New Telescope

odyn (Charles) · #1 05-04-2016, 10:47 AM

I have done a lot of reading on telescopes and am now confused on what to purchase, at the moment I have 2 that I think will be good telescopes for viewing planets and deep space 1st is a celestron CPC 925 GPS XLT and 2nd would be a Skywatch 254mm black diamond go to with synscan 4. Some expert advice would be much appreciated Thanks

rustigsmed (Russell) · #2 05-04-2016, 11:09 AM

hi Charles,

welcome to IIS
are you just planning on viewing planets and deep space?
Have you any photography in mind?

russ

odyn (Charles) · #3 05-04-2016, 11:24 AM

No not really, just want a good viewing scope for around 3 to 4 k.

Somnium (Aidan) · #4 05-04-2016, 11:28 AM

if you are only looking at observing then a Dobsonian is probably the best value for money, you can get go-to versions and they are easy to set up and get going. an 8 - 12" dob is manageable depending on your physical condition. but do keep this in mind, while you can do planetary imaging from this kind of telescope, you wont be able to do any true Deep sky object imaging.

rustigsmed (Russell) · #5 05-04-2016, 11:30 AM

I would probably then recommend a goto dobsonian - anything from 10" and upwards (depending on your space and how easily you can move it around) and spend money on better lenses.

The longer FL on the CPC makes it more geared to planets, while I consider a Newtonian of large aperture a good all rounder due to the mid focal length and large aperture to use on planets and deep sky objects.

Constant (David) · #6 05-04-2016, 03:55 PM

Charles, 3-4K is a solid budget. The only advice I can offer is buy the very best you can. It's OK to blow the budget (my wife cannot see me ATM) as its both costly and inconvenient to upgrade gear.
Constant

JoelyE95 (Joel) · #7 05-04-2016, 06:58 PM

Charles,

I have a normal 10" dob and a friend who has the CPC you are interested in. Personally, you can see more deep space objects in the dob than you can in the CPC. If you were in no rush, can always meet up and you can see for yourself before buying.

If you wanted to go the other way for long exposure photography, the CPC has a relatively cheap upgrade path than the 10" dob does.

Joel

odyn (Charles) · #8 05-04-2016, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoelyE95

Charles,

I have a normal 10" dob and a friend who has the CPC you are interested in. Personally, you can see more deep space objects in the dob than you can in the CPC. If you were in no rush, can always meet up and you can see for yourself before buying.

If you wanted to go the other way for long exposure photography, the CPC has a relatively cheap upgrade path than the 10" dob does.

Joel

I wanted to get something different than a dob, this may sound stupid but it will live in our lounge room so I can just take it straight out to the back bbq area and my wife would like something a bit more stylish so to speak. So what do you think of a skywatch Newtonian 254mm black diamond, I think it has a eq6 mount. Do you think it would be better than the CPC. Thanks

JoelyE95 (Joel) · #9 05-04-2016, 07:43 PM

Charles,

The Black Diamond are best suited to photography (shorter focal length and focal point is further out). Makes it harder to use eyepieces without also pushing the eyepiece further out. Plus, on an equatorial mount, you will be forever trying to contort yourself around the scope to look into it.

For absolute ease, you would have to use it in azimuth mode (only on an AZ-EQ6) with a step ladder. But you would be best (in my opinion) for a dob, or a Goto dob. Especially if you have no real intention in hooking up a camera for deep space objects. A dob is fine for taking photos of the moon to planets.

I use my dob on an AZ-EQ6 as well, and I always use azimuth mode for viewing. Whether it be on the normal stand or on a mount as it is easier to use.

As I said. I am more than willing to show you if you like. Feel free to PM me and I can give you some details where I will be next. I might be able to organise my friend with the CPC too.

