some advice please

[smac]

hi all ive been using binos for awhile now and had planned on getting a sw200 heq5 however my needs have now changed and will be using my scope from home and from my fathers both in manchester and also my sister-in-laws in norfolk so i now need somthing portable i was looking at the tal 100rs on an eq5 to start me off before i buy a permanant scope just for home any advice would be welcome mostly for use on planets and lunar observing and maybe some double stars as well any advice would be very welcome

[hemihaggis]

:icon_salut:127 mak

[damnut]

HI Smac,

What you describe are not that portable! if you can nip over to Stockport Bino :- Telescopes and Binoculars from one of the UK'S premier specialists and have a look at a few in the flesh before parting with hard earned cash, or find a local astro group and go along to see what others have and might suit you best.

Popular scopes for portability are short tube refractors or Maksutov / Schmidt Cassegrains.

Good Luck with your choice.

[Ags]

Avoid short tube refractors like the ST80 for planetary viewing, they have horrible color fringing! You say your primary goal is planetary viewing - for that a small mak on a tracking mount is ideal, e.g. the skymax 127.

[Cunhaval]

+1 for a 127 Mak.

Though the TAL is a really beautiful piece of kit.

[DoctorD]

127 Mak or even the little 102 is very portable. Both will excel on planets & the moon.

I've split the Double Double with my 102.

Clear skies

Paul

[smac]

thx guys i`ll check out those maks