If you had your time over again.

asimov (John) · #1 04-08-2005, 01:12 AM

Hi guys.

This is basically a "In hind-sight" hypothetical thread, where if you had to do it all over again, knowing what you know now about telescopes etc....What would be your ULTIMATE weapon/s of choice!? Plus accessories, lol..(keep it semi realistic)

Mine would be:

Probably a 16" SCT of some description. With goto..& any other mod-con that you can buy to put on such a scope. In an observatory, naturally!

An APO 5" refractor on a losmandy EQ mount for those lazy nights when I can't be bothered looking through the big one. Both scopes with ED 80 finder's perhaps?

Both scopes remotely operated from my house if I'm feeling lazy, & viewed on the computer.

Top of the line ccd imagery gear.

All pentax & nagler EPs....no low budget cheap stuff!

That's about it really.. That's not asking too much, now is it?

slice of heaven · #2 04-08-2005, 08:11 AM

I'm happy with my lot

The 12" Parks has served me well. Simple to setup and use.
It's been basically faultless, given me great views and has never been a money pit.

EDIT: When I bought the dob I had a couple of choices
1.... Did I want the 12" F5 dob or the 6" F10 refractor (or both) the old chap had to offer ? Same price!!!!
2.... Did I want the 2" focuser and 2 eps or the 1.25" focuser and 4 eps ?

Knowing what I know now I should have at least grabbed the original 2" focuser for the dob.
But for the price he was asking I should have grabbed BOTH

ving (David) · #3 04-08-2005, 09:44 AM

probably what i currently have... cause in hindsight, i cant really afford anything else

Starkler (Geoff) · #4 04-08-2005, 01:58 PM

Im happy with my setup also. The 10 inch dob is the perfect comprimise for me between aperture, portability, ease of use and setup/knockdown time.

One thing I might have done differently is to not muck around with the few cheapy widefields I bought. The lesson with an f5 dob is , be happy with good plossls, or prepare to spend on the top quality eyepieces, anything in between is a waste of money.

asimov (John) · #5 04-08-2005, 02:29 PM

Sounds like you guys had some really good advise from other astronomers perhaps? (Or perhaps you were just smarter than me...

) before you went out & bought your scopes? Im my case, I was the only person around in my area that was into astronomy...no advise on what to buy from anyone, So I had to do it the hard way & bought things on the trial & error basis.

After saying all that, I'm happy with what I have. No real regrets, just a few little one's.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #6 04-08-2005, 02:29 PM

When I did the thread about 'What Astro gear would you purchase with $50,000' I put the 16" Meade Starfinder on EQ with GoTo etc..

But that was fantasy land. You are asking what would we get in reality.

I suppose I would have still bought exactly what I've got, my 12" Dob. For the $'s I had to spend it WAS the best buy for me.

All my gear is worth around $1200 (scope, EP's, Barlow) and there is no way I could get a decent GoTo with only that much.

robin · #7 04-08-2005, 02:41 PM

Make mine a meade 10" (or 12" if i had a space to pier mount it) LX200 SCT

slice of heaven · #8 04-08-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

Sounds like you guys had some really good advise from other astronomers perhaps? (Or perhaps you were just smarter than me...

) before you went out & bought your scopes? Im my case, I was the only person around in my area that was into astronomy...no advise on what to buy from anyone, So I had to do it the hard way & bought things on the trial & error basis.

After saying all that, I'm happy with what I have. No real regrets, just a few little one's.

I had NO IDEA and no-one to ask either, wasnt cold enough to have ice in space back then.

The size impressed me, the trial views impressed me even more and the deal was done.

ving (David) · #9 04-08-2005, 02:42 PM

the best advise john, the best.

always research before making a purchase... its not my motto but it should be

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 04-08-2005, 02:53 PM

VINGS MOTTO: Always resurge before making a Purse Chase!

asimov (John) · #11 04-08-2005, 03:12 PM

My 'ultimate weapon' or my wish list, if you like...I dont reckon it's totally out of reach for me! After I get rid of all my gear, & move to America, I intend to work real hard & save every penny...until I get my dream set-up! Ok, it may take me 20 years to achieve it. Everyone has to have a goal in life I guess, & this is mine.

If I dont pull it off..no biggie! I'll settle for an ED 80....But I draw the line with EPs! NO crap quality ones for me!

ving (David) · #12 04-08-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

VINGS MOTTO: Always resurge before making a Purse Chase!

umm... thanks Ken

Ps: john, dont forget a ED-2 review. in your f5 of course

GrampianStars (Rob) · #13 04-08-2005, 04:45 PM

"In hind-sight" would have given up cars earlier
then I would have a 30 inch ROCS by now

dhumpie · #14 04-08-2005, 05:29 PM

Make mine a 14" f/4-5 truss dob (the largest scope I can use without a stepladder) and a 25x100 fork mounted binoculars for wide field scanning. That pair would keep me happy for years to come.

Darren

Dave47tuc (David) · #15 04-08-2005, 06:49 PM

If I had my time re equipment over agian I would not change a thing

Its been fun so far and hope it will be for many many more years to come

When I first got onto this forum i said,

" stop worrying what Joe Bloggs has down the street and enjoy the scope and eyepieces you have"

Still stands today and forever more.

Starkler (Geoff) · #16 04-08-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

Sounds like you guys had some really good advise from other astronomers perhaps? (Or perhaps you were just smarter than me...

) before you went out & bought your scopes?

I spent many many hours researching reviews and scanning the yahoo groups.
The internet is such a wonderful tool isnt it

P.S. Dhumpie I would go down the same road if I lived in a dark sky area.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #17 04-08-2005, 10:11 PM

I got in here and asked lots and lots of questions before I got my GS 12"er.

Then I asked lots and lots more before I got my 2" SuperView, ditto on the 2" Barlow.

This site and it's members saved me a lot of heart ache!

dhumpie · #18 05-08-2005, 10:42 AM

This site is great isn't it

Heaps of experience astronomers here with good advice...

Darren

p/s; we should give Mike a big pat on the back for starting this forum.

chunkylad (David) · #19 05-08-2005, 01:11 PM

You guys have done all the hard work for us noobs!

I had an idea of what I wanted before I saw this site, and now those ideas have changed. My ambitions exceeded both my skills/experience and my wallet lol.

As soon as $$$ permit: within a couple of weeks, that is, I'll be ordering a 12" Dob from Andrews, with a Crayford focusser, fan and some Plossl EPs; plus a Cheshire EP and an apochromatic Barlow. Better quality (Nagler) Eps will follow, as the treasury permits. I reckon this will keep me occupied for quite a while.
If I hadn't seen this site, I'd be none the wiser

, and ultimately dissapointed with my choices and unrealistic expectations. Thanx heaps.

Cheers

asimov (John) · #20 05-08-2005, 01:43 PM

I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone here Chunks...It's a pleasure to help newbies out!...we dont want to see you regret a purchase weeks/months or even years down the track. I wish I had some of this advise when I was first setting up!

Top decision on the future naglers too.