Aaf146

Hi guys, I have a question. I have an 8" dob and am going to make a filter using solar film. Is it worth making one for the full 8" aperture or will the off axis aperture stop be better for it. I don't know how much more detail will be gained from using the full aperture so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Adam

I do have some binos as well and they definitely get used. I do like you and check out my star hope first, then if I struggle to find the object with the scope I will go back to binos to try again.

Yeah I didn't mean go up 10mm at a time, more than I'll start off small and then jump up in size as and when I can. Really nice scopes btw. Hopefully one day for me haha

When does the upgrading ever end though. That's the trouble.

Yeah it'll definitely have to be a doublet. Triplet is outside my budget, plus my wife may just bury me under the patio if I spend too much. I was thinking f4.5 seems way too fast, even with ED glass, glad to have my suspicions confirmed.

Yeah, there are a handful of f6 80mm lurking about. I'm tempted to go for a 70 ish mm doublet and then at a later date I could possibly upgrade to 80, 90, 100.

That's my thinking. I'm on my feet for around 12 hrs a day and don't get back from work till half 10 at night so I haven't always got the energy to take my dob out. It'd be nice to have something I can take out, look for an hour and carry back in in one go, nice and easy.

Well I mean something in the 450 odd pounds region. Of course I'm not going to get an ES or Tak 80mm for that sort of money but svbony, skywatcher etc are all around that price point depending on where you look.

An 80ed is probably my upper limit. Of course if I find one 2nd hand all the better.

Tbh I am hoping to get a refractor as they don't require collimating, among other things. Plus it is getting a little on the large side for me as my small setup. Thanks anyway Adam

Thanks for the detailed reply. 1.25" isn't a complete deal breaker as most of my EPs are that size. I only have 1 2" and I don't think it'd work well with such a fast scope anyway.

Yeah, it's easy to carry outside, but it takes time to cool down. Plus I can barely fit it in my car so am looking for something smaller and lighter as you say. Plus collimating it is a pain every time I go out with it.

I'm by no means a perfectionist as I've only used cheap refractors and reflectors up to now so a bit of CA won't bother me but might have a look if my local observatory has a few different variants to try before I make a definite decision

I'm just looking for something much easier to take out, when I haven't got as long, than my 8" (with cool down etc). That's why I was thinking of the 70mm ed, 80 is a little bit out of my price range unless I find a decent deal 2nd hand (which I am still looking at) but fingers crossed. If not I will probably go with the 100.

I'm hoping to do some white light solar observing as well so that's good news. I'm not expecting something outstanding tbh on the moon or planets with such a short focal length. Just enough so I can actually see some slight detail. Thanks for the help, looks like this scope is definitely in the running. Adam