Nair al Saif

Congrats! 

Situation update: 

After so much thought and asking the guys on flo. The Bresser 127 is out the question I will not pay another 200 pounds(I could get a good 2nd telescope lol). The evostar 102 has no advantages. The Bresser 102/1000 is a good contender but since it weighs the same as the evostar 120 the larger aperture beats it. Yes the hexafoc is of course better but it’s not like the skywatcher 120 focuser is utter garbage (I just need to clean the gunk on it with Wd40) and if it’s that much of a problem I will get a new Crayford (better than the hexafoc) and a new tripod. Worst case scenario. Not to mention the skywatcher has better finder.

I have found an amazing bargain on ABS, Helios 120, eq5 for only 150. Or I could buy it online for 385.

Thank you for the help! 

ps. This speech makes me feel like ego at the end of ratatouille lol!

Is the 18mm difference in apeture really visible. How is the focuser on the evostar 120? Should I get the evostar then upgrade(Tripod and focuser) or get a smaller 102/1000 Bresser and Don’t upgrade at all?

1 hour ago, John said:

I had an Evostar 120 on the EQ3-2 mount for a while. The mount was supplied with the steel tube legged tripod as per the Celestron Omni 120 / CG4 combination and the mount was OK for the scope. Not brilliant but good enough for visual observing.

 

What powers were you pushing it up to?

Where is the seller from I cant find him? 

listing gone now 

3 minutes ago, John said:

I had an Evostar 120 on the EQ3-2 mount for a while. The mount was supplied with the steel tube legged tripod as per the Celestron Omni 120 / CG4 combination and the mount was OK for the scope. Not brilliant but good enough for visual observing.

 

Would you rather get the 102/1000 Bresser on aluminium eq3-2 or get and lose the optical advantage but get a better mount or get the 120/1000 eq3-2 aluminium and then upgrade it.

How was the focuser John?

Celestron Omni is basically the evostar. You say the 120 is good on the eq3-2/cg-4. Is this universally agreed on? I thought that the evostar 120 should be on a cg5/eq5

 Ok I have chosen the 102/1000 Bresser maybe I could wait and get a 127/1200 but it’s too heavy and too expensive and 2020 has been a dark sky year and I don’t want to wait too long too get a telescope. Eq3-2 Mount.

Thanks to all!

Yeah so the question still stands, the evostar 102/1000 or the Bresser 102/1000.

if I don’t like the tripod of the eq3-2 I could always upgrade it to a steel tripod. 

So I found out that there is a skywatcher 102 on eq 3-2 Mount would the Bresser 102/1000 be better or not.

Apperantly Bresser have a reputation that they are better than skywatcher or maybe it’s the reverse
 

The skywatcher comes with a rp focuser and the Bresser comes with a 2.5inch hexafocus. Are both lenses collimatable (just in case). And which would people recommend?

Could you Mount the 102/1350 on an eq3-2? No Right? Is any benefit to owning the longer refractor other than ca reduction?

Can anyone send me images unedited through what they see in a 4 inch acro

I think I will get the Bresser 102/1000 on an eq3-2 Mount.  380 pounds. The Bresser 127/1200 is too heavy and expensive. The evostar 120 has a bad focuser and is heavy on an eq3-2 Mount.  Unless  the evostar is better because it has better optics but I doubt so?

Does anyone have any experience with the 102/1000 from Bresser. I’m thinking that would be my best choice. Stable mount, good focuser, cheap: yes I know that I will sacrifice some aperture but I just don’t justify paying another 200 for the 127/1200. Heck at the 200 pound mark I could get a 6 inch dobsonian too with my 4 inch refractor. But if there is any dire reason that someone tells me I will be open to change. Yes the evostar has more aperture for the price, but it has a terrible mount on eq3-2 and a terrible focuser. But again all input is welcome.

So now the question is the smaller Bresser or the apeture only bonus on the skywatcher evostar 120. I have thought about buying the ed but if I’m paying 500 pounds I need a Mount too lol. Yes the second market is good but you never know why they are selling it at a low price!

