Newbie! G'day.

DJVege · #1 02-02-2007, 10:09 AM

Hi all,

I was directed here by Rob (Sup Rob) from cloudynights. I'll just post this link to my thread on cloudynights, so that I don't have to write EVERYTHING again. But in short, I'm looking at buying a scope. I want to do some planetary viewing (up close and personal

), as well as seeing some nebulae and galaxies!! I'm heading towards an EQ Mount (now that i know what one is), and need suggestions on a scope (and any accessories) and WHERE to buy from. I live in Rockhampton at the moment, but will be back in Brisbane in August/September. Anything else you need to know, just ask!

My thread is here -> http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...c=#Post1397477

Any suggestions are very welcome!

Thanks heaps!

...DJVege...

Dindsy · #2 02-02-2007, 10:49 AM

Hi DJ,

Saw your post. Good questions. I'm a noob too. I've done quite a bit of reading though so I'm getting up on the theory. Problem I'm having is actually finding stuff.

But the guys here have given me some good advice.

Check out the Australian magazines for adds and suppliers of Scopes in OZ. Australian Sky and Telescope(don't get the US version, US adds) and Sky and Space.

There some good reading on the start of this forums beginners page.

If you don't plan of photography go for a dobsonian. I'm not fussed about aligning the EQ mount but the eyepiece can end up in strange positions which is a bit uncomfortable.

DJVege · #3 02-02-2007, 11:46 AM

Hi Dindsy,

Thanks for the advice! At the moment I'm trying to find out prices for photography and how much extra it will cost.

You decided on a scope yet?

By the way, what's this "Cool down" stuff? Why does a scope "Cool down"?? Does it warm up, too?

...DJVege...

duncan · #4 02-02-2007, 11:55 AM

Hi DJ,
Welcome to the club.Went and had a good read of your questions and seems you're a bit like me.I have decided on a skywatcher sw252 on an eq6 mount.
This scope gives me a reasonable amount of aperture(10") and a low f/ratio which i can utilize for astrophotography later on. The eq mount is a must though for photo work.
This scope is costing me $2600.00approx. But of coarse then there's all the xtras to come later,lol.
Hope you find what you need (not want).

Cheers,
Duncan

duncan · #5 02-02-2007, 12:05 PM

Hi DJ,
Cool down period means the time it takes for the primary mirror to change to the same temperature as your surrounds. So i guess if you had your air conditioner set to cold in the house and took your scope outside it might need to warm up as well.
Hope this helps.
Look along a hot road and you can see it shimmer. Same sort of thing happens with optics. This is the best i can explain it,cause i'm a noob to,lol
Cheers,
Duncan

DJVege · #6 02-02-2007, 12:09 PM

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for the answers. I think I understand!

Where are you buying your scope from?

Cheers!!

...DJVege...

duncan · #7 02-02-2007, 12:26 PM

Hi DJ,
I'll be getting mine from suncoast optical up here in Cairns.
Another reason for cooling down is distortion,and probably focus shift as well.But hey like i said i'm a noob as well.I guess we'll learn all this as we go.
Hope this helps you a bit. Keep on asking questions no matter how silly they may seem. Everyone has to start somewhere.
Cheers,
Duncan

Dindsy · #8 02-02-2007, 12:50 PM

Hey Duncan, that shimmer analogy was good. I saw that the other night before it started to rain. Just on sunset when I was looking for Venus. I saw the shimmer but I thought that might have been coming up from the ground. Was it actually my scope?

I have the skywatcher 6" 150mm on EQ3 mount. I do want to do photgoraphy and have tried attaching my D100 to the eyepiece (i bought the attachment).

Striker (Tony) · #9 02-02-2007, 12:57 PM

I recommend a 10" Dob then once you get the hang of it you can buy a EQ mount if you want to track.

duncan · #10 02-02-2007, 01:03 PM

G,day Dinsy,
That shimmer you saw was probably due to heat rising through the atmosphere.But all these types of things can have an impact on what you can see.The best advice is to have your scope set up so it can adjust to the surrounding temperature. If in direct sunlight i would be tempted to cover with a tarp or something as painted surfaces can draw in the heat.
As i said though,I'm only a noob to this as well so get advice from as many as you can.
That way i don't get all the blame,lol.
I tend to think things through very logically and as scientificly as what tiny bit of grey matter i have lets me,or something like that.
Cheers,
Duncan

DJVege · #11 02-02-2007, 01:05 PM

Yeah, that was what I was heading towards at the moment. Do they come with stationary mounts?

