Hi all,
I guess I should start with both an apology and a 'Happy New Year' to all. The apology is that this question has been asked over and over again (probably) but I can't find the answer anywhere.
I gave away my old Newtonian about 2 years ago as it wasn't getting used; but now I have the time to really focus on the hobby and have decided to re-invest in some new equipment. As with many amatuers I want it all, and by that I mean that I want to observe visually and have a stab at astrophotography. I'm not interested in planets other than Jupiter, but only as I want to re-create that first time of seeing the four moons again - it was amazing.
So, i've settled on a Skywatcher EQ6-R mount but as for which scope; that's where I'm struggling. I've picked 5 and they are;
Skywatcher Explorer 200PDS
Skywatcher Explorer 250PDS
Skywatcher Quattro 250P F/4
Skywatcher Evostar 120 ED DS Pro
Skywatcher Evostar 80 ED DS Pro
I've put them all into Stellarium and considering an APC sensor camera I seem to be able to fit the Flame and Horse-Head neblulae into a frame, and without much significant difference. The Pinwheel is better in the Newts but Pleiades only fits with the 80 ED. Optically they are all fine but I do need a wide field eyepiece for some targets, especially with the 250PDS but Pleiades fills the eyepiece nicely if it's a 31mm (82 deg FOV).
In terms of price the 250PDS is around £500 with a coma corrector and the 250P F/4 close to £1,000 with a coma corrector.
The 120 ED is expensive at around £1,400 considering that I could get a Skywatcher Explorer 190MN for less money (but considerable more weight).
So my question is - Does the 250p F/4 have any significant advantage over the 250PDS; and are the 80 and 120 ED's worth the expense when considering the two newts.
And if you havn't lost the will to live at this stage; would a 190MN have any advantages over the others?
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Steve