Matt1 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi EveryoneI am starting from the bottom for learning about astronomy, so as I start to learn I will probably be asking lots of basic questions I hope people don’t mind? My first of many is what do people think of the Skywatcher Startravel 102 AZ3 Telescope for beginners any thoughts and opinions much welcome before I purchase?My backgroundBat Consultant for planning applications (Plenty of night work)CheersMatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi Matt, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wookie1965 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 A warm welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Welcome to SGLJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningMajor Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi Matt and welcome from me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris h Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hello & welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToxoLight Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi Matt and welcome to the lounge, now where did I put that garlic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwc Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hello and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn4me Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi Matt and welcome to SGL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro Imp Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hello Matt, welcome to SGL.I suggest you ask your questions in the Getting Started Help and Advice section, you're sure to get a good response.Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnakeyJ Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi Matt,Welcome to SGL - loads of great advice here, though can't comment on this scope myself (although almost brought one recently). Nice job, takes care of those twilight hours.Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Kick Drum Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hello Matt, welcome to the lounge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusmeg Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hello and welcome from me too - loads of great advice here, I've learnt loads in my first year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VigdisVZ Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Nice to have you on board! Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sologuitarist61 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hello Matt and welcome to SGL. Ask away, we like discussing things here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1980 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi Matt. Welcome to SGL.Sent from my galaxy s3 using tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi matt and welcome to the forum/You might want to post in beginners section about the scope and explain what you actually want to do now and in the future, observing,astro photography etc etc It willgive us more of a clue what to advise to start with. An alt az would be no good if you want to do photography of deep sky objects. If its just visual then its OKA bit more info would helpregardsVelvet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hi Matt and welcome to the forum. The Startravel scope is great for wide views of the sky but on bright objects like the moon and planets something called false colour will prevail. By that I mean a type of colour fringing, where the objective lens fails to bring all the available light to a sharp focus meaning which translates into you witnessing a violet glow on the limb or edge of a bright object. Now many people aren't that bothered by this aberration whilst others find this false colour distracting, only you will be able to decide. In scope design this effect can be cured by either having a scope coming to focus over a longer length (longer tube) or by having various coatings along with the addition of an extra objective lens (3 now instead of 2) that is designed to help bring the wayward light to the same focus point as the rest of the light. That is why you will see many short scopes that cost quite a bit of money because they are triplets and are able to bring all the light into focus within a short distance. If your intention is to image with the Startravel or if your observing desires are going to be focused towards solar system objects (moon & planets) then perhaps a reflector type scope (newtonian which uses a mirror rather than a lens to capture light) might be a better option. Regarding the mount, I believe from reviews that I have read that it is a good performer in helping you to locate and track celestial objects. Being an Alt-Azimuth design which tracks across the sky in tiny steps, this method is unnoticeable to the eye but for imaging purposes completely unsatisfactory as those movements will be picked up by a camera's censor and create a poor final image. These mounts aren't particularly sturdy though this can be helped somewhat by hanging a suitable weight from the eyepiece tray to lower its centre of balance.You asked for comments regarding the setup's suitability for a beginner, and to answer this I would also have to include in any evaluation, value for money set against the view that you can expect to see. As great as the Synscan option is to have, in my view its money that would be better spent on the scope itself although others may disagree. If I have understood correctly the particular setup you have in mind, for £300 you could buy a skywatcher 200P dobsonian which would have a much better resolving capacity on planets and deep sky objects without any false colour. Yes this would mean finding objects yourself but there is no point in spending part of your budget on a system that will point to an object if spending that money has meant that you are forced to have a scope with a greatly diminished aperture and remember that aperture means the ability to resolve detail and structure. Learning the night sky isn't difficult and the 200P is the U'K's best selling scope and for good reason as 8" aperture is where I believe observing starts to become really interesting. If for some reason you find that astronomy is not for you (....which I doubt very much ) then should need to resell it, its popularity will mean that it will hold its value really well and therefore the scope in real terms won't have cost you as much as the Startravel, which in my view will be harder to sell. On a more positive note should you wish to upgrade to a larger scope because you have caught the observing bug, its value will serve you well in helping to fund that ambition. Others may disagree with my view but those starting out are often the most in need of larger apertures to help convince them that there is plenty to see and appreciate and that this will sustain them in the longer term. It's always going to be a balancing act where budgets are concerned - I hope my thoughts help you further in your considerations.Clear skies James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hi and welcome enjoy the new scope it's a great one cheer now pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt1 Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hi James and everyone else too and thank you for your welcomes. James just been reading up on the Skywatcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian telescope, which I am turning to as is apparently it gives better detail in any object the more minutes you observe, as I am focusing on looking at planets in better detail this scope seems to be the one to start my astronomy hobby. Thank you for all the info it’s been really helpful.Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hi Matt and welcome to SGL John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Welcome to SGL, Matt!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Scunthorpe Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Welcome to SGL.Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hi Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul schofield Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hello and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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