ICEINSPACE
Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waning Gibbous 71.6%
|
|
15-09-2009, 07:28 PM
|
|
Worse or better?
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 319
|
|
My final 3 choices
Ok so i have narrowed my first scope down to the following contestants after hours and hours of research/review reading/eliminations.
After i read this however i decided to make a decision
"Finally, avoid "paralysis-by-analysis." If you spend more than an hour a day reading telescope catalogs, you are probably in this category. Just get something; you'll feel a lot better."
Skywatcher SW680 Dobsonian - 8"/200mm, f6 - $499 from either Sirus Optics or York Optical.
Guan Sheng GS-680 - 8"/200mm, f6 - $499 from Andrews.
Or
Orion Skyquest XT - 4.5"/114mm - $499 from Sirus Optics.
So Just after any opinions and clearly the Orion is there in case brand between the listed makes that much of a difference, i know it can make a big difference with eye pieces.
PS i put away $200 last week so its not far away
|
15-09-2009, 07:36 PM
|
|
Registered User
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Monto
Posts: 16,738
|
|
I'd go the Sky Watcher.
You can have it straight away, no waiting for delivery.
|
15-09-2009, 08:10 PM
|
|
kids+wife+scopes=happyman
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: sydney, australia
Posts: 4,979
|
|
Sky-Watcher 8", as well with me.
You can get better EPs as the piggy bank fattens up. Goes for all scopes.
|
15-09-2009, 08:14 PM
|
|
Worse or better?
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 319
|
|
lol yeah i have seen some that cost double the cost of the scope!
|
15-09-2009, 08:15 PM
|
|
kids+wife+scopes=happyman
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: sydney, australia
Posts: 4,979
|
|
Some EPs probably weigh more than the scope too.
|
15-09-2009, 08:21 PM
|
|
Registered User
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: all over the shop...
Posts: 2,098
|
|
Aperture, aperture, aperture. Go with with one of the 8" jobbies.
|
16-09-2009, 09:34 AM
|
|
Bright the hawk's flight
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Mt Duneed Vic
Posts: 3,978
|
|
I'd go the Sky Watcher over the GSO if they are the same price and aperture. If you are a first time user the GSO instructions are very rudimentary. OK if you already know how everything is supposed to look but otherwise pretty well useless. The SW from what I have heard is much better in this respect. Don't get me wrong the GSO scope is a fine instrument, just the instructions are not up to date.
As to aperture, always go bigger! So get the 8"
As to EPs, the GSO I think may come with a 26mm 2" Plossl EP which is a not a bad EP but you can get similar fairly cheaply. You will find yourself getting premium EPs very quickly once you have the scope.
Last edited by barx1963; 16-09-2009 at 09:51 AM.
|
16-09-2009, 10:16 AM
|
|
Registered User
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Beautiful SE Tassie
Posts: 4,734
|
|
Yes, the Skywatcher 8" Dob - it will be excellent!!!
A supherb first scope ... I had a 8" Dob for many years, and it was great.
I have a 10" Dob now (GSO) and reckon there's not a lot of difference
|
16-09-2009, 10:21 AM
|
|
The sky is Messier here!
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Darwin
Posts: 2,587
|
|
Can't go wrong with the 8" Dob
|
16-09-2009, 10:52 AM
|
|
Starcatcher
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Gerringong
Posts: 8,532
|
|
Another vote for an 8". Either will do. You might split them depending on the answers to:- What focusser does each come with and what eyepieces? Does either come with a cooling fan?
|
16-09-2009, 11:40 AM
|
|
Newtonian power! Love it!
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Mandurah
Posts: 2,597
|
|
The skywatcher is a better scope all round, it has Pyrex mirror (low expansion and contraction due to temperature its the same glass you use for cooking with) the tube construction is sturdier, there is extra material where the finderscope sits (less damage due to accidental bumping) and better coatings on the tube.
The standard SW focuser beats the GSO Varient HANDS DOWN even with its 10:1 option. if you put a heavy EP in the GSO focuser it struggles.
Eye pieces do not get sucked in by an offer of more and different ep's most of them are sheeeit anyhow they work for a beginner but once you figure it all out youll go from there.
If you go to the dark side (astrophotography) camera's will come to focus in standard form. this i know...
|
16-09-2009, 11:52 AM
|
|
Like to learn
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: melbourne
Posts: 4,835
|
|
Skywatcher.
I am very happy with my 12". Optics are great.
|
16-09-2009, 01:12 PM
|
|
Worse or better?
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 319
|
|
Well apperently there is an australia wide shortage of Skywatcher solid tube dobs because the factory over in china missed a shipment.
I called around most of the dealers and none had any in stock... Awaiting several call backs and ill let you know how i go.
Update, i just got a call back from York saying they have 3 left, however they are in either Melbourne or Sydney.
Now to pass confirmation past the "Boss" lol
|
16-09-2009, 06:27 PM
|
|
Newtonian power! Love it!
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Mandurah
Posts: 2,597
|
|
bite the bullet wait, the shipment should be over here at the end of the month/start of next.
|
17-09-2009, 09:26 AM
|
|
This sentence is false
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,147
|
|
Quote:
PS i put away $200 last week so its not far away
|
Alan
Prices are really good these days with affordable high quality imported scopes and a strong Australian dollar - a great time to get into Astronomy.
I think you have received some good advice here - I'd wait and get a skywatcher too. In the mean time you can plan your first observing session!
I'm looking forward to your first light report
|
18-09-2009, 09:10 PM
|
|
Worse or better?
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 319
|
|
Done, i have it boxed up in my apartment, now just to work out how to put it together and the collminate it.
It's gunna be a long night
|
19-09-2009, 08:09 PM
|
|
coffee time
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Timaru new zealand
Posts: 284
|
|
Great work. you will enjoy the views you get with it.
Here's to many clear nights.
Cheers
Gary
|
19-09-2009, 09:07 PM
|
|
Registered User
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 112
|
|
I'd go with the GSO dob, primarily because it comes with so many EP's. If you can get a dealer to match that with a skywatcher, you're in business.
Edit: I'd have gone
|
24-09-2009, 01:51 AM
|
Registered User
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Evergreen Park, Il. U.S.A.
Posts: 182
|
|
I would go with the Sky Watcher.
,
Tom
|
24-09-2009, 02:45 PM
|
|
Newtonian power! Love it!
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Mandurah
Posts: 2,597
|
|
What scope did you end up getting Essth?
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT +10. The time is now 09:02 PM.
|
|