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canadamann · #1 18-10-2011, 03:06 PM

I am a total newbie. I know nothing about telescopes. I have been doing research and I am ready to buy. I live in Shanghai and I would be viewing from my balcony so i am limited. I am looking at the Celestron 130 EQ and Bosma MC 8" f/12.
Which would be better for me?

BEST
cm

Zincberg (Andrew) · #2 18-10-2011, 03:38 PM

Hey Canadamann,
Wow, if I had to chose between one of those scopes, this is what I would consider.
1. Celestron are reknown for making really nice optics.
2. The focal length of the Bosma is longer... therefor you will more than likely be up a lot closer to objects, but if you dont have access to clear skies, its not going to be great I wouldnt imagine.
3. It depends really on what you hope to see, if you want to see a couple of big planets and the moon, the celestron would do... if you want to see nome nebulas and clusters, you would be better with something bigger.

I really dont know the Bosma... I have 2 "cheaper" telescopes in my collection, and they both do exactly what they should do, so it might be fine... celestron really has the name though.

canadamann · #3 18-10-2011, 09:19 PM

OK which one is better
Model Omega MC 6" f/12 Optical System Maksutov-Cassegrain Aperture(mm) 150 mm Focal length(mm) 1800 mm F/D 12.0 Resolution(") 0.77" Limiting Magnitude 12.8 Concertrating Power 459X Optical Tube Weight 7KG Optical Tube Length 56cm OR
Optical Design :
Reflector

Aperture :
130 mm (5.12 in)

Focal Length :
650 mm (25.59 in)

Focal Ratio :
5

Zincberg (Andrew) · #4 19-10-2011, 03:00 PM

If I was making a decision just based on the stats you have given, I would go for the first one.

I would really suggest that you get yourself a Dollar figure, decide what you want to see through a telescope...and see if you can get the two to match up.
I would always buy based on the reputation of a company rather than based on price... or stats.
I have a 120mm tasco telescope under my house which SHOULD be better than my 80mm (based on stats) but the optics are MUCH better in the 8", in fact, the optics are SO bad in the Tasco, that you cant resolve the rings of saturn. The 80mm, you definately can.

canadamann · #5 20-10-2011, 03:13 AM

The price difference is not big. I would use it recreationally and try to take a few swings at trying some astro-photograhy.
More of reason to play with my camera! I am not yet involved in this as a passionate hobby being a newbie. But, I do have a genuine interest in this.

Thanks
CM

ZeroID (Brent) · #6 20-10-2011, 09:32 AM

"take a few swings at astrophotography"
Them's dangerous words. Once the bug bites you are in deep dodo ... $$$$

Paddy (Patrick) · #7 20-10-2011, 12:41 PM

Hi and welcome to IIS!

I don't want to sound too pessimistic, but I think you're going to have a shocking light pollution problem. I think you will be very limited for deep sky observing and may be limited to bright solar system objects - moon, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus. Are you planning to take your scope our of your abode or use it from your balcony? If you're going to use it from the balcony, do you have a view of the ecliptic most of the time - ie do you see the moon from it? If so you will have a good shot at the planets.

For planetary observing, or any observing really, an 8" is much better than a 6". It would be worth having a look through someone else's equipment locally first though to get an idea of what you'll be able to see from the skies of a city as big as Shanghai.

All the best.

canadamann · #8 21-10-2011, 04:06 AM

Well firstly I really need to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all you kind words and help. You are so nice and that means the world to me entire.

Well yes I can see the moon from my balcony and I am not sure of what else. When I use my toy binoculars I can see very faint stars too....and yes I want a MC which is easier to transport around so a DOB is out of the question. For me that would be like a wheelchair for stubbing my toe on a bedpost!

No I am immune from bugs...I meant what I said...just a few swipes....more an excuse to play with my camera, amuse myself and impress my friends who know less than me.

For me right now I have the interest and I am willing to make a small investment into a telescope for beginners. I do not want a "toy", I want something reasonable to learn from in about the price range of a Celestron 130 EQ(or about 350 Dollars Australian). It is not an easy task buying a telescope in China. There are no special shops here and mostly finding is over the net. I can't read Chinese!!! I can only speak it now. This topic is above my level. I am learning new words in English here...I have no clue how to say "equatorial mount" in Chinese....

PaulG (Paul) · #9 01-11-2011, 06:52 AM

In my opinion and limited experience a scope with an equatorial mount would be a nightmare to use as a balcony scope. I'm just another newbie so don't place too much emphasis on my opinion, but given your requirements a refractor might be a better option, a couple of suggestions which should be within your budget Skywatcher BK909AZ3 or Skywatcher BK1025AZ3, though some more experienced members may want to chime in. Regardless, you'd really be better served by something on a reasonable Alt-az mount given what you want to do, it'll be a lot less frustrating.

