GalaticBoba

@vlaiv thanks for all the advice it's much appreciated. I've ordered the XT8 Plus, if I can get quicker and easier results I'm more likely to take it out. And I'll hold off on getting anything else for now, until I know what I'm doing. Thanks again.

Ok, I'm going to get the XT8 Plus, I am debating the XT10. Not ordered yet, just waiting to see if anyone convinces me to go for the XT10. https://uk.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/Classic-Dobsonians/Orion-SkyQuest-XT8-PLUS-Dobsonian-Reflector-Telescope/pc/1306/c/1316/sc/1352/p/130550.uts?refineByCategoryId=1352 I will also get an eyepiece, I would like to see what the difference between a high quality one vs the stock eyepieces are like (expensive ones would stay in a box when kids come round). The Plus versions both come with a 28mm and a 10mm. I'm thinking of a TeleVue in a similar size to the 28mm. But there are so many choices! Ethos seems to be the best. Am I right in thinking the 10" with a f/4.7 gives a wider field of view better for DSO vs the 8" at f/5.9 potentially better for planets?! Would I benefit from the 100º Ethos for the 10" and maybe an 82° Nagler for the 8". Assuming I get into this I will be getting more telescopes so I have no preference in what I view immediately. It's more a case of what is the tube I get now best for and what one piece of equipment will best enhance that viewing.

I was watching some vids and the I didn't realise the setup on those EQ mounts are so complicated, I had it in my head to have the whole thing permanently set up in the garage maybe with the tube separate and then just carry it into the garden and be good to go. That is so not the case. I should probably just go for a dobsonian?! Do you all have one of these in storage somewhere? Apparently 8" is the sweet spot, metal focusers vs plastic on a lot of smaller ones and still light enough to easily move around. With the Orion XT8 being a highly recommended one. Not sure what the practical differences between the classic and the plus of these two models are though. https://www.holydogwater.co.uk/product/B07KWKKN5C/ https://www.holydogwater.co.uk/product/B01M04SRCY/ I think I need to practice with something like this before spending thousands on a setup I may find to annoying to use. Alternatively I could get this basic mount, any better options? I like this mount as it seems very portable, I could put a variety of scopes on it, not a huge weight capacity though. Further down the line if I get into AP and get an EQ which is when I would start spending the big bucks. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az-gti-wifi/sky-watcher-az-gti-wifi-alt-az-mount-tripod.html Any opinions are appreciated.

Thanks all for your comments, I'm rethinking everything. I'm going to first start with getting the right mount. I'll be storing this in a garage with plenty of space, which is only 20m walk to the middle of my garden. So I should be able to carry a 20kg mount this distance, I'm not afraid of a little heavy lifting. Also once or twice a year I would want to show off my telescope to friends, so being able to stick it in the boot of a car would actually be a requirement. I like the idea of the combined EQ and AltAz modes of this one; https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-az-eq6-mount.html And I might as well get the bigger one, as I assume this will be my forever mount. Do these mounts come in a nice box that folds away and can "easily" be placed in the boot of a car? Although maybe I should be going for a lighter more portable AltAz mount for visuals and a heavier EQ for the AP later down the line. The advantage I guess of having two mounts is I could get an AltAz one now and spend more on a couple different types of better scopes. Maybe between these two, sky-watcher and iOptron seem to be the popular mounts? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth-astronomy-mounts/sky-watcher-star-discovery-wifi-az-goto-mount-tripod.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth-astronomy-mounts/ioptron-smartstar-cubepro-az-mount.html And then later on I get the EQ/HEQ/NEQ - whichever is the heaviest and best, if/when I decide to get into AP. Now I need to redo my research on scopes, an evening of youtube for me. Thanks again all.

Hello, I want to start stargazing, what telescope should I start with? I'm thinking the Celestron NexStar 8SE. Constraints/Requirements; Budget; £2000 to get started for the basic equipment but happy to spend more if I get significantly better results. I would like to eventually get into Astrophotography (will get the equipment for that after a few months of playing with the telescope under a separate budget) I have read the mount on the NexStar might not be strong enough to support a camera. I want to hook the mount up to a laptop, wireless is preferable to connect to Stellarium or something similar, so I can press a few buttons from the warmth of my home and have the telescope move to position. And eventually take long exposure photos of the night sky over a few hours. I do want an all purpose telescope, deep space and planetary, I will only be casual so would prefer to invest into one decent telescope from the outset. I live in the South East of England where there is lots of light pollution, not city bad but still moderate to bad. Have I missed anything? What do people recommend? I appreciate any advice given. Thanks