pro astro 6" reflector EQ mount

[pete_pumpkin (Pete)]

Hi, I was just looking for an opinion. A unit identical to the one in the eBay link is available at my local cash covertors for around $175.

Would you guys recommend this as my first scope. Is the price OK?


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/150-APERTURE-...QQcmdZViewItem

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

don't do it Pete. You will not be happy with the mount and probably not the scope. IMO these things are junk and should not be sold!!

Think about a 6"-8" dob instead.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Tell Cashies they are asking about $170 too much.

When they claim a focal length like 1400mm with a stumpy little OTA like that...run. Run and don't look back.

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

DEAR GOD NO!

I can smell the stink from that garbage even over the internet!

First telescope should always be a DOB for the price/aperture value equation. 6-8 inch Dob as Paul suggested is the way to go, easy to point and convertible to an EQ mount later on when you get serious.

Best money I ever spent was for my dob, pity I didnt buy it BEFORE I bought an EQ mounted 5 inch Skywatcher, but thems the breaks.

Cheers

Chris

[pgc hunter]

Run as fast as you can and don't look back. That's the infamous 6" Ebay trash scope.

Here is a review:
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1105

[allan gould]

Could not believe it, this thing has a buy it now price of $375 on it
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....%3D4%26ps%3D42

Holey smoke I'm in the wrong business as he claims its RRP is $899
(Surely thats Zimbabwean dollars?)

[pete_pumpkin (Pete)]

Thanks for your responses.

Yeah I was thinking about the cashies scope all day at work - I guess this shows how inexperienced I am at the moment.

I'll probably outlay $500 or so (inc post) and get the GSO 8" dob , if it's still available.

I was pretty interested in a EQ mount because it looks more 'technical' etc

I had read about the south celestial pole etc -which reallly opened up my mind to how our earth revolves and how to get EQ mounts to work.

My first 'breakthru' was just visualizing how our sky revolves around this pole. ie 4.5 times distance worth from the southern cross. At night it appears on one side, and in the morning before work it has rotated around the pole and now faces the other side etc - seriously my first little lesson in astronomy. It did make me realise that it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Any how, aside form the cool look and challenge of the EQ mount, maybe I'd just be causing myself greif with it - hell, everyone is recommending a dob, I think I'll listen to you guys who have the experience...

Thanks again for the input

Pete