steve wiz

Hi Malc, Looking to photograph DSO and planets, 8'inch Dob, in garden only up to £50 for the adaptor.

Hi Guys, as the title says, any info appreciated, also any decent budget phone mount/ adaptors that users would recommend? Thank you.

Orange Smartie, a Guitar AND a Dob, my idea of Heaven!😁

Hi Guys I have a few questions about the above. Everyone says, or most, that the SLT mount is cheap and wobbly as opposed to the solid construction of the SE. But forgetting the mounts for a minute are the optics any different? Is the SE also visually better than the SLT and overall a better scope? Or does the large price difference just reflect the mount? The SLT at that price is so tempting, and I'm curious in general as most only talk of the SLT's crummy mount but not about the actual scope itself, it seems like the SLT really gets a rough deal especially if there isnt much difference, maybe the wobbly mount could be modified? Then you have a great 6' Goto at £400 less than the SE.

Now that focuser looks like quality!

I'll wait until the new year, it has it be the Bresser for me!

After looking at 8' Dobs on the site I just discover Stellalyra! Obviously new? or certainly new to me. I now know I can't afford a Goto or Push to Dob, well truth is I can but can't 'Justify' the purchase, so am going stop being lazy, learn the sky and buy a regular Dob and save a packet of dough! Now with the the Stellalyra there's three in the mix, along with Skywatcher Skyliner 200P and the Bressier Messier. While researching it appears the Skywatcher are in a very poor third place compared to the other two? That's overall quality, ALL parts considered. The new Stellalyra has great reviews on FLO, but for me, The Bressier Messier 8' just seems to scream class! Any thoughts Fellas?

Thanks mate!!!

Hi Guys, I've been researching an upgrade for my Heritage 130P for some time and am now convinced it's an 8' Dob, all things consider this is spot on for me. However, I'm lazy. I prefer 'assistance' out in the field so to speak. Many times I have read. '' Get Turn Left at Orion'', educate yourself, don't be lazy and actually learn what your looking for, I brought the book, admittedly it's a great book packed with information, a fascinating read, maybe a little 'heavy going' in places? I started to read but stopped after the first few pages, as I said, lazy. Personally, I would like to be taken on a grand tour of all those wonderful objects with the assistance of those incredible databases, to me that's exiting! I'm also thinking it's less time consuming on our cold British nights, more fun and much less effort. This has brought me to Goto AND the Orion Intelliscope Push to system. With a little research I found her, Orion XT8i, perfect! Obviously most of the talk in the UK is all Skywacher and their brilliant 200p Dob, these are priced at £369, BUT, the Goto in this version goes up to a whopping £999! a bit out of my price range. The XT8i is £ 717.99 on Amazon. I know it's a different system being push to, but after much research I think I would prefer it, in fact, I'd probably go for this over the Skywatcher now if it was the same price! because being push to gives you 'some input', which I like, it also uses much less power, one 9V battery apparently, they say that Syncscan eats batteries then may need an additional power pack, or so I think I have read. Also, the XT8i gets VERY good reviews and it's said to be of excellent all round quality. Orion don't seem to get much publicity here and aren't readily available, which is a shame, I think I know a bargain when I see one say why pay another near £300 when I could buy this beauty! My only reservation is buying from Amazon and not a reputable dealer. Any thoughts or any XT8i/ XT10i owners input would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks for the replies Fellas. LOVE the Amazon cover idea Dave! Many Thanks Guys some brilliant ideas, LOVE the idea of those covers Dave!

Thanks for the reply. Its the footprint, thats my main concern really.

Hi Guys, I want to upgrade to the above, I currently use the Heritage 130. Thing is, I have just moved to a much smaller house and can't keep it anywhere inside my home, the garden seems the best option, also, I think if is out there ready to use I haven't got to lug it about and it will surely get a lot more use. I'm quite sure the base measures 21 inches and as I prefer the solid tube I believe it stands around Four feet. I was thinking of a plastic shed as these are totally sealed, will last for ever and are always clean inside and without bugs/cobwebs [ unlike a wooden one] However, after looking I found these aren't cheap and most are too large and overkill. I've looked hard but the smallest is 4x3, overkill really. Has anyone got any ideas or a suitable product please? I'd also consider metal. I also think the bonus would be no cool down time being stored this way. Many Thanks in advance.

Hi Louis, Thanks, that makes a lot of sense.

Thanks Guys, Much appreciated.

Hi Forgive my ignorance, I'm new quite new to Astronomy. I have 3 BST Starguider EP'S Which I upgraded to after buying my first Scope, The Heritage 130P. I treat the EP's with care as I do will all my Astro kit, I have never put my fingers near any part of the lenses and always put the protective rubber caps on after use, all stored in a foam filled hard case, should they be cleaned routinely? I presume its only dust or finger marks that need to be cleaned?