essential extras/accessories from day one

[cdmackay]

I had a question, please, about what extras I should buy immediately, when buying my first telescope, as opposed to extras that could be bought over the weeks/months to come, as I learn.

I'm a beginner - have been interested since I was a boy, watched Sky At Night for decades, etc.

I wanted to not spend too much to start with, but I wanted something that would be a solid basis for upgrading in future, without "wasting" too much money up front (as far as that is possible).

From everything I've read, it seems that one problem with cheap beginner solutions is the eventual need to upgrade the mount.

So I wanted to spend most of my starting money on the mount, and then get the cheapest OTA that wouldn't hold me back, which I assume would suggest a Newtonian reflector?

I think that the Celestron Advanced VX mount would be a good choice, given the above, and their C6-N VX bundle would seem ideal; the OTA itself is almost a give-away.

Does the above make sense, as a beginner option? Will the C6-N reflector be a useful enough OTA for me to start with, and then upgrade later, with a good mount that will do me for ages?

[i don't even really know for sure, at this stage, whether I will be most interested in moon/planets, or more distant objects]


Anyway, my main question: I want to slowly upgrade/add things, over weeks/months, as I learn more, e.g. eyepieces, Barlow, StarSense, collimation, etc.

But is there anything that I really ought to buy from day 1, with the initial telescope purchase itself, to avoid too much frustration in the early days?

I wondered about a focus mask, or dew hood? Are these vital from the outset?

Batteries/power? I could run a mains extension lead to the 'scope, on my patio, if that makes a difference.

Is there anything in particular you would recommend a beginner to get, immediately (other than books, charts, etc)?

thanks much indeed for any comments...

[Floater]

No.

Use your scope. Then use it some more - and then you'll think 'wonder what it would be like if I had X'. That is when you should start to think about this, that or the next thing.

[Alien 13]

Stellarium which is free is probably the one must have.

Alan

[Astro Imp]

No.

Use your scope. Then use it some more - and then you'll think 'wonder what it would be like if I had X'. That is when you should start to think about this, that or the next thing.

Excellent advice.

While you are getting to grips with your new scope spend time reading the threads on the forum to get a feel for what others are thinking. There are some really knowledgeable members here who are always willing to help others.

[mcolbert]

this has cropped up a couple of times in recent posts; as Gordon and Alan write, use the scope, read what's on the various fora.  But I believe above all, don't go all out to buy but do practice patience, after all it is the learning that will take most of your time.  Consider; a new language, knowledge how to use eyepieces or the mount, then if you want to explore astrophotography - another ball game and then your interests in objects in the sky (day or night) may change and so it goes on.

Welcome and enjoy the ride!

michael

[Charic]

................ spend most of my starting money on the mount, and then get the cheapest OTA that wouldn't hold me back, which I assume would suggest a Newtonian reflector

Hi and welcome to SGL.

While your oh so excited, ( weren't we all were when we first started out )  take time to have a quick look at  the Skyliner 200P from Sky-watcher, to see what it offers?

Its a Cheap mount ( totally solid and fool proof, and no technical calibration prior to set- up )   Good optics ( only the weather will let you down?)  and unless you feel the need for a bigger aperture, the 8" could last a lifetime of visual observing!

[BeanerSA]

Patience and enthusiasm are the essential accessories from day one.

[John]

Hello and welcome to the forum

I agree with Charic (above). The Skywatcher 200P dobsonian offers about as much performance per £ spent as you can get. It shows great views of deep sky objects as well as the Moon and planets.

[bomberbaz]

Hi cdmackay and welcome to SGL.

AS charic mentioned the aperture of a 200 dob would meet with your viewing needs but is there any specific reason why you might want such a heavy duty mount. One it is not the simplest peice of equipment to use and 2 are you interested in astrophotography as that is where it may come in later.

If you are only looking at visual and want goto and tracking then a goto dob would do the job and be much cheaper.

So maybe if you could elaborate one what your percieved end goal is we could point you better in the right direction. It is your opening post which although specific is also a little vague at the same time.

Steve

[cdmackay]

Thanks very much indeed, to all, for such excellent replies, so quickly. I'm blown away by how responsive people are here, thanks again

The replies are more or less what I expected, which is good. I had just wanted to check there wasn't something vital I might need upfront.

I had looked at Dobsonians in general, and the 200P [and indeed SW 150P/PL/200P on EQ3-2]

i am very short of storage space here, and had assumed that a regular reflector/mount would be easier to fit in somewhere, disassembled, than the equivalent Dobsonian base.

