RyHead

2 hours ago, R26 oldtimer said:

I also have the Bresser Messier nt150s. Never owned a pds, but the larger secondary, the 2.5" inch focuser (single speed) and the fact that when focused to infinity with a dslr, places the protruding focuser tube just outside of the light cone (a problem known to 130pds owners), made my decision in favour of the Bresser.

Brilliant, thank you. I think its all vote for the Bresser. Will definetly go for it.

28 minutes ago, alacant said:

Hi

My experience with sw is largely unprintable. I have the Bresser Messier nt150s and the 208 f3.9. Both worlds apart when compared to the sw; build quality, aluminium alloy tube, proper 2 1/2" focuser and clean tight stars. Both cover aps-c with the minimum of drop-off.

HTH

**edit: My nt150s came with a dual speed focuser. Maybe ask at the time of ordering?

Defintely worth a try! if you don't aask you don't get..

19 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Basicly Bresser has better build quality but Skywatcher is OK. 

The Bresser has a much higher quality CNC rack and pinion focuser than the low end crayford on the Skywatcher. Can handle a lot more load. Dual speed knob is an option. 

The cost of the 2 scopes is pretty much the same too, think the Bresser may be the one to get then. 

Hello fellow lookers to the skies.

Im about to purchase a scope and would be greatful if anyone could shed some light on whether there is actually any difference in the these 2 manufacturers/scopes.

Bresser and Skywatcher both do a 150/750 f5 Newtonian.

https://www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Telescopes/BRESSER-Messier-NT-150S-750-Hexafoc-Optical-Tube.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-ds-ota.html

The only differences I can see are:

Skywatcher has a dual speed focuser, Bresser doesnt. 

Bresser has 55mm Secondary mirror Skywatcher slighty smaller at 47mm

And the weight 4.9 for the SW and 5.5 for the Bresser.

I have had a scout aroung the topics here and cant find a lot on bresser scopes. Is there much in terms of build quality etc.

Anyone have personal experience using either of these? 

Thanks 

12 hours ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

I don't know how keen you are on the 200p/ EQ5 combo, but I had this configuration for a while and I didn't like it.  The mount seemed adequate for visual use, but with the legs fully extended the eyepiece was too high at zenith (around 7ft!) and got into awkward positions, and with the legs retracted it would not see low objects over a 6ft fence.  I found it very difficult to find anything with it and felt it really needed a GoTo, but was not willing to spend that much on it. But the few DSO's I managed to find looked great through the 200P.

£450 does not seem cheap - there is a brand new 200p/EQ5 on Ebay for £519.

I have since disposed of the OTA (for a very low price 😦), and have upgraded the EQ5 with a Synscan kit at a cost of around £300 for another project, but have not tried it outdoors yet for various reasons.

Thanks for the info. I have been looking into it since reading your reply and see what you mean cost wise. The go to upgrade is £300 so that’s £750 total. I noticed on FLO’a site there is the SW150P-DS with either the new EQM 35 pro mount for £784 only £34 more. Or the same scope and EQ5 pro for £778. Slightly smaller scope so easier to handle than the 200.

Probably worth saving a bit more and buying brand new. But more peace of mind over a FB purchase. 
Out of interest apart from the weight difference what’s the general view on the 2 mounts? Is there much between them? 
 

2 minutes ago, Dr_Ju_ju said:

It looks like an EQ5, and yes you could make it fully goto by replacing the handset (and maybe motors) with an AstroEQ device from Tom Carpenter (https://astroeq.co.uk/tutorials.php) its how I drive mine.... 

Lovely thanks very much!

1 minute ago, John said:

That is a Skywatcher EQ5 fitted with a dual axis drive system. There is a GOTO system that can be fitted to it:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/synscan-pro-goto-version-3-upgrade-kit-for-eq5.html

 

Thank you very much John. The scope and mount are up for £450 locally, so looks like a decent price for the kit. Being able to add the goto is something I'd like to do but not straight away. Good to know i can do it though.

Hi. I have recently joined the forum and have been reading absoutley loads of the posts. So much info, its great!! It has answered several questions I had and raised many more! 

Having said that, I now know AP is going to be a distant goal, so for now I'm keen to focus on visual astronomy. I have seen a Skywatcher 200p for sale on what looks like a SW eq5 mount. It has a motorized handset attached but the seller isnt sure of the make or model of the mount.

Can anyone tell me from the pictures what mount it actually is?

And, if you do recognise it, is adding a goto system to this set up possible?

Thank you.