ZeroID (Brent) · #10 01-11-2011, 01:17 PM

I'd suggest that a refractor is not the best option. With LP and restricted sky he needs aperture and a big aperture Refractor costs !! A SCT or Mak Cas in the size he is talking about would be a minimum IMHO. A short Newt or any of the folded optics options will give aperture and not be too big\long in a restricted space like a balcony and for storage as well. Apartments in Singapore are not big in my experience.
.

PaulG (Paul) · #11 01-11-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Refractor costs !! A SCT or Mak Cas in the size he is talking about would be a minimum IMHO. A short Newt or any of the folded optics options will give aperture..

I was mostly thinking that with the budget he has, given a dobson mount isn't an option and a need for compactness. With investment in a mount that's not going to be an experience in shaky unpleasantness, he'd be in the value mass produced refractor territory and only a few mm shy of what he't get in a small MK/MC anyway. Have instant grab'n'go and a superior terrestrial option but I for some reason didn't think about short newts which is kinda crazy considering he'd listed the 130EQ as an option..

canadamann · #12 07-11-2011, 03:24 PM

OK Kind people this is it. I did buy a small MC (Bosma).
it is 102d 1000F. to my horror the mount totally sucks ( I am changing it today). It is so unstable you may think it has Parkinson's syndrome! . I tried adding my camera and what a disaster. It could not support that either. ME NO HAPPY!! (LOL) The scope I bought has a viewfinder and I had the moon in the center of the cross hairs no problem. Too bad when I looked in the scope there was no moon. I felt Moonless!! The balcony idea was not good so I took the scope outside...
I like the portability but then 30 people gawking at me and kids making tons of noise made it impossible to even think clearly. I would invest in a goto system but now I am too scared!! This is very frustrating but at least I am learning new things and that may outweigh all the hassles.

graham.hobart (Graham stevens) · #13 07-11-2011, 04:09 PM

Align the main scope with the moon first-then align the finder on the moon without moving the main scope- that way you are both aligned and then you can use the finder to find things. use the two screws on the finder to move it around. Or try aligning during the day on a distant light pole or roof aerial.
Happy hunting
Graham

canadamann · #14 07-11-2011, 06:36 PM

Great plan!!! Boy I must be

dumb. I could not even align the scope itself on that useless mount. It was for a camera not a scope. I went and exchanged it for a proper one and I also got a new scope (same kind just in case). So next clear night I will meet more success. I bought it one week ago and it has rained nightly since so I have not had the chance to do anything yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by graham.hobart

Align the main scope with the moon first-then align the finder on the moon without moving the main scope- that way you are both aligned and then you can use the finder to find things. use the two screws on the finder to move it around. Or try aligning during the day on a distant light pole or roof aerial.
Happy hunting
Graham

ZeroID (Brent) · #15 07-11-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadamann

Great plan!!! Boy I must be

dumb. I could not even align the scope itself on that useless mount. It was for a camera not a scope. I went and exchanged it for a proper one and I also got a new scope (same kind just in case). So next clear night I will meet more success. I bought it one week ago and it has rained nightly since so I have not had the chance to do anything yet.

Aha !!

The Rain Curse !! You must have got it right this time, it's obviously the perfect scope for you. Only happens then. It will pass and the crowds will no longer laugh and point, you are on the road to nirvana or your wallet will go broke.

Seriously, keep us posted on your viewing. I been to Singapore a few times and I'm amazed you can see any stars at all with the light pollution up there. If you can get near the coast line down South you might be able to look out over the sea and clear some of the glow.

canadamann · #16 08-11-2011, 12:14 AM

Ya easy for you to say!! Finally a clear night but only the moon is nice and visible but it is too high and I cannot view it with my scope...it like at 90 degrees and the tripod does go that high!! ME NO HAPPY!!!
I live in SHANGHAI not Singapore.

ZeroID (Brent) · #17 08-11-2011, 11:01 AM

Ooops ! sorry about location error. My wife spent several weeks in Shanghai on business, loved it. We keep planning to make a trip up there one day. Eventually we will.
Tripod won't go that high ? Sounds like it is the wrong tripod for the job. Post a few pics of your setup and maybe we can get you back on track again.

canadamann · #18 11-11-2011, 02:11 AM

This is silly...I mean the moon is like at 0 degrees..straight over the head! So viewing it is impossible. I also discovered the mounting bracket on the telescope is horrible no matter what kind of tripod I use....I will exchange it for a better scope. I feel like all the air has gone out of me already.

deejayvee (David) · #19 11-11-2011, 11:37 AM

Don't give up too quickly. The moon rise time will shift by almost an hour each day throughout the month, so if it is not in a good position at a particular time of night, either wait for later in the night or later in the month.

canadamann · #20 15-11-2011, 02:42 AM

Well I finally got everything together........
I upgraded the tripod that is meant for astronomy and it works really nice...nothing too fancy but suits my needs for now. Taking pics is fun but it is a little shaky while operating the camera....I learned how to remote shoot off my laptop but then the sky clouded up.....figures... This is a lot of fun but all that is out there is the moon...SO I am learning Lunar geography, and how to use my camera too...
Thanks gang/////great making new friends!!!