OTA question

[christos]

Having been a member of this site for a little while and very new to this great hobby. I actually got involved when my girlfriend brought me a "cheap" 5 inch telescope" for a present, now I am hooked,
my question is that I am looking for at a new OTA with the view of 50%/50% astrophoto/visual viewing,

As health issues have depleted most of my reserves, I am on a very limited budget and was looking at a Bintel 200mm either f4 or f5

so my question is, which one would you far more experienced suggest I purchase, or posiblly something else?


Kindest Regards
Chris

[Iceaxe (Joe)]

Hi Chris.

Like you, I'm fairly new to astronomy.

If you get a dobsonian you need to think :-
-Collapsible or Truss type - easy to transport ect.
-Solid Tube - can be mounted on an equatorial goto / tracking type mount.

If my memory is right Bintel 200mm is an 8" solid tube Dob, a good choice.

For me first was a 10" dobsonian (solid) on a dobsonian mount and some good quality eye pieces,
next will be an EQ6 Pro mount or heaver duty equatorial mount so It can take future loads eg- cameras ect,
and when I'm ready ... Astrophotography.

Can I suggest joining a club / society (at least check it out).
The info you'll pick up is extremely helpful, there is more to astronomy that looking into telescopes, stuff like :- Spectrograph, Collimation, ect. The wealth of knowledge and experience of the members is great.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/clublistings.html

Some club have loan telescopes (that's how I learnt dods mount was easy, and my friend's equatorial mount frustrating).

Hopefully I was able to help you.

Regards

Joe

[Iceaxe (Joe)]

Hi again,

I though Bintel BT200 was the Bintel BT202-B Dob on a dobson base, how do plan to mount the Bintel BT200?

Joe

[christos]

sorry I should of added that I allready have an eq5 goto that holds my current scope
so I am just looking at the OTA

My bad

Cheers Chris