If you could would you?

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #1 10-01-2006, 03:38 PM

Would you change what telescopes you own now, if you could start all over again?

iceman (Mike) · #2 10-01-2006, 03:46 PM

ooh tricky question.. I guess it depends if you KNOW what you know now.

For me, probably yes.. I think I still would've chosen a newt but I think I would've put it on an EQ6. I'm more into imaging now than I thought I would be, when I first bought the scope.

But it's hard to say, because I love the convenience of a dob and I use the platform when I need/want tracking (not all the time), so for a quick setup and go the dob is great. Wheel it out on the trolley, and i'm ready to observe.

It's also a hard question because I still can't afford a $4-$7k SCT on EQ mount (or similar), so given budget constraints I'd probably still make the same choice.

Great question Andrew.. a tough one to answer though.

ving (David) · #3 10-01-2006, 03:57 PM

i picked no. i had a budget and got the best i could for that budget.... i am very happy with my gear

janoskiss (Steve H) · #4 10-01-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astroman

Would you change what telescopes you own now, if you could start all over again?

Not a fair question for me, because I'd have a bit more to spend now. When I bought my Dob, I got the biggest aperture I could afford. I would have liked to buy a 10" but it was out of the question. But the 8" Dob is a great little big scope, probably the best all-rounder (once you fit a fan

).

OTOH, the 4.5" Newtonian on the wobbly EQ which I bought a couple of months before the Dob was not a wise choice, even though it taught me a lot.

Now, if I was to lose all my telescopes by some horrible stroke of misfortune, what would I buy..?

I guess a 10" Dob from Bintel would be on top of my list. But since I want a bigger truss dob (at least I think I do

) eventually anyway, maybe I'd just get another 8" Dob for the time being.

h0ughy (David) · #5 10-01-2006, 04:05 PM

yes, i would get the 14" RC Meade plus a nice large TAK guidescope and an observatory, and for portability, what I have

mickoking · #6 10-01-2006, 04:08 PM

G,day

Change telescopes???? I voted unsure. For what my Income is I believe I have done well and am generally happy with my 'scopes

But if I had a higher income and the executive stress that goes with it I may have a Takahashi or Astrophysics Apo but I would also probably still own a Dob.

Chill

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 10-01-2006, 04:09 PM

No but I'd like to add a few more

xstream (John) · #8 10-01-2006, 04:48 PM

I voted No.
I don't actually own a scope it's Anna's but it serves her requirements well (and mine).

I hope to start building my scope this year, 20" Truss Dob. The difficult part is deciding who is going to figure the mirror maybe Zambutto. We'll see how the budget pans out.

33South (Chris) · #9 10-01-2006, 04:55 PM

I think I would have got the 10"LX90 instead of the 8" if it had been available at the time.

Or even maybe Rumples LX200

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 10-01-2006, 05:32 PM

No. I am really happy with what I have now.

But if I had the dollars, possibly the Meade 16" Reflector on EQ with tracking. But way out of my budget.

Oh, and build an observatory. (I'm gonna do that anyway)

toetoe (Peter) · #11 10-01-2006, 05:43 PM

My little Tasco was a gift to me from my wife and boys, so i would say no as i wouldn't feel right changing it.

Robert_T · #12 10-01-2006, 06:04 PM

I voted no for in the main I'm very happy with most of my scope menagerie now, but you could say I've already gone through the "starting all over again" to get to where I am now. It's been both frustrating and fun, fortunately fun has won out

Stu · #13 10-01-2006, 06:17 PM

I voted no because even if I started again I would still not be able to afford what I want. I'll have to wait until I'm not young and a first home buyer in Melbourne...(if only I could have bought a house before I was 10. I would be in a much better position now.)

umm, where's my piggy bank...

Dave47tuc (David) · #14 10-01-2006, 06:46 PM

Well that is a bit hard.

I said "yes" because you said if you could. Meaning if I could afford it.
I'm very happy with the maksutov.

But if I had the money I would have this one ,http://www.globaldialog.com/~obsessiontscp/15page.html

With sevo cat and AN DSC.

for my portable scope.

For my observatory scope it would be this one,
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product...=1&pid=9848&m=

Only beacuse i want one I really do

acropolite (Phil) · #15 10-01-2006, 07:34 PM

I probably would have waited and bought one of the second hand LX200 10 inch on offer.

RB (Andrew) · #16 10-01-2006, 09:21 PM

I voted no, I'm happy with what I've got.

Great question Andrew.

gaa_ian (Ian) · #17 10-01-2006, 09:39 PM

I voted no, as my 10" is the best mixture of light gathering ability & portability.
That said, I have a 16" GSO dob on order for the Club

A scope I can see myself using a lot

JohnG (John) · #18 10-01-2006, 09:55 PM

I voted no, but if I could, Paramount ME mount and Takahashi Mewlon 300 would do nicely, I'm not greedy though.

JohnG

wavelandscott (Scott) · #19 10-01-2006, 10:31 PM

Hard question...nope, I think what I've got right now is sufficient...

rochler · #20 10-01-2006, 10:58 PM

that I said no 'coz I'm basically happy with what I have at this stage. There is always a 'better scope' or piece of equip. if you look for it and if you can afford it.

All that really matters is that your stuff is a good match for your level of experience, it's affordable (hopefully a good bangz 2 bux ratio) and you have fun with it! If you can answer yes to all 3, then I reckon you're on a winner. The problem is that your needs will inevitably change as your experience does and then you may want a bigger/better scope or whatever - because your expectations are higher and you become more demanding of the equip. etc. or even a smaller one because you're too old & decrepit to lug around that 16" monster hahaha!

Of course, if you won lotto....