GalaticBoba

I've had peculiar things happening with starsense similar to what you're experiencing. I now do everything via the skyportal app, also I set it to manual align rather than auto, it's in the settings, setup and control. Since doing it this way I've never had an issue.

Take a look at this video. I found it very useful when choosing my scopes.

Thanks for the info. It's apparent, that I need to do more reading before getting into AP. I've ordered the linked book above. I have been looking at similar tubes to the one you mentioned, I'm less concerned with the f number now, although the more I look and research the more I want to spend. Currently the Askar FRA600 takes my fancy. No one has it in stock yet, so I might wait until after Christmas before I get myself a refractor. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/askar-telescopes/askar-fra600-f56-108mm-quintuplet-apo-astrograph.html I think for now a mount has to be my next purchase. I received my baader zoom EP yesterday, and had so much wobble on my nexstar 8SE looking at Jupiter last night on highest power. Too much weight with all the accessories. I'm now debating between the CGX and CGX-L.

The 5SE is $120 cheaper you could get the 4SE and a couple EPs but I would get the biggest scope you can and get an extra EP later. https://www.telescope.com/mobile/catalog/search.cmd?keyword=Celestron 5se&siteCode=US Newtonians will give you better value for money in terms of aperture, this 6 inch is on a goto mount for $700. https://www.telescope.com/mobileProduct/Orion-StarSeeker-IV-150mm-GoTo-Reflector-with-Controller/113917.uts?keyword=Orion newtonian I've only get experience with these two scopes so can't really recommend anything else.

Alright, alright, alright... if you're all going to force me to pick a mount, then I'm currently undecided between the following 3 ;) https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-az-eq6-mount.html Pros Looks cool in Altaz mode with two scopes Cheap Can buy it now and use in altaz mode whilst I read "Making every photon count" https://www.365astronomy.com/celestron-cgx-equatorial-computerised-goto-telescope-mount-and-tripod Pros Can use my existing Celestron Starsense and wifi sky portal Excellent payload capacity Don't have to buy it now, I can just use my current mount until I've read "Making every photon count" https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ioptron-mounts/ioptron-gem45-geq-goto-mount-with-iguider-literoc-tripod-case.html Pros Good payload capacity Built in guide scope Comes with case for easier transport Don't have to buy it now, I can just use my current mount until I've read "Making every photon count"

I've now got my eye on this one, with a reducer gets down to F4.4, even if I don't use it for AP right away, it will still be good for visuals on Nebulae and Galaxies, I think?! https://www.365astronomy.com/sharpstar-94edph-ed-triplet-apochromatic-refractor-telescope

Hello, I am a beginner so I'm sure other people will come along with better suggestions but I do recommend the Celestron Nexstar 6SE. I've had 8SE ($400+ more) for the last few months and not had any problems with it, quick and easy to set up, I got Starsense after a month and now alignment takes a few minutes, I've enjoyed using it to learn where everything is. So far, I've just been using the stock eyepiece it came with, a 25mm Plossl. I was going to get the Celestron eyepiece kit but others on here convinced me not too, instead I've ordered a zoom eyepiece for similar money to the kit. https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Celestron-NexStar-6SE-GoTo-Schmidt-Cassegrain-Telescope/rc/2160/p/9945.uts?refinementValueIds=4699 I do also recommend dobsonians, so for the same money you could get this with a larger aperture, still on a goto mount. And this one comes with 2 Plossls, 25mm and 10mm. https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-SkyQuest-XT8i-IntelliScope-Dobsonian-Telescope/rc/2160/p/102012.uts?refinementValueIds=4699 Just my beginner 2 cents.

That book is on my wish list

How about this? https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/opt-apochromatic-refractor-radian-ap-61-275-raptor-ota/p,68993?utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=68993&utm_campaign=2109&utm_source=froogle&utm_content=

I might just go for a budget sky-watcher refractor similar to this one and keep it for visuals that is also easy for traveling. I've looked at lots of mounts and there are a few I like, probably end up going for something like the EQ6. But for now, I was going to get the refractor and use it on my SCT mount for visuals, then get an EQ mount and figure out how that works, whilst still doing visuals. Then lastly get a camera and the relevant accessories, I'll spread it out over a few months. It's a lot to learn in one go. I like the Celestron SCT I've got now and so maybe I will get another one later for AP, as mine is an F/10. My dob is F/5 so I could get some tube rings and an EQ mount and have a go with AP on that one. But... I still want a refractor!!! I guess it won't be for AP after hearing all your comments.

