Another beginners what to buy thread?? - Page 2

gss · #21 02-08-2005, 06:24 PM

Many thanks for all the replies.

Looks like the dob is the way to go then. Still deciding on whether to go for the 6" or the 8" though and will be probably buying it through either Andrews Communications or Bintel.

Next questions though...what would be the best eyepieces to get to go with the dob (sizes/brands)? And would I need any other equipment to begin with?

Cheers,
Glenn

Starkler (Geoff) · #22 02-08-2005, 06:43 PM

Hi Glenn.

This forum is a great source of information and one of the ways to find such information is with the forum search function.

We get a lot of newcommers to the forum asking which scope to buy and as often as not they are pointed towards the GS dob. The same questions have been asked and answered many times before on this forum and a search will yield answers to many questions. If not , there are many helpful knowledgable people here who can help

acropolite (Phil) · #23 02-08-2005, 07:03 PM

The Orion would be my choice as it's useful for all sorts of viewing, doesn't require a cool down period (remember kids are impatient) and with a tripod is manageable for a kid.

davidpretorius · #24 02-08-2005, 09:16 PM

Hi Glenn,

To give you an idea, I have set up my signature to show what i have spent, and what i intend to spend over the next 6 to 12 months. It will be the quickest way I know to inform new members.

I have the series 500 eye pieces (4 in all) that andrews communications sells for $99. He threw in for free with my 10" ltd dob. I have no problems with viewing threw these. No doubt as soon as I see thru a nagler ($$$$$) then I will want one.

The 30mm 80 deg ultrawide is really nice. nice wide views!. The toucam web camera is very good for taking video. As my dob does not turn with the earth ( a future expensive investment to fix ) the video give me a way to share what i see. The adapter for the toucam is a must. The long exposure mod is not useful until i invest in a heavy duty equatorial mount.

There a few threads comparing Bintel and Andrews Communication. Have a search. I believe that Andrews is the way to go.

That is about it for equipment apart from a chair to support you back and the step ladder for the lad, hope this helps.

asimov (John) · #25 02-08-2005, 09:47 PM

Correct Starkler. That's why I requesting a thorough GS dob review by somebody here, then we only have to point them in the direction of the review part of the site.

slice of heaven · #26 02-08-2005, 10:42 PM

The gs review will still only answer some of the questions asked by a newbie.
Glenns question on eps for the 6"F8 or the 8"F6 and what other equipment he needs might be answered with a search, but it might be the wrong answer too.
Maybe an FAQ section in the beginners forum might be a better option.
Yes there's a lot of info buried in the threads , some answers are vague and some very thorough, for a total newbie there is a lot to grasp.

Glenn, the 500 series are junk, 2 gs eps and a barlow would be a better option.
Youll need a collimation tool/tools also.Theres a wide range of tools within a wider range of prices.
Thats the basic neccessities, but theres heaps more depending on how far your willing to stretch your budget.
Any questions feel free to ask.

rmcpb (Rob) · #27 03-08-2005, 08:38 AM

Glenn,

Eyepieces depend a bit on which scope you select as they have different focal lengths and with produce differing magnifications and field of views on each lense. So a hint in that direction will help us to advise you a bit better.

As for other stuff a red torch, a planisphere, a chair for observing (I use a fold up camp stool), a step for the lad to use when the scope is too high for him, a cheshire eyepiece for collimation would be the basics. Also a box to throw it all in when disappearing out the back

ving (David) · #28 03-08-2005, 09:02 AM

generally to start out with I sugest GSO eyepieces of 30mm, 20mm, 15mm and 9mm.... some might say the if you get a barlow you'd only need two of these... when it comes to the wide FOV eyepieces from andrews there are 2 options. I'd say the GSO superviews are probably better. the FOV isnt as big but the reviews i've seen show it to be better.

Starkler (Geoff) · #29 03-08-2005, 10:10 AM

I would go with Daves selection above but swap the 9mm for a 12mm if getting a barlow also.
The 12 is a good magnification for dso work, and a useful medium-high planetary mag when barlowed. The 15 makes a good lower planetary mag barlowed for nights of average seeing. It would be very rare that you could usefully barlow the 9mm

Quote:

Glenn, the 500 series are junk, 2 gs eps and a barlow would be a better option.

Agreed 100%

slice of heaven · #30 03-08-2005, 10:19 AM

Rather than purchasing extra eps , a good quality barlow would be a better choice for starters.
The gs dobs come with 2 gs eps,if you selected a 30 and a 20 and then purchase a good barlow to give you a range of 30..20..15..10 that would cover a nice range of mags without doubling up. Same range as Davids. Then you can add to that as needed.

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #31 03-08-2005, 11:36 AM

Hi Glenn,

My only advice is don't go eyepiece crazy too quickly. There is a common observation that seems contradictory or paradoxical, but which is nonetheless frequently true. A. People tend to hang on to good quality eyepieces for a lot longer than they hang on to their scopes. B. They also tend to end up with a whole lot of (sometimes costly) eyepieces they seldom use. Get a good quality barlow to maximize whatever you have early on, then slowly build up your collection as you gain a better understanding of what your viewing preferences are and what your requirements become.

Cheers,

Brian.

slice of heaven · #32 03-08-2005, 12:07 PM

Nicely put Brian. Thats where I was leading with my post but you summed it up well.
The 2 standard gs eps and a good quality barlow would be the most economical way to start.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #33 03-08-2005, 07:27 PM

Although well addressed already I'll add my 2 cents worth mostly to run up my post count...

