Dannomiss

I actually think my friends son is mixing up astronomy and astrophotography and not really knowing how much these things cost and the implications of buying cheap. I think personally a great and portable telescope would be the best option so he can learn the equipment, explore the sky etc and then go from there. I have a good few BST StarGuider eyepieces, binoculars etc to lend him to upgrade his eye pieces straight away... so we will see 🙂 Thanks so much everyone

I shared with him some photos I took through the eye piece using a smartphone using a skywatcher heritage 150p. Obvious Saturn, Jupiter and the moon were combined in photoshop...*obviously* lol

Thanks everyone. I get £500 won't go far at all. I knew that but wanted to check 🙂 Its actually for my Mates son who is 16 hence the £500 budget - he is saving up and wants a scope to start. So So If he just getting starting as a beginner and just wants a scope (Forgetting astrophotography and deep space) Do you think the Skywatcher Skymax 127 is a good scope for starters just for astronomy, Stars, planets etc https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az-gti.html

No They don't have an SLR Camera unfortunately and are sold on getting a telescope

Hello,A friend of mine said they want to get into astrophotography and have a budget of £500. I've said that you won't get much of a set up with that as you need a decent mount/tripod, camera etc... But he is also just a beginner and said he would be happy just using his smartphone while he learns. The other issue is he doesn't drive and he has also suggested the Skywatcher classic 200P but I've said this is around 27kg in total and told them if they don't drive then they will never use it as it's so heavy to carry around. For £500 I've said he could go with something like this as more compact and can get him started, but I realise the 127 is a slow scope at (f/11.8). https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az-gti.html Or something like this but again could be heavy https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-eq3-2.html Any thoughts, advice etc Thanks in advance Dan

Wondering if it would be better to buy the 127mm mak separately at £265 which means i can use my current dob base from my heritage 150p... ... Then save for a better mount and tripod for £285 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto/sky-watcher-star-discovery-wifi-az-goto-mount-tripod.html

I think that's where I'm heading however out of stock 60-90 days currently. So I'll have to wait 😁 I know its hard to compare but how does the 127mm mak and 150p heritage compare on performance... The heritage is f5, so faster than the 127mm mak at f11... I know they are both different scopes, but for moon, planets, stars and maybe some nebulas would the 127mm mak be ok? In one sense if I'm not as frustrated with it I'll use it more ultimately 😊👍

Hi Neil you mean these? https://www.365astronomy.com/Lacerta-Padded-Carrying-Case-DeLuxe-for-150-750-Newtonian-Telescope.html I suspose as i don't drive, I'll be walking or public transport, so something light and portable maybe better for me like the 127mm mak, but i suspose i sacrifice the large aperture of the heritage scope

If the 127 Mak fits into a Ruck i would be over the moon as then i can carry the tripod and at least get out and about

This seems to be the winner. From portability and packing into a rucksack is now a must as i want to get out more and explore. I know that i am losing the 150mm aperture from the heritage but as I'm so frustrated with it, I'll end up not using it

So it seems either of these : https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az5-deluxe.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az5-deluxe.htmlhttps://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az-gti-wifi/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az-gti.html

Hi all, Its been a while, but I'm still here 😁 I wonder if you can help. I bought a Sky-Watcher heritage 150p nearly a year ago and generally I've been pleased with it, however the most frustrating part of using it is because its telescopic to create the 750mm focal length it can become quite shaky. The dob stand is solid, but the scope itself wobbles like crazy. Combine that with the focuser which is really just terrible having to constantly use tape to help tighten the thread of the focuser up - it all just adds to the frustration of it all. I have had some good views through the scope but its also not practical for going out and about unless I place the dob base on the floor. I was thinking of replacing the scope but not sure with these that I have looked at below if i will still get frustrated and give up... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-eq3-2.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-skymax-127-az5-deluxe.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-127-synscan-az-goto.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-starquest/sky-watcher-starquest-102mc-f127-maksutov-cassegrain-telescope.html I can't drive, so in theory thr scope needs to be practical to carry I suspose, but I'm just frustrated all round with current scope. Thanks all in advance

Progress over last 8 weeks. far far from perfect, but better than when I started

Thank you 🙂 appreciate that. getting there slowly

I'm persevering and although far from perfect by any means, I feel I'm getting slightly better photos of Jupiter - a lot more recognisable at least. Heritage 150p scope. 8mm EP + 2 x Barlow. Huawei p20. ISO 50. Shutter 1/30