Confused about many things - Page 2

mickoking · #21 30-01-2006, 09:27 PM

G,day Bowzwer

Where ever you decide to buy your scope you'll do well

200 and 250mm Dobs are both good buys you can't go too wrong. Remember Astronomy should be fun don't get too caught up in equipment ( too start of with anyway) and ask LOTS of questions, there are a lot of experienced and friendly people on this forum

ENJOY

anthony2302749 · #22 30-01-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowzerS14

Bintel BT-202 8" Dobsonian Telescope $549.00 from Bintel

This is the Bintels' Premium scope which includes the Crayford focuser, fan, colour filters etc as advatised in Aust Sky & Tel and Sky & Space

janoskiss (Steve H) · #23 30-01-2006, 10:26 PM

There ya go! That should seal the deal for you Bowzer!! Go get that scope!

Anthony!

rmcpb (Rob) · #24 31-01-2006, 08:50 AM

If the Bintel one has a Crayford then there is no question!! go for it.

Cheers

ThunderChild (Chris) · #25 31-01-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowzerS14

Hi all, new to these forums obviously

Welcome Bowzer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowzerS14

My question is i want a first scope that i can get clear and crisp images of the planets and even deep space objects (The best of both worlds!!! ). I have read many of the posts on here about big apperture reflectors on dobsonian mounts. But then i have read for better view quality that reflectors are the way to go even though they have much smaller apperture. Not looking at spending a fortune but i already made the mistake of buying a Teds Busmens 114mm scope and it was terible. So i took it back. Looking at something substantially better than this.
It seems that the Guan Sheng scopes from andrews are reasonably priced. The 8" dob for that matter.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Wow - you are facing a decision very similar to where I was at a month or so ago. Considered the 114mm from Ted's as well before doing my research and being warned off from the good people here. Things eventually came back to Bintel (Melb) and Andrew's Comms (Syd).

You can not possibly go wrong with either direction you seem to have before you. I ended up purchasing a 6" Guan Sheng Dob from Andrew's comms ($40 shipping) and was happy with the purchase. I did have to do a little home modding (the base was a little 'sticky' and I needed to clean out some threading on the side altitude mounts), but what I did was worth the savings I made IMHO. If it wasn't as important to keep the initial cost down, I would have probably gone to Bintel though - if nothing else, just so that I could talk to someone face to face who know's what they're on about.

8' Dob - you'll be better off than me, and I'm still excited everytime it looks like it's going to be clear skies. You're going to have lots of fun!
Let us know what you decide.

Where abouts in Melb are you?

Cheers,
Chris

BowzerS14 · #26 01-02-2006, 10:47 AM

Thanks for the help. if the scope from Bintel includes a crayford style focuser and all the other things mentioned then it is definately the way to go. Still havent been in to see them yet (Been Busy), but i will definately go this weekend.

Hey Thunderchild
Yeah i made the mistake of not asking questions before i bought the Teds shifty scope. The thing was terrible, i couldnt even bolt it together without boring out holes and so on, i mashed it together and it was even worse. So i took it back.

Ill let u guys know how it goes with Bintel if i make it there.

Cheers

janoskiss (Steve H) · #27 01-02-2006, 04:20 PM

Anthony works at Bintel. If he says it comes with the crayford and fan, then you can be sure it does.

davidpretorius · #28 01-02-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony2302749

This is the Bintels' Premium scope which includes the Crayford focuser, fan, colour filters etc as advatised in Aust Sky & Tel and Sky & Space

i would have paid $600 for it.

easy decision now i reckon!

janoskiss (Steve H) · #29 01-02-2006, 04:47 PM

It is got to be the best deal on an 8" Dob in the country! And that includes the non-specialist heavy discounters.

BowzerS14 · #30 03-02-2006, 10:23 AM

Hi all
I gave them a quick call a few days ago and he said they only have 1 left mayb. SO i dont think ill get it cause i cant get there till tomorrow.
Anyway he said it cam with a Crayford focuser, 3 eyepieces, moon filter, a Barlow mayb (Cant remember). He said it didnt come with filters and he didnt mentiona a fan. Once i get in there im sure it will be different, like mentioned in the add.

