bargain achromats - Page 2

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #21 08-08-2005, 08:56 PM

I was explaining to Cheryl how the boys would like one of these Refractors

"It would be good for their Science Projects".

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #22 08-08-2005, 09:01 PM

Geoff,

Are you suggesting that this one: 'AOE90S 90x600mm F6.6 Price...$299.00' would be better for me . . . I mean my boys than the f10 even though it's on a wobblotronic EQ3?

Stu · #23 08-08-2005, 09:04 PM

janoskiss, I was just about to write that and you beat me.

The AOE 127mm F9 and 152mm f8 are the same scopes as the Meade AR5 and AR6. The 127mm version is the better of the two as far as aberations go and I've heard and read a lot of people say it's "in a different class" (...when you get a good one, as the collamation is not adjustable in the 5-inch).

I have wobbled the 6-inch on an EQ5 and LXD75 and the LXD75 was much more stable. After all, that was why Meade ugraded the LXD55, everyone complained.

The smaller scopes are made by someone else. They are all cheaper than the skywatcher/saxon version though. Three cheers for AOE

!

ballaratdragons, if the kids want to look at planets, I'd get the F10. You can always upgrade to the 20" RCOS later...

Just make sure it doesn't fall on one of the kids.

I'd do the paving before that point...

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #24 08-08-2005, 09:12 PM

The Kids???

Oh yeah, them!

It would be for me, and I would let them use it sometimes. Might even piggy back it. I already have a GS12" f5 Dobbie. But would put it on the tripod on the nights they use it.

cahullian · #25 08-08-2005, 09:17 PM

I am thinking of getting the 102 mm with the EQ5 Aluminium tri-pod for $599.00 sounds like a good deal. Anyone know anything about the EQ 5 Aluminium mounts?
Will I need to save for an EQ 6 later on?

Gazz

Stu · #26 08-08-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

The Kids???

Oh yeah, them!

It would be for me, and I would let them use it sometimes. Might even piggy back it. I already have a GS12" f5 Dobbie. But would put it on the tripod on the nights they use it.

In that case get the short focal length. You'll use it (as a guide scope) more than they will. I've just come in from outside. I just got a sore neck star-hopping in scorpio, I wish I had that right angled finder!!!

think I'll get the short scope as well...

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #27 08-08-2005, 09:32 PM

Stu says: In that case get the short focal length.

John says: Yep. piggy-back the F/10.

No wonder newbies get confused in here!!!!

janoskiss (Steve H) · #28 08-08-2005, 09:40 PM

Ken, I don't know how good or bad your Dob is at high magnification, but when I got my old 60mm refractor off ebay for $25, I was astonished how well that little scope performed on Jupiter compared with my 8" Dob (allowing for the reduction in brightness of course). I've been after a better refractor ever since, and finally got the ED80 last week. The ED80 is lightyears ahead of the Dob in terms of contrast. But there must be something wrong with my Dob and it's not collimation. I'm going through Geoff's mirror de-stress howto and hopefully that will improve things.

So maybe if you look through an f10 refractor you'll be surprised by the contrast too. Star camp will be good for comparing scopes.

"Yep piggy back the f10"?? It's 2/3 the length of the 12" Dob? The eyepiece will be at knee level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

No wonder newbies get confused in here!!!!

Spot on Ken!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #29 08-08-2005, 09:43 PM

Thanks Steve. I will compare at the Star Camp. Hopefully there will be Refractors of differing f ratios.

Have to remind Stu of the Star Camp next time he is in here. oops! I just did.

Starkler (Geoff) · #30 08-08-2005, 09:54 PM

Ive looked through a $25K astro physics refractor at Jupiter and im still happy with my dob

janoskiss (Steve H) · #31 08-08-2005, 10:05 PM

Wow, thanks Geoff! That really puts it in perspective. I need to get to work on my Dob!

Thiink · #32 09-08-2005, 01:44 PM

Hm interesting. One of those would make a great grab and go scope, and with the 1.25" focuser means I can reuse my EP's. It'd be which one to go for that would be the problem. I already own an average 60mm refractor with below-average alt-az mount (DSE job). Are the short tubes any good for planets, or wide field only? Maybe the EQ5 would be the ticket, I dont want another crap mount..

I have dark skies about 15mins from my house, and the dob is just too big to cart around for quick viewing sessions (that and the base doesnt fit into the car easily).

janoskiss (Steve H) · #33 09-08-2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thiink

Are the short tubes any good for planets, or wide field only?

Probably no good for planets.

ving (David) · #34 09-08-2005, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Ken, I don't know how good or bad your Dob is at high magnification, but when I got my old 60mm refractor off ebay for $25, I was astonished how well that little scope performed on Jupiter compared with my 8" Dob (allowing for the reduction in brightness of course).

twas my 60mm ebay scope that got me into this stuff in the first place!

thinking of replacing the focuser on it (and other stuff) so i can use 1.25 eps on it..... I'll just add that to the to do list..

Stu · #35 09-08-2005, 06:55 PM

EP at knee level...I didn't think of that.
Maybe it would suit the kids better.

Starkler is bringing up that age-old debate again:
1800's - Speculum Reflector vs Galilean Refractor
1900's - Glass Mirror Newtonian vs Achromat
2000's ??? - Dob vs APO???

You're either with me, or you're against me!

Attack! Attack!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #36 09-08-2005, 07:01 PM

Don't forget:

2000's - Computerised & GPS GoTo's vs Dobbies & PushTo's

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #37 09-08-2005, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

twas my 60mm ebay scope that got me into this stuff in the first place!

thinking of replacing the focuser on it (and other stuff) so can use 1.25 eps on it..... I'll just add that to the to do list..

you can get a 0.963 to 1.25 convertor for $10 from BATSC in melbourne

I used one to convert a $50 GoLo scope -a 60 mm refractor into a really light weight guide scope that can be piggy backed on my 8 inch newt

Starkler (Geoff) · #38 09-08-2005, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

Starkler is bringing up that age-old debate again:
1800's - Speculum Reflector vs Galilean Refractor
1900's - Glass Mirror Newtonian vs Achromat
2000's ??? - Dob vs APO???

Dont get me wrong here!
I wasnt suggesting that the view through my dob was better than that of the AP apo i viewed through. The apo certainly gave a darker sky background but for me it wasnt a 'knock your socks off' kind of view worth paying big bucks for me personally. I would love to have that scope and my dob side by side on a night of excellent seeing to see what both can really do.

I mentioned it for the benefit of those who might be hoping that a 4 inch achromat is going to somehow deliver superior planetary views to their GS dobs. I fear these people will be dissapointed unless their dobs arent set up and collimated properly. Getting that right is cheaper and easier than shelling out for a new scope to do something the dob should be superior at anyway.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #39 09-08-2005, 08:57 PM

Good point Geoff. I will take that on board! Thanks.

GrampianStars (Rob) · #40 09-08-2005, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

Ive looked through a $25K astro physics refractor at Jupiter and im still happy with my dob

what refractor 12" ? what have you got a 30" dob ?
I'm not easily convinced
the ED80 kills my 8" SCT on planets