1st telescope

[Cosmic (Daniel)]

Hi all,

After countless hours of research and decided to shy away from a dobsonian, and believe I have made the right choice. Ultimately I would like a scope that dose as everything like anyone else, but from what I have read and understood this mite just be that sweet spot for a first telescope. A mix of astrophotography and general star and planet gazing.

Note the one that im purchasing will be 250mm aperture, not 200. Asking price $1800.
[IMG]http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...2001PHEQ5L.jpg[/IMG]



Code: SW600-OTA-HEQ5
200mm (8-inch) f/5 Newtonian Reflector on sturdy tracking HEQ5 mount

Excellent and popular Sky-Watcher Newtonian with diffraction-limited optics on the renowned HEQ5 mount.
With 78% more light grasp than a 150mm scope and 137% more light grasp than a 130mm telescope, it yields magnificent images of deep-sky objects and crisp views of lunar mountains, craters including many popular features of the planets.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Diameter: 200mm - parabolic primary mirror
Focal Length:1000mm - f/5
Highest Practical Power:472x
Eyepieces Includes 10 and 20mm)
Faintest Steller Magnitude:14.2
Resolving Power (arc sec.):0.6
Finderscope: Large 9x50
Focuser Diameter:2" with 1.25" adapter
Piggyback Bracket:Yes
Accessory Tray:Yes
Includes 2 Plossl eyepieces 10mm and 20mm
Tripod:1.5" steel tripod
Motor Driveual axis (included)
Tube Dimensions:24cm x 92cm
Tripod Height: 97-121cm

This is an excellent astronomical telescope for studying the Moon, planets and deep sky and for astrophotography.

HEQ5 Mount Basic

This heavy-duty mount is a smaller version of the sturdy EQ6 mount. It is specially designed for observers who need the stability of the EQ6 mount, but find the EQ6 mount too physically demanding. Like the EQ6 mount, this high-precision equatorial mount features engraved aluminum setting circles and a latitude scale, built-in illuminated polar scope for Southern Hemisphere use, large R.A. and DEC. locking clamps, electric slow-motion controls on both axes, and retractable counterweight shaft and counterweight. The strong and rigid field tripod is remarkably stable with adjustable height, incorporating 1.5"-diameter steel tripod legs. My Astro Shop highly recommend this mount and this telescope!

Any objections or known problems with this model please let me know..... im just amazed the wife is letting me go ahead with the purchase.

Thanks,
Cos.

[GrahamL]

Hi Danial

A 10 " newt is a great sized scope and will show you a lot of the night sky .

As for astrophotography I'm unsure that mount is suitable for that scope ( to small ).

Others will offer some advice soon enough

welcome to iis

graham

[Cosmic (Daniel)]

Thanks for the reply+welcome Graham! You maybe just completely right regards to the tripod and astrophotography. Just looking at it now that you mentioned it, it dose look a little small size wise in comparison. Maybe I could look at buying the items separately and getting the popular EQ6 mount if $ permits.

[Scorpius51 (John)]

Hi Daniel

I agree with Graham - you would be better off getting an EQ6 mount for a 250mm 'scope. A nice scope to start with though, but check the mount before you purchase it.

Cheers
John

[Cosmic (Daniel)]

Ok all I now have the funds to make my purchase yay!!..but as always I have been looking around whilst I have been saving. I come seeking your experience and general advise on a long term telescope purchase.

I'm very keen to start a bit of astrophotography, and with that in mind as well as some visual work, please help me decide. These are my final two options.

I have taken the great advice from members regarding the EQ6 and chosen Bintel N200 EQ6 Pro with the CCD Orion Starshoot Autoguider @ $2550 (this way with the CCD I get straight into astrophotography) Also comes with 25mm and 9mm Plossl which would be handy at first.

On the other hand the Meade LX90-ACF 8" Advanced Coma Free coming in @ $2695 and later on when coin is available purchase a CCD for it.

Last question's...Andrews or Bintel. Andrews is a bit cheaper and I maybe able to spend a bit more making the Newtonian a 250mm. But then again I have heard that Bintel have great customer service, and more experience in that field.

Would the image be a whole lot different from a Newtonian vs Schmidt Cassegrain with visual and astrophotography.

Cheers,

Dan

[Cosmic (Daniel)]

Update : went with the Bintel N200 EQ6 Pro......anticipation, yep its killing me