Good Idea for a Second Scope?

Bertrand · #1 12-11-2012, 01:26 AM

Hi all, I purchased a 10 inch Dob about a year and a half ago based on the advice I received here. I've had it out heaps since then and have been amazed every time. Suzy posted a list of things I should see in a thread I started about the same time and I made sure to check them all out before doing my own hunting.

My point so far is: ten inch dobs are great beginner scopes!

I haven't really looked at other types of scope up until now, but I'm thinking about something that gives better views of planets. Seeing the moons of Jupiter as dots floating around makes me want a closer view of them. Same with the rings of Saturn.

Can you guys make any suggestions at what I should consider getting next? I'm open to all suggestions as I'm just testing the waters right now.

Thanks again guys!

mental4astro (Alexander) · #2 12-11-2012, 04:01 AM

Hi Bertrand,

First I need to say that you won't make out much, if any detail on Jupiter's moons - they are just too small to make out detail. It would require all your ducks to be sitting in a row, seeing conditions, transperancy, scope & gear quality - and then it would only be subtle tone variations.

You've got a 10" dob already. A 5" to 8" SCT or Mak would be a great compliment. These are fantastic lunar & planetary scopes. They can be mounted on a simple eq fork mount, or go the whole hog if you want to do some serious Astrophotography. An 8" SCT or Mak will show an outrageous amount of detail on the Moon & planets.

I have a few dobs. 3 actually: 8", 10", & 17.5". But for the Moon & planets I always reach for my 30 year old C8. It's on a basic fork mount with only a fixed speed clock drive, but that's all I need. I did have a C5 until recently, but sold it only because the number of scopes I had was getting absurd. The C8 I can also attach an Astro video camera for live images of DSOs, which is great at star parties in urban areas. This is also as far as I take Astrophotography myself.

You can find the simpler fork mounted 5" to 8" SCTs and Maks regularly in the classifieds here in IIS, these cost considerably less than those with sophisticated eq mounts. The 8" models you can also attach a 2" diagonal to.

Mental.

Bertrand · #3 12-11-2012, 04:23 AM

Hey Mental, thanks for your help.

I've been watching the Mak 127 on Andrews for a little while now, it seems like a sensible next step, but I didn't think to check the classifieds here until you mentioned it. There's one being sold there for $600, does it seem like that's the kind of thing I should check out?

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=99156

Thanks again for your help, this place is awesome.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #4 12-11-2012, 05:15 AM

Yep, that's a good step. See if you can inspect it if nothing more than to have someone experienced with the set up to take you through using it. It will prove very time time saving.

You may also like to do some research on the type of goto system it comes with. I am not familiar with the system it uses so I can't comment. But the scope is a fine unit.

MortonH · #5 12-11-2012, 12:53 PM

Hi Bertrand,

It depends what you mean by "better" views of the planets. You might find a 127mm Mak to be a significant step down from the Dob due to the dramatic reduction in light-gathering abililty.

You'll get crisper views through the Mak but less resolution due to the smaller aperture. Having said that, the Mak will be less affected by poor seeing (due to lower resolution) and far more portable, easy to set up, etc.

Must say I enjoy planetary viewing through my 110mm refractor, but it's a step down from the 180mm premium Mak I used to own.

As always, the ideal situation is to try before you buy, if that's possible.

Note that Skywatcher also make a 150mm Mak, as do Ioptron. Personally I'd go for the extra aperture if you can. You can always post a wanted ad. I've seen them for sale here before.

Cheers

Morton

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #6 12-11-2012, 01:27 PM

Unipol is selling a C6 XLT Schmidt Cassegrain OTA for $600 right now....

No mount, but I would jump on that if you want a glorious planetary device.

Cheers

Chris

Bertrand · #7 12-11-2012, 02:02 PM

Thanks again for all the help guys. This forum is so much friendlier and more helpful than others.

Screwdriverone, that C6 is very tempting, can you give me some idea on a sensible mount for it?

Thanks again guys.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #8 12-11-2012, 07:24 PM

An eq 3 can handle a C6, but an eq5 is sturdier.

'Flash' has another C6 for sale too.

Ask if these scopes come with a mounting plate, otherwise you'll need to find one for it. This is the dovetail plate which mates the scope to the mount.

fauxpas (Tony) · #9 12-11-2012, 07:47 PM

Bertrand... yeah yeah! buy a mak-cas... Sell me your 10" dob!

Bertrand · #10 12-11-2012, 08:14 PM

Haha, I can't do that. It's where I got my first decent look at the sky. That's like trading in your mum!

dannat (Daniel) · #11 12-11-2012, 09:21 PM

I don't think going from 10" dob to 5" mak is going to change seeing the moons of Jupiter as dots or Saturn rings bigger-infact unless you are buying a instrument with quality optics (eg intes micro) you may be disappointed. At the least you'd be looking for 6" refractor or c9.25 for eg.
Having compared the 2 scopes at old Melbourne observatory I'd take the 8" refractor over the 12" reflector any day for planetary work, it is crisp- the Brandon eyepieces don't hurt (not a big fan of the claves on the 12")

I suggest you find someone nearby Newcastle with a 5-6" cassegrain scope & look for yourself

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #12 12-11-2012, 09:44 PM

Of course.....you COULD mount the 10" dob tube on an eq6?

Use a 5x powermate and a webcam for some close up planetary goodness???

Here is a Saturn shot I took with my DBK webcam combined with my 5x powermate using my 8" reflector on an HEQ5 pro.

Close enough for you?

Cheers

Chris

fauxpas (Tony) · #13 12-11-2012, 09:50 PM

nope... 10" dobs are the worst of the worst and I'll do you a favour and pick it up from you for $10

Bertrand · #14 12-11-2012, 10:15 PM

I'm thinking Grim's Mak-Cas is a steal with a goto at that price, even if it's not a huge step up it's still a decent scope I can plug into stellarium and have some fun pointing at things.

I'm gunna do it!

Fauxpas, that's good of you, nice to know there are still some good samaritans around.

MattT · #15 13-11-2012, 05:22 PM

I agree with Daniel,and reckon you should get a 6" f8 refractor, use a Baader semi-apo filter and put it on an EQ5. Mine works great like this. I'm coming from the opposite way round and am thinking about a large reflector as a second scope at some stage.

Add a binoviewer and your in business for planets and the moon has to be seen to be believed.

Matt

Bertrand · #16 13-11-2012, 07:19 PM

Can you guys point me to those pieces of kit for sale somewhere so I can check them out?

MattT · #17 14-11-2012, 11:28 AM

If you can stand to read it this long thread on 6" achro's contains just about everything you might need to know. http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchi.../o/o/fpart/all
Mounts can be found on Bintels site or Astro shop.
Hope this is of some assistance.

I'm a bit biased toward refractors...

Matt