What 'scope for 2K, and why

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #1 17-02-2009, 10:51 AM

Howdy

speaking to the better half last night, and while she enjoys looking through the 90mm refractor, she wants something better and bigger (story of my life

)

So, i have a modest budget of "around" 2K, to get something, now dont get me wrong, i am not asking because i dont know, i am no n00bie, although i dont know half as much as many on here, i am more asking you what you think would be a good "all rounder" for 2Kish, and why would you pick it?

she likes looking at planets, and DSO .. infact everything really !!

thank

prova · #2 17-02-2009, 11:19 AM

Hi there

I'll take a punt and say that you will get alot of replies pointing you towards something like a 12" Dob (be it a GSO, Skywatcher collapsible or a Lightbridge).

Haven't checked prices but I'd say one of these would set you back around $1,200.00 then you have a healthy $800 to spend on some nice eyepieces, collimating tools, light shroud if you go a truss, etc

Going from a 90mm to a 300mm (12") will be a BIG difference

Hope that helps..

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #3 17-02-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prova

Hi there

I'll take a punt and say that you will get alot of replies pointing you towards something like a 12" Dob (be it a GSO, Skywatcher collapsible or a Lightbridge).

Haven't checked prices but I'd say one of these would set you back around $1,200.00 then you have a healthy $800 to spend on some nice eyepieces, collimating tools, light shroud if you go a truss, etc

Going from a 90mm to a 300mm (12") will be a BIG difference

Hope that helps..

yeah, i already use an 8" scope. although something with a GoTo mount might give her an easier time of finding objects, and maybe a dob wouldnt lend itself to planetary viewing

prova · #4 17-02-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toryglen-boy

yeah, i already use an 8" scope. although something with a GoTo mount might give her an easier time of finding objects, and maybe a dob wouldnt lend itself to planetary viewing

The issue with a Dob and planetary viewing will be when you starting whacking high power eyepieces in, it will move out of field quite quickly and you will need to keep nudging the OTA to centre the object.

Other alternative but rather expensive is a Servocat and Argo Navis but then you would probably blow your 2k budget and not even have a scope!

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #5 17-02-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prova

The issue with a Dob and planetary viewing will be when you starting whacking high power eyepieces in, it will move out of field quite quickly and you will need to keep nudging the OTA to centre the object.

Other alternative but rather expensive is a Servocat and Argo Navis but then you would probably blow your 2k budget and not even have a scope!

yeah, i think a dob mount is out of the question. its gonna have to be an EQ or a really good Alt-Az

prova · #6 17-02-2009, 11:48 AM

If you already have an 8" then you could buy a HEQ5-Pro for around $1,600 if not less, put the 8" on that and you'll have a nice amount of aperture mixed with a good mount with a full GoTo system.

Plus $400 give or take left over ..

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #7 17-02-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prova

If you already have an 8" then you could buy a HEQ5-Pro for around $1,600 if not less, put the 8" on that and you'll have a nice amount of aperture mixed with a good mount with a full GoTo system.

Plus $400 give or take left over ..

nahh, i want a whole new scope

csb (Craig) · #8 17-02-2009, 12:52 PM

Perhaps a 150mm refractor on a goto (or 120mm).

For visual it's hard to beat the contrast of refractors - it really does help the seeing of faint objects.

Visit a starparty or similar so your wife can have a look through scopes to see what she likes.

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #9 17-02-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csb

Perhaps a 150mm refractor on a goto (or 120mm).

For visual it's hard to beat the contrast of refractors - it really does help the seeing of faint objects.

Visit a starparty or similar so your wife can have a look through scopes to see what she likes.

hmmm ... what do you think a 6" refractor would compare to, in light gathering power?

I am guessing something like an 8" reflector?

ta

GrampianStars (Rob) · #10 17-02-2009, 01:55 PM

Not much for $ 2K

mount = http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...asp?id=MAS-352
scope = http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-142B

The EQ6 Pro

= http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-043b

would be the better option (stability bigger payload capable)
but blows your budget straight away

prova · #11 17-02-2009, 02:05 PM

As previously mentioned, if your not after a new mount, don't want a dob then your really not left with many options because a decent 8" reflector will still produce a larger image than a 120mm Achromatic refractor without the CA.

You probably need to have a think about what you really want to do..

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #12 17-02-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrampianStars

Not much for $ 2K

mount = http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...asp?id=MAS-352
scope = http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-142B

The EQ6 Pro

= http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-043b

would be the better option (stability bigger payload capable)
but blows your budget straight away

i can get this cheaper than whats listed here

and going up to 120mm isnt much of a "jump up"

leon · #13 17-02-2009, 02:12 PM

I was going to get into this one, but I think Prova, has said it all.

Leon

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #14 17-02-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prova

As previously mentioned, if your not after a new mount, don't want a dob then your really not left with many options because a decent 8" reflector will still produce a larger image than a 120mm Achromatic refractor without the CA.

You probably need to have a think about what you really want to do..

yeah, thats good advice

dugnsuz (Doug) · #15 17-02-2009, 03:36 PM

A bit over your budget (sorry I know us Scots are tight as!!), but the 10" Skwatcher Newt on an EQ6 package at Andrews ($2499 + free freight) might be a nice step up!?
Doug

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #16 17-02-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

A bit over your budget (sorry I know us Scots are tight as!!), but the 10" Skwatcher Newt on an EQ6 package at Andrews ($2499 + free freight) might be a nice step up!?
Doug

aye, that sounds good, and its not too far over.

i am just loathe to get another short focus newt that has coma, i quite fancy a mak-newtonian, now i am looking at it

csb (Craig) · #17 17-02-2009, 03:57 PM

The mak newt coming to Andrews!

If you get it a basic review would be helpful and appreciated.

bluescope · #18 18-02-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toryglen-boy

aye, that sounds good, and its not too far over.

i am just loathe to get another short focus newt that has coma, i quite fancy a mak-newtonian, now i am looking at it

Coma isn't a problem if you buy a Baader MPCC kit .......... MyAstroShop has them for $299

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-221B

p.s. I use the MPCC for astrophotography with my 8 and 10 inch newts and even with my William Optics FLT110 Triplet Refractor ... works great.

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #19 19-02-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluescope

Coma isn't a problem if you buy a Baader MPCC kit .......... MyAstroShop has them for $299

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-221B

p.s. I use the MPCC for astrophotography with my 8 and 10 inch newts and even with my William Optics FLT110 Triplet Refractor ... works great.

i wouldnt be using it for Astrophotography though, purely visual

Tilt (Michael) · #20 19-02-2009, 03:40 PM

I bought a GSO 10" newt and a EQ6 for visual work, but then I fell into the imaging ditch... and I cannot get out.

But I've found with good eyepieces (such as Vixen LVWs) the visual image through this scope to be quite good. For the amount of dollars spent, GSO make a pretty good mirror.

Michael