Did I buy the right scope.....?

[chownsie]

Hi all, I'm brand new this very evening so please be gentle! Finally have time now in my life to try my hand at some stargazing and fulfil a desire that has burnt for many years.

So therefor, and due for delivery tommorrow I have purchased a skywatcher explorer 150p eq3-2 150mm newtonian reflector telescope. Seemed to be well reviewed and came in at the right price for me just to get going. Hope to view as much as the scope will allow me and moving forward I'd love to take some pictures of whatever I find out there!

Thoughts on this scope and any tips wpuld be greatly recieved.

Chris

[Double Kick Drum]

Congrats on your new scope!

Although I don't have one myself, there are lots of users of Skywatcher instruments.

They are a reputable firm and I am sure you will get plenty of assistance if you have any questions.

Happy hunting!

[pel]

It's a great package and should work well for viewing, planetary imaging and DSO imaging with a DSLR (if you can obtain focus).

There is a large group of 150p owners on here with loads of experience

[chownsie]

Thanks guys....it's like xmas eve when ya 7 years old right now! Seems the sky may clear down here (south coast) tomoz too, so it'll get its first outing!

HAPPY DAYS!

[richbyers]

yep- thats what i would have got if i could afford to enjoy

[brantuk]

My first scope was a 150P EQ3-2 - it's a smashing scope to start with - has plenty of aperture and works a treat for most popular objects. There's a short learning curve to using an eq mount for the first time and getting used to how it moves - but it should serve you well for several years.

Once you've used it for a few months it will benefit from a couple of eyepiece upgrades and a decent barlow - or alternatively a good 8-24 zoom lens and a wide field low power (30mm+) eyepiece for a good range of viewing options.

Congrats and enjoy

[Astro Imp]

Hi Chris,

Congratulations on your new scope.

I have the same combination of mount and OTA and love it, you'll get some great views with it.

You've got it at just the right time for some real WOW moments with Saturn just coming up for viewing at a sensible time, you can't fail to be impressed the first time you see this wonder of our solar system.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Jon Sales]

Thanks guys....it's like xmas eve when ya 7 years old right now! Seems the sky may clear down here (south coast) tomoz too, so it'll get its first outing!

HAPPY DAYS!

Where on the South coast are you?

[richbyers]

on that note- it wasnt you who brought all that snow today haha.....youve done it now

[chownsie]

I'm near Portsmouth in Hampshire.....therefor far enough away from the snow so as to remain blameless! Also my scope hasn't arrived yet so I'm defo in the clear! Can't wait to get crcking with it

[Tribal-Wolf]

My two pleasures in life are my scope and my motorcycle.................whoever did bring the snow etc I curse thee lol

[marshy123]

Nice scope! Once you get your head round the Equatorial Mount thing it gets way easier. Then harder again! But stick with it and you'll have a great time. Patience is probably the thing I use most in my observing. Cheers, Chris.

[Glen]

Welcome to the lounge and great scope

Re: Did I buy the right scope.....?

Ask yourself this in 6 months/ a years time

[The Warthog]

It's very similar to my Celestron C6N, which is no longer manufactured, but I have spent many enjoyable hours using it. Good choice.

Get some good eyepieces for an even more enjoyable experience.

[chownsie]

ITS ARRIVED!!

Steady 45 mins to put it all together and balance.....the sky outside is BLUE BLUE BLUE! Very much hoping it stays that way!

Have to say it looks the nuts! 'Err indoors wasn't quite as overwhelmed as me (GOOD), thankfully I got her a new washing machine a few weeks ago so all is as it should be

C

[Catweazel]

Nice one! If I were you, I would go outside and practice playing with the mount, and balancing the scope on it before dark, that way you will get an idea of what to do, and won't waste any clear sky time

[Scott]

ive got a similar setup and absolutely love it.

Enjoy!!!

[chownsie]

Moon up and sky still clear! This could be a GREAT start!

[Stargazer_00]

It's a fantastic first scope (I have the identical set up) I hope you enjoy it

[sologuitarist61]

Great scope, let's hope that it gives you much pleasure. Getting dark down here in Cornwall and cloudy as anything, but hopefully still OK where you are. The mount is fine to use, it is the polar alignment I still have trouble with.

[Stargazer_00]

In terms of alignment, if you are just doing visual you can be reasonably coarse. I just plonk the scope wherever looks good then go behind it, grab the back two feet one in each hand and look up at polaris. I then just move the feet until my brain tells me that the scope is pointing correctly at polaris... its quite surprising how well this works!

[sologuitarist61]

In terms of alignment, if you are just doing visual you can be reasonably coarse. I just plonk the scope wherever looks good then go behind it, grab the back two feet one in each hand and look up at polaris. I then just move the feet until my brain tells me that the scope is pointing correctly at polaris... its quite surprising how well this works!

Hey that's cool! Wish you could just do that for AP as well.

[RikM]

Well done on a great choice for a first scope. That's what I started with and still use the scope and mount (separately).

[chownsie]

Thought it only right to report in....and its still as clear as Gin here!!!

And so......I am lost for words! Felt like I could reach out and touch the moon, STUNNING view. CLose to 95% illumination tonight! Even the missus loved it!

Great start to my new hobby!

Cheers all

[Astro Imp]

Glad the weather stayed good for you, great to get out observing straight away, your lucky it's been tipping it down here all day.

Your journey has only just begun, plenty more to enjoy.