New scope.

Dave47tuc (David) · #1 09-03-2005, 05:19 PM

Hi All

Well i decided to buy a new scope. I was going to build a observatory, but funds will not be thier.

So I sold a couple of eyepieces and was going to buy a new wide field eyepiece. After much thought I decided to buy a wide field refractor instead

I thought i would get a lot more use out of a quick grab and go scope than a new eyepiece.

I looked around for a while and nearly brought 25x100 binocs!

But instead I brought a 120x600 SkyWatcher Refractor on a AZ3 mount. I brought it of Andrews, and I rekon I got a great deal.
All up cost shipped to me was $614

I have seen this set up for over $800

So it has been a while since i had a new scope, I'm like a kid waiting for Xmas

I just wanted a wide field scope and thought this would suit me best. When I get it i will do a review over the next month and see how it goes.

Striker (Tony) · #2 09-03-2005, 05:27 PM

Congrats Dave.........its always a Happy time when a new member comes to the family.....

ving (David) · #3 09-03-2005, 05:27 PM

thats a mean looking scope dave. be interested to see how it goes

Starkler (Geoff) · #4 09-03-2005, 05:57 PM

It'll be interesting to compare views with the 80ED

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 09-03-2005, 07:38 PM

Well Dave, we know we have about 5 days of good weather down here in Victoria waiting for your delivery.

After that it will be shocking coz YOU BOUGHT A NEW SCOPE!!!!!!

jackenau · #6 09-03-2005, 08:00 PM

I hope you enjoy my new scope Dave. I have had some good views out of your ep's, or at least one of them so far.

Let us know how it goes.

Ken M

Dave47tuc (David) · #7 09-03-2005, 08:07 PM

Thanks Guy's,
Yeh Yeh Ken ya got me as I got you but if i remember it was clear when your new scope arrived

Will be interesting to see the differance Geoff.

Yes Ken.M. Those Ep's are great and it was nice to see you and Andrew could view togeather. Well done.

Mick (Michael) · #8 09-03-2005, 09:32 PM

Very nice, good luck with your new scope Dave.

beren · #9 09-03-2005, 09:39 PM

Dave i have the same scope , i like it , there is colour fringing and beyond 100x its pushing it but the scope is designed for low power wide feild observing and in this role it does a fine job , might have to factor in a v-minus filter though . Mine is the older stock without the adjustable mirror cell for collimation but fortunately thats pretty good as is the focuser {except for the dreaded chinese grease}

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 09-03-2005, 10:45 PM

Nice buy Dave. i gather that its an Acromatic and not ED

iceman (Mike) · #11 10-03-2005, 06:03 AM

Nice one Dave, can't wait to see a review and comparison report to the Orion ED.

Looks nice a nice grab'n'go.

rumples riot · #12 10-03-2005, 11:43 AM

yes a comparision between the two will be very interesting. Look forward to see that.

Dave47tuc (David) · #13 10-03-2005, 06:31 PM

Hi Guy's
The scope is a Achromat and yes there will be color. But my intention is wide field observing mainly. I will give it a nudge in Mag at some time, to see how she goes.

Well when geoff and I get togeather again for some viewing we will do a side by side test, if thats ok with Geoff.

Stuart good to hear you have the same scope

Mine will not be collimateble, but I know a few people who will be happy to pull it apart and rebuild if needed. Should be fine fingers x

New grease is waiting

Mike I will do a review on this scope over the coming weeks.

I will not viewing this weekend I have cricket finals, yeh we got in

Maybe Monday night if clear.

Dave47tuc (David) · #14 15-03-2005, 08:51 PM

Well the scope has arrived

I'll make a few comments on my first thoughts

and yes its raining

The two cartons arrived at my work this morning. The ota box was fine but the tripod box looked a bit worse for wear

Having looked inside all was ok.

I was supprised on how well made the AZ3 mount ,very good.

Bigger supprise was the ota, it was in really great condition.

Hardly a blemish anywhere. Optics spot on. Could see the coatings and inside the tube looked well painted.

I had seen some early China stuff and yuk

very poorly made.

Color is SkyWatcher blue and it has a finder scope. 6x30 i think.

The focuser was very good to my supprise again, very smooth.

Now my 2" diagonal sits in it.

One thing it did not have was instructions

I could see how a newbie could get stuck

But I buggerd around for a while

and got it all togeather.

So I had to see what the images were like

so I put in my 22 Panoptic and looked at a shed about 300 yards away.

Great very sharp and clean image. Some blue around the shed but I expected that.

Tried the 12 Nagler very good, but no blue

Then my 8.8 UWA again very clean and sharp and no blue

All this means ? not much except that the scope works and the land images are very sharp.

Now for the weather to clear, should be a week or two with a new scope

I'll keep you posted if you are interested.

h0ughy (David) · #15 15-11-2005, 10:07 AM

Dave , have you star tested this little creature yet? what is the scope like, would it make a good guide scope?

Dave47tuc (David) · #16 15-11-2005, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

Dave , have you star tested this little creature yet? what is the scope like, would it make a good guide scope?

Geez this is an old thread. This scope has come and gone.

I'ts ok for wide field viewing, to big for a guide scope me thinks.

A 100mm one would be ok for a guide scope

Geoff and i looked through the 120mm and his 80mm ED the Ed was much better. I would go a Ed 80 or a Williams Optics 80 mm.

Happy hunting. ( I still can't find a new scope myself

)

davidpretorius · #17 15-11-2005, 02:18 PM

what scope are you looking at Mr Tuc47?

i noticed you were looking to sell the 10" dob and a few eyepieces. Sounds like a rippa scope in the pipeline??

You could share Mick Pinners new one when she arrives???

Dave47tuc (David) · #18 15-11-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

what scope are you looking at Mr Tuc47?

i noticed you were looking to sell the 10" dob and a few eyepieces. Sounds like a rippa scope in the pipeline??

You could share Mick Pinners new one when she arrives???

No high end scope in the pipeline for me

The Dob is gone too Twkids

Lucky I have some nice friends who have nice scopes. They let me look for a small donation

For me It will be a small grab and Go scope. Just don't know what yet.

Maybe back to Meteor observing.

xstream (John) · #19 15-11-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave47tuc

Maybe back to Meteor observing.

I can see a High End Banana Lounge coming on here.

h0ughy (David) · #20 15-11-2005, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave47tuc

Geez this is an old thread. This scope has come and gone.

I'ts ok for wide field viewing, to big for a guide scope me thinks.

A 100mm one would be ok for a guide scope

Geoff and i looked through the 120mm and his 80mm ED the Ed was much better. I would go a Ed 80 or a Williams Optics 80 mm.

Happy hunting. ( I still can't find a new scope myself

)

you neve know when they are about to get dragged up

thanks for the input