Scope Upgrade

[TechnoViking (James)]

Hi All,
Firstly I wanted to say, what a fantastic site! lots of info and helpful people.
I am new to Astronomy, I am currently using a Celestron 114EQ which has been alot of fun for the last 6 months. I am now upgrading to something alittle more serious, I have also started to build an observatory to house the new scope.

I wanted to get some opinions from experienced Astronomers about this scope.
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product....138&ProdID=805

I am intrested in Astrophotography aswell as planet observation, im thinking this scope will do both quite well?

any comments or suggestions will be greatly apreciated!!

Jimmy

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Jimmy, being an alt/az mount, it will need a wedge for astrophotography. And I don't know how compatible it is for that.
As far as planet observation I don't have an issue.

[Poita (Peter)]

If astrophotography is your aim, then you may be better off looking at a celestron 11" on a CGEM mount package. The standard az mount setup won't do you much good in that regard.

[TechnoViking (James)]

Thanks for the imput guys
I have alot of research to do, and a lot of learning
Do you think the 11inch is abit of an over kill? I was told to get the best I could

[OICURMT]

You will need to get the following as well if you stick to the fork-mount:

http://www.celestron.com/c3/product....138&ProdID=649

BTW: So such thing as "over-kill" ...

[TechnoViking (James)]

Thanks for all the advice, now for my next question.
I am building an observatory on my property, should I build a cement pillar or build a steel pillar filled with concrete to stop vibrations?
I am an ex-boiler maker so i can fabricate and weld.

I am still a little confused about my choice in scope, I have read in other articles that a large Dob 12" + would be better for Photography and Observation as long as i had dark skys (which I do, the nearest city is 300kms, and the nearest town is 50 kms i live on 100 acres in rural N.S.W)

Please help im more confused than ever! i have $4000 max budget to spend on the scope (i got a fright when i found out how much the 11inch HD celestron scopes were). I really want something that is dual purpose with GOTO functions, which i will mount to a pillar in the center of the observatory. Am i being unreasonable to think that $4000 will get me a scope that will suit deepspace and planet observation?

Thanks again in advance

[Poita (Peter)]

You may be better off getting two telescopes, one for planetary and one for deep space.
I'd highly. highly recommend coming to a night under the stars with some people with scopes before laying down your money and getting a look through some different beasties first.

[Visionoz (Bill)]

With a new start into astronomy observing for $4000 budget - it's OK - but for astrophorgraphy, that's a bit thin - the best money you can spend is for the equatorial mount with/without GoTo since you're intending to have an obs - next then is the OTA

Of course 12" aperture is good - but it has its foibles - you'll find that you need to spend at least $10-$12K for a good mount (others of course have done it with cheaper mounts but you have to take time/frustrations into the equation when it comes to "overloading" a cheapie mount)

I've found over a period of time that you will need several OTAs to image different stellar bodies/objects etc and the best way to come to a decision as to which OTA to get first is to attend a star-party hosted by one of the clubs near you and have a feel for what's right for your needs and start off with a combination that suits your budget and one that you'll use always

Be prepared - it's a deeeeeeeep money pit as far as astro-imaging is concerned

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[Gem (Grant)]

I would recommend the same scope as I have myself: a Celestron CGEM 925.
Buy to your budget. Everyone here has their own opinions as to what is "good" and it is usually a relative term since everyone has a different budget!
Assuming you want to keep options open for later photography...
If your budget is less than $2000, go an HEQ5 with an 8" reflector.
If your budget is less than $4000, go a CGEM 925. While the C11 would be better visually, the 9.25 give you more room to play with in terms of weight when you add cameras later down the track.
The CGEM is smooth, good looking and easy to use. I sent a long time trying to juggle which scope to buy that would be portable, good quality and keep my options well and truly open for later imaging. I found exactly what I needed in the CGEM 925.
Some people find dobs portable and easy to use. I used my 10" dob for many years and found it so. However, I set up my CGEM in less than 10 minutes each night (including star alignment for goto). The functions and extras within the controller are all useful and easy to use. The OTA (optical tube assembly - the scope itself) is easy to carry. Much easier than my 10" dob tube was!
Some people go with a different scope for each thing they do (e.g. scope for planetary, scope for imaging, scope for DSO observing, etc...). For me, the CGEM 925 is a jack of all trades.... and I love it!
I got mine new from Andrews for $3500. I think they have gone up a couple of hundred since... but you would have to check.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Hi James

reading through the good advice in these posts, found myself thinking CGEM925 would be a good choice. then got to Grant's post - totally agree - good for visual and planetary, OK for DSOs with a camera with large pixels or binning.

