and experienced observing friends, let me now your thoughts! In private or public. You can only but help me in my dilema!
