first proper Telescope

[cddon]

I am thinking of getting a Celestron NexStar 6SE as my first proper scope but I am open to

suggestions for other Telescopes and bits-un-bobs

I do wont goto and computer control as I'm a bit of a computer nut(I got a laptop or two)

Other things I'm looking for is a Eyepiece Set, Camera Adapter for eyepiece projection

(I have a Digital Camera) and Power for the scope. so far I have come up with this lot.

Celestron NexStar 6SE

£659.00

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=C6se

Astrozap Flexible Dew Shield

£20.00

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=AZflexdewshield

Baader Optical Wonder Fluid

£9.00

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=wonderfluid

Skywatcher Universal Camera Adapter

£25.00

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=swinivcamadaptor

Celestron Eyeopener Accessory Kit

£139.00

http://www.celestron.uk.com/catalogues/view_item.asp?ItemID=30963&CatalogueID=272&CategoryID=3873

Car Battery Adapter (all NexStars)

£13.00

http://www.celestron.uk.com/catalogues/view_item.asp?ItemID=32935&CatalogueID=272&CategoryID=3874

12V 5A Cigarette Socket Power Supply

£24.99

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=42702&&source=14&doy=25m5

This lot will leave me with a bit of cash for a few bits and bobs I may need any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice

cddon

[Greg]

Could I save you some more money...??

How about..

http://www.firstlightoptics.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=revelationepset

You may get it cheaper speaking directly to Steve at Flo..

As for this

http://www.celestron.uk.com/catalogues/view_item.asp?ItemID=32935&CatalogueID=272&CategoryID=3874

I have several in stock ...How about £8.00 inc delivery..??

Greg..

[Whippy]

Do you really want a SCT for your scope? I only ask as you could get a bigger reflector (more light gathering capacity) for less money.

Example: http://tinyurl.com/3dbhly . You wouldn't need the dew shield then. Double saving!

Then if you've got some spare cash left over: a laser collimator, a Barlow, maybe a LPR or a nebula filter, you could go on forever....

Tony..

[GordonCopestake]

I have nothing against SCT's (I own one myself) however Tony is right that the Newt design is cheaper (if phyiscally larger). The C8N-GT is a great 'scope and one that many beginers would kill for! The CG5-GT mount is GOTO and has a higher load capacity than the SE mount, meaning that you can swap and change telescopes as the need takes you. However be aware that the setup is quite large physically (it's quite suprising to the beginner quite how large telescopes are!) and you'll need somewhere to store it like a shed or garage (the missus may not appreciate a big chunk of scientific equipment living in the lounge hehe)

[Greg]

Or one of these..

http://www.firstlightoptics.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=200heq5

Upgradable to GOTO at a later date

[GordonCopestake]

Good point Greg, the HEQ5 is a much more capable mount than the CG5 (and MUCH quieter!!!!). The GOTO seems a big draw though and the HEQ5 Pro is TWICE as expensive as the CG5

[beamish]

I have to say that all the reports I'd read about the HEQ5 were correct. It's a great mount and remarkably and reassuringly quiet. certainly worth the money.

[Whippy]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic but I've got to ask, why do people think scopes, especially reflectors are big? Let's take a bog standard 8" reflector, your Skywatcher/Celestron f5 scope. The tube itself is only 37" long (1 metre in new money), you've got your tripod, mount, powerpack (if necessary) and all your odds and sods. That lot goes easily into a cupboard under the stairs (5 square feet of space?) if arranged with a bit of logic, it only takes 10-15 minutes tops to set up once you've got a routine going. Not that difficult is it?

And yes, if you have the cash cddon, get the HEQ5. It's a better mount, especially if you want to take imaging further than short exposure EP projection. You might want to bear that in mind.

Tony..

[GazOC]

if arranged with a bit of logic, it only takes 10-15 minutes tops to set up once you've got a routine going. Not that difficult is it?

You're preaching to the choir here Tony, people seem in soooo much of rush to deploy their grab'n'go setups you'd think the world was about to end.

I can get my 150mm refractor on HEQ5 out and setup for visual in less than 5 minutes, thats quick enough for me and I get decent aperture/ views on a steady mount.

[Cloudwatcher]

I can get my 150mm refractor on HEQ5 out and setup for visual in less than 5 minutes, thats quick enough for me and I get decent aperture/ views on a steady mount.

I'll go along with that. Well,10 minutes if I'm honest but that's because I keep the 150mm boxed and out the way.

Reckon I could do 5 with the Mak though, just in case the world was indeed about to end!