Joel

Allan_L (Allan) · #10 05-04-2016, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odyn

I wanted to get something different than a dob, this may sound stupid but it will live in our lounge room so I can just take it straight out to the back bbq area and my wife would like something a bit more stylish so to speak. So what do you think of a skywatch Newtonian 254mm black diamond, I think it has a eq6 mount. Do you think it would be better than the CPC. Thanks

EQ mounts are best left to the astrophotographers. They are a pain in the neck for visual observing. Literally.
A cpc is a good scope. I had the cpc1100.
Easy to set up and good views.
But honestly, as said above, a 10" dob will show more details for half the price even with goto.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
I admit the cpc does look cooler than a dob
But are after looks or performance.

casstony · #11 05-04-2016, 07:49 PM

Hi Charles, you really won't know what you like best without using the scopes in your normal viewing location. I'd suggest buying second hand so you don't lose too much money if you change your mind, especially if you can't get to a viewing night to check out different scopes.

I would avoid an equatorial goto mount for a first scope. The CPC or Dob would be much easier to understand.

raymo · #12 05-04-2016, 08:27 PM

I have been in this hobby for over 60 years, and the old saying that the best
scope is the one that gets used, is as pertinent today as it ever was.
A 10 or 12" dob can be up and running in the time it takes to carry it outside
and put it down on the ground.
A 10" Newt on an EQ6. The mount with the necessary counterweights for the 10" is heavy[around 35kg]. You have to align the mount with the south
celestial pole, roughly level it [for visual use], connect up a power supply, put the scope onto it, balance the scope, enter date and time into the hand controller, then go through a 2 or 3 star alignment routine. As it will live in the lounge, you then have to dismantle it all at the end of each session.
In short, 2 mins to be using a dob, and at least 30-45 mins for the EQ mount.
Unless you decide to do some serious imaging further down the track,
I know which I would rather be using.
raymo

grimsay (Iain) · #13 05-04-2016, 08:44 PM

Hi Charles, I'm certainly no expert having been in the same position just a couple of months ago. But I just wanted to echo the more experienced comments re. a dob...

I went with a 8" dob and the ease of setup has definitely been the defining factor in enjoying it regularly since. TBH "setup" is not really the right term as there isn't any, I just lift it out, point up and away I go! In seconds. And ditto at the end of the night when I'm tiered.

No experience with other mounts to compare to to be fair though. Good luck, Iain

csb (Craig) · #14 05-04-2016, 09:47 PM

Hi Charles. I can vouch for an sct on an equatorial mount. I have a Celestron 8" SCT on an Goto mount and it is the best scope I have owned.

Over the years I have owned:
3" Pentax refractor on a alt-az mount.
6" Celestron newt on non-goto equatorial mount.
6" Celestron sct on non-goto equatorial mount.
5" Skywatcher on non-goto equatorial mount.

I have only done visual and the alt-az mounts are more instinctive to control when moving the telescope around the sky but the equatorial is not much harder to get the hang of.

I find the 8" SCT ( and the other Telescopes) more convenient than using a newt. I found sometimes I was nearly hugging or stretchibg to view through the newt.

The views in the 8" SCT are fantastic. It beats the 6" scopes easily. The Orion nebula was nice in the other scopes but is fantastic in the 8", with so much more detail and structure.

I have always kept my telescopes setup in the lounge for convenience to take outside (AND they look great) The 8" SCT is easier to take out than the 6" newt was. I do remove the telescope when I move it inside/outside but this is no real chore. My sct has a handle for carrying.

So for me, very happy with an sct on equatorial goto for visual. I also use a focal reducer for the deepsky stuff - gives a wider view.

norm · #15 05-04-2016, 09:58 PM

I know the dob may look poxy and strange to most people, but in terms of bang for your bucks you can't go wrong. The $ outlay is more forgiving than a CPC.

As the cliche goes, the best scope is the one that gets used the most.

Whilst the CPC is a nice scope, I would heed Raymo's advice and being spot on.

Good luck with it.

