Advise required, first scope!

[Jw00lgar]

Hi everyone

After reading a great review on the Skywatcher Evostar 90mm refractor (available here http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/141556-skywatcher-evostar-90mm-refractor-review/ , thanks for this Steve) I'm a bit stuck on making a decision between the Skywatcher Evostar 90 or the Celestron Astromaster 90EQ

It will be my first scope, interested on viewing our local planets as well as dipping into some deep sky objects; I've done a bit of homework however I'd appreciate some advise from the community

Thanks in advance

James

[Charic]

Hi and welcome.......having read some articles tonight about details on the Planets, with effectively only two and the Moon to look at, I'm quite happy to stay with a Newtonian telescope. You mention dipping into to deep space. I'm sure an 8" + apertured Newtonian will serve you well for your deep space and a couple of Planets. 

[Steve777]

I would advise a 6 or 8 inch dob. My own skyliner 150 is available at First light optics for under 200 quid, I think.

[Qualia]

I feel the 90mm would be a nice all round scope to wet your appetite, and It should show nice views of the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn up to around 150x. It will show some chromatic aberration and it is worth bearing in mind that 90mm is not a lot of aperture for viewing deep sky objects like galaxies and nebulae.

So, as your first scope you might also want to consider going for a little bit more aperture. I think fracs are gorgeous instruments but I'd recommend a solid tube 6" Dob as a first scope at around the price you're looking at.
 

[ronin]

Two somewhat similar scopes although the Celestron is a bit longer at f/11 1000mm focal length. THe Evostar being f/10 and 900mm.

The Celestron looks like it comes on an EQ2 and the Evostar on a choice - if the Evostar I would suggest getting the EQ3-2 simply as it is a bit more robust but a bit more cost. The EQ3-2 can later be fitted wih dual motors if required.

The Evostar is a good first scope, it will do most things pretty well, which is often the way of many items we use. A good number of people get them as either a first scope or about as often as a scope to grap and use for when they do not want to haul out a bigger item.

The Evostar will show clusters well, M42 will be good, Jupiter and Saturn good (with the right eyepieces), forget Mars. M31 use binoculars, the sort of "specialist" nebula they need a big scope and dark skies. You can get lists of doubles and go splitting them.

The magnification available to you will be around 120x to 150x (150x will be if lucky)

Both will take eyepieces like the GSO plossl's or better the BST or Celestron X-Cel's.

Yes some CA will be present, but until you get to apochromatic it will be there to some extent, as long as you can get along with it then just accept it.

The Evostar is more common here, a 2 speed focuser would be nice (not sure if either have that), get the most solid mount you can.

Will say neither will I suspect be as light as you may expect.

Alternatives (ignoring cost) are the Tal 100 and the Evostar 102. The Evostar 102 is the same lens but wider (more CA, more aperture). I would ignore the Star Travel Range they are too short for an achromatic refractor = lots of CA.

Any clubs that you could visit, someone may have one in use.

Check the used market as they turn up there at times - ABSUK

[ronl]

My first scope was an Evo 90 and I had and still have great sessions with it, but, and a big but,

is what's known as aperture fever, needing to see more, every scope has it's limits, and if you

go for the Evo then you will have a very enjoyable time with it, "but" you yearn for more, I did,

the bigger the aperture you can afford, the more light gathering you get, I'm not trying to put you 

off the Evo, but if you buy bigger now, the longer you will keep it, and a bigger scope will hold it's 

value, that's when you decide you need to go even bigger again, and most people do.

Good luck on your choice.

[Owmuchonomy]

Hi everyone

After reading a great review on the Skywatcher Evostar 90mm refractor (available here http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/141556-skywatcher-evostar-90mm-refractor-review/ , thanks for this Steve) I'm a bit stuck on making a decision between the Skywatcher Evostar 90 or the Celestron Astromaster 90EQ

It will be my first scope, interested on viewing our local planets as well as dipping into some deep sky objects; I've done a bit of homework however I'd appreciate some advise from the community

Thanks in advance

James

Hi James and welcome. You may want to step back a little and be sure of what you want to view. Remember, good planetary views are not that common due to their nomadic nature and our wobbly atmosphere. At the moment good viewing windows for planets are limited so you may wish to choose a scope that will give you other options. I would look seriously at the Dob options like those mentioned above. Enjoy!

[Jw00lgar]

Thanks everyone, very helpful.

I'm looking at the Skyliner 150 (dob) or the Sky-Watcher Explorer-130P depending on what sort of price I can get them for. Any suggestions on the above?

Cheers

James

[happy-kat]

Two very different mounts.

So you have a preference yet?

[Jw00lgar]

Not as of yet, I'm also looking at some eq2 mounted newtonians

[Hootsitabernacle]

What is your budget?

[Jw00lgar]

Ideally between £150 and £250?

[Hootsitabernacle]

Well if you want a bit of planets and a bit of the deep sky then you could go for a Dob...and you want to get the best you can afford..you WILL end up wanting bigger I can assure you of that! a 130p and a 150 dob are easily within your price bracket but you can get better 2nd hand if you so wished..from my own experience and from reading and hearing from others, astronomers don't tend to make a mug of you when they sell their gear..but you could get a 200p dob for that money or a 150 on an eq mount. My personal advice would be to go to a local club and try out other peoples scope, you have one in Manchester I see..http://www.manastro.co.uk/

http://www.gumtree.com/p/binoculars-scopes/dobsonian-telescope-skywatcher-skyliner-200p.-additional-equipment-available/1100050674

http://www.gumtree.com/p/binoculars-scopes/skywatcher-telescope/1100430576

Good luck with whatever you decide on, keep us updated with what you get