Sweaters

Hi all, thanks for the replies! i've decided to go with Mike's advice and have bought a SW 130p. I think for starting off it's the best option and i've been reading a lot of good reviews on it. Now the start off point is known, i can have a good look at upgrading the gear along the way. Obviously i'm forst going to enjoy my new toy when it comes in but i'm gonna keep my eyes open for a better mount and other good deals. i'm very sure i'll become a regular on this forum so see you all around! Rik

Hi and thank you for the quick responses! i've been looking more closely into the Skywatcher Explorer range and am now thinking about either the 130mm or 150mm models. As far as i can see the 130 range on FLO is sold in combination with an EQ2 mount and the 150 with an EQ3. Diving into the forums, both of those mounts seem to be on the light side for the designated telescopes. would it be an idea to go for an Explorer 130 OTA with an EQ3 mount? Or do you have any better suggestions? for now an 150mm with an EQ5 mount would be out of budget unfortunately. see below some of the telescopes i've been looking at. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150pl-eq3-2.html (The longer model because of the higher focal ratio) https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-explorer-130m.html (Higher focal ratio of f/6.9 i prefer over the f/5 of the 130p) i'd love to hear your opinions/ suggestions! kind regards, Rik

Hi all, In a world of self isolation i'm in desperate need of a new hobby. As a professional seafarer, astronomy has always interested me and so I want to buy a telescope. As a kid i did play around with the refractor telescope of a relative but i never really had my own and apart from knowing all there is about the stars used for navigational purposes and how to operate binoculars and sextants, my knowledge about telescopes goes as far as a few days of browsing can get you. To start with some decisions i've already made myself: - Budget between £200 and £300. - Telescope needs to be transportable and fit in my car boot. Lengthwise limited to approximately 1000mm. - I like the idea of getting something with an equatorial mount. - I do not like the Dobsonian mounts, at least not for now as it isn't as mobile as i'd like it to be. - So far i've been looking at telescopes with a focal ratio of around f/7 as i want an all-rounder to start off with. - I do not want a motorized mount as i want to get the hang of things myself first before i start cheating around with things like that. Basically that has brought me to the world of reflector telescopes but so far that has resulted in quite a few occasions in which i thought i had found "the one" only to find out a few minutes later that i was dealing with a Bird-Jones concept or with motorized mounts. As said i like the idea of an all round telescope to look at the moon, planets but also at some of the nearby nebulas and galaxies. Could you please help me in this quest? I'm open to all suggestions even if it would mean going for a refractor instead. Thank you all in advance!