Norm

raymo · #16 05-04-2016, 10:43 PM

C SB, An 8"SCT is a different beast to a 10"newt.
The newt is heavier and more cumbersome to lift onto the mount, heavier
to slide when balancing, and unless one has rotating tube rings, harder to
rotate when needed.The required mount is also heavier than your 8" SCT
requires. The all up weight would be at least 50kg, considerably more
than your rig would be[ unless you are using an overkill mount].
raymo

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #17 05-04-2016, 11:07 PM

Charles
I have owned over the last few years the following:
5" Newt on an EQ mount
8' no go to dob
12" non go to dob (later upgraded with a push to Argo Navis system)
20" dob with Argo push to
8" home made dob with Sky Commander push to system
80mm refractor on HEQ5 Mount and then an EQ6 mount

Based on my experience, do not even think of going visual with an EQ mount. they are fantastic for imaging but for visual, go a dob everytime - especially for beginners. Added to that the worst scope you can put on an EQ mount is a newtonian. They are lots of fun if you enjoying kneeling while getting a crick in the neck, not finding stuff and generally getting frustrated. If you enjoy all that go get one!!

The simple fact is that dobs work and for beginners work really well. I have attended quite a few star parties in the last few years and for visual observing, dobs are easily the most seen scope on the fields, and there is a reason for that. An SCT on a fork mount is certainly a good option, but you are sacrificing aperture for the convenience of a short tube and some fancy electronics.
Aesthetics while sitting in the loungeroom is all very well, but a scope is there to be used and enjoy under the night sky and with a $3-4k budget, you can get a hell of a nice scope. This one for example http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/...oductview.aspx will smash out of the ball park any of the others you have mentioned, fully go and (IMHO) it looks great!

Anyway, hope you enjoy making your decision.

Cheers

Malcolm

PS and welcome to IIS!!

raymo · #18 05-04-2016, 11:44 PM

I have to agree with almost everything you said Malcolm. Just one thing;
It cost me $5 to make a D.I.Y. device so that I can rotate my 8" tube to
whatever position I want. No grovelling for this old gas emitter.
raymo

odyn (Charles) · #19 06-04-2016, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barx1963

Charles
I have owned over the last few years the following:
5" Newt on an EQ mount
8' no go to dob
12" non go to dob (later upgraded with a push to Argo Navis system)
20" dob with Argo push to
8" home made dob with Sky Commander push to system
80mm refractor on HEQ5 Mount and then an EQ6 mount

Based on my experience, do not even think of going visual with an EQ mount. they are fantastic for imaging but for visual, go a dob everytime - especially for beginners. Added to that the worst scope you can put on an EQ mount is a newtonian. They are lots of fun if you enjoying kneeling while getting a crick in the neck, not finding stuff and generally getting frustrated. If you enjoy all that go get one!!

The simple fact is that dobs work and for beginners work really well. I have attended quite a few star parties in the last few years and for visual observing, dobs are easily the most seen scope on the fields, and there is a reason for that. An SCT on a fork mount is certainly a good option, but you are sacrificing aperture for the convenience of a short tube and some fancy electronics.
Aesthetics while sitting in the loungeroom is all very well, but a scope is there to be used and enjoy under the night sky and with a $3-4k budget, you can get a hell of a nice scope. This one for example http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/...oductview.aspx will smash out of the ball park any of the others you have mentioned, fully go and (IMHO) it looks great!

Anyway, hope you enjoy making your decision.

Cheers

Malcolm

PS and welcome to IIS!!

Funny you recommended the skyquest as I was just looking at it and it looks good, I was going to ask if it would be as good as a skywatch dob, I think the skyquest might be my choice. Thanks.

odyn (Charles) · #20 06-04-2016, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norm

I know the dob may look poxy and strange to most people, but in terms of bang for your bucks you can't go wrong. The $ outlay is more forgiving than a CPC.

As the cliche goes, the best scope is the one that gets used the most.

Whilst the CPC is a nice scope, I would heed Raymo's advice and being spot on.

Good luck with it.

Norm

The dob look ok I did have an 8" dob that I got second hand and it had not been looked after very well . I just wanted to get some idea as to how other scopes compare for viewing.