Jasonb

Hi @AustenPhil! I'm a newbie to the forum, but I have a question about your telescope. My biggest concern with the open ones like that is reports online of needing a light shroud, and dew on the mirrors etc. Have you had any issues like that, do you feel the need for a light shroud etc? I'd appreciate any feedback from yourself (or anyone else on here!), thanks!

Cool, thanks for confirming that, it does mean I wouldn't have as many options as I thought with that layout. But I can use that knowledge to plan which eyepieces to get to the best range for my money.

Yep, the plan would definitely be to slowly add equipment over time, and I'd read elsewhere that the 25mm that comes with the Telescope is decent enough, so a lower focal length eyepiece would probably be the first purchase. @Zermelowhen you say 'at the nose end', what do you mean? I assume the smaller Barlow screws into the opposite end from the rubber eyepiece end, so it depends on the 'silver' end of the Starguider being long enough to take the piece? Do you know which of the Starguider range can't take that Barlow?

Well, that article was very interesting, and based the main calculations on what to get for low, medium and high power eyepieces on exit pupil size. Going by that criteria, the 'ideal' exit pupil sizes for the 130P would mean I'd want a 3.5mm, 10mm and 25mm. Being more practical, I'd probably be looking at a 5mm, 12mm (10mm not available in the BST Starguiders Range) and 25mm, though even the 5mm would never really get used with a Barlow, so perhaps going with an 8mm/12mm/25mm or something like that might be more practical. It's great that it gives me a sense of what to be looking for. Of course, the Barlow calculations would change if I got the one recommended above (a 1.3x and 2.25x one) that would effectively give my 3 eyepieces 9 different magnifications. If I went with the 8mm, 12mm and 25mm with that Barlow, I'd end up with x26, x34, x54, x59, x70, x81, x105, x122, x182 which wouldn't be a bad range at all. Of course, this is all theory, practice may tell a completely different story! And I should note that those 3 eyepieces and the Barlow would probably cost more than the 130P when it's back in stock.

Thanks again. Yep, I wasn't really planning to get a 2.5mm, or even a 5mm necessarily for that matter, but it's good to know that my thought process made sense at least! I would like to plan which eyepieces to spend money on. After searching for 'telescope eyepieces maximum magnification' I'm currently reading through this https://agenaastro.com/articles/guides/choosing-eyepieces-for-your-telescope.html Thanks!

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to reply everyone, I appreciate it. I do wish it was 'my Starquest', right now it's just what I'm hoping to get. It's so annoying that stock levels are so poor right now, hard to get into the hobby if you can't get a Telescope! Some great advice here, thanks. I'll check out the BST Starguiders, everywhere recommended upgrading the eye pieces, but it's hard to know which ones, until now! That dual Baader Barlow looks good, though am I reading it right that it might only work with Baader eyepieces, or are others ok with it too? This is exactly what I want, I'm getting a sense of specific makes and models rather than general recommendations. I'll wait 'til I get a telescope before I look at filters, thanks. And thanks for the advice with Skysafari as well. A thought has occurred to me. I think I'm right in saying that based on the aperture size and focal length, there's basically a eyepiece that will give you your max magnification. Like, with the Starquest, the 130mm aperture suggests a max magnification of 260, and the 650 focal length means a 2.5mm eyepiece would give that 260 magnification. Is that right? In that case, rather than get a 2.5mm eyepiece, would it make more sense to get a 5mm eyepiece and use it with the 2x Barlow to reach 260x? 'Cos if you got a 2.5mm eyepiece, you couldn't use it with the Barlow as it would double the max magnification, so that eyepiece could only be used for 1 magnification level, whereas the 5mm could be used for two (on its own, or with a Barlow). Does that all make sense?

Thanks for your advice. I'll definitely look up Turn Left at Orion. Yeah, I've been learning a bit about Focal Lengths etc., stuff I haven't heard since university!

Thanks! I've done the first obvious thing and gone out the backgarden and found Polaris, so at least I know I could align an EQ mount there!

Just found this forum and it looks like it's really active which bodes well! Like a lot of newbies I'm sure, I've always been interested in Astronomy and used to own a small refractor years ago, but I'm finally deciding to take the plunge and get a decent beginners set up. Of course, I seem to have picked the absolute wrong time to do this, as nearly any telescope I've been interested in is sold out everywhere, and with Brexit finally finally happening soon, I don't know how that will affect buying online (I live in Ireland). At this stage it's looking doubtful that I'll get a telescope before the new year. The ideal for me would be the Skywatcher Starquest 130P, which seems a great set up for £170 (if anyone had one!). However, I am enjoying all the research online and learning so much already about Astronomy. I'm also looking into what accessories I should get, at least I can get them sooner, as they're in stock! From various sites/videos online, most places seem to recommend the following... Barlow 2x Laser Collimator Better eyepieces if needed Fliters I was looking for some advice, as there are so many options out there! I've seen some people recommend a Barlow that can do both 1.5x and 2x. I've seen laser and non-laser Collimators recommended. As for Eyepieces, Skywatcher do their own brand of Super Plossl eyepieces, but I don't know if they're decent or not. And as for Filters! For the Moon, I've seen people recommend a specific 'Moon' filter, I've also seen Polariszing filters (including adjustable ones) being recommend, and also Blue Filters. If there was one type of filter to help with the Moon, and potentially other stuff too, which would you all recommend? I've also seen a Light Pollution filter being advised, and I was wondering if that's a good idea to get? I live in an estate on the edge of a town, so there's a fair bit of light pollution, but darker skies aren't too far away from me. Another thing I was wondering about... The Starquest 130P comes with an EQ mount (which can also be used as an AZ mount). My back garden, where I would do a good bit of observing obviously, faces south. So, stupid newbie question, I need to see Polaris to align the mount, don't I? So if my own house is blocking Polaris, that's gonna cause issues, isn't it? I'm gonna check tonight to see if I can see it from my back garden, I'm hoping it will be high enough in the sky. Oh, another thing... I've read a lot of good things about Sky Safari, and I was wondering if the Plus version is worth the money over the free one, and would there be any point of my going for the Pro one, or is that overkill for a Newbie? There's a sale on now, so Plus costs €7 and the Pro costs €20. Sorry for all these questions, once I started I couldn't stop... Any advice appreciated, thanks! Jason.