Order of priority in purchases..

frogman (Anthony Lord) · #1 23-04-2005, 07:07 PM

What order should these be bought do you think ?
I think the order they are in is good.

2" Barlow with 1.25 adapter $69 Andrews
Laser Collimator $129
Telrad $100
Green Laser Pointer $100

slice of heaven · #2 23-04-2005, 07:41 PM

Collimator 1st Froggy. The scope needs to be collimated to be functional
Telrad , So easy to use $89 + post
No comment on the other 2

Slice

atalas · #3 23-04-2005, 07:59 PM

Yes Anthony,collimator first! and a Telrad is a must have when looking for stuff.

Louie

h0ughy (David) · #4 23-04-2005, 08:31 PM

Oh you just gotta get the green laser. I mean it is so useful. you can point, wave it around, blind people with it, ruin astrophotos, really annoy others at astrofests who are actually taking pictures, did i mention you can point aimlessly at something, highlight the bit of sky something is in, send a message in morse code to ET, Ah the list goes on.............................

get the collimator, then the eyepiece, the telrad and if you have the money get another eyepiece and be done with the barlow.

Starkler (Geoff) · #5 23-04-2005, 08:43 PM

Delete the laser and get a cheshire.

A laser can be worse than useless unless the laser itself isnt collimated. IMO a laser collimater for a newt is a backup tool not a primary collimation device.

acropolite (Phil) · #6 23-04-2005, 09:31 PM

The collimator and are telrad are probably unnecessary. There are heaps of tips on how to make a collimation tool, a finder you should already have, the barlow you can't make but with that range of EP's you don't really need it. Houghy's right though, the laser does have real nuisance value. There you go, you don't really need anything, but you could sell the lot and start again (the Striker manoeuvre)

Rodstar (Rod) · #7 23-04-2005, 10:15 PM

Save all of your pennies, and buy a Meade SCT Frogman!

atalas · #8 23-04-2005, 10:27 PM

Sell your soul and buy a Tak !

Louie

frogman (Anthony Lord) · #9 23-04-2005, 10:51 PM

h0ughy your a classic!

so in order :

buy a collimator then telrad
buy a collimator then telrad
buy a collimator then Barlow then telrad
buy a collimator (Cheshire not laser)
NOTHING do "a Striker"
buy a collimator (Cheshire not laser) then barlow
Buy a *buzz Click* machine

so i guess i buy a pair of collimators 1 cheshire and 1 laser

Anthony

h0ughy (David) · #10 23-04-2005, 11:08 PM

don't forget the buzz click, and then buy a green laser and shine it throught the eyepeice to scare away the clouds!

iceman (Mike) · #11 24-04-2005, 08:00 AM

I agree with starkler, get a cheshire.

Have a read of this site and look at its products, read the links and FAQs etc. it will give you a good understanding of what each tool does and how to use it..

I want to purchase the BlackCat + Infinity Twinset (2" set), US$126.

Not cheap, but if it means you KNOW and are SURE your scope is collimated, then it's probably worth it.

The GLP is just a toy, and while it's fun and great to use, it's not that important when you're own your own. The Telrad is in the same boat for me.. a nice to have but not that important.

I'd get the barlow.

slice of heaven · #12 24-04-2005, 02:30 PM

I've been hunting sites for the last week looking for the best collimation tools. The Infinity type2 seems to be the most favoured and recomended tool .(in combo with other tools) If Vic Menard gives his stamp of approval it must pass with flying colours. His site is good for tips on getting the final tweaking of collimation right.
Dont pass over the Telrad too quickly Froggy. They are a brilliant finder ,esp for dobs with no pushto or goto.
A barlow is a handy piece of equipment, but I dont know the quality of the gs barlow.

Slice

wavelandscott (Scott) · #13 24-04-2005, 06:54 PM

I'll add my comments too...

First off, to me simple is nearly always better...that is why for now at least, I have a dob...no batteries, no cables just a couple of mirrors and a few pieces of glass...

"Priority"
Get a chesire collimation tool (not a laser)...I have an Orion one...it is simple and solid...no moving parts or batteries...

I figured with my scope (newt) the two weakest links possible to successful viewing were the collimation (optical alignment) and my ignorance of the night sky...

While the chesire has not improved my IQ, it has made sure that my collimation is as good as I can get it...it is now limited by my ability to align it not in my ability to measure alignment...

In other words, the chesire elimated 50% of the weak links possible...that leaves good old human error (mine) to prevent me from seeing what I want...

From here my advice depends on what eyepieces you have and what you like to look at...but the rest of the items you listed are "nice to have" but not necessary...

Assuming that you got the "standard/premium GSO package" with a low, medium and medium high "decent" eyepieces I'd go to the Telrad first...if you are real interested in doing things that are "high magnification" intensive I might switch my order of the next two...

Telrad...using it feels like I am cheating the "Astronomy Gods"...once aligned with the scope, I simple point the bulls eye on my target and look through an eyepiece...and view...

Remember, I've already admitted that I am not best in terms of night sky knowledge...this makes my scope PHD...Point Here Dummy!

I have taken the finderscope that came with my rig off and given it to my 7 year old son...between his looking at the moon with it and playing "pirates" it is getting much more use now off the scope than it was getting on the scope after I got theTelrad...for a dob, it is a good partner...think salt and pepper, Hansel and Gretal, fish and chips, beer and skittles...you get the picture...

Barlow next...I can't speak for the GSO models...I saved a bit and got a Powermate (I am happy with it)...I've heard good things about the Shorty Plus barlows...get as good a quality as you can...by quality once, use forever...besides, the "good stuff" seems to hold some value for resale...not sure what kind of resale people can get on the GSO barlow...I've got an idea what a used Powermate is worth...compared to the original price of the GSO and my possible "loss" on selling the Powermate, I don't think I'll ever be out much

I'd put the green laser pointer into the "why bother" category... I don't get why people are keen to get them...I guess it is just me...I don't get attracted/hooked by electronic gear...maybe I am just a modern luddite...

Cheers!

slice of heaven · #14 24-04-2005, 08:48 PM

Now I know what to do with that finderscope

Thanks wavelandscott