New telescope - Page 2

Colin_Fraser · #21 08-07-2010, 09:37 PM

Yes that's the one. It is confusing. (lawn bowls is looking good)
Everything should be clearer after tomorrow night.

Rockah (Zal) · #22 08-07-2010, 09:49 PM

Good luck buddy - I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for tomorrow!

Colin_Fraser · #23 10-07-2010, 07:32 PM

Went to Snake Valley last night. Met a great bunch of blokes. Mainly looked through Dobsonians. There were others there, like a ED80 refractor but they had trouble seeing things because the sky was a bit hazy.
I was amazed. Saw Saturn's rings for the first time, star clusters and a heap of other wonders.
So, I've narrowed my choice down.
I like the Dobsonians but Helen, my wife, would not be able to handle one so that leaves something like a Celestron C10-NGT (Newtonian) or a Celestron CPC 925 XLT. (Cassegrain).

DavidTrap (David) · #24 10-07-2010, 07:57 PM

Glad to hear you took the advice. I started with a similar budget and bought a fabulous LX-90. Unfortunately, I've moved on to astro-imaging rather quickly. Just remember that your fork mounted SCT won't really cut it for imaging and will not have a great resale value (I know my LX-90 certainly won't).

DT

Colin_Fraser · #25 11-07-2010, 04:31 PM

After more research, the cassegrain is out.
And I just noticed Skywatcher have a computerized goto system for a 300mm Dobsonian. That would be good for my wife.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #26 12-07-2010, 02:45 PM

It was good meeting you Colin, and glad you were able to come out and investigate some different styles of scopes.
Yeah, it ain't easy at first. I just hope we didn't confuse you further

Remember, call me any time and come on out again as often as you want and look through them all again

casstony · #27 12-07-2010, 04:05 PM

Colin, without knowing how you intend to store or use the scope, here are some points you might consider:

the 10" solid tube dob is easily wheeled around on a trolley fully assembled, is slim enough to be wheeled through doorways, short enough to fit across the back seat of some cars, short enough to allow fully seated observing and the optical tube is fairly easy to lift and carry.

A 12" may be less convenient depending on how you're going to store/move/use the scope. I'm not trying to put you off the 12", it'll be brighter, but is it sufficiently convenient for you to use?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #28 12-07-2010, 04:47 PM

I get the feeling (from what I read here) that Colin means his wife won't be able to find objects with a Dob. Sounds like Colin is after something with 'GoTo' or Argo Navis etc.

Correct me if I am wrong Colin

Colin_Fraser · #29 12-07-2010, 06:35 PM

Hello Tony,

Quote:

Originally Posted by casstony

A 12" may be less convenient depending on how you're going to store/move/use the scope. I'm not trying to put you off the 12", it'll be brighter, but is it sufficiently convenient for you to use?

I'm not sure either. Helen would rather have a scope with tracking.
She has a bad neck and cannot move it too much so anything that makes it easier and more comfortable for her, all the better.
Moving it around will not be a problem. If it becomes a problem later, I'll put it on rails or something. Might even build an observatory when we build our new house next year.

Colin_Fraser · #30 12-07-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

It was good meeting you Colin, and glad you were able to come out and investigate some different styles of scopes.
Yeah, it ain't easy at first. I just hope we didn't confuse you further

Remember, call me any time and come on out again as often as you want and look through them all again

Yes it was a great night Ken.
I would not mind having another look and perhaps have a gaze through the ED80 or an SCT.
I'll get myself one of those red lights. Then I'll look like a cyclops as well

Bassnut (Fred) · #31 12-07-2010, 06:58 PM

Colin, IMO with $4k you need to decide Visual or Photography, both will be a compromise. Its a good budget for either, but not both.

Colin_Fraser · #32 12-07-2010, 10:20 PM

Hello Fred,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Colin, IMO with $4k you need to decide Visual or Photography, both will be a compromise. Its a good budget for either, but not both.

