Hello everyone!

Thresh (Paul) · #1 20-01-2009, 09:59 PM

Hi all,

Until about 8 years ago, I use to love watching the heavens. However my telescope was stolen and being a poor high school student, I couldn't afford to get it replaced. The years have gone by and now the itch has overcome me and I want to get back into it all.

I am now looking at getting a semi-decent telescope for around the $500 - $700 range that would allow me to view other planets and maybe the odd Deep Space Object or two (Primarily comets as they come around and possible galaxies if the price and telescope allows it).

I like the dobson 8" scope but in all honesty, it seems like I would need a place to sit it and at that cost, it seems very basic.

What has been recommended to me, is the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ. It fits my budget and appears to be of a good build and quality. Reviews point to it being a good telescope aswell. But before I go and waste my hard earned cash on it, I would like to know the thoughts of fellow budding astronomers out there! Some facts:

- I will primarily be doing backyard gazing. If a dobson is most recommended, it'd probably go onto a picnic table I can move around

- I live in Bayswater, Victoria. Out in the east. I don't know how much light-pollution will be there

- I won't be taking photos.

- Given how close I am to Mt Dandenong, I will probably head out there on weekends to gaze, so it needs to be easy to pack into the boot of a car (Mid-sized)

If a dobson is the way to go, what would be recommended? If some accessories for a beginner are recommended, what would they be?

Thanks in advance!

Crackers (Craig) · #2 20-01-2009, 10:28 PM

I may well be the most inexperienced person here in these forums, but I am the proud new owner of a 10"dob and couldn't be happier. Don't underestimate them based on how simple they look, they are plenty powerful, easy to set up and use and surprisingly portable. They're also much bigger than you expect too. Mine stands about 1.3m tall (as does the 8" dob from memory" so unless you're 2.2m tall you won't need the picnic table. I can't comment on the other scope, or the light conditions in Melbourne, but I couldn't be happier with a dob. I'm sure that the more experienced folks here will point you in the right direction. Cheers. Oh, and welcome to IIS.

erick (Eric) · #3 20-01-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thresh

- Given how close I am to Mt Dandenong, I will probably head out there on weekends to gaze, so it needs to be easy to pack into the boot of a car (Mid-sized)

Whatever you get, head out to Gembrook Sports Ground, the cricket practice wicket is the place to be. Much better than bright Melbourne skies and easily accessible from Bayswater.

ps. I had an 8" dob for the first year or so. Great portable scope! Watch the second hand market - you can save a lot and still get a great scope.

Dog Star (Phil) · #4 20-01-2009, 11:04 PM

G'day Paul and welcome.

Can't say I'm familiar with the Celestron either, so I can't really comment on it.
I am however familiar with dobs. I own a 12 incher and I love it!
A Dobson mounted Newtonian reflector, to give it the full title, is the simplest and easiest to use design available, bar none.
They also give the best dollar value per inch of aperture of any scope design.
I note however that you state that you would want to transport it in the boot of a car. That might be a problem. What sort of car in particular?
Let's work out the type of scope that you want to buy first, before we give any advice on accessories.
Cheers, Phil.

Thresh (Paul) · #5 20-01-2009, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the responses so far guys

Quote:

I note however that you state that you would want to transport it in the boot of a car. That might be a problem. What sort of car in particular?

A honda legend 1989 model to be exact. Though it has the boot space of any decent family car. Nothing the size of a dob, it would fit but I wouldn't feel comfortable lobbing the thing around all that often.

Quote:

Let's work out the type of scope that you want to buy first, before we give any advice on accessories.

If what I've read so far is correct, it looks like a refractor or reflector telescope might be best given I will be viewing from my backyard most of the time. It seems that it deals with light the best. While there isn't much, I do live behind some shops that generate quite a bit of it. If thats the case, I may end up choosing the 130EQ over an 8" dobson. However I'm still not sure!

Dog Star (Phil) · #6 20-01-2009, 11:32 PM

The tube on an 8" dob is about 1200 mm I think, so measure your boot and see if there's enough room. Then you have the base, or mount to accomadate as well. Most people who move them about in cars tend to lie them (the tube) across the back seat with the mount in the boot.
I'm inclined to think that if it can be managed, you would be better off with an 8" dob than anything else, but I stress again - I'm not familiar with the Celestron that you mentioned.
Just wait a bit and see who else replies with what advice.
Take your time making up your mind as $5-700 isn't exactly chicken feed in any one's book. It's better to wait a bit and make an intelligent decision than to rush out and buy something that might not be suitable to your needs.
Ain't buying scopes FUN?

Thresh (Paul) · #7 20-01-2009, 11:42 PM

Well I'm sure that whatever I end up choosing in the end, it will be well worth it. 3 months of research and I'm still struggling :-P

Dog Star (Phil) · #8 20-01-2009, 11:57 PM

Don't sweat it mate.
I seem to recall that I spent about 6 months fretting myself sick over a decision.

All will be well in the end.

