Have been looking at finally getting into AP
and am liking the look of the GSO 150mm f4 imaging reflectors from Andrews together with a HEQ5, MPCC and a QHY5/orion miniguider. For image capture (at least initially) im looking at just using my existing 400D, with the option to move to a cooled CCD later on (perhaps the QHY8L ?)
The Andrews website is somewhat light on details (and the shop is closed at present for the holidays), but the f4 version looks as though it might be the same as this scope (for which specs are provided):
http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/...l-focuser.html
I like newts, and this looks like it would make for a good beginner's setup (short focal length, wide field, fast f ratio, monorail focuser, large secondary etc), and well within the capabilities of the HEQ5. And factoring in all the extras one needs, it also looks cheaper than a ED80/HEQ5, or 200mm/EQ6.
I had thought about using my existing 200mm dob, however a) i'd prefer not to have to modify it's focus position and secondary, and b) i'd also like to keep the dob as a visual scope. At 1200mm I thought it was probably a bit long for a newbie AP as well, and at ~ 10kg+ once it has tube rings, dovetail, guidescope and camera it would probably need an EQ6, which would bring the overall cost back to the same as the 150mm setup described above.
So, i think i've talked myself into it already, but before I 'bite the bullet', i'd be keen to hear from the learned folk here at IIS in case i've missed something or if there is another alternative i should consider
