Hey, Looking for some advice. I currently own an 8" GSO Dob which is great, except for its size. Now that we've got a little one, I can't have the whole back seat (not to mention half the boot as well) for the telescope when we go away. So I need something smaller as well. I'm thinking of a small refractor on an alt az mount - nothing too complicated or glamarous.
Does anyone know about the quality of these especially compared to a skywatcher. It's a tempting scope because I imagine the diagonal is better and it has a 10:1 crayford focuser.
It's not an ideal choice IMHO. If you want a small grab & go refractor I'd opt for something in the range f/5-f/7 suitable for rich field views, on an altaz mount.
The GSO 90mm f11 refractor gets the top rating as a grab-and-go in the book "Astronomy Hacks" by Robert and Barbara Thompson (written in America, packed full of useful info; especially for dob owners). They do make the point about what you want to look at. If it's in an urban setting and you can only grasp the brighter stuff, this scope will do a nice job of high mag on the moon and planets and also pick up the brighter DSOs. They reckon it's better quality than the Skywatcher. If you want a wider, low power field of view, the shorter tube refractors would be better; but they won't do the high mag as well. They also reckon that it is better moved onto an alt-az mount (AZ3) rather than the EQ it comes on. All just their opinion of course...and I'm just passing it on.
An SCT or an MCT would be the go wouldn't it? Considering refractors are long and usually don't have much aperture. You can't beat a catadioptic for large aperture at a compact size.
I've got a 127mm Mak and it's very portable and I'm very happy with it. I got it for its portability but end up using it all the time at home.
An SCT or an MCT would be the go wouldn't it? Considering refractors are long and usually don't have much aperture. You can't beat a catadioptic for large aperture at a compact size.
I've got a 127mm Mak and it's very portable and I'm very happy with it. I got it for its portability but end up using it all the time at home.
There is a great deal with a Skywatcher 127 Mak at camerahousewa.com.au. Close to the price for the mount by itself.
I have a Sky Watcher 120mm F5 achro that I think is great.
I use it for general observing and as a guide scope when imaging with the dslr. When I use it with the Gstar, being a mono camera, CA isn't an issue.
For a grab and go mount, I love my iOptrons.
The little goto Cube came along with me to Fiji the other week. It took up very little room in my suitcase. It can run on 8 AA batteries.
The Mini Tower breaks down into two pieces. The head and accessories fit into it's own aluminium carry case and the tripod legs telescope down to around a metre.
It too will run on batteries, but mains is best.
Recon you are right - a cube with a 90mm mak would be a very 'Wife and Baby' friendly scope! Does Ron stil sell them? - couldn't see anything on Sirius Optics site.
I received an email from John Hou at iOptron the other day.
"Today I am happy to inform you that we have found a ideal partner in Australia to serve our customers over there. ExtraVision has become our exclusive partner in Australia. As you might be well aware, ExtraVision has represented other well-known telescope brands before. We are confident that with this partnership, amateur astronomers in Australia will not only can buy and receive iOptron products in a timely fashion, but also be served well. "
ExtraVision are located at Murrarie here in Brisbane.
Did you know that my Mini Tower is the first one in Australia? Whoo hoo!
[QUOTE=jjjnettie;445271]I have a Sky Watcher 120mm F5 achro that I think is great.
I use it for general observing and as a guide scope when imaging with the dslr. When I use it with the Gstar, being a mono camera, CA isn't an issue.
I agree with jjjnettie. I also have Skywatcher 120mm F5 achromat and for its price and if used for mono imagining it is great.
I have a Sky Watcher 120mm F5 achro that I think is great.
I use it for general observing and as a guide scope when imaging with the dslr. When I use it with the Gstar, being a mono camera, CA isn't an issue.
For a grab and go mount, I love my iOptrons.
The little goto Cube came along with me to Fiji the other week. It took up very little room in my suitcase. It can run on 8 AA batteries.
The Mini Tower breaks down into two pieces. The head and accessories fit into it's own aluminium carry case and the tripod legs telescope down to around a metre.
It too will run on batteries, but mains is best.
I am too lazy to look it up myself...can you tell me how heavy your Skywatcher 120 is?
Just bought my 'Grab&Go Scope'!
I had to decide between SW Black diamond 80ED and Long Perng ED80 APO.
The mechanical build and quality of the Long Perng I thought superior to the SW product, so LP I bought.
So far I'm very happy with my purchase, the finish is beautiful and I hope that the optical performance is up to the same quality!
Last edited by jakob; 26-05-2009 at 06:16 PM.
Reason: Add pics
Just bought my 'Grab&Go Scope'!
I had to decide between SW Black diamond 80ED and Long Perng ED80 APO.
The mechanical build and quality of the Long Perng I thought superior to the SW product, so LP I bought.
So far I'm very happy with my purchase, the finish is beautiful and I hope that the optical performance is up to the same quality!
Hi Jakob,
Congrats on the new scope! I was in the shop on Saturday when you bought it! Didn't know who you were of course. I'm sure it will give you many great views.
Congrats on the new scope! I was in the shop on Saturday when you bought it! Didn't know who you were of course. I'm sure it will give you many great views.
BTW, what mount is that you have it on?
Nick.
Thanks Nick!
No mount yet. I'm thinking of the AltAz mount from Bintel, it looks sturdy and has slow motion control. (looks the same as GSO SkyView ATZ)
