[Draco (Draco)]

Originally Posted by niko

I meant that they give you the cash!

see what e-go.com.au couriers would charge to deliver the scope from Ivanhoe

Also, an 8" dob from either Andrews or Bintel is a pretty good price for a great scope

now that would be a nice idea. Unfortunately if previous birthday pressies are anything to go by, I normally get more pressies than cash But maybe this year I could get a dob in the stash .. thanks niko

Originally Posted by Steffen

At $85 the risk is small, and while I don't know anything about this particular model the older Tasco reflectors have been known to be decent performers.

If you ditch the EQ mount (which will add nothing but frustration) the tube might work well in a small portable Dobbie you could build around it – a rewarding and not too difficult project to undertake, if you're so inclined.

The Cassini division can be seen rather easily in 80mm achromatic scopes if the conditions are right (i.e. this year, and reasonable seeing), the 114mm reflector should be able to show it without much difficulty.

Cheers
Steffen.

thanks Steffen. I am not too good with DIY but then again, it could be a skill I could learn Would love it if this OTA is able to give me good Cassini division views

Originally Posted by Rob_K

I use the same scope (different mount) for all my observing, great scope IMO. Very portable, negligible cool-down times, forgiving on collimation etc. However I see you're based in Sydney so if you have light-polluted skies you might need to seek out dark skies away from suburbia. With light skies it'll still be good on planets, Moon, bright star clusters, but not so good on fainter stuff such as nebulae & distant galaxies. In dark skies there's a smorgasbord of things you'll be able to see! But stick to low powers only (say, 20mm eyepiece) on deep sky stuff. At $85 you can't go wrong.

PS: Steffen is right about the EQ mount, it can be a pain with visual observing, especially for novices. But nothing that can't be put up with!

Cheers -

Hi Rob. Thank you so much for your feedback on this telescope. Makes me feel good knowing that someone else has had this and is quite pleased with it. I will def keep the tips you have shared in mind

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Rob, I'm glad you responded to this thread. I know of no one better qualified to extol the virtues of the iconic 114 scope at fl 900mm.

I have to agree that the eq mount usually supplied with this scope leaves a bit to be desired. But making a dob mount for this OTA turns this surprisingly capable scope into a very user friendly instrument. Until you do get your 10" or 12" dob, you'll be able to cut your astro teeth with the 114.

I've made several dob mounts for 114 scopes, including one for my wife's school. Their 114 was on an eq mount, and truth be said, the eq mount terrified the teachers there who had no idea on how to use it. The mount I made was made using the laminate covered shelving that Bunnings sells and some Teflon off cuts I had. What works just as well for a project like this is the plastic from ice cream tubs. A bolt, a few washers, a nyloc nut, a couple of PVC plumbing flanges and a bit of jig saw work and PRESTO! One very user friendly dobbie,

Once you do get you bigger scope, you could even donate the scope to a local school. Nothing gets wasted this way.

A bit of food for thought.

Mental, that sounds like a nice DIY. Though I might have to get the tools to get it all done But yea, I wouldnt mind making the dob mount myself. Will pick your brains when I am closer to this

Originally Posted by RobF

If the mount is anything like the old Tasco I used many years ago you can set it up with the axes perpendicular - that is in alt/az mode. You run out of travel in DEC eventually, but still lots you can see in a 114mm scope while learning.

Just don't EVER look through anything bigger until you can afford. You won't be able to conceive how fantastic a 10" dob view would be in comparison, especially from dark skies.

RobF, alas you said too late. I have already peered through a 12" and a 30" and I can say that nothing beats the views out of a 30" newtonian. If only I had the money and a holiday home in the country under dark skies