Jump to content

Narrowband

  • entries
    4
  • comments
    7
  • views
    5,054

Decisions Decisions. Or, what to buy.


GuyR

1,975 views

Well, you already know what I bought but it was a bit of a trek getting to the point where I made my final decision. All you have to do is have a quick read around SGL and you'll understand any telescope is a compromise. I'd not had much (if any) exposure to 'scopes other than my TAL-1 Newtonian. That is equatorially mounted with manual slow-mo controls. While it has 1.25" eyepieces, mainstream eyepeices tend not to focus with it - something to do with the small secondary so I think the primary focal point is close to if not within the tube. Anyway, I digress, the TAL-1 is pretty much a closed system so I had no experience, apart from my brief time with my ETX90, of mainstream optics.

 

This was one of the things I wanted to get away from. Not hard a requirement to meet, I think pretty much every 'scope out there these days is compatible with most mainstream optical accessories.

 

What else was I after...
I wanted to go up in aperture. Intially my thoughts were along the lines of 200mm. More on that later.

 

I wanted something easy to store, portable and easy to set up.

 

I wanted something with, if on an EQ mount, at least an RA drive so I could share views of the night sky with my better half, among others, without having to manually recentre the 'scope on whatever we happened to be observing. If not on an EQ mount, it would probably end up being a goto mount.

 

I wanted something that I'd want to set up and observe with. I think a very common point made in SGL is that your best 'scope is the one you use most.

 

Something that could cope with moderate astrophotography would be a nice to have but as spare time is very limited, I am unlikely to have the time to set up serious AP sessions.

 

I started looking at things like the Celestron Advanced VX 8. The mount / tripod has good reviews and what's not to like about the C8 OTA? I then looked at the dimensions and weights and decided it was not something I'd want to be setting up in the garden at a moment's notice or putting in the car to go out to a darker site with on a whim. It was difficult to remove this setup from the short list as it covers so many astronomy bases, especially if you want to get into astrophotography. But I really did think that at this stage it would be too much of an investment for something that would not get used very often.

 

Next up was the Skywatcher Explorer 200P on the EQ5, or maybe the HEQ5 Synscan. I see-sawed back and forth on this one. Even up to the day I bought the 6 SE. I liked the idea of an EQ mount, I'm familiar with those. I liked the idea of a Newtonian, I'm familiar with those too. I liked the idea of not having to go full computerised straight away if I didn't feel like it, I could just fit an RA motor and away we go. I then got to thinking (following much reading around) that even though the tripod and mount appear versatile, they do have their limitations so I wouldn't be looking at being able to put a larger tube on in time and AP potential would be limited. The final nail in the coffin was size. EQ mounts are just not that portable, especially if on the tripod as you have the counter weight shaft sticking out. The 200P OTA is pretty hefty too.

 

I then got looking at the 127mm goto Maks. I loved my ETX90 - amazing views of the planets. But I was also acutely aware of the deep sky limitations. Still, the Skywatcher and Celestron 127Mak goto 'scopes are well priced and very portable. I so very nearly bought one but only the display model was available at the shop I initially visited and I was not overly impressed with the tripod of either 'scope (both were set up in the shop). I know at that price point there are going to be huge compromises but I felt those tripods were just a compromise too far.

 

Another week or so spent looking at the options. I was keen to look at the Omni 127XLT. C5 is a known quantity and the CG-4 is effectively an EQ3. I arranged with another shop to go have a look at one.

 

In the meantime, I went back to worrying about the portability of the EQ mount. I then started looking at the Nexstar 5 SE. The 6 SE looked like too big a step up pricewise at this point in my journey. During my research I discovered the difference between the 4/5 SE and 6/8 SE tripods and mounts. Not having the built in EQ wedge on the 6/8 mount was a bit of a shame (I understand the techncal reasons why) but I liked the idea of the extra sturdiness. The 8 SE was tempting but I reckoned I'd struggle with portability on that. In fact the desire for portability was what closed the door on the 200mm 'scopes. The 6 SE was a useful amount more aperture than the 5.

 

I set off for the shop pretty convinced I was going to come away with a 6 SE but any doubts and I'd walk away.

 

The shop had a good range set out on display from the Explorer 200P to the little 127 Maks on goto mounts. On seeing the 200P on the EQ5 I knew that would be too big. There was also an Advanced VX with the C8 tube on it and that was (to me) huge as an overall setup. Something for the future perhaps but not now. Seeing the GG-4 EQ mount confirmed that for this 'scope, an EQ mount was not the way to go.

 

Just seeing and being able to walk around and compare setups all in the same place was the best thing I could have done. The Nexstar SE's compact mount, reasonably sturdy (it's not rigid but it's more than acceptable) tripod and the compact 6" tube (the 8" was just too big and too much more expensive) said it was the 'scope for me at this time. Remember, I wanted something I was as sure as I could be that I'd be getting out and using as often as possible. It'll hopefully go on holiday with us too.

 

It was a lot of money to spend on a 'scope that compromises in so many ways so I hoped it would live up to expectations. I added a 2x barlow and 9mm eyepiece to my bootful of goodies and headed home.

 

Next time I'll let you know how I got on with my first motorised, computerised 'scope. The initial confusion and first light!

  • Like 3

5 Comments


Recommended Comments

Nice one Guy !

 

How I wish more folks would adopt your approach - taking time with very sensible research and physically looking at a few scopes before deciding.

 

Everyone seems in such a rush these days to have it immediately after only getting the idea from a friend yesterday.

 

Well done :)

Link to comment

Well done on finding the telescope that suited you.

I have been looking around for the best 8" i could buy in my price range of £450 & still searching after almost 4 weeks but really need to see and feel what i get for my money.

BTW i am a complete novice.

 

Looking forward to your update

Link to comment

I spent weeks watching YouTube videos, reading reviews about purchasing a first telescope. Then I found an astronomy club nearby and got some advice. Every thing I read and watched on youtube pointed to a dobsonian, the members at the local club agreed with my findings so I bought the largest dobs my pocket could afford , an 8" Dobsonian. Next purchase which was reccomended by the club was a telrad view finder. I haven't been able to use the telrad as of yet due to cloudy weather. Since they have a telrad on some of their telescope will definitely be a good choice.

Also a complete novice.

Link to comment

Thanks for all the comments folks.  It's been a mad few weks hence being so quiet.  The next installment is still very much in draft :(

 

Dobs are great starter 'scopes - you cannot beat them for aperture per £ if that is what you are after and they are quick to set up and not much to go wrong :)

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.