[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Jowel,

See my answers below in italics,

Originally Posted by Jowel

Just been doing a little research...

SkyWatcher 200mm (8") Dobsonian solid tube (model SW680):
- York Optical: $599
- Oz Scopes: $495
- Andrews Communications: couldn't find it on the website
Andrews don't sell the solids anymore I don't think... You would only really buy the solid tube 8" if you want to LATER mount it on something like my HEQ5 mount for use in astrophotography as you can't really mount the collapsibles this way. Keep this in mind as its a good idea.

SkyWatcher 200mm (8") Collapsible Dobsonian:
- York Optical: $649 (for a SkyWatcher SWFLEXDOB-8)
- Oz Scopes: $650 (for a SkyWatcher Black Diamond 8" Collabsible - model SKY-FLEXDOB-8)
- Andrews Communications: $499 (for a SkyWatcher FLEX-DOB BD 8")

Yes these are ALL the same thing, just depends on what each store wants to call it.

I'm leaning towards getting a collapsible dobsonian because it is more compact and looks a lot cooler . A few questions though...

I pulled the above information off the respective websites of each shop. For the collapsibe dobsonians I've listed, are these all the exact same SkyWatcher model? They seem to have slightly different model numbers and names??? Would getting one of these SkyWatcher collapsible dobs be a safe purchase? Are they well known and reliable?
Yes and YES, They all come with the Skywatcher's 5 year warranty (SIX years in the case of Andrews!) I have bought my first scope from York (SW135) and then my dob 12" and my BD8" on HEQ5 both from Andrews Comms and can vouch for all three (my preference is for Andrews though)

Just thinking over the possible accessories I'd need to get. Perhaps someone could give me some advice on what accessories I'd most likely need straight away for the collapsibe dobsonian?

As I see it, I may very weel need to get certain accessories at the same time, being:
- Collimater device (to correct the mirrors before use) Yep GSO one (get this at Andrews) ($59)
- Light shroud (to keep out stray light) Not really needed, I dont have one for the 12" as the baffling is bery good.
- Barlow lens (the make everything bigger!) Yep, buy an APO 2.5X GSO one ($49)

These things will obviously add up in price and may put me off a bit. Can someone let me know how much these accessories are, and what is a good recommendation for a man on a budget?

Later stuff to buy may well include (???):
- Telgrad finder (Telrad) - Good idea, but not yet...
- Right angle finder Nope, use the straight through one you get on the scope.
- Replace the eye pieces for better quality ones Eventually - these are easy to get - I prefer the cheaper ED ($49) ones from Andrews which are quite GOOD.
- Crayford focuser it has one already
- Camera attachment + lense to help camera focus into eyepiece Bit hard on the dob to take photos as it doesnt track. Not necessary now.

Any thoughts?

Well, hope someone can help me out here...

SO, in conclusion, my shopping list for you would be:

8" collapsible Skywatcher dob = $499
GSO Laser Collimator = $59
GSO APO 2.5x Barlow = $49 ( I have one and they are great)
Planisphere (round disc thing which helps you find stars, objects and planets at ANY time of the year) large = $15
Total for collapsible = $622

IF you want the flexibility of connecting the tube to a tracking mount in 12-24 months time when you want to start Astrophotography then a solid tube is your choice there. These are $495 at Ozscopes like you said. So the total would be $4 less = $618. Check with Andrews to see if they can get a 8" solid tube though....

Hope this helps. Like I said, my preferred shopping location is Andrews (they are near me) and I have bought a lot of gear from them and they are always helpful and friendly and Luke (optical manager) and Lee (owner) have been great to deal with. I have only ever had an issue with some binoculars which were out of collimation and they changed these over for me with no questions or complications. They are in Greystanes so easy to get to for you from the Blue Mountains down the M4 and get off at the Reservoir Road exit and then use Great Western Highway to Greystanes Road. Then turn left at the first set of lights and they are in the shopping centre on the right next to the hairdresser. (not open on Sundays though)

I dont have any affiliation with them in any way, just a satisfied customer recommending an excellent business who have great prices and products and are a pleasure to deal with.

Cheers

Chris