Andy350

18 minutes ago, Tiny Clanger said:

Bet you are looking forward to that!  Which 'scope  dd you go for in the end ?

I ordered my heritage 150 from RVO and collected it because It was almost as cheap for me to go up the M1 and collect it as to have it delivered, plus (back in the lax late part of lockdown #1) not only was I stir crazy, but my car seriously needed a longer run than 10 min.s to the supermarket once a week.

RVO have a shop ( not actually trading for visitors at the time, just click & collect !) not far off the motorway south of Sheffield. I parked outside, called them and they bought the 'scope out and put it in the car boot in a socially distanced way. 

Since then I've inquired about perhaps half a dozen things following their website instruction to contact re low stock situation, and every time the item has been out of stock.

Heather

Really looking forward to it arriving.  I went for the Skywatcher Skyliner 150P Dobsonian with the Rother Valley Optics ND96 Moon Filter 1.25" and Antares x2 Twist Lock Barlow Lens 1.25", this will be my first ever telescope, never even used one before!!!!  I just hope there are enough manuals to get me setup.

Andy

Thanks Heather.  In the end I ordered from Rother Valley Optics, it was confusing at start as I was advised that the item was out of stock post order, since then I have been advised that I should receive this week, will also add the 2x barlow lens and moon filter.

19 hours ago, Tiny Clanger said:

How did I miss this opportunity to lavish praise on the heritage 150 dob ?

Let's make up for the omission now . I bought one as my first proper  'scope, it is great. I simply don't have storage for a solid tube dob , but the 150p is easy to store, easy to carry, and fits on one car seat (secured by the sea belt) . I've  made it a 'shroud' from 3mm closed cell foam and duct tape, added some plumber's ptfe tape to the focusser, and made it it's own little table from some reclaimed wood  (my low garden table is very heavy cast iron, I got tired of moving it around)

I like the simplicity of the thing, and the fact that most of the money went into the mirror. I've since added better eyepieces and a different finder to improve the views and the ease of use . You will probably want to do the same, whatever you buy, do not expect the telescope package you buy to be the end of expenditure, however much you spend !

Heather

Hi Heather, trying to find one will be next challenge, will see what I can pickup in the new year. 

Thanks for your helpful comments. 

Andy

OK, that sealed it for me, I think I'll go for the fixed tube as I want it to be on the ground really. 

Thanks everyone again for your help with this. Will let you know when it's ordered. 

Andy

Are there any opinions on this one? I do like the idea of a Reflector with a stand. 

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-explorer-130p-reflector-telescope.html

Thanks for the recommendations. Regarding the Skywatcher Heritage 150P, are there designed to be used on a table, as it doesn't have a stand? 

Please forgive me for not using the search function. The reason is, my wife couldn't order me one as a surprise, but the one she found is out of stock. 

I live in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The garden is fairly good for gazing as there is minimal light pollution, I would like to be able to planets and other far distant objects (sorry I'm really a newbie!). 

This was the one that we were going to order, don't want to spend more than £200 at the moment, if there is a way I can take photos from my phone would be good. 

Skywatcher StarQuest 130P Newtonian Reflector Telescope - Rother Valley Optics Ltd
https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-starquest-130p-newtonian-reflector-telescope.html

Many thanks for being so welcoming. I'm going to post up some more information in the proper section. 

Hi, my name is Andy, new to star gazing. Always wanted a telescope as we both enjoy astronomy. 

My wife wants to buy me something post Xmas, hopefully I can find some helpful information here. 

Happy Xmas all.