Hello to all

lookupinthesky · #1 10-10-2005, 07:26 PM

Hello to all

First time on any forum and what a great forum to be on, I have enjoyed reading and getting a lot of excellent information. But I am more confused then I was when I first started to read, let me explain, I’m in the market to by my first scope and was ready to buy a nice big DOB, then I saw a Meade lx 90-LNT with goto technology and not knowing were anything up there is it sounded good. …. To make things worse I have read that there is a 16in DOB coming out soon? I wounder if it would fit in to my station wagon?

Thanks again to all that have put time in to this forum and made my first step in astronomy enjoyable.

Sorry if I have started the old debate on SCT or DOB’S

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Chrissyo (Chris) · #2 10-10-2005, 07:29 PM

Hello and welcome!

I started with pretty much no knowledge of the sky, and I got myself a 10" Dob. I guess I'm more into planetary stuff that DSOs though so it doesn't really matter too much

I don't know anything about the LX90's, so I can't help you with that.

I'm fairly sure that to transport a 16"er around, you'd need a lot of room in your car. I can only just fit my 10"er in the back of our car.

Once again, welcome

davidpretorius · #3 10-10-2005, 07:46 PM

Welcome,

I took the road of the biggest newtonian relector and aperture i could afford, knowing i would forgo goto and tracking etc at first, but could save up and purchase eq mounts with goto later and cameras etc etc.

I love my dob, but one of the other local guys here in tassie has a lx90 and it is good too.

For me, i have made the right decision. The feeling of finding neptune and uranus without tracking or goto was a feeling i won't forget!

Either way is a good way. Probably comes down to $ now or $ later. Make sure you ask these guys about the best eyepieces etc. Do you have glasses, do you have a budget for eyepieces and barlows. Planets or nebulas or both?

TidaLpHasE · #4 10-10-2005, 07:50 PM

Welcome lookupinthesky, i am also a newby and know what you mean about the more you read the more you get confused.

The best advice i can offer, is to take your time in deciding what to buy and don't rush into it.

There will be plenty of advice from the members here with more knowledge and know-how.

Enjoy your new hobby/addiction

h0ughy (David) · #5 10-10-2005, 08:03 PM

Lookupinthesky, if you can try to attend a local astro group to have a look at the different setups you can afford or would like. i am sure in sunny Melbourne there would be heaps of members of IIS who would be able to show you their scope.

if not the try the Snake Valley Star Party, more advice than you can poke a stick at!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #6 10-10-2005, 09:30 PM

Welcome lookupintheskyandseelotsofprettysta rsandotherthingslikegalaxiesandnebu lasandglobs!

The new 16" Dobbie coming out is apparently a Truss-Dob. It folds down to practically nothing!!

It would be great if you can make it to Snake Valley (near Ballarat) in about 2 1/2 weeks for the Star Camp.

You will learn heaps! I hope to.

davidpretorius · #7 10-10-2005, 09:36 PM

yes , silly of me, the camp at the end if this month is the best thing you could get to!

should look at your location more closely!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 10-10-2005, 09:41 PM

Pay attention Dave!!!!! And you are supposed to be the Promotion Officer

davidpretorius · #9 10-10-2005, 09:58 PM

i am truly sorry master, little grasshopper will now balance knives on my privates as punishment!!!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 10-10-2005, 10:08 PM

As long as you don't balance them on the Corporals too!

hehehe! cleaned that one up didn't I!

lookupinthesky · #11 10-10-2005, 10:10 PM

Thanks

Star camp sounds like the go and you say that it’s on in 2 1/2 weeks. What do I need to do?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #12 10-10-2005, 10:11 PM

Well lookupintheskyandbeamazedatallthelo velysights,

as you can tell, we are a little bit stir crazy waiting for clear sky.

We are suffering telescope withrawal.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #13 10-10-2005, 10:17 PM

Read this for Starters: showpost.php?p=51325&postcount=84

Oops, that link didn't work!

hang on and I'll get it for you somehow.

Help me someone please! I need a link to 'post 84' in the 'IceInSpace Snake Valley Camp' thread so lookupinthesmog can go read it.

norm · #14 10-10-2005, 10:33 PM

Hi,

Welcome to the forum, I'm a newbie myself and was in the same dilemma as you were in.

After much research, reading reviews, opinions, price comparisions, and more reviews a dob between 8-12 inches seems the way to go.
I haven't purchased my dob as yet, as I want to ensure my enthuisasm stays the same in 6 months time before I take the plunge. That said, I think I've read as much as I could about dobsonians to know thats where my money would go - if anything 2 things stand out the most about them is:
1. you get good 'bang for your bucks' for the apeture.
2. simple in concept and design, yet not necessarily compromising on quality.

One thing I have read time and time again is that there is no 'perfect' scope. Each design has its own merits, pros and cons. However the best scope is the one you will use, not one that becomes a tiresome chore to setup or lug around.

There is also a device called the Argo Narvis http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/
It works for various types of scopes, including DOBS and the concept is very similar to a goto, although its more of a 'push to' system. Its certainly something worth purchasing later on if manual searching of DSO's etc become too much of an effort.

The Orion Dob. intelliscopes have a similar proprietary concept, but I like the idea the Argo Narvis as its an Australian product.

btw: how you thought about a pair of binoculars (eg, 15X70). You will be pleasantly surprised what you can see with those as opposed to the naked eye. They will also make a good companion to a telescope later on.

nb: I scoffed at binoculars, but seriously once you see thru them they are worth purchasing. The only downside is there weight.

Thats my 2 cents worth.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #15 10-10-2005, 10:43 PM

And a very well written threepence-halfpenny worth it was. (for the youg'ens that's pronounced 'Throopence haypny'

)

RAJAH235 · #16 10-10-2005, 11:05 PM

Quote:

lookupinthesmog

Ken, You really are a card. This one nearly killed me!!!!!!

Welcome lookupinthesky.

The # 1 rule is "Aperture Wins", but it all depends on which way you want to go. Visual or Astrophotography. If visual, then biggest DOB you can fit/afford. If Astro.P/graphic, the sky's the limit.... no pun intended...

Go to the Astro camp in Ballarat & look thru lots of t'scopes. Ask lots of Q's. Join your local Society/club.
HTH.

L.
Lookupinthesky, here's the link to the page. Scroll down a bit for all the info.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...0&page=5&pp=20

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #17 10-10-2005, 11:12 PM

- -

.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #18 11-10-2005, 12:32 AM

Welcome and indeed look up to decide. Aperture will win in any comparison. Once you have the telescopes pointed at a celestial target, everyone always prefers the scope with the larger aperture (brighter image). So if you don't mind hunting down targets without the aid of a computer, a big Dob will show you LOTS more for the $ ... It's easy to find your way around the skies with simple charts.. or MilkyWays as I call them... MelWays vs MilkyWays? Getit?

asimov (John) · #19 11-10-2005, 03:57 AM

Welcome to the forum lookup!

iceman (Mike) · #20 11-10-2005, 06:30 AM

Hi there! Definitely come to teh star party, read this http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...55,215,0,0,1,0 and the associated thread it links to (well, the end of the thread has the most current information). Even if you only come for 1 night, you'll get to look through various sized scopes of different designs, that will help you to decide what's right for you.

How did you hear about IceInSpace?