Jump to content

Pleas help to pick the scope!!!


Recommended Posts

Hi,my name is Andrius.I`m new in this forum, would be pleased if anyone could help me pick the scope.I`m looking :) for couple month for scope but can`t decide witch one is right.

Skyliner 200P Dobsonian

Explorer 200P (EQ5)

Evostar 120 EQ3-2

So I`m looking for optimal solution.as well I would like to attach my camera to scope to make foto. Any opinion are welcome,maybe some one can offer something else. Many thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Andrius and welcome

Personally I'd go for the Skyliner 200P Dobsonian.

I have two scopes: Skymax 150 & Startravel 120 on an EQ5 and it can be quite a handful to manouver especially for a novice like me.

I like the idea of a Dob and an seriously considering a Dob for my next purchase.

Mind you - I don't take photo's yet

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Steve.You only one person who gave me advise,so I would like to ask you.How does it work DOB scope,there is no tripod does it practical to use,it easy to track stars,it goes on the table or ground.Thanks again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Skyliner 200P Dobsonian is a wonderful scope to start with for visual observing. The base is a wooden alt-az type of mount and sits on the floor. The telescope tube sits on teflon pegs and is held in place by a couple of screw in handles. They are very easy to use and give good views of many objects from the moon, to planets and right out to deep sky objects like star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.

But, they are not much use if you want to attach a camera for taking photos. If you use a modified webcan you could take some pictures of the moon and planets, but you wouldn't be able to get very nice pictures of the deep sky objects.

For deep sky photography, you would need a very stable EQ type mount with tracking motors at the very least. For really good results something like the HEQ5 together with an autoguide system (a second scope and camera to keep the imaging scope/camera on target) would normally be recommended. For this type of astrophotography a big telescope is not necessarily the best. A smaller scope is easier to use and gives a wider field of view and would generally be a good starting point but a smaller scope is not so good to look through.

There really isn't one scope that will be good for both looking through and taking photos. Really it depends how good you want your photos to be. If you really want to do both, looking and photos, then I would choose the Explorer 200P on the EQ5 with tracking motors as this is a useful size so you can see lots of nice things and you can attach a camera to take some very basic photos. But, if you wan't to take good photos you will need to get an HEQ5 or EQ6 mount and lots of other things.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Tranas,

Bsfore spending your hard earned cash I would advise you to find a local astro group. Go along to ne of their sessions and have a look through their scopes first. Most will be delighted to show you and you will then be able to form your own opinion on what would suit you best.

It is also worth going to a local specialist retailer to have a play!. Then see what become s available here on the buy sell section.

Good Luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Tranas, Damian is right. A local astro group would be the best thing for you to get involved with.

In principal, a dob is not ideal for astrophotography, but is the best value for money for visual observing. It is possible to buy a dob and enjoy it for visual first, then buy an EQ mount and some compatible tube rings and it can be used for tracking and astrophotography as well.

Jenna

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

One of the best ways to start out in astronomy is to buy (and use) binoculars. Get a pair marked 7x50 or 10x50 plus a starmap or planesphere and learn the night sky before buying a scope. A decent pair costs £50-100 and as you gain more knowledge and experience you will still use the bins throughout your astronomy lifetime.

Out of the scopes you mention the best one to start off with is the Dobsonian. As mentioned above they are easy to use, sit on a wooden base, and move in the AltAz directions (up down, left right). There is a Dob user group listed on SGL so approach them for advice.

The only problem with the Dob is it isn't really suitable for astrophotography. For that you would need a driven mount and the type of scope would depend on your imaging interests - planets / lunar / stars compared to deep sky objects. Ask on SGL and talk to people at your local group.

Good luck and happy stargazing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hi tranas,

forgive me but I only just noticed your post code in your posts. You are not to far away from me. There is a Swindon Stargazers Club - Stargazers Lounge in the social groups forum. Someone there may be able to point you in the right direction to go and see some of these scopes.

Or to your North, there is Cotswold AS who meet in Shurdington between Gloucester and Cheltenham, on the second Saturday of every month. If you are interested, we are hosting a BAA Beginners Workshop on the first of October.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.swindonstargazers.com are holding a Telescope and Social evening on Friday 23rd September, although I won't be there myself this will be an excellent opportunity for you look at various telescopes, we also have some very good astro-photographers amongst our number and I am sure you would gain a lot from a visit there, only just down the A419 for you.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for any one who helped me with information.I will try to go to Swindon Stargazer Club,only one problem all evenings and weekends I`m working.So i`ll try 23rd September some how to get in Swindon Stargazer club,now i need to get all direction to Sw.St.club.

One more time thanks,you will see me here wen i`ll buy my new scope,I hope that gonna be end of this months,I can`t wait for longer. :( Cheers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Tranas, down A419 towards M4, turn off at roundabout for GW Hospital, carry on past and get in middle lanes as you go, on next rouldabout take second exit for Queens Drive (dual carriageway), then take a left, signposted 'Lawn' about half a mile down Queens Drive, then you will find the Lawn Community Centre up this road (Windsor Road) left off a mini-rouldabout where the local shops are. The meeting will be in the main hall, downstairs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Rwilkey,you did not mention the time.If that will be after 6pm I can`t be there.But I`ll be wary pleased if could have a short chat about scopes,maybe you can give me some ideas how to make right decision.Of course I would like to meet other people who interesting in astronomy,and all advises are WELCOME.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi.I just saw another one similar to 200P dob., only it have auto tracking flex tube 200P dob. Does it worth the extra money,of course it bit smaller to store.I think,I all ready pick my scope 200P dob. just waiting to meet one man to have a chat about it.So until comes meeting day I still lucking, and reading reviews.I hope so next week I`ll have it :) .

Some times small details can make every thing like auto tracking system :), or not.Cheers for all replays I had got.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Andrius, I think it would be better for you to see the 200P on an EQ mount first, so that you can see what you are dealing with. The ability to track is essential if you plan astro-photography at a later date, but relative budget is a huge factor. But there are other factors to take into consideration, not least the new SW Quattro First Light Optics - Skywatcher Quattro f4 Imaging Newtonian, which is designed specifically for imaging. Think about imaging targets as well before you talk to anyone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.