bingevader

Maybe I'll hang on for the clones from EPsRUs!

10 hours ago, NoFlyZone said:

I guess, point it at a star...

Definitely! And then, if you get stuck, I'm sure people will help.

Had to check your location before wondering what was wrong with temps in the teens! 🤔😉 (ºF)

On 28/10/2022 at 13:13, SthBohemia said:

Likewise avoid Dobsons like the plague unless you intend to mount a reflector with a 16"+ mirror....

I don't know about the 'war path', but if I am a 'native' then it's frustration at the gross generalisations, like in the quote, that is taking us off topic.

It might be your opinion, as you have now suggested, but there's no qualification, clarification or example as to why someone seeking advice should, 'avoid Dobsons like the plague'.

My 8" 'scope, although large, is more than manageable in two parts. It fits easily in the boot and on the back seat of a Corsa (not big) if I venture out or take it to school.

Without going into a Blade Runneresque quote about the shoulder of Orion, it has not only allowed me to see things I wouldn't think possible from my back garden with relatively cheap bits of glass, but is also, hopefully, inspiring the next generation of stargazers.

Dobs might not be everyone's cup of tea, but avoid them like the plague? Maybe not.

The 32mm is the smallest of my 2" EPs!

4 hours ago, Louis D said:

 In the US, we always price used equipment against the new,

I've always thought that a bit of a tricky one too though.

It depends when the 'new' price was.

Thankfully, very few on here, but after the recent price hike, there were adverts for second hand EPs that were clearly at least a year old, but still marked as a saving on the price of a new one.

I looked a couple up as I was interested in them and they were charging more than they'd bought them for! 🙄

Apologies! I've said the Panaview is 82º, it's not, it's 70º.

There are a couple on https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/.

I can't give a comparison, I'm afraid, but I have the 32mm Panaview and a couple of EPs around the 25mm mark.

The Panaview was my first venture into 2" EPs and I loved it and has lead me down the 82º EP route.

Yes, it's a little soft around the edges, but it's not bad for the money.

If you want something better corrected, you need to pay 2x or 3x the money and more if you want to and can afford it.

The difference in FOV, however, is super!

For me, the 82º EPs just frame things in an altogether more enjoyable way.

Yes, I know, that's completely down to the individual, but if you think you might like the experience then it's worth a go.

They are obviously cheaper second hand!

You're not close enough for me to offer to show you unfortunately.

My Panaview only got superseded by the Meade which was an end of line deal and too good to miss!

1 hour ago, Mike Q said:

Oh it will happen lol

There's always the Kragle! 😉😈

31 minutes ago, SthBohemia said:

Sighs, whatever do you lot think we did in the 60's if we wanted telescopes? WE made them! I stated somewhere else that I made my first scope aged 15-16 some 60 odd years ago along with an equatorial mount...

I have never encountered the, so named, cheap telescopes, all comments that I have made have been from CRITICISMS made by members within SGL in regard to certain aspects of manufactured telescopes!

Bottom line.. If your happy with whatever ya got so be it. I;m outa this thread, a waste of time...

Okay, maybe not the sixties, but definitely the 70s and 80s, I didn't have the money, time, or skills to make my own 'scope, still don't, I'm a bodger at best.

The mass and cheap production of astronomy kit was what opened this world up to me, couldn't have afforded it otherwise.

For fear of feeding the troll! 🙄

Many of us don't have the time to make our own telescopes.

I, for one, am very happy with my mass produced masquerade and cheap eyepieces.

As you find it all so amusing, I'm sure you will stay, but if you don't like the advice given on the forum, there's a simple means to avoid it.  

I have the Celestron NexYZ, which fits all but the big boys.

My 24mm and 30mm, 2" Eps don't fit, but the ES18mm does, as does the Panaview!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334533857159

Cheapo ebay version.

25 minutes ago, doublevodka said:

There are a few different options, here's a good start - https://binocularsky.com/binoc_mount.php

I have one of those, works very well with the bins.

My decision to buy a dob was purely on a cost basis.

My eyepiece purchases since, have been to fill gaps or move to 82° eyepieces.

No money wasted here.

Don't want to boast, but I've seen the veil nebula from my back garden with an 8" dob, not bad really.

Couldn't be bothered reading the whole five pages, especially with the cats!

However, not sure if anyone else has mentioned, but your original eyepiece comment is bogus, because for Skywatcher at least, the stock eyepieces ship with the fracs, same as the dobs.

And on that point, there was nothing wrong with my 25mm and the central region of the 10mm was very clear.

Wow! As standard? Don't think mine does that!

Did you use any specific settings or timings, please?

15 hours ago, Mart29 said:

Never seen a galaxy with this scope , but hoping to before the year is out. Any tips to locate without a goto mount? 

I'm assuming it's still in the box then? 🤔🤭😆

You are in for a treat then, if galaxies are your thing!

Great advice above.

If you find the galaxies a bit of a challenge then there are loads of clusters that are super in the 200p.

I can't afford these top end EPs and am unlikely to ever have a 'scope in which I would see the notable difference, so the 'lesser' performance at the lower price is all I am ever going to experience!

Which is where the car analogy falls over for me as well I'm afraid Don!

Does the $25k car get me from A to B? Job done.

I have the 7mm and 4mm and think they are rather smashing.

Haverfordwest?! That's nearly in England, isn't it, not West Wales?!  

This was a little campsite just outside St. David's.

Not my usual abode, that's much further east, but still with M31 a naked eye fuzz on a clear night.

On topic! The star barn puts my shed to shame. A recent trip to the tip means that at least I can now get in it!

16 hours ago, cajen2 said:

If you don't mind my posing the question, is this the sort of gathering where people all know each other and come from South Wales, or do you get lots of strangers from all over Britain?

They'll all be arriving from the pit, only speak welsh and eat welsh rarebit (cheese on toast), cawl (lamb stew) and welshcakes (welshcakes)!

Not to mention the Saturday afternoon rugby fixture and Sunday morning male voice choir.  🤣

Sorry, just realised it's on a trailer! 🤦‍♂️

There you go!

On 02/09/2022 at 17:24, Stu said:

Interesting discussion notwithstanding, let’s try to keep this relevant to answering the OP’s question. Thanks 👍

There you go!

In answer to your last two questions: No and Nothing.

They're the short answers!
If you are happy (or satisfied) with what you are using, then why the worry?