Cheers

BowzerS14 · #31 06-02-2006, 10:19 AM

Hi all

I went to Bintel on Saturday morning and i got the last 8" they had. They were just about to set it up for display!!
It came with, Crayford style focuser, cooling fan, coloured filters, 8x50 finder and three eyepieces (one 2" and two 1.25")
The 2" is 32mm and then a 9mm and 15 or 20mm 1.25".
It also came with a book/magazine with a heap of charts and other info. Confusing and interesting at the same time. Ill get the hang of it over time i suppose.
I didnt have instructions (There posting them to me) but the base went together easily enough.
The bad thing is the weather was crap on saturday night were i was and i had to leave last night for work this week, and the weather was great last night!!!! (I cant fit it in my car)
So i havent actually got to use it yet. Looking forward to the weekend.

Cheers
PS: The guys at Bintel were a lot of help

ving (David) · #32 06-02-2006, 10:25 AM

congrats

you'll love it

its all a learning experience from here and dont be afraid to ask questions, we love helping

rmcpb (Rob) · #33 06-02-2006, 11:07 AM

You are off and running now! That is one mighty fine scope, not that I am biased at all

You must have a mighty small car if you can't put it in with you.

As for the clouds, its just the astro curse, don't worry about it, usually for a new first scope you can expect at least a month of crappy weather but it will go away.

Couple of things to try which are dirt cheap:

Put your scope outside every reasonable night when you first get home. That way it will be ready for viewing in any gaps that occur in the clouds.
Make a dew shield/light pollution shield out of some manilla folders velcroed to the front of your scope to stop ambient light from getting into your eyepiece and wrecking your contrast.
Keep your scope collimated.
Use your scope every chance to get used to the constellations, navigation and simply using the scope so you will be ready for the good nights.

Its a beauty

davidpretorius · #34 06-02-2006, 11:15 AM

well done bowzer.

the journey begins!

some targets at a few different objects for you http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ead.php?t=7264

also as rob says, on the drive home, check out the weather, and before the wife or girlfriend gets a hello and a kiss on the cheek, you go from yoiur car to your beloved and take it outside to cool the mirror, after about 2 or 3 hours of getting sidetracked and "just one more" object, you can then go upstairs and say hi to the family!

janoskiss (Steve H) · #35 06-02-2006, 11:21 AM

Nice one Bowser! Sounds like you got a great deal. That is one awesome scope, well set up, with everything you need (although I bet you'll be asking about barlows in the not too distant future

). It took me a lot of work to get my Dob to the level of usability you are getting off the shelf: centre spot, upgrade focuser, fit fan.

Enjoy! Check out Saturn tonight if you can. It's been looking great last couple of nights.

BowzerS14 · #36 06-02-2006, 12:23 PM

oh man i cant use it till the weekend cause i cant fit it in my car thus its at my house in melbourne (Im a uni student and working 65k's out of the city atm).
Yeah rmcpb i have a "sports car" so there is no room anywere to put something like this without it getting bounced and bashed to bits.
My GF car has the room but she uses it during the week dam it. I might trek it back to the city one night to have a stab at it.
Thanks for the tips guys, gotta remember to put it outside before i use it!!!!

Yeah a Barlow would be good. I assume that 2x means double the magnification for that eyepiece. I like the idea of that very much cause looking through small holes is a pain!!

Cheers and thanks again.
PS: Anthony showed me how to collimate it, seems to me the laser is the easiest way to do it.

ving (David) · #37 06-02-2006, 12:43 PM

aahhh! the pains of sportscar ownership

i was going to get a 300zx a few years back, glad i didnt now

rmcpb (Rob) · #38 06-02-2006, 01:08 PM

Well now you have a real hobby you know the cure for a "sports" car, a sensible station wagon

BowzerS14 · #39 06-02-2006, 02:20 PM

Ah the problems of having two hobby's. Cars and scopes. I finish working in the country soon so i will be back in melbourne. Sweeeet!!!!!

I think i will go back during the week and use it. I cant resist.

matt · #40 06-02-2006, 05:18 PM

The astro bug bites deep, my friend. Scratch and scratch... and scratch some more, and still the itch continues.

But what a sweet irritation