9x50 RACI finder or Skywatcher ST 80??

[Psychobilly]

Sorry the Pronto won't be going anywhere "pronto"... although i dont know if i will be able to afford to keep it in EP's...

[Moonshane]

ne'er mind, must be a good thing anyway as I couldn't either!

[John]

Heads up:

U.K. Astronomy Buy & Sell

[brantuk]

Just weighed my ST80 all up with diag, tube rings, supplied camera adaptor, and eyepiece and it came to 1.75 kilos, allmost 4lbs.

Mine is going on this: First Light Optics - Skywatcher Guidescope Mount for alt/az pointing and aligning with main tube.

Just to throw another pidgeon in the pie lol

[Psychobilly]

Should be a sweet setupo... it was ruled out as being too expensive when I suggested it or something similar earlier ...

[ismangil]

Shane,

Did you went ahead with the travelscope idea? I am also looking for a RACI finder and thinking for £70 you can get a little refractor...

[Moonshane]

Hi Perry

I did go for a slightly bigger version in the end, a 90mm f5.5 achro. This cannot really be used as a finder (well maube it could on the 16") but I also got a 9x50mm RACI too. I thought the fitting of the 90mm would be a right royal pain vs the ease of a 9x50mm with standard dovetail.

The scope I got is here http://stargazerslounge.com/members-equipment-gallery/155816-heres-why-i-sold-my-bgos.html

I am enjoying the frac but not sure they are for me. I may buy a 6-8" f5 and make a tiny travel dob to fit in as small a space as possible.

We'll see.

[ismangil]

Why not build a collapsible mini Dob, I read an article building one with a single truss...

[Moonshane]

that's exactly what I had in mind. something like this maybe http://stargazer.isys.ca/6inch.html

[ismangil]

Found the article I was reading:

http://goo.gl/AsRON

I think it's even more compact...

[Moonshane]

probably - I'm still in thinking about it mode!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

that's exactly what I had in mind. something like this maybe http://stargazer.isys.ca/6inch.html

Really neat design. Quite heavy though, at 34 lbs. You could pack some of the mechanical components into the suitcase, and store only the optics in your hand luggage.

[Moonshane]

I thought that too Michael - I will be aiming at about 20lbs max for a 6".

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I thought that too Michael - I will be aiming at about 20lbs max for a 6".

Cabin luggage allowances can be 12 lbs or so. My EPs are getting into that kind of weight class .

[Moonshane]

yeah I know! my travel scope will certainly use a 1.25" focuser and eyepieces plus a light RDF only.