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Hello from Leyland, Lancashire!

MrPloppy

By MrPloppy
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MrPloppy

MrPloppy

Posted
Posted

Hi all,

Just thought I'd say hello and all that! I've just bought a nice new Skywatcher 200P EQ5, which turned out to be rather large! :)

I've only just got it yesterday, and I decided on this particular model after reading review after review after review, and reading people's experiences and all the rest. For my budget (about £500), this seems to be the best all rounder. Its certainly better than my last telescope which was about 20 years ago and cost £19.99 from Argos! (One very easy way to put kids off space for life - just buy one of those things!)

I already knew pretty much what was in the box (after watching plenty of 'unboxing' videos on YouTube, etc), and setting up was quite easy and straight forward, despite it taking me all night last night. Its now all set up, ready for the next clear night!

Just a few questions, if I may?

1. The scope came with two knobs which are for the RA and Dec fine tuning. However, there seems to be space for four - one on either side of the two adjustment barrels. Was there only supposed to be two in the box, or if not, does anyone know how to get a couple more?

2. The RA Setting circle seems a little loose. It looks like it needs glueing or something. My aim is not to use the setting circles at first, and just ensure the tripod is facing north, and using the good old star-hopping technique to get to the object I want to see. But has anyone else found that this seems a little loose? Any tips?

3. The two EPs (plus the Barlow) that come with the scope are good enough for me to start off with, but I know that I'll be upgrading soon. I've seen a set on Amazon for about £140 which comes in a case. The Celestron set seems to come with plenty of EPs and filters. Would you lot say that this is a good "next step" for this new hobby?

4. When is it going to be a clear night?!?

(Actually, on that last question, I found a really good site for showing what observation conditions will be like for your area - calsky.co.uk.)

Many thanks, all -

MrPloppy.

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StuW

StuW

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Hi and welcome from another Leylander (Seven Stars area).

1 - Just 1 per axis, i think it's a Left/Right handed thing.

2 - Common problem, but I don't know many ppl that use them anyway, better to use the star hopping technique.

3 - More experienced ppl will probably be better answeing that one.

4 - http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoforecasts/forspecialist.aspx?postcode=pr25%201ht&selected=4

Regards

Stu

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wookie1965

wookie1965

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Hi and welcome i would suggest you get used to your eyepieces first if like mine the 25mm is quite good the 10mm not so much the barlow isnt too bad. Ive been stunned by Saturn and Jupter i was looking at a eyepiece set but the eyepieces in them are ok your better buying 3 good eyepieces to start low power medium and high e,g 32mm 18mm 8mm. the RA setting circles on the scopes are that small you wont use them well i cant and mines loose.StuW is right the slow control knobs can be attached left/right handed which is easier for you hope this helps.

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yeti monster

yeti monster

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Another Lancastrionian :) welcome.

The RA setting circle is, I believe, supposed to be loose, so that you can set it at the start of a session, depending upon the right ascension hour, then use it to aid star finding, at least, that's how I see them. I too never bother with them, or not yet anyhoo.

The slow motion controls can be swapped about when the scope starts to foul them.

EPs? Well there are so many options, best to wait until you've had a good play and read up on what others say, they are very subjective.

Last night was perfectly clear :))

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MrPloppy

MrPloppy

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Thanks for the replies and welcomes, everyone! Sounds like there's a fair few in the local area! I shall have a play with the EPs I've got, and build up from there. No doubt I'll have a good few questions to ask in the future.

Any local stargazing groups set up? I've seen ones in Blackpool and Bolton - what about a Preston / Leyland one?

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glowjet

glowjet

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Hi Mr Ploppy and welcome to SGL, nice scope and set-up but I should take things steady for the time being and use what eye pieces you have, there has been much written on the subject of eye piece sets and it may be worth evaluating this subject before dipping your hand in you pocket again. enjoy you Astronomy :)

John.

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JamesM

JamesM

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Hi and welcome to the forum. The setting circles are your mount if I'm honest are there for show really, makes the mount look a bit more technical/scientific and would certainly need to be a lot larger to be anywhere near accurate. Regarding eyepieces, as others have said above I would wait a while and see what you use from those that came with the scope fist before any purchasing. If you can find a local observing group, that will provide you the best means of testing others eyepieces to see what best suits you and your scope. In general, you can pay a lot of money for the field of view offered at any given magnification (minimum 50 degrees all the way up to Televue's 100 degrees!) the design of eyepiece, glass used and the coatings but there are some good performers like the 'BST's' that are modestly priced and for the money good performers. Personally I would stay clear of eyepiece sets as they will inevitably contain items you will hardly use meaning that the true cost of what you actually use proves more expensive in real terms and therefore not such a great deal in the end. Better to buy used eyepieces from here (subject to qualification of number of posts etc) of from Astro UK Buy and Sell which you can view here. Try before you buy is the best philosophy and then source around for the cheapest price. At the top of the Beginners Section is a help resource entitled, "Eyepieces - The very least you need" (which you can view here) is certainly worth a read if you haven't spotted it already and will help you with the besic technical information that you need to make an informed choice of what to up grade to next. Hope that helps.

Clear skies and enjoy the forum

James

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