bosun21

This is the avenue I’m actually taking. Going for the RAM first and foremost. I have also got the scope to include in my budgeting and I’m still inside it. (For now)

Thanks for the heads up 👍I have plenty of food for thought now

None of those telescopes are really suited for astrophotography. The 200P on a EQ5 is ,but not without additional motors being fitted to allow the mount to track the targets being photographed. There are so many variables to consider. Firstly how serious are you in this astrophotography journey?. Do you just want to snap a few pictures of the planets and the moon etc?, or are you wanting to take serious quality astro photos?. You will have to learn your way around the night sky, unless you go down the Go to computerized mount road

The ones I’ve been looking at so far are the i5 8GB 256GB models. I will look at some of the 512GB models. Thanks

I am looking for a laptop that i can use for astrophotography. I am just branching out into the imaging world as i have been all visual up to now. What specs should I be looking for?. It doesn’t have to be lightning quick doing the processing, just as long as it’s capable of the task. I recall reading somewhere that AMD processors are best avoided. Is this relevant? Thanks in advance

Thanks, and it seems to perform as good as it looks. It’s the front runner so far.

Hi 👋 welcome to SGL

I am thinking about adding a refractor to my existing two scopes. I am basically a visual observer but I would like to dip my toes into the imaging field. I like the look of the Starfield 102mm and was wondering whether any members has any experience with this or equivalent scope. Thanks

I actually have both the Baader Hyperion Zoom and a set of BST Starguiders. I use both of them and it’s really what you like best. In my Maksutov i use my Starguiders for the FOV and in my Dobsonian I seem to use the zoom more. I am actually in the process of getting 82 degree eyepieces to compensate for the limited FOV in my Maksutov

Thanks for confirming this as i had an idea that it was primarily an imaging filter

Just received my consignment of filters i ordered after my post. They are 1/ Astronomik UHC 1.25” 2/ Lumicon OIII 1.25” (used) 3/ Baader Neodymium 1.25” 4/Baader Contrast Booster 1.25” I also bought a SVbony UHC which I’ve been told is the same filter as the Optolong but as yet is unused. Should I be looking at an H beta or alpha to add to my assortment, or are they so seldom used that it renders them non essential? Cheers

Hi 👋 welcome to SGL

I’m another one for a Telrad (rdf) and a RACI. Simple, easy to use, and effective. That’s all I need

Yeah I just saw that after I posted. Reading Steve’s reviews it seems like the lightquest range as a whole is good 👍

Are both the 16x and the 20x models of the Lightquest equally good and not one overshadowed by the other? Thanks

Thanks for the heads up 👍

Thanks again to all the members who responded to my enquiry. I see the way forward for myself are the ES range. They are optically better than the Nirvanas albeit more expensive, but at a cost i deem worth paying. As for the Luminos?, they are now out of contention. Thanks again all 🤙

I’ll have to have a look at these as for what i can see they are the ES with a different label

Thanks for the thumbs up for the ES. I had no idea that the luminos Ep’s had received negative reviews. Looks like I’ve pre ordered the wrong ones

I am now looking to try a 82 degree eyepiece to see for myself if this wide field is truly for me. I have narrowed it down to a few choices them being a) Explore Scientific 14mm b) OVL Nirvana 16mm c)Celestron luminos 15mm I have pre ordered myself the Nirvana due to hearing other folks feedback but want to know about the other makes as the Nirvanas are limited to only three focal lengths. Of which only two are really practical for me. I look forward to hearing of any folks findings with the ES and Celestron EP’s. Thanks

Hi 👋 and a warm welcome to SGL

I also have the SynScan 127 model like @PeterC65 and also like him opted for the low tec focuser mod. This is a simple 3D printed glow in the dark fitting that slips over the existing focus knob. Although not perfect it gives me good enough sensitivity to achieve focus at high magnification. A power supply is essential to operate the go to with any amount of accuracy. When I first bought the scope I tried to operate it with 8 x Duracell batteries and despite the batteries being new the go to was hit and miss. No issues whatsoever with the power bank. Eyepieces are an essential upgrade IMHO. The 25mm is useable and the 10mm is poor. I also bought the Baader Hyperion Zoom and Barlow, a range of BST Starguiders and several flat field eyepieces. I would recommend getting an 8mm and a 15mm Starguider eyepieces and using your existing 25mm to get you started. I also couldn’t stand the 6x30 finder and swapped it for a telrad which I love using. Oh and I dew shield of course which I made myself. Good luck as it’s a fantastic little scope.

Thanks for your recommendations and I now have food for thought. I may just go over budget and get the lightquests. It’s a one off purchase that will last

I forgot about the Bresser 6” Dobsonian in the for sale section that johninderby has just pointed out. All the points I highlighted in my previous post are relevant for this scope as well. And it’s at a good price

If I were you I would go for the Stella Lyra for several reasons. Firstly it has a focal length of 1200mm making it an f8 which will make it a) better for observing the planets b) making it much kinder to inexpensive eyepieces c) making it easier to collimate for beginners d) It has a 1.25 Crayford style focuser and not a helical focuser like the skywatcher The only reason I could be swayed to the Skywatcher is if the compactness is important to me. Whichever one you choose I hope you enjoy it ( oh and your daughter as well)