TrojanMan

Last question....at the moment. I have the scope narrowed down between two. Explore Scientific 102mm FCD100 f/7 ED APO Triplet Refractor $2000 VS Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 ED APO Refractor Telescope $1080 I understand the differences between the two but my question is specifically about the Explore Scientific. Are they a good brand? The Sky-Watcher triplet of 100mm is another $1000 over the Explore Scientific triplet 102mm. This disparity throws up a red flag that the quality of the Explore Scientific may not be as good as Sky-Watcher. Is the extra $1000 worth it between the doublet 80mm Sky-Watcher and the Explore Scientific triplet 102mm? Thanks!

Perhaps a silly question but I could use the same mount to do planetary observations and just throw a different scope on it right? I am guessing there are different requirements for cameras and filters. I am going to stick with DSO at first but would like to get a mount that can do both DSO and planetary. Thanks!

Updated eq list: EQ6-R Pro $2,025.00 From <https://www.skywatcherusa.com/products/eq6-r-pro> Explore Scientific 102mm FCD100 f/7 ED APO Triplet Refractor $2000 From <https://optcorp.com/collections/refractor-telescopes/products/explore-scientific-102mm-fcd100-refractor> ZWO ASI533MC Pro USB3.0 Cooled Color Astronomy Camera $800 Explore Scientific Field Flattener f/5 to f/7 $150 From <https://optcorp.com/collections/explore-scientific/products/explore-scientific-field-flattener-f-5-to-f-7> IDAS Nebula Booster Filter - 48mm $200 From <https://optcorp.com/products/idas-nebula-booster-filter-48mm> ZWO 1.25" IR Cut-Off Filter From <https://optcorp.com/products/zwo-1-25-ir-cut-filter> ZWO ASI120MM Mini Monochrome CMOS Camera $150 From <https://optcorp.com/products/zwo-asi120mm-mini> Stellarvue F50 50mm Guidescope w/Straight-Through Helical Focuser $150 From <https://optcorp.com/products/stellarvue-f50-50mm-guidescope-w-straight-through-helical-focuser> Astrozap AstroStrap Dew Heater for 1.25" Eyepieces & 50mm Finders $45 From <https://optcorp.com/collections/dew-heaters/products/astrozap-astrostrap-dew-heater-for-1-25-eyepieces-50mm-finders> Stellarmate Cable - USB to EQDIR HEQ5/EQ5/EQ8/EQ3/EQ6-R Pro/Atlas II From <https://optcorp.com/collections/stellarmate/products/stellarmate-usb-to-eqdir-heq5-eq5-eq8-eq3-cable> Raspberry Pi3 with AstroBerry - already own Cables TBD The only thing I might change on this unless otherwise directed by the pro's is to go cheaper on the scope but it appears the size and quality of the Explore Scientific is a great value. BTW is this a European only site? Any Americans out there? Don't get me wrong I enjoy the chat and appreciate the help but dont want to stick my nose in a place it does not belong Thanks!

I have plenty of experience with Raspberry Pi's and it looks like you can make a controller out of one with the INDI packages. Would/Could this perform the same functions as the ASIAIR?

Updated eq list: EQ6-R Pro $2,025.00 From <https://www.skywatcherusa.com/products/eq6-r-pro> Explore Scientific 102mm FCD100 f/7 ED APO Triplet Refractor $2000 From <https://optcorp.com/collections/refractor-telescopes/products/explore-scientific-102mm-fcd100-refractor> ZWO ASI533MC Pro USB3.0 Cooled Color Astronomy Camera $800 From <https://optcorp.com/products/zwo-asi533mc-pro-usb3-0-cooled-color-camera> ZWO ASIAir Plus Wireless Camera Controller for Astrophotography $300 From <https://optcorp.com/products/zwo-asiair-plus-wireless-imaging-controller> Explore Scientific Field Flattener f/5 to f/7 $150 From <https://optcorp.com/collections/explore-scientific/products/explore-scientific-field-flattener-f-5-to-f-7> ZWO 1.25" H-alpha Filter - 7nm $130 From <https://optcorp.com/collections/narrowband-filters/products/zwo-1-25-ha-filter> ZWO ASI120MM Mini Monochrome CMOS Camera $150 From <https://optcorp.com/products/zwo-asi120mm-mini> William Optics 50mm Rotolock Guide Scope - Red $153 From <https://optcorp.com/products/william-optics-50mm-rotolock-guide-scope-red> Anything else i need to buy, cables, adapters, filters, etc? As for pictures this would be the ultimate goal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andromeda_Galaxy#/media/File:Andromeda_Galaxy_560mm_FL.jpg I have no doubt this will take a massive learning curve and much trial and error and new equipment to achieve this goal. If the listed eq above can do even a fraction of that I would be happy. Thanks! I appreciate the help

I learn new things by trial and error. That is what makes me good at my job. While I have little experience in image post processing, being in the IT field I have little doubt I can pick this skill up after said trial and error.

Texas is a BIG State. Even many of my own countrymen don't know how big it is. We don't measure distance in miles. We measure it in hours. "How far is it to San Antonio? About 5 hours." West and Central Texas is basically empty. That being said I happen to live in a metro area where light pollution would need to be accounted for. I have settled on starting with deep sky objects. I think I'd rather do the Skywatcher EQ6R PRO mount due to higher weight capacity (for upgraded scopes) and its belt drive which I understand is better than gears. Is the price difference between an 80mm and 120mm scope worth it? I don't want to go too overboard but I also don't want to upgrade shortly after getting started. My plan is to spend big on the mount and go more on the starter side for the scope and accessories.

After researching a bit more with some recommendations, is the following eq a good start? SkyWatcher HEQ5 Mount SkyWatcher EvoStar 80ED APO Refractor ZWO ASI183MC Pro CMOS Camera Those 3 items are about $3500. What are all the accessories I would need such as filters, adapters, etc? Do I need a spotting scope, and if so whats a good one that can be mounted on the above? Would the HEQ5 mount be able to accommodate a larger scope if I decided to upgrade later? I appreciate the replies. Thanks!

However anything under that amount listed in previous reply that will accomplish what I am looking for would be great. Just want to take great pics of DSOs. If I wanted to switch to planets what scope should I use? I assume I can use the same mount and most if not all the same accessories, camera, etc? Thanks

My budget is 6-8k USD. I figured I would have to make some consessions between DS and planets but I would lean toward DSO. EQ recommendations appreciated. My last paraphrase was meant to mean best bang for the buck in that price range. Thanks

It has been a dream of mine to get into astrophotography for decades. I owned a cheap scope before but it never worked right so I got rid of it years ago. I am willing to spend some bucks on the equipment but want to make sure I get the right stuff for what I am wanting to image. I understand the mount is the most important part. I was looking at the SkyWatcher EQ6R PRO for the mount. Beyond that I have very little idea what the best equipment would be. I would like to image the gas giants fairly well and deep sky objects such as Andromea, Triangulum, etc very well. I have been reading a refractor would be a good choice for my desires. I am not against a dedicated astro camera but would prefer a consumer type dslr to use for other purposes Would like some recommendations on a good scope and all accessories required to image these object well without spending a ton of money. Mount, scope, spotting scope, camera, filters, and any other accessories. Thanks!