Skywatcher 10" Collapsible Dobsonian

GAS747 (Paul) · #1 03-03-2010, 02:05 PM

Hi Guys,

I have recently purchased a Skywatcher Black Diamond 10" Collapsible Dobsonian telescope. I am just wondering what accessories you guys would recommend I use for observing?

Currently I am just using the eye peices provided with the telescope which is a 25mm and 10mm lense. Also I beleive I need a filter for looking at the moon as its way to bright and I end up using sunglasses to view which gets annoying lol.

Any suggestions of accessories etc would be greatly appricated.

Cheers,
Paul

hikerbob (Bob) · #2 03-03-2010, 03:07 PM

Paul you may want to add more detail on what you expect to do with it. The things I know of which are handy for visual observing (you may not need any of these and some will have all of them)
- An Argo Navis (I love mine)
- A telrad. I don't have one but many swear by them
- A right angle finder scope - I don't know what your scope came with, my older style skywatcher came with a straight through finder scope and I recently got a right angle one - what a difference.
- A decent accessory case - I use a high quality molded rifle case but there are plenty of smaller cases around. If you are going to start spending money on accessories make sure that they are well protected during transport and as they sit around a dark dewy field at night.
- A laser pointer, great for aiming dob's and probably the reason I've not bothered with a telrad. Not good for serious star parties though.
- Colmination tools - read up on that. I've got a laser colminator, some allen keys and a couple of home made pieces.

Bob

GAS747 (Paul) · #3 03-03-2010, 03:26 PM

Im just wondering if I need or should use any different eye peices etc? Other then what comes with it standard

just trying to optimize the observing I do. ATM im just observing planets and stuff, i havent tried looking for nebula's etc.

GAS747 (Paul) · #4 03-03-2010, 07:27 PM

Oh and where can you get green laser star pointers from? I cant seem to find them anyway

that_guy (Tony) · #5 03-03-2010, 07:29 PM

in VIC isn't more than 1Mwatts illegal with out a firing licence?

GAS747 (Paul) · #6 03-03-2010, 07:33 PM

thats what iv heard too! So how do people buy them for astronomy?

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #7 04-03-2010, 12:16 AM

Qld is only state where it is legal to buy green lasers over 1mw. I bought mine while up on holiday last year, but don't know if the astro shops will ship interstate.
If you get one be very careful, use is illegal without a permit which will set you back a fair bit. Although the rule in Vic is handheld lasers, it is usually interpreted as 'capable of being hand held' so even if it is attached to your scope, you may have a problem if the constabulary come a calling!
Eyepieces will make a difference, you get what you pay for though. The standard EPs are passable but only just, usually don't even bother with the 10mm except on moon and planets. Best advice is get along to an observing night and see what others are using and try them out.
One thing I would look at is a set of Bobs Knobs, makes collimation a breeze. Moon filter will make lunar observing much easier.

Malcolm

dalemadison · #8 06-03-2010, 10:18 AM

Agree with the telrad. I do swear by mine. Love it. Also, get a computer cooling fan from Jaycar. bolts right in the bottom of the telscope.

trent_julie · #9 06-03-2010, 10:40 AM

G'day Paul
Having owned a 10inch Skywatcher I strongly recommend the following;
Eyepieces........ 10mm ethos and 19mm panoptic
Filters..............Variable polarising (Bintel), UHC Filter
Equipment........ Telrad, Secondary heater, Argo Navis and most importantly if you don't have one already, a light sheath.

I hope this helps

Cheers,

Trent & Julie

Paddy (Patrick) · #10 06-03-2010, 04:26 PM

Hi Paul,

I'd suggest a telrad to start with. I'd suggest waiting for a while before considering upgrading eyepieces so that you get to kow how you like observing, what focal lengths you're going to want to use and what suits your eyes. Good eps are a significant investment and will last you a lifetime, so its worth a bit of research. A telrad is a small investment and makes a vast difference when star hopping. a right angled finder is also useful, but will be in part redundant if you use a telrad.

And a good book. "Atlas of the Southern Night Sky" coupled with a telrad will help you find lots of deep sky objects.