Hi all
I have been a naked eye observer for ages but recently got hold of a decent pair of binoculars and am ready for the next step.
I have a VERY limited budget - I want to keep it under $1000 including extra eps etc. The scope CANNOT be a Dob - while I could probably manage the scope I have physical constraints that make lugging a dob base around simply not possible. Trolleys won't help, there is a steep narrow flight of stairs involved which I simply cannot negotiate carrying a heavy, awkward 'lump'.
I have narrowed the search to a couple of Skywatchers -
this refractor or
this MAC.
I am leaning towards the refractor, but are there any profound advantages/disadvantages of one over the other? I have to admit that the EQ mount on the mac worries me a bit! Quick set-up in the dark will be a plus favouring the AZ mount that comes with the refractor. Living with a limited budget astrophotography is simply not in my future, this is going to be a purely visual scope...
Thanks all...