Hello from Irvine :-)

[pendas Fen]

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. As a teenager I had an AstroSystems 6 inch Newt on an alt-az mount (hardcore, or what! :-P). Now, nearly 30 years later, I've decided to get back into astronomy. Choosing a scope has been exciting, but tricky. I'm probably going to opt for a Celestron C8 SCT OTA mounted on a Skywatcher nEQ6 Pro (with SynScan). The 16 inch Meade Lightbridge was on my shortlist but since I intend dabbling in AP the C8/nEQ6 seemed a better choice. I considered buying a CPC800 along with the new Celestron HD wedge but have read that a sturdy GEM (with decent tracking) is the way to go (for AP, anyway).

I invite forum members to share their thoughts/advice on accessories I'll need, especially decent EPs and imaging devices (I already have a Philips SPC900).

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Clear skies

James

[Rusty Strings]

Hi and welcome

[Astro Imp]

Hi and a warm welcome to SGL.

[saturn4me]

Hi and welcome to SGL:)

[swamp thing]

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Can't help with your AP questions as I'm visual only.

[Nexus 6]

A very warm welcome from me too, was born in Irvine, have not been back for 40 years am sad to say. Must take my other half one day!

[pessoa]

Hi and welcome.

[pritc]

Welcome to SGL, pendas Fen

[Dr_Who_46]

g'day

[inkpen]

Hi Pendas Fen, welcome to the lounge!

[astroandy101]

Hi and Welcome

[nobbytate]

Hi and welcome from me too

[faulksy]

hi and welcome from me as well. good choice of scope

[brantuk]

Hi Pendas and welcome to SGL

You've made some good and well informed choices there - you'll be good to go for a few years yet with that setup

[Lorne]

Hiya, welcome to SGL

[appalachik]

Hi pendas Fen. Welcome to SGL from me too.

Dabbling in AP, you say (where's the emoticon for a wry smile when you need one)? AP can be quite intimidating, as others have already alluded to... worth <most> of the frustration when you get the result you were after though

Jenna

[ScubaMike]

Hi Pendas Fen,

Welcome to SGL.

I'm sure you will find plenty to aspire to on the AP front. Some of the folk here produce stunning images.

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL

[glowjet]

Hi Pendas Fen and welcome to SGL

John.

[Charon]

Welcome to the forum pendas Fen.

[todd8137]

hi and welcome i think we all have a 16" on the short list at some point

[Pete Presland]

hi welcome to sgl from bedfordshire

[Bizibilder]

Hello pendas Fen and welcome to SGL!!

[hemihaggis]

hello and welcome from darvel , the other (better) side of ayrshire , hope you enjoy the forum