Suggest you put a steel pier on a concrete base and only consider concrete filling if it is not stable enough. I use a jarrah post, which is a lot floppier than steel, but it works fine with a similar weight setup. Regards Ray

[TechnoViking (James)]

Thank you all again for fantastic information, I have decided to get a celestron CGEM 925 after reading some great reviews as well as Grant and Rays input , also it sits nicely in my budget.

Again thank you everyone for the help!! I am now less confused and getting more excited.

[Gem (Grant)]

If you have any trouble - I am not too far away in Canberra... give us a yell!

[Gem (Grant)]

Oh, and before I forget: Don't get a flexi dew shield... the dovetail makes it hard to attach.

I also got the cheapest dew heater I could find, which was a Orion one from Bintel. Works a treat, but isn't adjustable. Simple, easy and effective.

Final advice for now... allow plenty of time for the scope to cool outside for optimum results. I usually put mine out a couple of hours early with a plastic cover over it to allow it to cool nicely.

I love my CGEM 925....

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Go with Gem- good scope. I don't have it but I have the same mount (CGEM) and for ease of set up it's a corker. If you have any cash left get some really good quality mounting rings and put a small refractor piggy back on top of the main scope. Then once aligned you have a great planetary and DSO set up all on one mount.
Prepare to enter the realm of the astro dude, and welcome to IIS
Graham

[Damienandwendy (Damien)]

Well, as a beginner, I had thought of playing around with astrophotography on either my 80mm achro refractor or 150mm newt on an EQ3. After reading this :

Originally Posted by Visionoz

With a new start into astronomy observing for $4000 budget - it's OK - but for astrophorgraphy, that's a bit thin

Originally Posted by Visionoz

you'll find that you need to spend at least $10-$12K for a good mount

...... I guess I would be just wasting my time.


Damien

[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by Damienandwendy

Well, as a beginner, I had thought of playing around with astrophotography on either my 80mm achro refractor or 150mm newt on an EQ3. After reading this :

...... I guess I would be just wasting my time.


Damien

Do not believe everything you read... there are individuals here on this site taking wonderful shots with very modest equipment...

Ask around, someone will give you advice that will not kill your pocket book................ or your mortgage.

[Gem (Grant)]

CGEM has nearly doubled in price in recent weeks... no longer good value for money.

[Rob]

Anyone know why the cgem prices have jumped recently (about $1000 increase I think)? Aussie dollar has dropped a bit but nowhere near that much.

[casstony]

Originally Posted by Rob

Anyone know why the cgem prices have jumped recently (about $1000 increase I think)? Aussie dollar has dropped a bit but nowhere near that much.

There are one or two non-authorised dealers in Australia who bring competition to Celestron's normally excessive pricing. Perhaps those dealers are having difficulty sourcing product or they have simply decided to increase their prices.

Also Celestron did increase US pricing recently and I imagine that's where grey market goods are sourced from.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Hi James.
Celestron pricing in Australia is pretty crazy.

If you didn't manage to get a CGEM925 at the old price, I guess you would be looking at alternatives. All-purpose imaging and visual possibilities that might just make it into your price band would include:

NEQ6 with a C925 OTA + 2x-3x Barlow for planetary imaging + either OAG or low cost guide scope for DSO imaging

NEQ6 with an 8 or 10 inch Newt (f4 if you don't mind collimating a lot) + coma corrector and spacer (I have an MPCC, which is pretty good) + laser collimator (which you will have to calibrate) + good quality 5x Barlow/Powermate for planetary imaging + low cost guide scope (or OAG if you can get one that is compatible with the Newt) for DSO imaging.

+ imaging and guiding cameras of course and at least one good eyepiece (25mm).

regards Ray