Which to keep, C8 or Skywatcher Black Diamond 254 x 1200P

[Poita (Peter)]

I currently have a C8, but have been offered a Skywatcher Black Diamond
254 x 1200P on EQ6Pro mount for a pretty good price.

Question is, which scope would I keep, I can't really afford to keep both, and would prefer to spend the extra money on a guidescope/camera etc.

The C8 is over 10 years old, the BD254 is brand new, I haven't looked through the BD yet, still trying to decide if it is worth purchasing the package and selling one of the scopes.

Any advice appreciated.

-Peter

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Hi Peter,

Many folks, including me, have several scopes. My six go from a 2" through to a 17.5", including a C8 & a C5. These are my only motorised scopes, and I mainly use them for lunar and planetary work as they track, and this makes them handy at star parties too. They are also relatively quick to set up, certainly quicker than my big dob. I'm no fanatic when it comes to alignment as I don't do any type of long exposure photography.

The photography gear wouldn't be as flexible, meaning you will be seriously considering any move of gear you do to a different site.

The fork in the road for you is this: do you go all out photograhy wise, and very small amount to visual, or keep the C8 and also get the 10" scope.

Just for another flea in your ear, I've been hitting the Eyepieces forum pretty hard in sourcing EPs (and not expensive ones) for my C8 to look to make it as flexible as I can. She's about 30 years old, and still such a good scope.

What price would you be looking for the C8 too? If the return you get from it is good enough to satisfy your Bank Manager, also known as the missus. Astrophotography aint cheap money or time wise, it's not just the scope and mount.

[Poita (Peter)]

I also have a York Optical ED80 and a WO Binoviewer, I just picked up a Neximage Imaging kit for $20 at a garage sale and it works, so I have something to learn some planetary imaging with, and have an old Canon 10D DSLR to have a go at DSO imaging. I also picked up a Celestron reducer recently from a member here.

If I can get the EQ6 and the required dovetails etc. then I'll look into an autoguider package and put a halt on spending for the next 12 months whilst I learn and have fun and frustration with it all.

I don't think I can afford to keep the C8 and the BD254 though, one would have to go to fund an autoguider package.
I have no missus, I'm a single dad, but funds are tight, so I'm trying to get into it all at a reasonable cost. My girls are right into astronomy, so it is important that they can enjoy it and learn as well, so optical viewing is also important.

Thanks for the advice.

-P

[Gem (Grant)]

Ask two questions:
How portable do you want your "one" scope?
How important is a long or short focal length to you?

I had to try to work out the "one scope" question myself... I ended up with a SCT on a eq mount in an effort to compromise on all fronts. There won't be a simple answer to your question. Just try to work out answers to the above questions and remember the most used scope is the best scope. Aperture/size doesn't rule if it stays unused...

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

The ED80 changes everything!

Sell the C8 & get that package. Here's why:

The ED80 is a very popular imaging scope. Mount that on the eq6 & cut your teeth with it. You can make a dob mount for the 10" like I've done for my 8", for around $50. It can be easily removed from the dob craddle & remounted on the EQ6 when needed, & vice-versa.

Best of both worlds then. I can post a link to how I made my dob mount if you like.

[Poita (Peter)]

I hadn't thought of that option, I'd love a link to your dob mount.

Portability isn't a huge issue, dark skies in the backyard, and truly dark skies about 15 minutes away.

Not sure if the old Celestron C8, fork mount and wedge is worth anything these days though.