6 hours ago, GazOC said:

I've owned a Skywatcher 120 and a clone of the Bresser 127, the latter was by far the better scope.

The evostar was it an achro or an ed and why was it better?

Some clarifications, I don’t mean ed versions of anything lol. So the evostar is only the air spaced doublet!

is the Bresser an air spaced doublet or not?

1 hour ago, GazOC said:

I've owned a Skywatcher 120 and a clone of the Bresser 127, the latter was by far the better scope.

Why was the Bresser better?

Yes I have been scouring eBay and Facebook marketplace and many more looking for a good deal

Hello all,

Im really looking to get a 4/5 inch achro (don’t mind CA) refractor (sorry dobsonian fans). Max budget is 580pounds.
 

The three main contestants:

Skywatcher evostar 120mm eq3-2 395 pounds. Tripod upgrade costs 99pounds and new Crayford focuser costs 130 pounds (yikes)!

Bresser ar102/1000 and an eq3-2 380 pounds.

Bresser 127/1200 eq5 ofc 580.

The skywatcher will need a new tripod and a new focuser unless someone can give me valuable input.

So the question is do I sacrifice a bit of the optical quality to get the most stable, focuser good telescope aka the Bresser 102, or go for the long run and get the Bresser 127/1200 or does the evostar have a chance at success?

Thank You for your Time!

Clear skies!

Ok, and the exit pupil is generous in the 8mm as well, I think on perfect nights I might Barlow it to get 340x magnification.. What about low magnification? Should I get the 18mm, I read somewhere that a 1mm exit pupil and an 3mm exit pupil ep is a must have?

on second thought I think a Barlow would be a better choice 2x (Lifehack you can get  1.5x by doing some weird vodoo magic)

Hello all,

I have recently been thinking about good eyepiece for planetary viewing. I have heard that the bst starguiders  are good. What eyepieces would work nicely in an 8inch f5.9 reflector 203/1200

There are some Skywatcher planetary eyepieces (most notably the 6mm and 7mm) with a FOV of 58degress?

Would the skywatcher 8 inch dob be considered a shallow dish reflector?

Apeture 203mm/focal length 1200 mm f5.9

1 hour ago, niallk said:

👍 I'm sure you are going to love it 

Enjoy, -Niall

PS Pics + 1st light report in due course...!! 😄

Will do of course!

Yes this has opened a blind fools eye! I shall get the 8 dob. Then over time build the eyepiece empire!

Thanks for all of your inputs!

2 hours ago, RobertI said:

Just a thought regarding the EQ3, the more solid EQ5/CG5 equatorials regularly come up for sale on the used market - they would hold a 150PL nice and steady. I bought a used CG5 without motors but with 2" legs (very solid) for £120 - add a slow mo cable and tracking becomes easy. I would think finding one with motors (non-goto) wouldn't be hard. If that option appeals you could always try a wanted ad? Regarding the 8"F6 versus 6"F8, I've never compared the two, but I can tell you that I have been incredibly impressed with my 6" F8, it's a great all round performer.

Another point to note is that if 2" eyepieces and accesories are important to you, the 150P Dob has a 2" focuser but the 150PL does not.

Thanks obv if there is something like a bargain eq5 l will take it in consideration! 
Yeah thanks for pointing that out about the focuser, fine details lol!

i think if I find but the dob then later I can upgrade!

...but 200 bucks on a mount that’s more than the ota lol.

So thanks to John and Stu I have decided that a Skywatcher 6inch dobsonian is the best way to go.  However should I spend a little more for the 8 inch version.

The 6inch dob costs: 219 

The 8 inch dob costs: 289

What accessories/eyepieces are good. I’m thinking to get a Celestron Omni 6mm ep for 200x power and a polarizing filter. 
 

The 6 inch plus accessories: 255 pounds

The 8inch plus accessories: 325 pounds in total.

Im open to any suggestions on accessories/advice!