Which scope

[nightfisher]

I am about at the stage to drop down to just one scope I have tal 100 150 pro Mak 130 p DS and TS 80 f7,5 achro. Which do I keep or do I get rid of all and get the 150 f6 newt

[xtreemchaos]

i think you should keep them all and get the 150, thay all do different jobs but at a push id let the 130pds go and replace with the 150 f6. clear skys charl.

[Peter Drew]

Yes, in the final analysis it's down to what you want to do with your one telescope. Your current line up covers most bases, the 150 F6 would probably be the best compromise. All are still available if you prove to have made a mistake with your choice.  

[Merlin]

Why not settle for a 200mm/f.6 Newtonian? I wouldn't swop mine for a 152mm: almost twice as much light-gathering power and still portable.

[nightfisher]

Why not settle for a 200mm/f.6 Newtonian? I wouldn't swop mine for a 152mm: almost twice as much light-gathering power and still portable.

I had a 200 newt, not for me they are too big

[nightfisher]

Yes, in the final analysis it's down to what you want to do with your one telescope. Your current line up covers most bases, the 150 F6 would probably be the best compromise. All are still available if you prove to have made a mistake with your choice.  

Main interest is Luna imaging and observing with 1000D and spc 900, then planetary observing followed by a little DSO observing, i have dipped a tiny toe in the DSO imaging, this makes me think i could manage well with keeping the 150 pro and the 130 pds this would cover  lot of bases 

[jetstream]

If your 130pds is the same type as mod uranium235 has the images available from it are spectacular... Personally I would keep that and a scope that gives great lunar/planetary and for sure cluster views, like M13/M37 etc. Those clusters seem to pop out even in LP skies with enough aperture and mag.

Have you considered OOUK's short focal length dobs? Their VX6 f5 would be a great visual observing scope that could be mounted on an EQ mount for imaging. The short scope might be difficult to balance -don't know- but this could be easily sorted out. The sale of your other scopes could fund this, it would really be a good setup.IMHO.

[nightfisher]

If your 130pds is the same type as mod uranium235 has the images available from it are spectacular... Personally I would keep that and a scope that gives great lunar/planetary and for sure cluster views, like M13/M37 etc. Those clusters seem to pop out even in LP skies with enough aperture and mag.

Have you considered OOUK's short focal length dobs? Their VX6 f5 would be a great visual observing scope that could be mounted on an EQ mount for imaging. The short scope might be difficult to balance -don't know- but this could be easily sorted out. The sale of your other scopes could fund this, it would really be a good setup.IMHO.

Bob the Dob is not an option, but thanks for the reply

[jetstream]

  I like that, Bob the Dob

I hope you can find an all round rewarding set up Nightfisher and get the results you desire. The drone in your avtar is pretty cool... I want one.

[Stu]

Jules, a question......which of the scopes do you use most at the moment?

As I see it, the scopes you have all do different things. The 80mm is your grab and go/holiday scope. The TAL I think you would always regret selling just because you love it!

I could possibly see an argument for losing the 150 mak and 130pds and replacing them with the 150 f6 as a more general scope which will more or less cover both, having the resolution for lunar imaging (with a x3 Barlow say), but the wide field option when needed.

Is there a compelling reason to get down to one scope (financial or space?), or is it just a desire?

[nightfisher]

Jules, a question......which of the scopes do you use most at the moment?

As I see it, the scopes you have all do different things. The 80mm is your grab and go/holiday scope. The TAL I think you would always regret selling just because you love it!

I could possibly see an argument for losing the 150 mak and 130pds and replacing them with the 150 f6 as a more general scope which will more or less cover both, having the resolution for lunar imaging (with a x3 Barlow say), but the wide field option when needed.

Is there a compelling reason to get down to one scope (financial or space?), or is it just a desire?

TBH as to which one i use the most, just lately i dont use any of them, i think it must be darn near 3 months since i last got a scope out, i understand only to well what you say about the TAL but it is just a scope, yes i am fond of it, like a person may have an attachment to a piece of art, i dont think i use one scope more than the others.

As to compelling reason, space is a bit limited (finances are okay) but i guess i just dont like stuff turning into ornaments, also i seem to be winding down on astro a little

Yes the 150 f6 would make a good replacement for the mak and 130p ds, a x2 arlow would give same focal length as mak, but at f6 it would scrape in there for bright DSO imaging, be it with longer subs

[nightfisher]

  I like that, Bob the Dob

I hope you can find an all round rewarding set up Nightfisher and get the results you desire. The drone in your avtar is pretty cool... I want one.

