6" refractor on ebay

ving (David) · #1 23-01-2006, 12:05 PM

I was this close (holds thumb and finger1cm apart) from considering this....

6 inch, f8 acro refractor on a eq5 (i think it is) going cheap cause the guy didnt put it in the telescopes section.... he ships to oz, but wont take payments to here?????

nice looking setup tho, i'd say its a skywatcher. comes in a nice case too.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/F1200150-EQIV...QQcmdZViewItem

also dont have the money atm... i'll be looking at buying a refractor mid year i think... if i am lucky and can get it thru SHMBO.

http://i17.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/05/7c/af_2.JPG

janoskiss (Steve H) · #2 23-01-2006, 12:14 PM

Mount does not look strong enough to me. But the main thing is that buying from China over ebay, especially from a new ebayer with 0 rating, is a huge risk I wouldn't be willing to take. Don't do it Vingster!

ving (David) · #3 23-01-2006, 12:19 PM

yeah i know steve, i dont plan on doing it. I saw the zero rating too.
but like i said, he doesnt take payments from australia anyhow... he seems like an ebay newbie to me.

there is someone selling a 6" f8 skywatcher that lives in nowra tho.... $800 inc postage. once again the mount doesnt look great but fine for visual... fact is I am just looking anyhow.

Starkler (Geoff) · #4 23-01-2006, 01:39 PM

Dave, what do you expect this scope to do that your dobbie wont do ?

ving (David) · #5 23-01-2006, 01:51 PM

well the slightly longer focal length (f8) would give better contrast with planets... hey i didnt say i was dumping the dobbie!!!

its a refractor, so everything that goes along with that i guess. but mainly planets. no obstruction. but being a 6" plenty of clusters and stuff too........

...and stuff...

just throwing some ideas around in my head

I am thinking an f6 is more likely tho... and that would be more portable too

janoskiss (Steve H) · #6 23-01-2006, 02:21 PM

Longer focal length only gives better contrast with reflectors that have a 2ndary obstruction. Longer focal lengths can use smaller secondary, which gives you the increased contrast (more light in the Airy disk less in the rings). For refractors it does not matter. But for an achromat you get less false colour with larger f-number. Still, the false colour of an achromat negates any benefit of an unobstructed aperture for me. Refractor's gotta be apo if it's going to be used for planets as far as I'm concerned (with the limited knowledge and experience I have). But people claim to get great results with "fringe killer" filters. I'd love to see one in action.

ving (David) · #7 23-01-2006, 02:27 PM

ditto steve, and i'll be trying before i buy i can tell ya that

[1ponders] (Paul) · #8 23-01-2006, 02:29 PM

I shuddered when I saw that mount.

ving (David) · #9 23-01-2006, 02:31 PM

are you ok paul????

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 23-01-2006, 02:33 PM

Trying to use that size refractor on that mount would be like trying to fire a cruise missile from a shoulder launcer.

ving (David) · #11 23-01-2006, 02:49 PM

yeah but should i call a doctor? i do worry you know :p

janoskiss (Steve H) · #12 23-01-2006, 02:50 PM

Sounds like you'll need to go the Afghanistan for some training before you can use this scope, David!

ving (David) · #13 23-01-2006, 02:51 PM

lol!

gbeal · #14 23-01-2006, 02:54 PM

Ving,
I agree with Steve, going to a cheaper achro unit would be a backward step when you already have a decent dob. Even for imaging, as the mount would cause you to shudder too after a while.

ving (David) · #15 23-01-2006, 03:02 PM

mkay gary

just looking... thinkingof something light so i can take the family and the scope

sugestions?

janoskiss (Steve H) · #16 23-01-2006, 03:13 PM

6" refractor is not it then. They're big and heavy. Your Dob will probably be more portable. I myself have settled on a 5" Mak for an ultra-portable and grab-and-go scope. I am still waiting to hear from Bintel to see if they can get me the Orion 127mm one. The mount I still haven't decided on but it will be an alt-az of some sort.

ving (David) · #17 23-01-2006, 03:21 PM

5" mak.... never thought of that... bit loing in the FL dept tho

after seeing RBs 6" on the week end and sneeking a peek when his back was turned (

) it made me think.... but a 5" mak... i could easily fit the family in the car!

what do that go for?

janoskiss (Steve H) · #18 23-01-2006, 03:31 PM

Yes, they are tiny. $US399. Longish FL (1540mm) but that's great for planets. And everybody loves planets.

You know you want one, Dave. It's been over a week since I asked about this scope still haven't heard nothin'. We could join forces and put some pressure on Bintel (or be nice and get a discount).

http://www.telescope.com/images/us//.../T09825Avl.jpg

ving (David) · #19 23-01-2006, 03:43 PM

hey that looks pretty flash

still... the FL.... but it looks flash!
about f12 isnt it?

janoskiss (Steve H) · #20 23-01-2006, 03:58 PM

Yes about f12. But you can still get over 1 degree true field of view with a long FL eyepiece, so it's quite versatile. And being so slow it won't be fussy about eyepieces. El cheapo wide fields should work well in this scope.