Silver Lining

[TrevorW]

Well from a crap weekend and I'm still sore by the way.

I was going to spend $1000-1500 on a new scope pending Mr Rudd's contribution but I just had an interesting phone call which confirmed I will be receiving a small inheritance.

Suffice it to say I've now got around $5000 to spend on a new scope

What does a man do

1. Buy a bigger APO refractor 120mm or 130mm $4k
2. Buy the 8" GSO RC or wait for the 10" which by all rights should be around $4k
3. Buy a 10" Meade SCT OTA $4k

I'm now more into astrophography than visual although I'd probably still do some visual

again but this time more in a nicer way

[marki]

G'day Trevor

I would probably try and save a bit more and buy the WO FLT132 f/7 Triplet APO with 4" focuser ($6500.00 from andrews). At least wait until Alex and Paul have done some real testing (i.e show us your pics) on the GSO RC's before going down that path. The Meade tubes are good but very heavy (13 - 14kg bare). How much more could you load on the EQ6 and still have accurate tracking at that focal length? They are also F10 which means a far greater challenge in guiding unless you use a focal reducer (F6.3 is about right) which brings me back to my first comment. Go the apo.

Mark

[Jen]

Lets go shopping shall we

[Enchilada]

Originally Posted by Jen

Lets go shopping shall we

Don't you absolutely love the human female of the species !! When it comes to retail therapy they are forever the pure mistresses of the world!

Whoever said it was completely right....

"When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping (even when it comes to the optical gear)"

Darwin was totally correct!;

"Female Life Begins at Birth, and Evolves Into Shopping "

(Using of course Darwin's the idea of Natural Selection - in this case, the discounted annual Bargains during the regular "sales")

[Enchilada]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

...again but this time more in a nicer way

You must tell us about you thinking and what you eventually do. (It might be a good exercise in meeting needs based on an enthusiastic budget !!)

[Baddad (Marty)]

Hey All,
I'm kind of in the same situation as TrevorW. Only I have a little more than $5k.

I want to eventually get into Astro-Photography. I have a lot to learn. Currently my armoury consists of an 8" SCT Celestron with the one arm bandit. I should have got an EQ6 Pro, which is now definitely on the shopping list.
I'm doing a trip to Melbourne in May. Sydney for a day, just to see Andrews. You forum people mention them a lot. I gotta' see first hand.

Hey Enchilada,

You neglected to post how doctors identify girl babies. They read "BORN TO SHOP" across their foreheads.

[TrevorW]

Now lets not get sexiest here I can shop just as well as any female and wisely given the budget.... albiet not on dresses, makeup, handbags, or shoes.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Now lets not get sexiest here I can shop just as well as any female and wisely given the budget.... albiet not on dresses, makeup, handbags, or shoes.

lol Trevor i dont buy dresses, handbags or shoes either make up just a little
I like to spend my money keeping up with technology hehe hubby has banned me from going near harvey normans imagine if there was an astro shop in town OMG i would be like a little kid in a candy store

[matt]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

3. Buy a 10" Meade SCT OTA $4k

I'm now more into astrophography than visual although I'd probably still do some visual

If you're looking for a proven performer (SCT) around this aperture you should also take a look at a C9.25.

It's a much lighter OTA and will be a cheaper than $4K...leaving you some cash to spend on other goodies.

There's also the C11...but that's obviously more expensive and heavier etc.

Just a thought.

[Enchilada]

Originally Posted by Baddad

You neglected to post how doctors identify girl babies. They read "BORN TO SHOP" across their foreheads.

(my sides hurt!!)