The GSO DOB 8 or 6 inch are both good scopes...they are not "kiddie" scopes but the real deal. No moving parts and easy to use/understand I think they make good scopes to start with...I started with the 8...and while "size does matter" the best scope is the one that you (or your kids) will use...both my kids (4 and 7.5 enjoy using the scope with some supervision)

Eyepieces...as you have no doubt noticed everyone has an opinion and a strategy...in simpliest terms I believe as a beginner that you only "need" 3 to enjoy the hobby. Low power (magnification), Mid range power and on a few ocassions High power...there are two ways to fill these...one way is to choose 3 different eyepieces to me I'd say 25 mm, 15mm, 9mm Plossl (these will most likely come with the scope if you buy from Bintel and/or Andrews...I bought from Bintel and the provided eyepieces are good quality for a new person) alternatively you could choose 2 eyepieces and a Barlow this would give you basically 4 magnification ranges...

That should get you started and in fact give you more and better gear than most astronomers had not so many years ago...think about what Gallileo (and other early pioneers of astronomy) had for equipment versus what you can buy realtively inexpensively today!!!

I'd encourage you to hold off on buying anything else until after you have had a chance to use the scope above at least 3 times...this excludes any viewing nights with lots of other people...it must be 3 times with you and your scope...if you do that and still enjoy it, there are a whole bunch of additional "optional" gear that you will find useful...there is no shortage of "must have things"...

Good Luck!

gss · #34 04-08-2005, 08:12 PM

Latest update...

I've had a couple of emails from Lee @ Andrews and I can get the GS-680 with Crayford focuser, BK-7 glass & 2 of the 500 series ep's for $549. From the sounds of most of the posts, I'll upgrade the 500's for GS eps (30 & 20mm) and will also get the GS Barlow ($49) & Cheshire collimation eyepiece for $29. I think that should be enough to get me started although I may add one of the GS superviews also.

Now I just need to wait for a week or two until he gets them in stock!!!

Once again, thanks for all the helpful info...

janoskiss (Steve H) · #35 04-08-2005, 09:25 PM

The long focal length EPs (I'm thinking the 30mm inparticular) might not take well to being barlowed. A 10mm (or 9mm which is what I have) is better than a barlowed 20mm; clearer, brighter, more contrast. You should get at least one EP with FL < 20mm.

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #36 04-08-2005, 09:32 PM

That sounds like a mighty sweet deal! Not so long ago you'd have had to pay twice that amount to get a set up as good as that. Would keep a lot of people happy for quite a few years, too.

Congratulations, and good luck with it all!

slice of heaven · #37 04-08-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

The long focal length EPs (I'm thinking the 30mm inparticular) might not take well to being barlowed. A 10mm (or 9mm which is what I have) is better than a barlowed 20mm; clearer, brighter, more contrast. You should get at least one EP with FL < 20mm.

What brand eps and barlow Steve?
I dont have gs eps or barlow, and havent barlowed the 500s as their not flash on their own,I'd like to hear someones thoughts.

Starkler (Geoff) · #38 04-08-2005, 10:45 PM

If limited to 2 eyepieces I would choose a 12 and a 30.
The collimation cheshire is a must have, but I would hold off on the barlow until you can afford a decent one like the Orion shorty plus which sells for around $150. Thats one you will keep forever and is far superior to the GS unit.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #39 05-08-2005, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

If limited to 2 eyepieces I would choose a 12 and a 30.
The collimation cheshire is a must have, but I would hold off on the barlow until you can afford a decent one like the Orion shorty plus which sells for around $150. Thats one you will keep forever and is far superior to the GS unit.

I have the Orion Shorty Plus. It does a decent job. I don't have anything to compare it to but there are a number of things I can pick on. Internal reflections on brighter targets (like Jupiter or bright stars), or with brighter objects not in but near FOV, are obvious. It has a blurry field stop, which amounts to usable AFOV reduction by at least 5 degrees (with good Ploessls). So I'm not at all sure that it's one to "keep forever". I just wasn't willing to spend much more on a barlow at this stage, but wanted an apo. Sirius optics sell them for $135, Bintel for $139. Apparently, to get anything significantly better, it's got to be a Powermate. At $300+, it's not for me.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #40 05-08-2005, 12:24 AM

Slice, to answer the rest of your question: My good EPs are 9 & 25mm GSO & 15mm Televue Ploessl. I also have the 20mm Andrews Series 500, which is a bit of a dud, but still usable. It produces a streak of light eminating from bright objects, much like one of the four diffraction spikes due to the spider. The difference is that this spike is brighter and rotates with the EP. My 4mm Ser. 500 is useless. I have the GSO Superview 30mm as well. I can't barlow that one with the shorty, it's a 2". Not too impressed with the SV. The 3 good ploessls are really good though.

The scary thing is that I'm not sure that the televue ploessl is better for $145 than the GSOs for $39. Last I used the TV on the full Moon, it produced quite unpleasant yellow fringing at the limb. Neither of the GSOs do that. Scope wasn't collimated well though. I'm thinking of buying a GSO Ploessl of the same focal length as the TV for comparison.

All my EPs are used with a GSO 200mm plate-glass Dob.