After talking to Ken last Friday, he explained the process of going down the photography path. I'm not ready for that just yet.
After looking through the scopes, I'd rather just do visual for now.

casstony · #33 13-07-2010, 12:35 AM

If tracking is mandatory and with a bad neck/comfortable observing to consider, a GoTo schmidt cassegrain (eg. Meade LX90 or Celestron Nexstar SE) might suit best. You can do all seated observing and turn the diagonal such that the eyepiece is horizontal, allowing the observer to keep their back and neck vertical. This is part of the reason for my preference for SCT's (schmidt cassegrain telescopes) since I have a crook upper back and can't lean forward for long.

erick (Eric) · #34 13-07-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin_Fraser

Yes it was a great night Ken.
I would not mind having another look and perhaps have a gaze through the ED80 or an SCT.
I'll get myself one of those red lights. Then I'll look like a cyclops as well

If we can set an evening and I'm available, I'll bring my Celestron C8 so you can get the feel for an SCT. Mine's very old - no goto nor the much enhanced optics that the new ones have. But size and handling is much the same.

DavidTrap (David) · #35 13-07-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casstony

If tracking is mandatory and with a bad neck/comfortable observing to consider, a GoTo schmidt cassegrain (eg. Meade LX90 or Celestron Nexstar SE) might suit best. You can do all seated observing and turn the diagonal such that the eyepiece is horizontal, allowing the observer to keep their back and neck vertical. This is part of the reason for my preference for SCT's (schmidt cassegrain telescopes) since I have a crook upper back and can't lean forward for long.

I second this comment.

My LX-90 tracks beautifully in Alt-Az mode. Setup takes <10mins. Plonk tripod down - take time to ensure the it is LEVEL. Screw down OTA/Forks onto tripod. Point scope North and make sure OTA is level. Turn on Autostar. It will slew to two alignment stars and Bob's your Uncle!

The observing position with an SCT in Alt-Az mode is quite kind to your back. They are definitely not "back friendly" when equatorially mounted on a wedge! I have seen a few people doing video astronomy through an Alt-Az mounted SCT with spectacular results - something to consider if want to dabble into Astrophotography.

DT

Cheers
DT

Colin_Fraser · #36 13-07-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casstony

You can do all seated observing and turn the diagonal such that the eyepiece is horizontal.

I did not know you could turn it around. If that's the case, it maybe easier than leaning over towards a larger Dobsonian mounted scope.
Its a big investment, I want to get it right first time.
Thanks for pointing it out Tony.

Colin_Fraser · #37 13-07-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

If we can set an evening and I'm available, I'll bring my Celestron C8 so you can get the feel for an SCT. Mine's very old - no goto nor the much enhanced optics that the new ones have. But size and handling is much the same.

No worries Eric, that would be great.
If you could let me know when you are going, I'll make myself available.

Colin_Fraser · #38 14-07-2010, 06:43 PM

Hello David,

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidTrap

Setup takes <10mins. Plonk tripod down - take time to ensure the it is LEVEL. Screw down OTA/Forks onto tripod. Point scope North and make sure OTA is level. Turn on Autostar. It will slew to two alignment stars and Bob's your Uncle!

The observing position with an SCT in Alt-Az mode is quite kind to your back.

I just had a look at the LX90. Looks okay. Noticed they have two types, LX90-SC and LX90-ACF. Can you get good visuals of galaxies and nebula with yours?
How would it compare with a reflector type of the same size?
Do you think the LX90-ACF 12" would be a good item? It certainly reads well and the size would make transporting it a bit easier.

Bassnut (Fred) · #39 14-07-2010, 07:40 PM

Interesting dilema, for someone willing to spend proper money for a good result.

Apature counts for visual, period, so I wouldve thought a monster dob would be the go, but then (like me) if you dont know where stuff is up there, it can be a PITA finding stuff to look at, so goto is attractive, so the LX90 range with an ordinary mount and good optics (for the money) is pretty good. But dont count on a 12" f10 (3m FL!) on an LX90 mount for photography though, thats a marginal world of pain, doable but very difficult.

For visual only, what about a big dob with Argo navis for push-to conveinience?. Then again an LX90 is a smaller, smick out-of-the-box, all in one set to go experience.

DavidTrap (David) · #40 14-07-2010, 08:48 PM

Hi Colin,

I've sent you a PM

DT