Funny you recommended the skyquest as I was just looking at it and it looks good, I was going to ask if it would be as good as a skywatch dob, I think the skyquest might be my choice. Thanks.
keep in mind you can get the 14" goto skywatcher for $300 less than the 12" skyquest at Andrews.
edit: or $900 less for the 12"
Last edited by rustigsmed; 06-04-2016 at 11:53 AM.
Thanks everyone for your much appreciated advice, I am thinking the skyquest 12" go to will be the one as I just had a look at the celestron CPC 925 GPS XLT that was for sale for $3599 new has sold. Thanks again.
Also bear in mind that you can attach a camera to all Skywatcher Newtonians,
whereas most other brands do not allow this. If you decide on the Skyquest, check whether you can,[unless you think that you will never want to, of course].
raymo
Here is a thought ,
How about that nice Celestron 'Advanced VX' for $1300 and 5ash's C9.25 OTA for $1500 , both in the classifieds right now , this would be a great setup for the price ? .
The VX would hold this OTA with ease .
Also quite a saving on what you wanted to pay , grab a few nice TV eyepieces ,, with the savings .
The C9.25 is an awsome scope , easily managed and everyone that looks thru mine comment on its sharp optics , and it goes deep as well , a good all round scope .
Good points Ramo , but I will disagree with the 30 minute set up a bit much , my CI-700 is heavier than an EQ6 , and I am out the shed and set up in under 10 minutes , tripod and mount first and set south , counter weight next ( 20kg !!! ) and OTA last.
I have datumn marks on ground , the CW shaft and dovetail so its balanced and alligned well enough from the start .
Brian.
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymo
I have been in this hobby for over 60 years, and the old saying that the best
scope is the one that gets used, is as pertinent today as it ever was.
A 10 or 12" dob can be up and running in the time it takes to carry it outside
and put it down on the ground.
A 10" Newt on an EQ6. The mount with the necessary counterweights for the 10" is heavy[around 35kg]. You have to align the mount with the south
celestial pole, roughly level it [for visual use], connect up a power supply, put the scope onto it, balance the scope, enter date and time into the hand controller, then go through a 2 or 3 star alignment routine. As it will live in the lounge, you then have to dismantle it all at the end of each session.
In short, 2 mins to be using a dob, and at least 30-45 mins for the EQ mount.
Unless you decide to do some serious imaging further down the track,
I know which I would rather be using.
raymo
I also Have datum points, and because I almost always use the same set up,
my balance points rarely change, and I would also be physically set up in
10 minutes or so, but I did include the star alignments in my estimate.
How long this part of the routine takes will obviously depend on the accuracy
that is desired. Then finally the PA has to be checked, and adjusted if necessary.[The last part only if doing imaging].
raymo
True mate , I am strictly visual and love hunting down faint objects .
I have had a few very good GOTO mounts over the years ( few stinkers as well ) and like you Raymo after over 40 years of hunting sold them as I found I missed the hunt , not saying they are not awsome ,,,
,,, just not me .
Brian.
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymo
I also Have datum points, and because I almost always use the same set up,
my balance points rarely change, and I would also be physically set up in
10 minutes or so, but I did include the star alignments in my estimate.
How long this part of the routine takes will obviously depend on the accuracy
that is desired. Then finally the PA has to be checked, and adjusted if necessary.[The last part only if doing imaging].
raymo
Here is a thought , 
with the savings .
.
Good points Ramo , but I will disagree with the 30 minute set up a bit much , my CI-700 is heavier than an EQ6 , and I am out the shed and set up in under 10 minutes , tripod and mount first and set south , counter weight next ( 20kg !!! ) and OTA last.
as well ) and like you Raymo after over 40 years of hunting sold them as I found I missed the hunt , not saying they are not awsome ,,,
