Second Scope assistance Please

[Sirius Starwatcher]

My main scope is an 8 inch Dob. Absolutely love it. I now need to look at a second scope for holidays and travelling. Already reviewed loads of info on SGL and the web etc, but still undecided, so here we go. Comments please on the following. ( I am not in a position to get to a shop easily to view said items),

Requirements

Light, portable scope for DSO,s and Solar system. Maximum quality views possible

Decent steady tripod.

Observing only. No Photography (maybe ?)

Using existing eyepiece suite

Short list

SW Startravel 102 - AZ 3 mount

SW Startravel. 120 on AZ4-2 mount

SW Heritage 130P Flextube

SW Skymax 127 supatrak

Any comments on above greatfully received

[happy-kat]

I am baised as I love my little ST80 and I have the Heritage 130p too.

Out of your list I would choose the Startravel 102.

Great review here.

My Az3 mount I have made a simple counter weight bar for which will mean it holds the tube at any angle and balances with my DSLR on the back.

This is a great read on making the most of the mount and JamesF on here has a thread on his Az3 counter weight design. here and here and here

links fixed

[rwilkey]

Hi there, if you are considering the SW Startravel 102, then I would suggest that an AZ4 mount would be better for this scope.

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Thanks happy- cat and Robin. I'm getting the feeling that the ST102 has the edge over the ST 120 even though the 120 has bigger aperture.

[damnut]

OOOh,,, My grab & go is an ST120 on an az4, bulletproof. Goes everwhere, impervious to sand, snow and dog slobber. Travels in the boot , back seat or roof  box depending on where the three setters are!!!.  Soon to go back home to Holyhead and Llanfairfechan for xmas.

On all short achro's you will get some CA, but only when you are looking at bright objects, its great on dso's, Give me the 120 over the 102 anytime.

Hwyl ac Nadolig Llawen.

P.s its the middle one!!

[Lowjiber]

Thanks happy- cat and Robin. I'm getting the feeling that the ST102 has the edge over the ST 120 even though the 120 has bigger aperture.

Aperture rules in this game.  The 120mm will deliver over 17% more light than the 102.

I vote for the 120mm on an AZ-4 mount.

Clear, Dark Skies

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Thanks for you input Damian, Just out of interest, how many eyes have you got ???. Not sure if I could use more than one scope at a time. Still I suppose with more experience and postsI could try it.

Dioch

[damnut]

The mount is great for setting up, have a few folk around who are interested so can get a couple viewing at the same time..The 120 is a great g&g scope and gets a lot of use (have another two fracs 127 & 120 f9).. Don't know where you are in nwales but the pass over pen to conway is very dark.  SStack carpark is pretty dark though sometimes not quiet !!!...

eich croeso.

[happy-kat]

I guess as you have light and portable in there I would add a weight comparrison for telescope and mount types into the equation.

If also going to be for air travel so needs to be hand luggage size.

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Hello everybody does anyone else have anymore thoughts on this topic before I make my final decision as to which scope would be best. All replies gratefully received.

[Reeny]

Hello everybody does anyone else have anymore thoughts on this topic before I make my final decision as to which scope would be best. All replies gratefully received.

I have an 8" dob, and I have been considering this Vixen 110 as an upgrade to our 3-inch cheapy

www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen/vixen-vmc110l.html

It is very compact, and weighs in at 2kg.

The only show stopper for me is the price (around £400 with the mount)

There is one second hand in the classifieds on here.

If you already have a sturdy binocular or photography tripod you might be able to use that with the dovetail.

There is a very good write-up from an australian supplier if you google the name of the scope.

[swamp thing]

Personally i'd get the tools out and make something like this

You want to take some aperture with you to these remote places.

Our own Mr scope maker Moonshane built one too here's the thread

[Earl]

The 127 is ideal for Solar system, the long focal lenght yet short physical length is hard to beat, if you want DSO's you need something faster Id look at a nice 80mm F6 ish range refractor to have the other end of the fov covered maybe even smaller, what you could do is get a good quality 50mm finder to use on the 127 and it will give you a nice widefield view.

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Personally i'd get the tools out and make something like this

You want to take some aperture with you to these remote places.

Our own Mr scope maker Moonshane built one too here's the thread

Brilliant link thank you swamp thing one snag by the time I have finished the introduction to woodworking tools followed by the advanced cabinet makers course summer will be here and I would run out of dark evenings. Thanks for the link Brilliant bit of kit from Gary and Moonshane !