joe aguiar

 The 200 or 8 inch size will be a scope that u will enjoy for many years. U may not go any highter in size to as its large for a reflector on a EQ mount.

I would pass on 130 size and stick to 200.

8 inches is where u need to be for dso deep sky objects.  So visual it will be very good and a heq5 will hold that fine, norn it comes with eq5. So the heq5 is even better.

The only downfall on this setup is if u get into ap imagining u may need eq6 with a 8 inch f5 scope. Unless u dont get to serious in AP then maybe. For visal the mount is fine for ap it's ok but eq6 would be better.

If u were gonna get a 8 act then the heq5 would be good 

So again if u dont get too serious in ap then it may do.

joejaguar 

I dont think it fit that model 

Looks like gt or slt to me

Joejaguar 

Antares also made the elite models at f8.8, f13 and bf15.  They were all 105mm refractors.

I see a Canadian dealer selling the 105 f13 one but I got too many right now at 13 scopes, maybe 14 I gotta count them

Joejaguar 

I would start with eps then go nebula filters.

Forget about planetary filters the gain is so minimal. 

The gain in nebula filters is very good depends on size scope and what lp your in, but even so the gain is good, but I would start with eps

Joejaguar 

The way I do it may be different than most but this is how I do it u may choose any way u like

I base it on the telescope price so for a 130mm reflector that's like a $200price point, I would only buy plossls/ super plossls  maybe bst or something like Meade HD 60 fov 5000 eps.

If I was gonna think about spending on anything more expensive eps like badder, delites, delos, naglars or ethos I would uprgrade  my scope to a larger more expensive scope first.

I kinda match the scope to the eps

To me atleast I think to have best views I dont put $900 eps on $200 scope or I dont put $30 eps on a $3000 scope. As both the eps and scope both needs to be equal.

Again this is how I see it it may not be how u like which is fine too.

Joejaguar 

I think u should go to a home depot or whatever u guys have there or large hardware store.

Buying spring on line will probably be a more miss.

You should test the springs. It shouldn't be too easy to compress as it be moving too much possibly move the mirror up and down.

Yet u dont want it so stiff it doesnt compress at all unless it needs a 100 lbs, that will be too stiff.

U gotta find a medium/medium stiff so it holds the mirror in place but doesnt move too easy, but also u dont want it too move at all.

Hope that kinda makes sence

Not sure if u should buy 2 or 3 pairs of 3 springs and see which tension works best.

Maybe u can return 2 of the pairs once u see which spring works best, assuming it doesnt look work or cut etc

If u want lower wider views u need to go to a low power 2 inch ep

Does your scope have a 2 inch focuser?

If So u can get one low power 2 inch ep

Joejaguar 

Another not expensive one could be the celestron omni 32mm plossl.  It's not expensive has a 52 degree fov but as John said its almost the same thing as the 25 at 60 

A 32mm will have abit lower power of course but fov will be near the same.

It's kinda  like people who have a 32mm plossl and thought about a 40mm 1.25 ep which has a 44 degree fov, in this case most people just stay with the 32mm plossl ep

Joejaguar 

It's really not that bad I have gotten dozen if things from us and sometimes there are none and when there is it's not like its thousands but couple / few hundred more.

But ya if u can get it there that should be 1st way.

In cdn used taks only come around like 2 or 3 max a yr, sometimes none so your lucky to even find a used one here

joejaguar 

I think best one is high power star test

joejaguar 

Ops ok deleted this post then, I'm sure he saw and could PM me if he likes

I offered it but it's not for sale on any site anywhere

Joejaguar 

Get a good quality Barlow tho the low quality ones will degrade image where the good ones wont or barely anything

Joejaguar 

I sent u a PM

I un did my meade lxd75 motor drives and will sell it after I move but I'm also in Canada but I worked it out it be 143 UK for mine

Check message for full details 

Joejaguar 

Once its successful then it should put the item in fov of a low power ep like 25 or 32mm ep.

But in the start up process it can easily be off as it does not know where u are. It's just going off by the city or cords u selected. So until u do a 2 or 3 star alignment it doesnt fully know where u r

Hope that helps

Joejaguar 

When it asks to align on both stars r u justing hitting enter or r u slewing to the correct star then hitting align enter?

All gotos r not perfect when it slews to a star it could easily be 5 to 15 degrees off. U have to slew to them manual put it in center then hit align

Joejaguar 

On 14/02/2020 at 16:00, oymd said:

I prefer this option. By drilling, do you mean take it to a shop, or drill it myself? I have a power drill, and possibly can try widening the pre existing holes with a thick bit I have. 
 

but won’t that risk rust etc?

sorry iam normally not around on weekends much but yes try it yourself , its just a hole if you are not handy its a great way to learn.

Joejaguar

Since u have that long 13 inch sw green bar u can just drill 1 or both holes and just use a nut and bolt that fit the hole.

It wont be tap or screw in but it doesnt have to be.

If u can find least 1 hole that work that's half the job then just drill 1 hole out.

Joejaguar 

It's mostly prefrence put it where u feel it's most comfortable. 6 to 8 inches seems about right u could be futher but u have to be looking straight through the glass.

When I installed the base I always put lots pressure on all sides making sure it sticks for like 30 secs and I dont have a issue.  Once in awhile while walking around I just make sure the base is still secure.  I just reapply pressure again if u r like me and keep them in house, it's no big deal to do

Joejaguar 

any reflector sct type will need it in time, it just depends on if it gets off or not.

i found if you have the scope setup lets say in living room and just take it outside it can last many months even a year or longer BUT if u take it apart put it in car trunk every weekend it may need it monthy

joejaguar

I'm sure that was cali USA right?

Joejaguar 

Nice to hear

joejaguar 

What's different in the UK compared to north American is the models have different names like pds etc etc I normally can still tell what it is but once awhile I have to Google just to make sure

So excuse me for that part not always being 100% 

Joejaguar 

Ok f7 is better than the f5 models but going to the 80mm is still better if budget allows. I kinda see the 70mm as almost there size

joejaguar 

9 hours ago, Simon Dunsmore said:

 

Ujjjnn=jjjThanks for all the suggestions Chaps, 

How do you feel about mounting the 200pds on an Heq5. I'd love to go for the EQ6 but alas, I have a wedding to pay for this year! 

It probably be ok but not great the tube length more and weight of it will be hard even on heq5.

If u really want imaging with that scope should be eq6. U dont want to get a heq5 then figure it's pretty much the limit of that scope sell it lose money then buy a eq5.

The 8 inch sct could go on heq5 and be ok

Joejaguar 

Yes the short tube models are good for what they r made for, wide field lower powers views.  I have had a few different ones in my lifetime. Right now I have the skywatcher 102f5 but I dont use it for the planets.

That doesnt mean they cant see the planets at highter power but the image quality will be soft not so clear.

So if u want to look more on the moon planets double stars etc the longer version is better and no collamation.

If you can get into the 80mm I think u will be much better off

They sell the 80mm f 10 on the az3 and eq2 model. Sometimes the eq version is only few bucks more. It needs more getting used to for new people but it follows the skys movement better. u can later add a motor drive so it stays on the item or planets without u needing to move it at all almost.

The f 10 model is probably only 16 inch longer but you get 75% better colour correction and better views.

For lower powers use a 32mm 1.25 plossl or something like that

Joejaguar