The Drone is my Quanum Venture 430, fitted with GPS flight control, bluetooth comand upload and first person view camera system allowing it to transmit live video stream to flyer, but i am going back to my DJI F450 quadcopter

[brantuk]

If you're dropping down to one scope in order to get the 150 f-6 Newt - then presumably you'll have to get rid of them all.

[nightfisher]

If you're dropping down to one scope in order to get the 150 f-6 Newt - then presumably you'll have to get rid of them all.

I am thinking at the mo: sell the Mak, the 130p ds and the TAL, get the 150 f6 and then i will have the newt for my main use and the 80mm frac for travel and grab an go, down to 2 scopes so a big improvement

[jetstream]

I'm going to look those drones up, I wonder how the cold affects the battery life- I would hate to lose one. If I crash could I find it with my handheld GPS?

The stars will be waiting for you when you get your  astro "mojo" back regardless if you sell all your scopes- but keeping one for a quick peak at the moon and planets might be nice. Can the drone video image the moon etc?

[nightfisher]

I'm going to look those drones up, I wonder how the cold affects the battery life- I would hate to lose one. If I crash could I find it with my handheld GPS?

The stars will be waiting for you when you get your  astro "mojo" back regardless if you sell all your scopes- but keeping one for a quick peak at the moon and planets might be nice. Can the drone video image the moon etc?

Hobby king sell the venture complete with GPS for £240 UK sterling, they sell a cheaper version but with the GPS it will return to launch if it encounters a problem, or you can click a switch to bring it back

[jetstream]

Completely off topic again, sorry- but I checked out the drones, very nice! Why are you going back to the DJI? I wonder how much wind a drone can handle...

About scopes- I heard that C5's are excellent daytime spotting scopes and give very good lunar views, all in a very compact little package. Whats your favorite object to view? I never get tired of the moon, last night I watched 4 sharp crater rays for a good while in the 120ED, a very nice sight.

[brantuk]

If I were going to hang on to one of them Jules - I'd keep the Tal 100. I've never found an 80mm scope that I like to observe with - imaging sure - but not for visual. And I do love the Tal optics - very crisp and clear, very well corrected for the price, and a joy to use. They're just a bit long and not quite grab and go. I can see your difficulty deciding though.

[nightfisher]

If I were going to hang on to one of them Jules - I'd keep the Tal 100. I've never found an 80mm scope that I like to observe with - imaging sure - but not for visual. And I do love the Tal optics - very crisp and clear, very well corrected for the price, and a joy to use. They're just a bit long and not quite grab and go. I can see your difficulty deciding though.

Yes its proving a difficult decision, as you say the TAL is a rather good scope and i have always felt mine one is a rather good example, I am starting to waiver on this now, maybe i will hold of for a month or so, see if i can shift some none astro gear into the loft and make a little more storage space

[Stu]

Yes its proving a difficult decision, as you say the TAL is a rather good scope and i have always felt mine one is a rather good example, I am starting to waiver on this now, maybe i will hold of for a month or so, see if i can shift some none astro gear into the loft and make a little more storage space

Jules, how about a nice, dry, secure storage shed in the garden? Scopes out of the way and already cooled for observing?

[happy-kat]

I would keep all 4 telescopes and look instead to rationilse the mounts down to one. Will they all for your az4.

Telescopes are not the storage issue it is the tripods that are bulky.

Think of each telescope like a pair of shoes, perhaps look at being clever and neat with the storage box.

[nightfisher]

Jules, how about a nice, dry, secure storage shed in the garden? Scopes out of the way and already cooled for observing?

Nice idea Stu, but dont think i need to go to this measure, a shed would intrude on what is a small garden and i still think once i have put some boards down in the loft things will be better, we have a fair bit of stuff waiting to move up

[nightfisher]

I would keep all 4 telescopes and look instead to rationilse the mounts down to one. Will they all for your az4.

Telescopes are not the storage issue it is the tripods that are bulky.

Think of each telescope like a pair of shoes, perhaps look at being clever and neat with the storage box.

Not keen on this, the AZ4 is my grab an go mount and the EQ5 is for my Luna imaging and longer session use

[Stu]

Nice idea Stu, but dont think i need to go to this measure, a shed would intrude on what is a small garden and i still think once i have put some boards down in the loft things will be better, we have a fair bit of stuff waiting to move up

Ah well, worth a try.

I stick to my original suggestion of selling the Mak and the 130 and getting the 150 f6. Keeping the TAL and the TS 80 which don't take up much space really.

[nightfisher]

Ah well, worth a try.

I stick to my original suggestion of selling the Mak and the 130 and getting the 150 f6. Keeping the TAL and the TS 80 which don't take up much space really.

This is more in line with my original idea and food for thought