What Next? Long time lurker - need advice
Hello,
I'm a long time lurker and thought I would post as I want some advice on where I should head next with Astronomy.
3 Years ago I was lucky enough to start this hobby after acquiring a Royal Astro LN-4e 100mm reflector telescope. I have attached an older photo of it, but not much has changed!
It has been a joy to use and I have loved using and maintaining it. I've made some non-permanent "modifications" to it by adding my own stepper motor RA drives and other things as I'm a tinkerer with an electronics/mechanical background.
During my time with it I have narrowed down to what I feel I enjoy most about this hobby and that is viewing planets + the moon and an ability to have an easy "grab and go" style arrangement.
The Royal Astro LN-4e has a pedestal style concrete mount/tripod that can be cumbersome/difficult to move around - lately its often left in the living room as an ornament and less used outside because of this.
I feel like I have 2 options.
1 . Keep the OTA and find a modern tripod style mount. This option unfortunately means I will have to get rid of the original pedestal mount as I don’t want to store it. I don’t like the idea of ruining the collectors value of separating the telescope from the mount etc.
2 . Sell the whole Royal Astro LN-4e 100mm with the mount and replace with a 80mm or 102mm Refractor telescope with EQ mount. I only do viewing, I don’t delve into astrophotography, so will only consider longer focal length telescopes.
If I consider option 1 - what EQ size should I go with? EQ2 or EQ3?
If I consider option 2 - is it safe to assume I can expect a similar or better viewing with a modern(sky-watcher or other brand) 80mm or 102mm Refractor telescope?
Thanks for your time.
Rob
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