what scope to get ???

[wayneh]

Hi all iam new to all this so please could you help me out.

I have a budget of £300 to get a scope so what would you say is a good first one to buy ?? Would like to do a bit of planetary and deap sky stuff...

cheers Wayne

[John]

Hi Wayne,

For visual observing, personally I don't think you can beat an 8" F/6 dobsonian for that budget:

First Light Optics - Skywatcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian

They deliver good views of the planets and the moon and have enough aperture to show many deep sky objects as well.

[Ad Astra]

Have to agree with the 200P dob. In my astro class, everyone starts with a dob, and they are the workhorse scopes that we do almost all of our lab work on.

A 200mm scope will give excellent views, great reach for Deep Sky Objects (DSO's) and terrific views of lunar and planetary targets. Light, rugged, easy to transport and sets up in a flash.

One of the best bargains in astronomy today.

Don't forget to budget for a 32-40mm 'wide angle' EP for deep sky, and maybe a Barlow lens to help with lunar and planetary work. A lunar filter, red LED torch, and a paper star map are also good choices.

Dan

[twotter]

Another, admittedly rather biased, vote for the 200P dob

[rowan46]

Hi before I say get the dob where will you be using it and will you be transporting it by car or other?

[Wurzil]

also if u havent already - download stellarium for your pc and google skymaps or SKEYE for your smartphone. they are awesome for helping to learn the sky.

warren

[wayneh]

thanks for that lads. but i have had a look at a dob and they are a bit low for me as iam 6 foot.And i will not be moving from me back garden has i dont drive. and thanks i will download that now cheers

[tomw28]

If your not keen on the dob, how about the First Light Optics - Skywatcher Explorer 150P EQ3-2 ? I have it on that mount and it is brilliant, its shown me everything I've looked for so far and I'm now absolultey hooked! Heres my review for it: http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-reviews/130071-skywatcher-exlorer-150p-eq3-2-a.html

There is also the PL which is the same scope but with a longer focal length, however some people say that the extra tube length is to much for the mount.

[johninderby]

thanks for that lads. but i have had a look at a dob and they are a bit low for me as iam 6 foot.And i will not be moving from me back garden has i dont drive. and thanks i will download that now cheers

Although it's out of your budget at the moment the SkyWatcher Skytee 2 Alt-Az mount will handle up to a 10" Newt OTA and the eyepiece will be more than high enough for you. You can adjust the height as the OTA is mounted using tube rings. Also you could mount a refractor for widefield on the mount at the same time.

John

[WayBig]

thanks for that lads. but i have had a look at a dob and they are a bit low for me as iam 6 foot.And i will not be moving from me back garden has i dont drive. and thanks i will download that now cheers

me too - I use my garden furniture to sit / lean on - it's steadier than standing and helps hold a good image in the eyepiece. Others use observing chairs - or lidl ironing chairs (other ironing chairs are available!) which are height adjustable.

when I had a scope with a tripod, I found that if extended the legs fully so I could stand upright to oberve the height increased the vibrations in the tripod, so I would set it low down and use a seat anyway.

[Adamski]

Yeah, i agree with every one on the comfort level. I find that the mount and tripod are ok for the 150pl, especially when it's not extended. Sitting down is much better.

[smudgeball]

The SCT gang are never going to be able to take over the world if you keep recommending dobs

[cgarry]

The SCT gang are never going to be able to take over the world if you keep recommending dobs

Yes, the dob mob are too strong! SCTs rule!

Chris

[swamp thing]

The SCT gang are never going to be able to take over the world if you keep recommending dobs

LOL!

Like it.

Regards Steve

[smudgeball]

10" AND 16"....you must be their leader !!

[cgarry]

10" AND 16"....you must be their leader !!

I wonder if you can store the tubes inside each other like Russian dolls.

[wayneh]

thanks lads i think i will get the 6" dob :-)

[smudgeball]

Noooooo

[cgarry]

This SCT campaign is not going so well!

[swamp thing]

I wonder if you can store the tubes inside each other like Russian dolls.

Oh yes! that way you underestimate our true strength. The power of stealth.

[ollypenrice]

Raise the block on which you stand the Dob, lower the seat on which the large observer sits... Not difficult!

No axe to grind. I have most of these toys to play with, but if you only have one and your budget is limited you are into this for THE OPTICS.

Dob.

Olly

[lw24]

This SCT campaign is not going so well!

You should see the Refractor campaign these days. Oops, just got confused, I don't think there is a refractor campaign?

I got a 'frac as my first scope, and I'd be willing to fight off a Dob any day

[Ad Astra]

It isn't a refractor campaign - we are more exclusive than that!!!

The Refractor Club is open to all who appreciate the beauty of an unobstructed view of the heavens!

Dan

President - Big 'Frac Club

California Chapter

You should see the Refractor campaign these days. Oops, just got confused, I don't think there is a refractor campaign?

I got a 'frac as my first scope, and I'd be willing to fight off a Dob any day

[cgarry]

Refractors?

Oh, you mean those old fashioned things with guide scopes in the end that we stick on the top of our proper scopes. Do people actually look through them?

[CGolder]

i wouldnt fancy a refractor for viewing, those crosshairs always get in the way