Simon Dunsmore

Hi Folks, So, I'm back again with more questions, sorry! A little while ago I asked about the Skywatcher ED72 and received some really helpful advice about it's use and necessary extras for imaging. Here's the thing. I presently own a Skywatcher 200PDS on an EQ5 goto mount. The scope is great (if not a little too heavy for the mount, but more than fine for visual). I'd really like to purchase a scope for wide field deep sky viewing. Ideally it needs to allow me for possible future astrophotography and not be too heavy (the 200PDS is a monster to lug about). I have hovered over the buy button on two OTAs, the aforementioned ED72 and the Startravel 120. I've read so many conflicting reviews on the 120 and just can't seem to make up my mind! I appreciate that the ED72 has better optics and is suited for astrophotography but has less aperture. The 120 is £45 cheaper and would allow me to purchase a decent diagonal. My budget is around £330. I've also looked at the Bresser scopes, but again have read bad things about these. I'd appreciate the opinions of you knowledgeable people. Thanks in advance. Simon

Noooo... Missed it!

Hey Joe, Thanks I really appreciate your help. I'll let you know how I get on. Kind regards Simon

Hi Guys, Thank you for your advice. After reading other threads on her about the 102 I think I'll definitely steer clear of the scope for imaging. So, it looks like there is a bit more saving required. Any thoughts on a scope that is more or less good to go out of the box and falls within the same budget. I can't seem to find anything that comes close to this one. Can I ask one more question, if the 72ed is a good imaging scope, why does it require so much modification? Sorry, still trying to get my head around this imaging game Thanks again Simon

Hi, I'm considering getting a Skywatcher Evostar 72ED for deep sky imaging. I'm new to astrophotography although I have been using a 200pds on an EQ5 for visual for some time. I plan to use the 72ED with my Canon 1000d. I've read loads of reviews on the scope and I'm a little confused. I'd really appreciate some help with the following: 1. Do I need to add a 2inch adapter to take my cannon? 2. Will I be able achieve focus or do I need another adapter 3.is there a dedicated or recommend field flatner for the 72ED and if so how will this effect the set up. In short, before I buy the scope I need to calculate what else I'll need to make it work Finally, with a budget of around £250 is there a good alternative. Ive considered the Skywatcher 102, but was concerned about chromatic aberration. Thanks for your help Kind regards Simon

Thanks for this, that's what I figured. Any thoughts on the polar scope / home position issue? Sorry, one final question, the polar scope seems to have some play in it, I'm guessing that with this Tripod it's not going to be possible to get a really accurate alignment. I have centered it but even then, when rotating it around a test dot on the wall it seems to go off centre really quickly. Thanks again Simon

Hi Folks, OK, so I have a new shiny eq5 mount and before we get into the autumn I thought I'd get to grips with understanding how to use it. I've read just about everything I can find about setting up the home position. Problem 1. When setting up the Dec position, once I have it level and set the scale to 0, I rotate it until the scale reads 90 but this looks way off, are these dials accurate? If I use the opposite 90degree bubble on the level to set it at 90 degrees the scale reads 40. Problem 2. With the scope in the home position it doesnt look like the scope and the polar scope are in line with each other, is this correct? Sorry if this has been asked before. Thanks for your help Simon