skyking_comms

Thanks for all the replies - you have convinced me not to convert the scope for the dob. If it had have been straight forward then I'd have tried it. I thought about the dob as it would be easier to store the telescope and also quicker to point it to the sky. I just don't have the room to store the 200P on the EQ5 mount and it also takes time to set up when I do want to use it. I will now think of outside storage solutions and invest the money into a synscan for the EQ5 mount.

Wondering if I could modify my Skywatcher 200P (200mm / 1000mm) so it could fit on a Dobsonian mount? I notice the 200P Skyliner with the Dobsonian has a slightly longer focal length of 1200mm. If so how can I do it and which Skywatcher Dobsonian mount do I need to get? Ideally I'd like to find one second hand. I'd still want to be able to use the 200P with the EQ5. Thanks

Thanks Proto Star - PM sent I'm now swaying towards looking for a used Synscan EQ5 kit and my local Astronomical Society have offered to help with the install. Perhaps someone has one lying around that they no longer need..

Thanks for the link - I'm keeping an eye on it. Not sure I'd want to gamble on the other upgrade kits. I was looking back at some sold items and it looks like the EQ5 mount can sell for more on it's own than selling it with the 200P telescope.

My alternative option was to sell my Skywatcher 200P with the EQ5 and get a Celestron Nexstar 6SE which has the go-to. What do people think? Not sure what my setup is worth nowadays but I've seen the Nexstar 6SE go for around £500 on Amazon. Unlikely to get the synscan for less than £300 unless I went for the diy option.

I stand corrected on the ease of installation - you would have thought it should be easy! Will take a look at Tom Carpenters AstroEQ - thanks

Thanks Peter - that's a bit more expensive than I was hoping. Will keep my eye out for a used Kit. Looks fairly straight forward to install.

I have an EQ5 mount and would like to make it a Go-To. There's mention in the user guide of a Synscan. Can anyone point me in the direction of exactly what I need? Thanks

I've just purchased a Celestron Astromaster 130EQ for the bargain price of £30 / $40 USD. I read some reviews on this forum before I purchased it and quickly noticed others owners were advised to change the finderscope and purchase better eyepieces. The one I purchased didn't come with an eyepiece and the finderscope is broken - so I have a blank canvas! My questions - 1) Finderscope - The broken one I have is of the older type that came with the 130EQ. I've noticed the newer 130EQ's come with the Celestron 51630 - do you know if I purchased this whether it would fit directly onto my 130EQ? I ask as looking at the new 130EQ the finder looks like it's on some sort of shoe whereas if you purchase the 51630 separately it doesn't appear to have this shoe 2) Eyepieces - Again looking at other posts on this forum the opinion seems to be go for an 8mm for planets and a 32mm Plossl for wider views. Is that still good advice considering I haven't got the 10mm & 20mm that come with the 130EQ? 3) 2x Barlow - thinking of getting one of these. Good idea? At some point I may ask for a friend to collimate the reflector... not sure I want to attempt it myself <yet> Welcome any advice to get me going and hopefully keep the telescope for a number of years! Thanks