8 inch Skywatcher 'go-to'

[Benno18 (Ben)]

Hi guys
I may have the opportunity to buy an 8inch Skywatcher go to scope. (depending on what the accountant/wife says)
Just wondering if it is going to be worth my while???

ATM I have a 10 inch basic as you like Skywatcher dob. Nothing fancy.
Am I losing out on much going smaller but gaining on what I could find/see?

I might be a bit adventourous, but could I retro the motors and encoders? From the 8 and kit out the 10????

Thanks heaps
Benno

[Satchmo]

Hi Benno

I would advise just sell your 10" and buy a 10" GOTO. Much of th etime you may not choose to use GOTO and tracking so you will just miss the aperture . With 50% jump in light the shift from an 8" to 10" is quite marked. From what I see the 10" GOTO is only $400 more than the 8" !

If you are beginner level you may not benefit much from GOTO at this stage. Learning your way around with a basic knowledge of the sky is far more important than GOTO anyway.

[Benno18 (Ben)]

Thanks mark.

You are right. I wouldn't be using the goto all the time. Could I just simply swap the tubes over???

Thanks again

[MattT]

Hi Benno,
I have a Sky Watcher 8" on HEQ5 pro. A very nice scope BUT always wished I had gone 10" on EQ6. Maybe get an EQ6 and put your 10" on that.... if it's a dobbie you want, Marks right... get a 10"...simple ...I think. Matt

[kingy2511 (Nathan)]

Agreed!.

Keep in mind a 10" weighs around the 14.5kg mark and the 8" 11kgs so the motors aren't really suited for extra weight..

I have a Skywatcher 254mm (10") on a EQ6 and have no hassles at all, the only thing you need will be another counter weight, the 2 that come with the mount are not enough to offset the weight of the 10"

If you are on a budget, My opinion would be to buy a second hand EQ6 which will be cheaper then a new 8" on a GOTO mount. And just wack your 10" on it and used the leftover money on a good set of eyepieces and Barlow. Will get you amazing views

Cheers