In the mean time, get a planisphere (available from most good book shops) or download the free Stellarium software and practice some naked eye viewing. Or borrow somebodies binoculars (you must know someone who has a pair) and introduce yourself to the night sky gently.
You are about to have sky-loads of fun!

acropolite (Phil) · #9 21-01-2009, 08:16 AM

The 130 Eq would be a disappointment compared to the dob. Aperture rules and 200mm has a lot more light gathering power than 130mm. The Eq mount bundled with that scope would be at best a frustration, not adequate for astrophotography and unnecessary and cumbersome for visual use. An 8 inch dob will fit in the back of almost any car. If you get the opportunity take a look through someone elses telescope, find some local members near you and get together for a viewing night.

erick (Eric) · #10 21-01-2009, 09:29 AM

You really have to experiment with your car. My 8" tube unit would fit beautifully in the boot of my Lancer - just inside the lip. It wouldn't fit conmfortably at all in the boot of the family Falcon! The well in the boot made it a poor fit and it was better put onto the back seat! Usually, the base has to go on the back seat, however.

Last thing I heard, Bintel in Melbourne would allow you to park the car outside and carry out the display models and see which would fit the best. I'm sure it was on a "you drop it or bang it and you've bought it" basis. Perhaps they and other stores will still do the same?

Moon (James) · #11 21-01-2009, 09:45 AM

Paul,
What type of scope did you have before?

If you're on a budget, I think the second hand suggestion is a good one.
I just missed out on a 40 buck scope today.. http://www.anibis.ch/n/2172860

All my gear is in boxes and ready to be shipped back to Melb next week. Since I'll be out your way, I'd be happy to organise a viewing night if you like...

figgylion (Steve) · #12 21-01-2009, 02:33 PM

Another newbie here with my 2 cents worth.
I bought an 8" Dob recently and find it very easy to use, even in my heavily light polluted location(damn steelworks) the views are great.
I can easily move it around on my own even as a single unit and the scope fits easily into my small Daihatsu Terios.
I highly recommend the scope over anything else I've seen especially for newbs like me

rmcpb (Rob) · #13 21-01-2009, 04:20 PM

The views through a 200mm v 130mm and not comparable. The 200 will simply blow the smaller scope away. The mount supplied on the 130 will make it necessary for you to be an acrobat to get to the eyepiece many times, its always easy to view through the eyepiece of a dob. Setting up a dob is simply putting it on some realtively level ground, the GEM needs aligning and a lot more fiddling. The larger aperture will handle light pollution better as well.

Guess which scope gets my vote

erick (Eric) · #14 21-01-2009, 04:27 PM

Not sure if it has been mentioned, but what you see is related to how much light you collect, which is a function of primary mirror area. To a first approximation, in going from 130mm diameter to 200mm diameter (1.5 times) the light collecting surface goes up 2.4 times. That is significant.

Thresh (Paul) · #15 21-01-2009, 08:56 PM

SO many comparisons! Its helpful :-)

Went to Bintel today and got to see an 8" Dobson.. I forget the brand name.

Will pop in on Friday or Saturday and pick it up. Given that I will be looking at the moon quite a bit, is it recommended to get a lunar filter? I've heard that looking at a full moon through a dobson is almost blinding.

astroron (Ron) · #16 21-01-2009, 10:47 PM

Lunar filters do make observing the Moon a lot easier on the eye and more comfortable, but they are not essential.
Seeing that they are reasonably cheap are a worthwhile investment

I have also used one on Venus to great effect

byronpaul (Paul) · #17 24-01-2009, 01:20 AM

Thresh,

I got into astronomy about 18 months ago and besides everybody on IIS saying go with a Dob, I started with a 6" Newtonian on a EQ3 mount.

Within a few months, I came upon a 10" Bintel Dob for sale on IIS. Price was too good to pass by so I snapped it up and sold the other scope.

I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE.

Easier to use and quite simply heaps more to see as the extra aperture opens up much more of the night sky.

I have been bitten by the bug and just recently upgraded to a 8" Meade LX90 LNT. In doing that I have sacrifised aperture for features and whilst I'm more than happy with the Meade (which I also picked up for a good price) I miss the Dob.

I would say 100% start with a Dob, and preferrably a 10" over an 8". You should be able to put the tube across your back seat and the base in your boot or front seat.

I live near Tullamarine Airport just north of Melbourne and whilst there is light polution, us newbies aren't as fussy as some of the more "experienced observers.

garyp · #18 25-01-2009, 10:14 PM

Hi Paul and

to IIS

I don't think I can add any new information for you. I can only share my experience at the risk of sounding like a stuck record

I have an 8" Dob. It took me along time to decide on the best scope for me. In the end I decided to go with the biggest aperature I could afford and got the dob. I am very pleased I did as the views are great. Nothing beats a bit of aperature

I use it in the backyard all the time. It has all the usual light pollution issues but It seems to handle it quite well. It is fairly easy to transport around and easy to set up and start observing. It is also easy to find a comfortable viewing positon compared to other mounts.

It's the sort of scope I don't think I would sell in a hurry. I'm very happy with it, but I would also be happy with a 12"

If you are going to use it mainly in the back yard I would get the biggest apperature I could even if it means it is difficult to transport. My reason for that is if you use it 95% In the back yard you only have 5% headache time transporting it as opposed to 95% time wishing you had a bigger scope in the back yard.

Hope it's helpful

Cheers

Gary