I-d-b

Next job is to work out what I need to connect my Fuji xt-3 to it!!

Many thanks to all who guided and gave me food for thought. I managed to pick up a second hand ed72 with dielectric diagonal and a decent eyepiece. Very happy with it?

Anything I need to be aware of when looking at second hand?

I have been looking for a second hand 80ED. Seems to be very hard to come by!

It was purely the field of view being far too narrow.

Having looked through both a mak style and refractor, I prefer the wider field of view of the refractor. Now looking at a potential of 4: Omni XLT AZ 120 startravel 120 az3 Starwave 70ed f6 or https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/sky-watcher-evostar-72ed-ds-pro-ota.html The last 2 will be circa £400 without a tripod and the first 2 substantially cheaper I’m interested to know thoughts on the differences between the 2 120 scopes detailed if anyone has experience of both?

Skywatcher EVOSTAR 72ED BC003 Revelation Observers Eyepiece Kit PD001 Revelation Erect Image Diagonal FF146 Revelation 1.25" to 2" plus T thread adapter where all recomended by Telescope House based on my wants for basic planet/ moon viewing and terrestrial viewing. All seemed to get good reviews. Based on last 2 posted comments I’m concerned it may not work?

That’s the scope then! now for eyepieces for the skywatcher 72ed!! thinking initially something like 20x magnification up to around 80x. I assume 2 eyepieces with a Barlow 2x would be a good idea? anything good around £100 total for 2 good eyepieces and a Barlow 2x? happy to go with 2” or 1.25” with the step down - best quality for £!

Thanks. Reviews of this keep coming up https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/sky-watcher-evostar-72ed-ds-pro-ota.html though not sure what I’d need to buy on top?!

I think I’m asking for the impossible! : decent exit pupil size (so easy to view for whole family). No (or very low) CA sharp optics ability to be magnified naturally orientated image good for planets / moon and looking at boats on the sea 3 miles away i dont mind if it’s a very long telescope - it won’t be travelling! happy to increase my budget to £400 (would like a tripod included but I do have a manfrotto SLR tripod available) am am I asking the impossible?

I’m in West Sussex. The local (Worthing) ship suggested the ones on my original post but I’m now being drawn towards the mak style. Will this be a problem for terrestrial viewing with more limited field of view

Thanks for the replies and advice. Ring new to the idea of getting a scope I’m confused!! mak or refractor options detailed above - whAt difference would I see? is field of view important? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-102-ota.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evostar/sky-watcher-evostar-90-az-pronto.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/optical-tube-assemblies/celestron-c90-mak.html and do the maks give a vertically mirrored image when the horizontal flip is. “Corrected” with the 45 erecting prism? sorry for so many questions!!

I’m looking for a telescope around 300 that has good magnification and good optics so I can do basic astronomy and look at the boats in the sea (approx 3 miles from our house!) I assume I need a refractor? looked at the celestron nexstar xlt 102 at £349 and the sky-watcher star travel 102mm £ 229.00 120mm £ 329.00 Thoughts?! also looked at the celestron ultimate 80 spotting scope at less than £200 (like the idea of zoom). All seem to have Chromatic aboration- any suggestions on alternatives in my price range please!