Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b89429c566825f6ab32bcafbada449c9.jpg

Anyone else got a scope they don't use ?


Recommended Posts

Hi All

I was thinking, most members amass a small collection of scopes but how many have found they have that one that sees very little to no use?

Personally I found early on that I don't have the stamina to use my 300P flex-dob, I should mention I have a flight of stairs between me and the garden. I'd had it almost 9mths before it saw first light and that was the only time I used it after having almost put me in A&E.

As it appears to be the largest aperture I can handball I don't see a day when I will sell it as for those star parties I'm sure it will come in to it's own but on a clear night at home I'm happier having my 150P in one hand and Giro in the other.

I know that there are those die hard Refractor fans and then there are Newtonian fans but even so most members seem to end up with one of each at some point in the hobby. I assume just as size and portability can shelf scopes for a period of time that peoples personal preference can also see one scope used more that the other.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 50
  • Created
  • Last Reply

my least used scope is my biggest too - my 16" f4 dob which is pretty much reserved now for star parties (or more usually rain parties) and good (forecasted) nights at home in the summer. I find myself using my 12" f4 dob a lot more at home and have access to three other scopes which I also use for sessions on different targets (two are pretty much dedicated to solar).

I'll be unlikely to sell my 16 though as when it is at a dark site it really excels.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sad to say I have quite a few  that are  under covers in the corner  of the living room behind the sofa and have been there for a couple of years -  CPC800XLT with co-mounted Megrez 72/FFIII and 500mm f8  Meade DSI IIc Teleguider

The obs hasn't had astro kit in there for years and has  become a garden shed it's full of spiders  and the dome has "settled" into the dome ring :( 

Peter...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't use my 130P at the moment, I might do some more planetary with it at some point but at the moment I'm happy with my lil frac.

TSED70Q, iOptron Smart EQ pro, ASI-120MM, Finepix S5 pro.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

my least used scope is my biggest too - my 16" f4 dob which is pretty much reserved now for star parties (or more usually rain parties) and good (forecasted) nights at home in the summer. I find myself using my 12" f4 dob a lot more at home and have access to three other scopes which I also use for sessions on different targets (two are pretty much dedicated to solar).

I'll be unlikely to sell my 16 though as when it is at a dark site it really excels.

With that said Shane, do you ever have any regrets letting your original 12" OO go?

The obs hasn't had astro kit in there for years and has  become a garden shed it's full of spiders  and the dome has "settled" into the dome ring :(

Peter...

Been there and done that Peter :embarrassed:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My least used scope at present is probably my smallest - the little WO ZS66 refractor. I also find my scopes are used less or more depending on my interest at the time. The reason becomes clear when you look at my telecope activities over the last few years:

  • Bought C8, used extensively for visual 
  • Bought ZS66 as a 'super finder' for C8 - discovered mount was not up to both scopes so didn't use ZS66
  • Got into astrophotography and used ZS66 for wide field imaging, so C8 not used much
  • Bought a Megrez72 for imaging as it had better focusser, so ZS66 not used much
  • Got into Electroncially Assisted Observing and used C8 + Lodestar
  • Decided C8 was too much hassle for EAO and bought a Alatir Astro RC6, now C8 not used much
  • Had a baby and now have so little time that I only use the Megrez 72 for quick 'grab & go' visual, so other scopes not used much!!

However I am hanging on to all of my scopes as I don't know where my interest will take me next.

Rob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Orion Starblast 4.5 - (because I replaced it with a Starblast 6i). A lovely little scope that has been a great intro to upstairs.......but soon as I can figure out shipping costs, it's off to Ebay.

Then  I have to figure out how to avoid YASAD ( Yet Another Scope Acquisition Disorder)...........my wallet n wife cannae take it Cap'n... :D

Will be an epic fail, I just know it.... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi All

I was thinking, most members amass a small collection of scopes but how many have found they have that one that sees very little to no use?..........

.......... I assume just as size and portability can shelf scopes for a period of time that peoples personal preference can also see one scope used more that the other.

Yeah, we have more than we need for the UK.. I purchased a new 5" mak to use while waiting for my dream scope to be built. Unfortunately due to the weather its seen very little use, so I've offered it up for sale. I can relate your comment about personal preference and portability, our Questar now fills the bill perfectly, however, the Intes Micro is no slouch and makes for a great grab & go; I will miss it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have lots of scopes that i dont use, they are listed in my signature lol.

This is why i keep thinking get rid of the lot and buy one decent scope and maybe even learn how to get the best from just one, hence a recent post about the meade lx90

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With that said Shane, do you ever have any regrets letting your original 12" OO go?

Not at all Nick. I much prefer the f4.

I always regret not buying that scope Shane. Wonder where it is now?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My C8 had begun to be used infrequently, as I favoured alternating between using my 14" or binoculars on most available occasions. A great scope providing loads of memories but felt applicable to sell and invest the cash into what I currently use more. I am tempted to include a new scope though, a grab and go, highly portable frac or dob, yet besides deciding on which option, it has to be viable and not in time also become a victim of lack of use.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually the one scope I rarely use is my Astrotech 106mm triplet. I really don't know why, perhaps because it is a bit of a lump which takes longer to cool and I either prefer the Genesis or the 120ED. Silly really because the 106 gives lovely views.

I had almost forgotten about the 12" dob until recently but have had that out for a few sessions recently. Balance is sorted better now so it's pretty smooth to use.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I sold the two that I rarely used. Very glad to pass them on to very nice people who are interested and will make use. Got the stage now where I have three refractors and three Newts. All are rescued and used, hurrah !

I think there's a tipping point when getting stuff, one over that point and you feel obligation and that becomes a chore and then folk give up.

Keep clear of the tipping point,

Nick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Blimey you lot are making me feel like a right wimp. Here is me half killing myself using my 12" and you lot use them all the time :tongue: Did I mention there was a flight of stairs :grin:

I used to keep my 300P flextube (and my old Celestar which was a bit of a lump to on its fork mount) upstairs. It certainly took a few grunts but fortunately the stairs at our house are not so steep. My 14" dob firmly lives down stairs, no way would I want to carry that up and down the stairs.

I sold the two that I rarely used. Very glad to pass them on to very nice people who are interested and will make use. Got the stage now where I have three refractors and three Newts. All are rescued and used, hurrah !

I think there's a tipping point when getting stuff, one over that point and you feel obligation and that becomes a chore and then folk give up.

Keep clear of the tipping point,

Nick.

Yeah it is good that when parting with a scope, the person buying is both enthusiastic and purchasing for the right reason.  

Perhaps how many scopes and equipment you might gradually accumulate is governed a little by available space at home to an extent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's reading threads like this that taught me a "valuable" lesson. I had a 10in SCT that saw little to no use. I sold it and since AP was my interest, I purchased as such. Now I have one crazy expensive scope, but since there's not a better scope for my purposes in my price range, I'll not end up with many scopes. I'll add an SCT for planetary, but that's it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.