Spile

A combination of Baader zoom, matching Barlow and a couple of low power 2” wide angle EPs (30mm and 42mm) meets my needs.

I’ve documented how I star hop here https://astro.catshill.com/finding-dim-objects/

It’s less about tech but more about getting your brain to see shapes and patterns of stars. Once you are in the right part of the sky averted vision will help but the most important upgrade is a dark sky. Keep at it as practice and patience will pay dividends.

The Phillips screws tilt the mirror and the hidden Allen bolts lock the mirror. Undo these before you try and tilt the mirror. More details with labels at https://astro.catshill.com/collimation-guide/

Remove the piece of paper hiding the primary as the reflection of the secondary is a valid reference point.

I’ve written a number of getting started guides which can be found on my blog below. I’d also encourage you to read a number of different guides in order to get an idea of common messages. Finally I recommend joining a local astronomy club in order to discuss with owners the various aspects of the hobby and the types of telescope you can buy.

23 hours ago, John said:

The Svbony zoom can be bought new for £120-£130 last time I checked. The BHZ barlow costs £114.00 plus P&P currently from FLO.

 

The prices for the 3-8mm zoom were much higher than that on the sites I looked at. The 7-21mm was much cheaper.

Thanks for the clarification of pricing variance.

22 hours ago, John said:

My preferred approach is on the right of this pic 🙂

I still use the Baader zoom, just not with a barlow. The Svbony 3-8 zoom cost only a few £'s more than the zoom barlow.

Sorry I don’t understand. The BHZ and Barlow together costs around £300. The Svbony alone costs around £225 . What am I missing?

It’s not been a problem for me. The degree of friction is just right on both bearings and I’ve not needed to lubricate either.

I’d also recommend Turn Left at Orion and a copy of SkySafari on a tablet.

The StellaLyra is better equipped than the Skywatcher. The latter can be upgraded piecemeal which is what I have done but of course at additional ££.

If you don’t attach the Barlow to the skirt, the whole assembly will rotate when you change the zoom and you don’t want that. Using the 2” adapter solves that problem as I explain here https://astro.catshill.com/the-zoom-eyepiece/

It’s a fine double and great colour contrast too. Doubles are good friends for those of us with light polluted skies.

I’d recommend getting engrossed in visual astronomy. Seeing things live rather than looking at photos is something I find absorbing and well worth doing. If that floats your boat then I can recommend a Dobsonian telescope and pair it with a copy of Turn Left at Orion. More information on my blog below.

Thanks both. I’ve not noticed too much friction but your washer tweak appeals. I know that some folk have placed a CD or LP between the two parts to reduce friction.

50 minutes ago, cimh said:

Hello - I'm new to this thread. I picked up a used skywatcher 200p dob this week - tried it tonight and the two things I really do not like are 1. the finder scope & 2 the rotation bearing in the base (or the lack of one) which makes it so hard to nudge smoothly, I have tried adjusting the central bolt and putting some silicone on the sliders but with no real improvement. Certainly inferior to my skywatcher heritage 150 I guess partly because of the greater weight of the 200.  The red dot finder on the heritage works much better for me so I will add one of those. But I like this idea of the lazy susan and will order one - I would love to hear what size is likely to work best on this scope - I thought the largest diameter that will fit on the base will be best but Mandy D I can see the logic of putting it as close to the base of the supports as that is where the weight is?

I'd love to see a picture / diagram of a way to add friction to the system that would be great

 

I am surprised about this. My Skywatcher 200P hasn’t had any treatment since new as I didn’t want to risk contaminating it. I agree that the finder needs replacing though and that is why I changed mine to a RACI and Telrad.

21 hours ago, LunarRob said:

Ok thanks - Here’s the latest colimation, I think it’s much better. Sorry the picture isn’t the greatest holding my phone up to the lense

 

You have sorted the offset error. Just a little tilt/rotation to deal with (three outer screws).

23 hours ago, dweller25 said:

@Spile

I’m a bit confused - I would have moved the secondary away from the Primary, or is the reflection tricking me ?

Senior moment - sorry. You are correct of course - post now edited accordingly. 

This is where the secondary needs to be. Start by moving it away from the primary mirror (centre bolt adjustment as explained in my guide):

I would recommend a zoom eyepiece like the well reviewed Svbony. This will give you (especially combined with a Barlow) a range of magnifications so you won’t have to guess.

You need to place a piece of paper behind the focuser and include the focus tube in the image as that is a key reference point.

The good news is that the Dobsonian is very upgradable.  For now I’d recommend getting used to your new telescope before considering upgrades. Well apart from an app on your phone and a copy of Turn Left at Orion that is.

3 hours ago, wookie1965 said:

Can you explain how please I would like to check the focuser on my 10" 

I open the compasses to the length of one side and check it against the opposite side. See initial check part of https://astro.catshill.com/collimation-guide/

I check the focuser is square with a pair of compasses. It always is so like you, I have no need to adjust it.