Astro gear

[Hodur (David)]

I’d place this in general discussion however the, Vale notes a significant passing and I didn’t want to clutter general discussion in the circumstances.
It’s maddening, I’ve got access to most anything I want in Astro, yet the overwhelming majority of gear remains unused, if not for my fanatical devotion to cases and desiccants the gear would be both dusty and mouldy.
Astro is the wrong way around, when where young and a 25kg over head lift is nothing, we have no money. When we have the money a 25kg over head lift becomes an impossibility….. it’s not fair.
That’s my official gripe

[DarkArts]

Indeed it's not fair, and my back protests regularly in agreement.

It's equaly frustrating with time as well.

When you're working, money is flowing, so dropping a few thousand (or more) on mount, OTA and accessories seems reasonable ... but you don't have time to use it because you've got to get up for work most days.

If you're not working, having a late night (whenever the sky decides to be clear, that is) is easy ... but there's little if any money coming in, and you can't afford to splurge on gear.

I think astronomy requires:
(1) a modest approach early on and excellent saving discipline so you can afford decent gear in retirement; or
(2) a rich and understanding spouse who will support you; or
(3) winning lotto

... as well as an ongoing regimen of weight training.

[AdamJL]

I think this is slowly changing in some ways.
Mounts are getting smaller. ZWO, iOptron, Rainbow Astro, Pegasus all have strain wave mounts out now that weigh a pittance but give excellent performance and carry large loads. My AM5 has almost replaced the EQ6-R at 1/3 the weight and can reliably carry a slightly heavier load.

For scopes, we’ll yep you still have big monsters but also many more wide field refractors now and many are petzval-esque designs so are perfect for AP

And with software tools like BlurXTerminator coming online, it’s closing the gap between sites with excellent seeing conditions and those without… and even improving resolution, so how much do you really need that big scope anymore?

The future for this hobby is looking good

[Hodur (David)]

Originally Posted by DarkArts

Indeed it's not fair, and my back protests regularly in agreement.

It's equaly frustrating with time as well.

When you're working, money is flowing, so dropping a few thousand (or more) on mount, OTA and accessories seems reasonable ... but you don't have time to use it because you've got to get up for work most days.

If you're not working, having a late night (whenever the sky decides to be clear, that is) is easy ... but there's little if any money coming in, and you can't afford to splurge on gear.

I think astronomy requires:
(1) a modest approach early on and excellent saving discipline so you can afford decent gear in retirement; or
(2) a rich and understanding spouse who will support you; or
(3) winning lotto

... as well as an ongoing regimen of weight training.

Weight training is an outstanding idea, it’d resolve many a issue. Now if I could only find that can of will power…..

[Tropo-Bob (Bob)]

I so relate to this. However, throw in the wet season till at least April and I wonder why I bother.

Nevertheless, I still enjoy it when the night is good; even though the equipment is smaller and lighter.