Need help buying my first scope!

[elfinke (Trev)]

Originally Posted by stuffandthat

I don't think tracking was the right word for what I was asking. With the dobs if I find something in the sky that I want to look at again and again, is it guess work to spot the same object or is there coordinates on the mount that I can work off?

Do you have a smartphone, tablet or laptop? I only ask because I've found them to be the perfect companions for my recent Dob adventures. I load up Stellarium on the PC and see what I can see, write a couple names and places down (like NGCXXX, or MXXX (Messier catalogue), or planets or comets etc) on paper then trundle out onto the deck with my phone or tablet with Night Sky/Sky Walk/Sky Safari apps loaded up on it and begin to roughly point my Dob in the direction my phone tells me to.

Within 30 sec or so I have been able to find almost everything I've tried to find. And with a little bit of patience I've even managed to grab a few photos of different things (moon, Jupiter, Saturn) for funsies.

[stuffandthat (Ash)]

That's a great idea. I will be able to check it out on my phone or PC. Is there any software for iOS so I can use my iPad?

[elfinke (Trev)]

Originally Posted by stuffandthat

That's a great idea. I will be able to check it out on my phone or PC. Is there any software for iOS so I can use my iPad?

Yeah there is plenty. I've been using Night Sky and the free version of Sky Walk in conjunction with Stellarium on the PC. For my basic needs that covers everything.

I have not yet bought or tried any of the universally praised Sky Safari apps, which range from $3 to $40. I'm sure any number of other IIS members can comment on its worth.

/edit: forgot to mention my recently acquired Messier Marathon app which I adore. Ripper app for $2

[Russ59]

My only other suggestion is before you choose between a GSO Dobsonian (Bintel/GSO) or the Saxon (Astronomy Alive) is some retailers are still selling these Saxon Dobsonians with the old style altitude brake/tension system, which was essentially just a large spring on the side of the mount. They was superseded a couple of years ago by a more advanced aluminium tensioning knob.
I've used both and prefer the latest design that Bintel sells.

[astronobob (Bob)]

Originally Posted by stuffandthat

Thanks Bob.
What planets etc am I likely to see with the 130?

No worries Ash!
You can see all planets with the 130, tho they be better in a larger scope, hint
Ive seen Neptune and Uranus in my 114mm back in the '90's, admittingly, they were only small blue & green discs respectively, but they are worth the hunt as ones skills improve, eg, detailed star charts needed ! Once located & with some diligence, one can even see them in 7x50 Bino's ! And can then be seen Naked eye, tho dark clear skies and near 20-20 vision are needed !

All other planets are quite decernable with the naked eye, once you have learnt how to locate & recognise them So telescopes are used to improve the view, the bigger the better
Mercury & Venus are both surface featureless body's, but they do display phases (through optical aid) as they are closer to the sun than Earth, Known as the Inner Planets !
Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, as you probably know, look great in any scope, tho better in some than others !
Now, Pluto is a bit more of a challenge, I still call it a fully flledged Planet, anyway, It can be seen but it takes a precedure of images of the exact same area of sky taken over several nights, only then, by flicking through the images, one will see a tiny point of light, (Pluto) move against the backdrop of stars !

Have you or are you planning on going along to an Astro meet, this would be a very wise move before forking out $$$ !

All the best !

[StarVoyager]

Hi Ash,

Consider joining the Astronomical Society of Victoria (http://asv.org.au/). They do regular viewing nights where you can check out members’ equipment in person. They also have a telescope loan program for members where you can hire an 8 inch SkyWatcher dobsnian.

If you go ahead with your purchase, ensure you budget a little extra for equipment to go with your telescope.

1.Eyepieces. The ones that come with scopes are often be mediocre. You want an eyepiece that has a large lens to give you a comfortable viewing experience as well as a versatile magnification, i.e. can be used for medium power viewing and coupled with a Barlow lens, high powered viewing.

2. If you are buying a reflector telescope you may need to purchase a collimation device (if not included with the telescope) – to align your telescope’s optics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAVGcGEBmCE).

3. A basic star chart or some means to help you point your telescope to objects in the sky (http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Planispheres/Astrovisuals-Planisphere/506/productview.aspx). Or you can get star charts for free here (http://www.skymaps.com/).

All the best with the decision!

[stuffandthat (Ash)]

Well after doing a lot of research and reading everyone replies, I went out to Bintel on Saturday morning and purchased an 8" Dob. I set it up in the limited time I had and late Saturday night I took it out the back and pointed it at the moon. I still need to align the finder scope but the moon looked amazing.
The next step is to work out what eye piece does what and how to find other objects and planets, and going to a few star parties.

Thanks everyone for your help and I'm sure I'll be posting more questions very soon!

Ash