HEQ5 Pro+Newt, Nexstar 8 or dob+ArgoNavis?

[bindibadgi]

Thanks Maverick! I will have a read of those; they look quite helpful.

[madtuna (Steve)]

I sort of feel guity as I bought it...but then I don't cause I made your decision easier

Originally Posted by bindibadgi

Excellent. I may have made my decision.

Of course, if I can get that used C11 SGT from Andrews, then that's going to make the decision hard!

[bindibadgi]

It was you huh?


lol. Congratulations.

I'm still thinking about the EQ6 Pro and ED80 combo. I hope I sell my car soon so I can go shopping!

[bindibadgi]

All this time without the cash is making me change my mind too often. And I'm slowly stretching the budget, even before the money rolls in. I'm now figuring on about $2,500.

What do you guys reckon about this? I've already got an 8" f/6 dob. For this new budget I can get either:

1. EQ6 Pro + rings (to mount my 8" Newt) + 10:1 Crayford + Baader MPCC + T-ring + Skywatcher ED80 + hardware for piggybacking onto 8"

Or

2. EQ6 Pro + 10" f/5 Dob + Bob's knobs + rings (a set for each Newt) + Baader MPCC + T-ring.

What do you say? Would you rather have an 8" Newt and an ED80 all on the same tracking mount, or an 8" Newt and a 10" Newt, one on the tracking mount and one on a dob mount?

I know I can later use the ED80 for guiding, but can't affor that now, so I'm beginning to think that it would be nice to have a separate scope (albeit a non-tracking dob) for visual while the camera is imaging away on the mount.

There are a few ways to play around with this, such as getting the ED80 and mounting that, but leaving the 8" on the dob mount for visual, but I think I'd rather have the bigger scope doing the imaging, and I've no way of mounting the ED80 separately, so imaging and viewing are pretty much mutually exclusive with the ED80 option. They go quite well together with the 10" option.

Why can't I decide? Either way I'd probably like to one day (far distant future) upgrade to a C11 with Hyperstar and ED80 as guide scope on the EQ6, plus a separate scope for visual (a dob or maybe a CPC/LX200 SCT).

[davewaldo]

Well... Just to help you along...

I think if you got a 10" scope, you probably wouldn't use your 8" much. The 10" is just as easy to move around (I think) but wil show you a lot more visually.

So you could always sell your 8" to fund the ED80.

With the 10" on the EQ6 you will still need a guide scope either way.

I envy your position, I'd be happy with either setup

Good Luck!

[bindibadgi]

I still don't have the cash remember. Don't envy my position until I'm in it!

[AlexN]

im in similar shoes to you at the moment... im leaning towards an eq6 and an orion ST80 guidescope for my 8" dob..

Got room to go to a 10" in the future, a 12" with a guidescope, dslr and all the rest, you'll be pushing it i think.. but people have done it. and done it well

[White Rabbit]

Funny, I've just changed my mind from getting the 10" LX200 to getting a 12"LB with argo navis. I seem to be a step behind you in thinking.

As far a pushing your gear, I dare say I wont have the 12" for long before I strap it onto the EQ5, just to see what happens ha ha.

[bindibadgi]

The 12" on the EQ5 is living on the edge!

[White Rabbit]

lol, yeah that just the kinda guy I am . Actually I going to get an 8" for the eq.