first scope - Skywatcher Explorer 150p or 200p?

[NatUK1]

Hi!

I have wanted a scope for visual use for a long time now and have decided to go ahead and get one, that was the easy decision! I would like to view the moon and planets and DSO's would be a bonus so I was recommended the Skywatcher Explorer 130p but after researching it I have found the 150p, which I would rather go for so extended my budget

My husband then suggested the 200p which would require even more saving up and I also have concerns about the size of it, as it looks massive and I am only short. He works nights sometimes so I would have to set it up on my own.

Will I notice that much difference in the visuals between the 150 and the 200?

I'm pretty confused about which to go for so any advice at all would be really appreciated - thanks!

[laudropb]

There is no point in getting a scope which is difficult to set up and move. In the end it will only end up gathering dust. I can handle the 200p but it is a bit of a beast. Try to see the scopes before buying, either at a local club or in a showroom

[NatUK1]

Thanks, that's the problem, we don't have a showroom anywhere near us and my local club isn't that local to us as we live right out in the sticks!

[xtreemchaos]

i agree with laudropb the 200p is fairly big and weighty and if you go for the eq5 mount  that weighs even more , if you look in my gallery theres a pic of mine setup whitch will give you a idea of the size. have you thought of dob? thay are already nearly set up. i hope this was helpful.all the best.charl

[ronin]

As it sound like you are in a dark location I would expect the 150 to show a lot more then many of us would see in a bigger scope. And has been said you want a scope that you are happy to take out and use.

Another aspect is the cost after getting a scope. For a Nestonian you will eventually need a collimator - to check and reset the collimatio, they are £25ish, and then come the upgrade to eyepieces. Getting one a month is a good approach but if like me you gt imaptiant and I got 2 a month.

The 150P is a nice all round size, and sounds like a good fit to your actual requirements.

[Dom1961]

As it sound like you are in a dark location I would expect the 150 to show a lot more then many of us would see in a bigger scope. And has been said you want a scope that you are happy to take out and use.

Another aspect is the cost after getting a scope. For a Nestonian you will eventually need a collimator - to check and reset the collimatio, they are £25ish, and then come the upgrade to eyepieces. Getting one a month is a good approach but if like me you gt imaptiant and I got 2 a month.

The 150P is a nice all round size, and sounds like a good fit to your actual requirements.

You're lucky, I can only afford one every two months :'(

[Dom1961]

And +1 for the dob idea, I am a small teenager and I can easily carry my 8" dob to the garden, it separates into the Base and the OTA

[NatUK1]

Thanks everyone, I checked out your album xtreemchaos and strangely it doesn't look as big as some other pics I have seen!

I have looked at Dobs but for some reason I am stil leaning towards the explorer I'm just trying to weigh up if the 200p is worth the extra money, I know it is 77% more light gathering than the 150 but have no idea how different the visuals will be!

[Gentle]

I have just bought a 200p dob, and find it quite easy to move around for shorter distances in one piece. But for longer treks, I separate the tube from the mount. It assembles in seconds.

But for ease of use and no cooldown time, I have built a little storage shed for it out in the back yard. That way I can go out and be stargazing in less than 3 mins. (apart from getting my night vision )

[xtreemchaos]

can i just add the 200p is worth the extra its a light bucket it gives you plenty back for the money ive seen fantastic things with mine, its good at planets ,star fields, DSOs,and not bad for takeing pics, the mount brakes down well into manageable parts, out of all my scopes it the one i would never let go.

[NatUK1]

That looks fab gentle! maybe I shouldn't set my heart on the explorer and look at dobs instead, I noticed the 200p dob is about the same cost as the 150p explorer so that's great!

Is it the mounts that make up the extra cost then? is there any benefit to using an eq mount? Sorry for all of the questions!

[Dom1961]

You normally use EQs for Astrophotography, I was planning on getting an EQ but changed my mind and got a dob, I'm really glad I did now!! You just get it out and use it and it's really stable! Look out for second hand on here and astro buy and sell UK, I got mine second hand for £150

[happy-kat]

If you are setting up on your own you may find trying to lift and attach the 200p to the eq too much and drop it.

Is there any chance in time you might want to dabble in imaging?

[Gentle]

I had the same questions as you, how easy was a dob to track planets etc was one of my main thoughts, I was going to get a 200p on an EQ mount thinking that it would be easier to track objects using to slow motion controls. But thanks to the experienced members of this forum, pointing out how easy it was to track with a Dob, i went for the dob. I am more than happy that I chose the Dob. Setting up is a doddle, you just place it where you want, ( no leveling, aligning etc ) and start observing. Tracking with a push is far easier than I would of imagined, and soon you do not even have to think about doing it, it just becomes second nature.

All in all, I find the 200p on a dob mount perfect for me.

Frank 

[Gentle]

Ohhh and for longer observing sessions, an Ironing stool is a great addition, you can adjust the seat height in seconds, then you can sit in comfort while you observe ( you can just see it in the picture next to the scope. hehe )

Frank

[NatUK1]

I wouldn't mind doing a little photography but I understand that's easier said than done and I would like to get to grips with viewing first, I didn't realise picking one would be so hard!

[NatUK1]

Everyone who has a dob seems very happy with them, I just don't know what to do!

I could get either the 150p explorer or 200p skyliner now, I think I would be happy with either of these but I'm worried that if I go for the 150 explorer I will be wondering how much better the 200 is.

[NatUK1]

That should say at the end - if I get the 150 explorer I will wonder about the 200 explorer and if I get the 200 skyliner I will be wondering if I should have bought the explorer instead!

I think I'm a hopeless case

[Gentle]

I went through all that myself, I know how you feel. In fact I would say nearly everybody would go through the same process.

The only thing I can say is, take your time and ask as many questions as you like on here, the members here are all a  very helpful, friendly bunch.

Frank

[NatUK1]

Thank you so much! I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[turbohobbit]

I've just bought an Explorer 150p and it seems excellent, although I am still trying to get my head round everything! I'm waiting for a clear night and a bright moon to get me started...

[xtreemchaos]

good choice ,you will soon learn the ins and outs,when you first setup outside make sure you let it cool down for at lest 45min then your scope will be ready to use.all the best and i wish you clear skys.charl.

[AstroAdam]

The Skyliner 200p is a great scope.  I had one for about 10 years, and then converted it (with the help of some scope rings) into an EQ-mounted scope on an HEQ5 for planetary AP and tracking visual, as well as tracking for video astronomy.

Still got it and still gets used loads...!

[Mr Spock]

A 200 Dob is a great first choice. Although big tubes are unweildy, I've found it's the heavy mounts which are difficult to move around.

[happy-kat]

Skyliner 8"

Tube 9 and a bit kilos.

Dob Base 12 kilos.

Is the weight from stoage to observing doable.