How does this set up sound?

[Blake (B)]

Hi everyone,

I've been a long time reader/viewer of the IceInSpace forums, and find this to be a very knowledgeable and friendly community. So, I thought I would finally become a member to seek some advice.

The first telescope I owned was a simple 55mm alt-az refractor. Nothing fancy, just a very basic telescope. I sold this a short while back when I moved houses, and have since been researching what to buy next.

I was looking at the skywatcher synscan dobsonian telescopes, but transportability and lack of use for astrophotography sort of turned me away from them.

What I've been looking at now are newtonians, ritchey chretien reflectors, and refractors. I understand the various benefits of aperture and focal ratio for astrophotography vs visual use, and like a lot of new starters, I'd like a set up that allows some flexibility for visual use and astrophotography.

So, how does this set up sound?;

- Skywatcher NEQ6 Pro GOTO equatorial mount,
with
- Orion ED80T CF Apo refractor (for visual/guiding/wide field),
with
- Skywatcher 8" or 10" f/4 carbon fiber wide photo reflector (for dso astrophotography with a 1.5x or 2x barlow to increase focal length for visual use)
OR
- Bintel BT200 f/4 carbon fiber reflector (looks like this may just be a cheaper Skywatcher)
OR
- GSO RC-8" carbon fiber astrograph


Any feedback is welcome. I'd like to stay around the $4000 mark if possible but I have a bit of flexibility.

Thanks!

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Hi Blake and welcome mate .
The 1st and 2nd on your list , the mount and refractor would be great for visual and AP , and the last 3 while ok for visual are more aimed at AP only , still ok , if thats the way you want to go .

Are you looking at DSLR or CCD imaging ? thats another cost on top .
Keep looking and I am sure plenty of others will pipe in here .

Brian.

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Won't part any advice on the scopes, but welcome as a new member to the site. When I started out I found the people here great for advice and assistance, and still do.

Welcome


Mardy

[Blake (B)]

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

I haven't actually looked through other telescopes, but I have used a simulator to get an idea of the views. The Orion 80mm triplet looks to be good for planetary observation and to get those nice rounded stars without flaring from the secondary mirror spider of reflectors, but how good would I be able to see something as distant as Uranus or Neptune?

Dso's seem to be an aperture game to get the best views. My main concern with going for only the 80mm triplet is how much more will I actually be able to see compared to my old 55m refractor? Does an extra 25mm aperture really make a big difference?

Perhaps id be best going for the refractor for now and an 8" tracking dob for dso visual? I thought the barlow might increase the focal length and give more contrast and reduce and aberrations or coma caused by the short focal ratio?

As for dslr or ccd, I'm thinking I'll buy a dedicated astrophotography camera (I think they are ccd?). I think I read somewhere ccd was more sensitive or something and better for astrophotography.

Either way, I'm very inclined towards the triplet. Even if I upgrade to a larger reflector later on I can still use the triplet as a guide or something.

Also, what seems to be the general consensus on eyepieces and barlows? Are Televue the way to go?

Thanks for your responses!

[Scorpius51 (John)]

Originally Posted by Blake

... but how good would I be able to see something as distant as Uranus or Neptune?
...
Dso's seem to be an aperture game to get the best views. My main concern with going for only the 80mm triplet is how much more will I actually be able to see compared to my old 55m refractor? Does an extra 25mm aperture really make a big difference?
...
Also, what seems to be the general consensus on eyepieces and barlows? Are Televue the way to go?

You might see Uranus & Neptune as very small discs in an 80mm under ideal conditions, but don't expect too much detail! I have only viewed them with an 8" f/5 Newt with 2x barlow. Others will advise here.

Going from 55mm to 80mm is a ~ 45% increase in aperture, but ~ 2x increase in light-gathering.

Televue EPs are very good, but quite pricey. I have a few and consider them the best I have used. They appear periodically on IceTrades (like now!) for reasonable prices. As they are generally looked after, they are a good buy 2nd hand. The Naglers are the most popular.

Cheers
John

[Poita (Peter)]

I'd go the ED80 and the RC8 from that selection.

The ED80 will cover wideview photography and the RC8 has enough focal length to tackle smaller galaxies and do some planetary.

I don't like the 8" f4 newts as they very short focal length, so you would still be lacking a longer focal length scope.

Just my 2c.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

I second that Poita , a nice set up .
It would work very well and not break the bank ,,,, well kinda ..
Brian.

[Blake (B)]

The RC 8 sounds like the go then. It gets some good reviews for the price. Might end up having to swap out the focuser though. There's a bit of slop there apparently.

It doesn't take much for the price for a set up to blow out does it? haha by the time you add eye pieces, camera, autoguider, and various other accessories. But, you get what you pay for I suppose

Thanks for the feedback!

EDIT: Just another question on eyepieces. Has anyone used the GSO/Bintel 1.25" Plossl EPs? The Televue Naglers are pretty pricey and I think I'd rather buy a bit cheaper eyepiece and spend the money on an autoguider instead (I'm thinking the Orion Awesome Autoguider package from Bintel).

[2stroke (Jay)]

I want an RC8 lol, that's what i would choose also. Good advise from peter, dam there pretty cheap to, time for some overtime at work