As to AP: yes. I am a keen photographer, and so would be very interested in this. But I realise that this is a large, and complex, area so had planned to learn a lot of the basics before even thinking of getting into AP. But, I would still like to get an EQ mount now, so that I am ready for the future, if I ever learn enough. From what I've read of the VX mount, it's likely to meet any need I would ever have, which is what I wanted, rather than getting a simpler mount that I then have to replace later.

Anyway, thanks again to all... I'll get my order in at FLO, and start reading, looking, playing, and learning.

[John]

Have a chat to the folks at FLO before you order. I'm not convinced that the VX mount will turn out to be all you ever need ...... but I could be wrong   

[cdmackay]

Have a chat to the folks at FLO before you order. I'm not convinced that the VX mount will turn out to be all you ever need ...... but I could be wrong 

Yes indeed, I've sent them an email - thanks.

[MartinB]

A good coat, gloves and hat. A little garden table for star charts, spare eye pieces and the like. A red light head torch. Print out some cue sheets for Goto and polar alignment routines, laminate them if you can. A llarge plastic box that you can use to cover everything on your table to protect them from dew. An outdoor power supply and hair dryer for those dewy nights when your primary mirror fogs up - keep the dryer under the plastic box until needed! Some sort of gizmo for collimation, this could range in sophistication from an old film canister with a hole in the bottom to a laser device.

[bomberbaz]

Ahh so if AP is indeed on the agena somewhere ddown the line then a mount of the design you are looking at would indeed seem appropriate.

Had anyone mentioned a dew shield dor the ota. These can be made although if you are getting a shiny new setup i would personally get a shop bought version from flo, looks much nicer.

[brantuk]

As you're a photographer and will fancy a dabble at astro imaging in the future, then an EQ mount is essential and the AVX is a solid choice. The equivalent Skywatcher offering is the HEQ5 so have a look at that as well for comparison. Both will carry a variety of scopes up to 8" diameter for observing - but when you go for imaging - 8" plus will be easier on a heavier mount like the NEQ6 Pro. But you'll be more likely to go for 80mm-100mm imaging refractors by the time you go for that.

I started with a 6" Newtonian and it will last a good couple of years of regular observing before you get the upgrade itch. But for imaging I would perhaps go for a SW 200PDS which has a dual speed focuser and a shorter tube length which will make AP a lot more convenient. And a d/s focuser is a joy to use when observing - the extra focus control it gives is well worth having.

A dew shield is perhaps the only essential accessory - that and a battery pack with charger will be most useful. But the SW and Celestron power packs are overpriced - for a lot less you can get leisure batteries which last a lot longer and provide all foreseeable power requirements for a full night's use.

I'm sure eyepieces will be your first consideration after using the scope for the first time - but hold off on that until you've had a look through other scopes/ep's (eg at your local club) and you'll be in a much better position to start choosing. Hth

[FLO]

The OP emailed us last night and I responded this morning. I am pleased (and relieved!) my response tallies nicely with the advice given in this thread

Here it is: 

Hi Calum, 

Thank-you for contacting us. 

The Celestron C6N AVX is an excellent introduction to astronomy, it is much better than my first telescope! 

For collimation we recommend: 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/premium-cheshire-collimating-eyepiece.html

For power, if running from the mains: 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/power-accessories/baader-outdoor-telescope-power-supply-12v-5a.html

If you prefer portable power the minimum requirement is: 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/batteries-powerpacks/skywatcher-powertank-7ah.html

If your pockets are deeper this is better and much more compact: 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/batteries-powerpacks/tracer-12v-10ah-lithium-polymer-battery-pack.html

A Moon Filter: 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/moon-neutral-density-filters/baader-neutral-density-moon-filters.html(select 0.9ND and 1.25")

Stellarium is remarkably good and free: 

http://www.stellarium.org/en_GB/

Our own Clear Outside weather forecast site is also free: 

http://clearoutside.com/forecast/50.7/-3.52

Whilst not essential this is a very good book for someone starting out in astronomy: 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/from-casual-stargazer-to-amateur-astronomer-book.html

You will also need a warm hat, gloves and a thick coat with plenty of pockets. 

Eyepieces can come later, best to use the ones supplied first. We will of course be happy to advise when you are ready. 

Later, you will probably want to try astrophography but we advise you to enjoy the skies first, eye-to-eyepiece, for at least six months. The experience gained during that time will save you a small fortune. So too will this book: 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html

Hope that helps. 

Regards, 

Steve

[cdmackay]

Again, thank you all, and of course Steve from FLO, for the continued excellent advice.

I was slightly surprised when I realised that the expensive AVX mount doesn't actually come with a mains transformer - I imagine that's because most people would use it with a portable battery pack? No matter...

thanks again - time to get ordering