upgrade time

[planetmatt (Matt)]

hey all

I currently have a celestron powerseeker 127EQ and I am currently looking at the the Skywatcher 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain that comes with the EQ3 mount.
But I am thinking of upgrading to the EQ5 for future astro photography possibilities.

Is this a good upgrade or am I wasting money???

Thanks in advance for your help

[Somnium (Aidan)]

The EQ5 is a tried and true performer, you cant really go wrong with it. but what is driving you to get the Mak Cass? just out of interest.

[RobF (Rob)]

For AP most people learn the ropes with a refractor (e.g. ED80).
Minimum mount for AP would be HEQ5Pro really, EQ6 better.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Hi and welcome Matt ,

Forget AP for now as its a long life we have and at the moment just learn and enjoy .

I think you want a Mak Cass so you can get to higher magnifications easier than your Newt can now acheave now ? Right .

Good upgrade for Luna/Planetary/double star viewing as these really perform well and yes an EQ5 would hold one of these nicely but be aware at over 150x ( which the Mak Cass will do with ease when the Newt is struggling with the weight of barlows and small eyepieces , etc ) you will apreciate a RA drive about now and the EQ5 has a good one after market for a small price . .

These work very well as I had one years ago and they are a God send .

So a vote from me to go this route , just forget AP for now .

Brian.

ps. Look in Andrews Communications website and you will find EQ5's ( Bresser branded EXOS2 model EQ5) there at a very good price

Pss. you could also piggy back a small refeactor later on if you want to go the AP way , personally I would not bother yet , its an expensive road to take .
Been there as well and just love observing these days .

[StuTodd]

You can pick up an EQ6 for not so much $$$. That would do you for life, especially with the belt drive mod (added at a later date).

The Mak/Cass is a nice choice though, just mount on something solid like the EQ6..

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

how about the AZEQ5 good for observing as well as a bit of photography.
Mak cass wouldn't be great for photography due to its focal ratio. a second hand 6/8" newt could fill that gap though.

[planetmatt (Matt)]

thanks for all the tips.....greatly appreciated..

forgetting AP for now which of these scopes would you recommend??
1: the mak cass 127-1500 skywatcher

2: 10 inch skywatcher dob

3: skywatcher BD Newtonian 250mm reflector with an EQ5

or to get into AP

4: skywatcher 120/600 AZ3 refractor

I'm leaning towards the 10 inch dob or the refractor?

thanks in advance for your help

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

IMO you can't go past a dob for visual at this kind of price bracket.

[raymo]

127Mak is primarily a lunar/planetary scope, won't cut the mustard for deep sky work.
EQ5 is a bit of a pain for purely visual work, and nowhere near up to
carrying a 10" reflector [or even an 8"].
As Russ said, 10" dob is the way to go for visual; a Go To version even
better if you can find the necessary.
raymo

[traveller (Bo)]

Originally Posted by planetmatt

thanks for all the tips.....greatly appreciated..

forgetting AP for now which of these scopes would you recommend??
1: the mak cass 127-1500 skywatcher

2: 10 inch skywatcher dob

3: skywatcher BD Newtonian 250mm reflector with an EQ5

or to get into AP

4: skywatcher 120/600 AZ3 refractor

I'm leaning towards the 10 inch dob or the refractor?

thanks in advance for your help

Hi Matt,
For AP work, you need an EQ mount, so AZ3 is out of equation.
10" dob is best bang for your buck for visual. Depending on your budget (and patience), an 8" newt on a HEQ5 (minimum, EQ6 would be better) is a good way to go. If your budget does not stretch to an EQ6, then an ED80/HEQ5 would be a great entry point for AP.
The bottom line is to invest in a good mount when doing AP work, the OTA can be changed later to suit your needs.
Bo

[planetmatt (Matt)]

Thanks for the tips... After talking to the finance planner (wife)we have decided on the Skywatcher 250 BD Newt and an EQ6 mount but will have to wait to the fat man in the red suit time....only 250 days lol... And yes I'm counting down!

[Somnium (Aidan)]

that is a nice set up ! keep an eye on the classifieds here. you can also get a Bintel/GSO Newtonian telescope, they are of a similar quality.