which dob ? Bintel 252 or Guan Sheng 880?

[andy]

I've just joined this forum and no doubt this has been asked before. I am considering the Bintel252 - 10 inch or the Guan Sheng 880 - 10 inch. Which is the better deal ?

As a new stargazer which one would suit me better? I have read the advice and know it depends what you want to use the telescope for but I dont want to start with the cheapest I want to get started on a higher rung. I started with a cheap digital camera and then a better one and then an even better (more expensive !) one. I want to avoid this with a telescope and that is why I am looking at the 10 inch ones..(Gee I love people who speak in inches !)

Having said all that being new at this should I really be looking at a computer controlled one, such as the Meade EXT 90 AT ?

To give you an idea of my skill level I can recognise the moon and the southern cross.

I'm in the Blue Mountains is there an active club or group in this area?

[atalas]

Hi andy ! both the same scope so its up to you .

Louie

[frogman (Anthony Lord)]

yep doth scopes are produced in the smae factory using all the same gear... as Louie said I went out and bought the 12" GS but if you want to get into astrophotography buy something like the LX.... Motorising the DOB can get expensive......

Im sort of a NOOB but i can now pick out a few objects.... like the striped soccerball ....

Hope i've helped
Antony

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Andy,

Same scope so see which deal suits you best.

As for a local astronomy club, try the Western Sydney Amature Astronomy Group ( http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/wsaag/ ).

They have regular viewing nights at Linden each month, try contacting Mark Gozzard their president for mor info.

Cheers

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Andy, since you asked for it - here is my opinion.....

I think you are on the right track (that's not a pun!) with a dob. It gives you the biggest bang for your buck (ie aperture rules!) and you do see more - espeically as a noob.

Don't be daunted by the prospects ahead if you want to learn the skies and get around by starhopping. It will take time, but given a star chart and some basic instruction it is quite easy to find things and the hunt and capture can be very satisfying - more satisfying than knowing you managed to push a few buttons in the right order ......sorry got carried away - I know each to their own, what ever gets you through the night, etc, etc, ....climbing off soap box now.

If photography is you niche in life and you want to take some long exposure piccies then you may want to rethink the dob. The 10" dob will show you so much more than the ETX 90 though.

Perhaps get along to a starparty and see how easy a dob is to use prior to your purchase if you have concerns.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Andy,

Welcome. Just to clarify what has been said about them being the same. They are exactly the same scope. Bintel puts a bintel sticker on theirs and the other shop doesn't. They are both a GS 880 10" Dob.

A 10" will last you possibly the rest of your viewing life unless you want to change across to a guided scope, but the dollar bracket is very different. It is really up to how much you are prepared to spend. If you can lash out 3 or 4 grand get the computerised go-to superscopes. If you want to stay under $1000 the dob is perfect.

There is a lot to consider apart from dollars to. Reflector vs Refractor vs Cassegrain, Astrophotography vs viewing etc. etc.

Try to get along to a society or club and check out the differences.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Its worth paying a few dollars more for the "premium model" which comes with a crayford focuser. The standard rack and pinion focuser leaves a bit to be desired.

When you get your scope , you'll want to check out my how-to soon to be posted on sorting out the mounting of the optics

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Andy,
I would go for the premium model from either dealer.

After over 30 years of observing and owning telescopes. Just recently I brought one.

I'm very happy with it

Do check out Geoffs "how To" section when it arrives

Also many people don't say this, but do get a 8x50 correct image finder. A small outlay which will save your neck

Good luck.

[iceman (Mike)]

Hey Andy!

to the forum.

How did you hear about us?

I can't add too much more to what the guys have already stated - I bought mine from Bintel, others have bought there's from Andrews. But they are exactly the same. Oh and my scope is exactly that model.

Bintel charge a bit more to take it out of the boxes, check everything, collimate and center-spot (if necessary, most are already done these days). So really it's up to you.

The dobs are great value for money, and there's so much you can do to them. I've done a few additions and modifications you can check out on my projects page.

Also, are you into (or are you likely to want to be into) astrophotography? It is possible to do astrophotography with a dob, but if astrophotography is high on your list of requirements, then as much as it pains me, i'd recommend something with buzzing, whirring and clicking noises

Good luck and come back often!

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Andy;

It used to be that someone who was starting out in astronomy would be advised to first get a good pair of binos and a star map and spend a little time learning the sky before investing in a scope

Even if you are going to buy a scope you should seriously also consider getting a good pair-say 10 x50s -of binoculars.You will always find them useful

Why not get a pair-Andrews has some really cheap-and maybe use these till you get a chance to come along to a WSAAG observing night and have a look through a few scopes before making up your mind what to buy

just my 2 c, dont want to confuse you , but why not try before you buy? and the binos will hopefully keep you going till you can do so.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally posted by iceman
something with buzzing, whirring and clicking noises

They are the Technical terms!

There's also 'Fuzzy Blob', 'Great Red Spot', 'Large and Small Magellanic Clouds', 'Little White Cloud', nudging, hopping, etc.

Very technical lingo indeed!!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Buzzing, whirring and clicking can be fun though. Helps drown out the crickets and frog noises. But especially fun if you want to catch the odd piccie or two or twenty. But the 3-4 grand mentions is only the beggining if you start down that track Enjoy your Dob if you decide to get one.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

If you buy your scope from Andrews you will get a set of Binocs included free! They are not spectacular but I enjoy using them.

[andy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by iceman
[B]Hey Andy!


welcome to the forum, how did you hear about us?
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Thanks to all for the welcome and the helpfull comments and suggestions.

I found the site by searching Google forums
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[andy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ballaratdragons
[B]If you buy your scope from Andrews you will get a set of Binocs included free! They are not spectacular but I enjoy using them.


......FREE ! ...........one of my favourite words !

I'll go and see them today
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[andy]

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.Bought my GS880 10 inch Dob today from Andrews, thanks again for your help.
All I have to do is work out how to set it up.
I will keep an eye on the forums for more information.
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[atalas]

Congrats andy!enjoy.


Louie

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Andy,

You certainly don't muck around.

Have fun with your scope. Any problems just ask.

p.s. The stars and stuff are up there, not in your neighbours window!!!! LOL

[ving (David)]

your welcome andy
hang on.. the post pinching fairy took my previous post!
oh well.

you'll really enjoy your scope. you should get yourself some skymaps or/and a planisphere to help you around the sky.

if you need help finding anything just ask here at the forum
and welcome aboard