ICEINSPACE
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Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waning Crescent 6.8%
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11-05-2006, 07:38 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Central Coast, NSW
Posts: 11
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Lost in space . . . another astro-newbie
Here I stand on the edge of the abyss .... looking out into space.Another new user, also impressed by the interaction offered by the IIS site.I've read the books, surfed the net, talked to retailers, annoyed one astro mate (C8, Orion ED80, & 15" truss dob - self made), done the dept store scope thing several years ago (got my money back next day!), bought the t-shirt, and I'm ready to jump ... but which way???For simplicity & economy an 8" or 10" dob seems a good start, or maybe a second-hand C8-SCT + CG5 - have reasonably dark skies at home, but would like the option of portability (transport/space no problem).I fear I have little to offer in return, but does the collective wisdom have any definite suggestions (polite and positive, please!) that would encourage me to go beyond the books.Cosmological regards, Ian
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11-05-2006, 08:08 PM
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Sir Post a Lot!
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gosford, NSW, Australia
Posts: 36,799
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Hi Ian.
You're on the central coast? Where abouts? We've got a growing contingent of Central Coast folks on the forum. We have observing nights every new moon up at Kulnura, the next of which is on the 27th.
 to IIS!
I've got a 10" dob, and I love it. You're welcome to check it out up at Kulnura, or arrange a time to come over to my house (I'm at wyoming).
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11-05-2006, 08:19 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Central Coast, NSW
Posts: 11
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G'day Mike, thanks for quick response. I am indeed on the Central Coast, real close to the beach. Still learning my way round your site and its conventions, idioms, & abbreviations so bear with me. Have only very mature binos at the moment, but am actively looking for something a bit more meaty! Can't make Kulnura on 27th, but would be interested for future. As to borrowing your 10" dob for a whole year, that was a very kind offer to make!!! Clearly, you never use it! Will keep in touch, Ian
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11-05-2006, 08:42 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Launceston Tasmania
Posts: 9,021
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Greetings Ian, looks like you've done at least some basic research. The dobber hoards will recommend you buy a dob, the bigger the better. Or you could buy a goto and come over to the dark side.... 
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11-05-2006, 08:52 PM
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Vagabond
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: China
Posts: 1,477
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Dob, Dob, Dob, Dob, Dob, Dob,
Go the Dob, Aperture rools 
Welcome Ian enjoy your stay.
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11-05-2006, 08:56 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sale, VIC
Posts: 6,033
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Welcome Ian!
After a dud 4.5" Newt, my first "real" scope was an 8" GS Dob - bought Jan last year. I've been and still am having a ball with this scope since. Recently I started craving more aperture, mainly because galaxies fascinate me, and bought a 12" GS Dob. I love the simplicity of Newtonians (and the dob mount).
An 8 or 10" Dob would be my choice. 10" is probably the best all-rounder. Saxon or Skywatcher brand would be my preference over GS (better ergonomics). The 8" is very capable though with a very high grab-n-go factor. 12" is getting rather bulky and has the focuser too high for sitting too low for standing (unlike the 10 and 8" which are good for observing sitting down on a normal chair). But the views are awesome. 
I just got a pair of 20x90 binos like this one. No chance of using it under the stars yet, but adter a quick look around the neighbourhood both day and night time, they seem excellent. A lot of bino per dollar. Hoping it will serve as a galaxy hunting assistant to the 12". 
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11-05-2006, 08:58 PM
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The 'DRAGON MAN'
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: In the Dark at Snake Valley, Victoria
Posts: 14,412
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I'm a dobber, and an EQ reflectoriser, and an ED80'er, but I was going to recommend a nice little portable Maksutov! (can't work myself out sometimes)
The reports from Mak owners in here are very favourable.
Just my 37 cents worth.
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11-05-2006, 09:20 PM
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He used to cut the grass.
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hobart
Posts: 1,235
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I love all my telescopes, but I'll never be happy until I've got a C8 or a C9.25 (alt/az goto) and a 16 inch dob.
Oh, and
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12-05-2006, 12:10 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sale, VIC
Posts: 6,033
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ballaratdragons
I'm a dobber, and an EQ reflectoriser, and an ED80'er, but I was going to recommend a nice little portable Maksutov! (can't work myself out sometimes)
The reports from Mak owners in here are very favourable.
Just my 37 cents worth.
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Geez, that's pretty expensive, Ken! what kind of venture are you running there? You wannabe makker! 
Maks are a lot of fun because they collect a lot of photons for such tiny buckets. Mak, refractor, Dob, big binos, EQ mount: eventually you have got to buy at least one, preferably two or more, of each. Right, Houghy? 
But if I could only have one scope it would be a Dob.
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12-05-2006, 03:05 PM
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~Dust bunny breeder~
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: The town of campbells
Posts: 12,359
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hi dude,
the bigger the better and what design you get depends on what you want to do with it and how much you want to spend
welcome!
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12-05-2006, 04:35 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Monto
Posts: 16,741
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Ian,
I reckon you can't go wrong with a 10" dob to start off with. You can add an eq wedge and Argo Navis later on if want.
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13-05-2006, 11:43 PM
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A very 'Senior' member.
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: South Coast N.S.W.
Posts: 2,571
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Hi Ian. Like everyone has said. It depends which path you're going to take. A 10" dob as suggested is a great starter...  L.
ps. Don't forget the red LED torch, 7 x 50 bino's & planisphere...
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