Scope number 2 - constaints! choices? Big mount first? aargh!

[LittleSkink]

okay, so my 9yo has a 100p mini dobsonian and I am hooked - so a bigger/better scope for me seems inevitable

really enjoy roaming the sky, splitting doubles, clusters, planets but not finding faint fuzzies very interesting (in a 100p anyhow) so my initial thought was a smallish long refractor on a really solid mount like an EQ5 - so there is an upgrade path to bigger/better scope in the future or the option to get motors and stray in to imaging (which does appeal)

Budget is probably around £250 but could stretch to £400. Maybe an Evostar 100/120 on EQ5. I am actively exploring is a s/h EQ5 and separate OTA but haven't been able to try any kit like this locally

Another advantage of this route is low cost exit if I don't really get the time / energy / enjoyment - the kit should sell on with little loss

One concern is the weight and set up times/hassle - is this really something that can be popped in the garden in a few minutes or go on holiday with us?

Not convinced of the Dob mount (based on our 100p admittedly) it doesn't seem very solid or stable - I observe with glasses and it is annoying when the scope keeps moving about at higher magnifications if touched accidentally. So a 200p Dob doesn't really appeal, though I would like to try one

sorry, long and complicated question - but welcome some other perspectives

[John]

A full size dob mount is very stable as well as affordable. I find mine holds my 12" scope stable enough to use 300-400x without any problem. If I give the tube a rap the vibrations die down in just a second or two even at that power. The Heritage 100P has a single arm table top mount which will have it's limitations but it's not a guide to how 6" and upward dobs behave. I've owned them in the 8", 10" and 12" sizes.

A 6" dob will out perform a 100 / 120 achromat refractor and is much easier to setup and move around than the EQ5 mount with it's counterweights and steel tripod. Takes up less room too with a small footprint when it's pointing straight up.

I've seen 6" dobs for £100-£120 on the used market recently. You could certainly recoup most or all of that if you decide it's not for you.

Theres another perspective

[happy-kat]

I don't think a few minutes and go on holiday quite fits in with an EQ mount.

There is a great thread on selfies with telescopes that really helps the size aspect.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/223434-scope-selfies/?fromsearch=1

Imaging there are more ways to have a go then the full on correct way, from my observations it depends how serious you want to go. You have before mentioned all the camera gear what about a staradventurer to use it, just as tripod legs I think.

This post shows what is being created with out the correct gear pushing the boundaries of none EQ images. Though images taken with the good stuff can be jaw dropping.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/228101-the-no-eq-dso-challenge/?fromsearch=1