Pixies

Thanks everyone. Another question (sorry - but I guess if you are commenting on posts in the 'Beginners' section, then that's cool) I've seen comments here and elsewhere that with a fast 'scope (this one is f6), one needs better quality eyepieces. Could anyone elaborate on what causes this and also, what one would differentiate a 'better quality' eyepiece. Well, as far a the budget would stretch for a beginner scope. Cheers

Hi guys, Just about to pull the trigger on a Bresser Messier 8". I see that it can take 2" eyepieces but comes with an adapter and a 1.25" eyepiece (25mm plossl). I'll need to decide on which size I stick with, for future purchases. I assume I wouldn't want to mix things up, so that I won't have to double-up on filters, etc. So which is best? 2" or 1.25"? Could you let me know the advantages and disadvantages of both - when considering the 'scope I'm likely to be using them with? Many thanks.

Hi all, I am looking to get my first telescope (although have been viewing with bins for several years). I was going with the usual newbie choice of a Skywatcher 200p Dobsonian, but find that there are none to be found for sale anywhere. I guess the lock-down means that lots of people are finding time to discover new hobbies. It's great that lots of people are now interested, but couldn't they wait until after I had bought a new 'scope! 🙄 Another option is the Bresser 8" Dobsonian, so I'm considering that (although it's a little more expensive). As I'm up in Scotland, the skies are getting pretty light now - so I could wait until August, when there might be quite a few going second-hand! 😉 Anyway, I live in a Bortle 6 region - and there's this blooming street lamp in the lane at the end of the garden, so it's not the darkest around here. Dark skies are pretty close-by and I have an old campervan to help transport things, but I'd really want to do most of my observing from the back garden. So my question is.... is there a better option for my situation than a large-ish Dobsonian? Would a Mak-Cas be a better choice? I'm not particularly interested in imaging and I don't mind star-hopping to find things, in fact that's half the fun of it, so a GoTo isn't a high priority. DSO are what I like viewing (or trying to view) in my bins. So normally you would think a big Dob would be the most suitable choice for me. But would it be a waste of aperture with all the light pollution around me? £400-ish budget. Cheers

Cheers PopEye, I have an old campervan - so transport won't be an issue. This lockdown might be for a while, though. But thanks for the offer of help. There's no Skyliner 200Ps available anywhere for love or money, though. So I might consider a Bresser Messier 200 instead. A little more expensive, but a nicer focuser, I believe.

Hi there. I have just joined after lurking for several years. Don't have a scope - just an pair of 10x50 bins which I use regularly and occasionally with a tripod, if I feel like observing something a bit fainter. Have been thinking about getting a scope for years, and recently having come into a bit more disposable income, decided to go for it - just to find that the Skyliner 200p Dobsonian is now sold-out everywhere! Oh well.... Anyway - 'hi' again. Look out for my noob posts appearing in various 'Beginners' forums. Although, I like to think I know my way around the sky a little better than most (not including you, good readers). Neil.