I'm probably not going to buy just yet, but I do like looking. I have an 8" SCT and a 10" dob. So my next scope has to be a refractor, I would want to use this one for DSO AP, I've also been looking at dedicated ZWO cooled mono cameras that I will attach to it. I'll worry about the mount once I've decided on scope. From what I've read the "faster" the scope the better at collecting light with scopes between F/1.4 and F/2.8 being ideal. But even something at F/4 will be better then what I've currently got. Here's my issue, I can't find any fast refractors, although I've only been looking on FLO. Anyone know of a good one? I have seen some but these are in the multiple thousands, I don't mind spending £2k or £3k on the OTA. But as a beginner scope I'd prefer to spend less than a grand. And I really can't justify spending £5k or £6k.

Thanks all, I've gone for the Baader Hyperion Zoom Eyepiece, this will show me some different fov as well as the different focal lengths. I should then be in a better position judge what to go for next.

Something like this; https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-planetarium/baader-hyperion-zoom-eyepiece.html There is also a baadee hyperion set! Celestron Nexstar 8 se sct Skywatcher classic 250p dob Visuals on planets at the moment, but I want to do more dso, once I get better at finding them.

For my first eyepiece should I go for a single TV eyepiece or get a set like this one? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/eyepiece-sets/celestron-eyeopener-eyepiece-and-filter-kit.html Is this set going to be significantly poorer in quality then a single TV one? Anyone had the chance to compare them?

I'm trying to find a wall clock with an orrery model, I would have assumed this would be something someone has already invented. But I can't find anything online. I could build one, there are plenty of orrery instructions and kits but getting it to sync with a calendar on an actual clock would be out of my abilities. Anyone know of something or any out of the box thinking on how to acheive this?

If only it would tell me an hour in advance so I could put my telescope outside to cool down.

Excellent idea, which one did you go with?

Thanks for the replies guys. I want this to learn as well, I'd like a second scope effectively showing me a wider fov so I can isolate the surrounding stars in relation to the one in the main scope. So when the goto slews to something I can match it to my copy of "turn left at orion". Probably won't work out like that. Although like you say geoff, if I do get starsense the finderscope might become redundant.

Hello, I want to upgrade my finderscope, I want a 90 degree diagonal so it's easier to use and one with a small amount of magnificatio to get better alignment. This one seems to be the default celestron upgrade. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/celestron-illuminated-right-angle-correct-image-finderscope.html Any better options, I will also be getting starsense, but I do want a visual finderscope too. Thanks

Thanks for the tips, that's good to know. I will be doing more observing before investing in anything else, so I get a feel for what I want to improve. Plus I need to do all my calculations to know what eyepieces will actually work.

Dew shield arrives on Monday with the cable to hook up my 2000ah car battery jump starter (noco gb70), should get a several evenings of continuous use and still jump start my car a few times on 1 charge. With the diagonals, I was researching this, is upgrading to a 2" going to be beneficial? I'm assuming the TV everbrite is the best for the job here. Although I might wait until my dob arrives and switch those around to see if I notice a difference between the stock skywatcher and celestron. And the first eyepiece is going to be a TV replacement for the 25mm possl it came with. I need to see with my own eyes what the difference in quality is. Only been able to find the moon so far, that one's quite easy, been too cloudy to properly align. The moon does take up nearly the whole observable area (I forget what this is called) so maybe a slightly larger fov ep or even a 32mm ep after I've verified there is actually a difference between stock and TV. I would like to keep it in view for longer before having to readjust. After that, maybe an eq wedge, having to realign with 2 buttons can get confusing, slewing on a single control might be easier for me. Then celestron starsense to make it ultra beginner friendly. Might as well get the WiFi module at this point and see what software / mobile apps I like.

I got this one; https://www.picstop.co.uk/goto-telescopes/celestron-nexstar-8se-computerised-telescope-free-moon-filter.html Which didn't come with any accessories. I did see a bunch of others online which did come bundled with various bits, one of them may have been a cable but I think that one also came with a power tank. And I wasn't sure if I wanted/needed one, so I went with the cheapest bundle I could find in stock.

Thanks, just wanted confirmation before plugged it in.

I've just ordered and received my second scope (before my first one has even arrived, at least 30 day lead time, I know, I'm impatient and want everything now). I have batteries in the scope right now, but I also have a GB70, pic attached. I was thinking of getting this cable; https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/lynx-astro-mount-power-cable-for-celestron-mounts.html Anyone forsee any issues with the 15a out on the GB70? I can't remember my physics, will this damage the mount electronics?

I thought I would give an update for the hijacking I ordered the Orion scope as it was supposed to be in stock this week, however they have just emailed me stating this is not the case, so I cancelled my order. As I paid with CC no refund was necessary as they would not take payment until they shipped the scope. I've just ordered a Sky-Watcher from firstlightoptics instead, long lead times though.