Also, how do you connect digital cameras to the scope? Do you need to buy a special camera?

Thanks guys.

...DJVege...

duncan · #12 02-02-2007, 01:11 PM

Hi DJ,
I'll leave the camera bit for someone else with far more knowledge than me.I know you need adaptors and stuff so better for others to help.As for going with a dob i guess it comes down to dollars.I thought of going that way however i know i'll get into photography so thats why i decided to go with an EQ mount straight up.
Cheers,
Duncan

rmcpb (Rob) · #13 02-02-2007, 03:33 PM

Striker/Tony gave you great advice, a 10" dob then an equatorial mount for it later to allow tracking and serious photography.

If you want to try photography before the mount then read Mike's article.

Cheers

DJVege · #14 02-02-2007, 03:52 PM

Great link! Thanks Rob. OK! I think I've decided on a 10" Dob for now. Any suggestions where to buy it from? Online? I live in Rockhampton, so I don't know of any astro shops around here. What about the Meade LightBridge 10"???

Thanks again.

...DJVege...

Dindsy · #15 02-02-2007, 04:07 PM

check out
http://www.astronomyonline.com.au/
http://www.bintel.com.au/

DOn't know about delivery but they are good shops IMO.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #16 02-02-2007, 04:12 PM

Hi DJ,
You can order quality scopes from online companies such as Bintel, Andrews Communications, MyAstroShop to name a few. Check out the ads in Sky and Space as well as Sky and Telescope.
All can arrange delivery to your place.
Shop around though, some will throw in a few extra eyepieces and filters.
It was $70 to have my Dob delivered from Sydney to Brisbane with Andrews.

acropolite (Phil) · #17 02-02-2007, 04:26 PM

to IIS DJvege, as the others say, a 10 inch dob will give you a great view of the sky without a lot of cost and can be mounted on an Eq mount later if desired. Make sure if you are getting a scope freighted that the dealer has insurance.

rmcpb (Rob) · #18 02-02-2007, 06:30 PM

DJ,

If you are thinking of mounting this scope on a GEM eventually then you would be restricted to the solid tube models. the Lightbridges are not designed for use in a GEM without lots of modifications.

When you order your scope make sure it has a crayford focuser, preferably the 10:1 one, other than that most of the Chinese scopes we have are much of a muchness and it will come down to price and the little extras.

Cheers

DJVege · #19 03-02-2007, 09:34 AM

What's a crayford focuser?

Any shops here in Rocky, or should i wait till i get to Brisbane to have a look?

So far I'm leaning towards a Meade Lightbridge 10", a barlow lens, range of eye pieces....(may not get them all at once).

Any critical reviews of the above?

Thanks guys.

...DJVege...

chunkylad (David) · #20 03-02-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmcpb

DJ,

If you are thinking of mounting this scope on a GEM eventually then you would be restricted to the solid tube models. the Lightbridges are not designed for use in a GEM without lots of modifications.

When you order your scope make sure it has a crayford focuser, preferably the 10:1 one, other than that most of the Chinese scopes we have are much of a muchness and it will come down to price and the little extras.

Cheers

As Rob says: If you're thinking of remounting your dob on an equatorial mount later on, Lightbridge dobs are less suitable than solid tube types. Lightbridge dobs are truss types - meaning there's nothing really solid to attach 'scope to the EQ mount, without a lot of mucking about.

Crayford focussers are friction type, as opposed to rack and pinion type focussers. They are smoother and more accurate. The 10:1 version allows much finer movements when focussing: e.g. at higher power when you need very small increments to get an accurate focus. Plus, Crayfords allow the focus to be 'locked' when, for example, you're using heavy 2" eyepieces.

Cheers

Dave W