Skywatcher 200P or 200P DS OTA

[Richard32]

Hi I'm just wondering what the difference is between the Skywatcher 200P and the 200P DS OTA?

[tibbz2]

From the page of the DS: The new Skywatcher Explorer-200P DS has the same superb parabolic primary mirror as the Explorer-200P but features a1.25"/2" Dual-Speed 10:1 ratio focuser for enhanced focus control and a shorter tube length with the secondary mirror positioned closer to the primary mirror for more convenient prime-focus photography

Also the OTA is just the 'tube', the other has the mount included.

[tibbz2]

Sorry didn't notice the text was that small.

[bottletopburly]

​

i believe the secondary is 6mm bigger aswell

[Richard32]

Would the skywatcher 250pds be to big for an eq5 mount as I have got a budget of £930, or would a celestron nexstar 6 be better?

[Richard32]

Would the skywatcher 250pds be to big for an eq5 mount as I have got a budget of £930, or would a celestron nexstar 6 be better? Or shall I get the skywatcher 200p and eq5?

[SnakeyJ]

To be honest the 200P is about the limit for the EQ5, certainly in anything other than a light wind. If buying the 250PDS the HEQ5 will just handle it, or the NEQ6 if you want to do imaging. Worth saying that this is a big bit of kit and many find it a handful. If in doubt I would recommend getting some hands on or at least seeing before purchasing.

[the bishop]

Re:

Worth saying that this is a big bit of kit and many find it a handful. If in doubt I would recommend getting some hands on or at least seeing before purchasing.

That is great advice!!

A sw250 is massive

And the 200 is a handful, there are several posts of members buying a 200 on a std EQ5

and being totally shocked at its size/weight and just where do I store this???.

These scopes the flesh are nothing like they look size wise on line!!!

I would also suggest you get to see one first or even a150 as they are bigger that you would think

The 200 is a great scope

good luck with your choice

gra

[sparkyjon]

one of those would be me lol.. i had to sell mine as it was just too much for me to store and too much for my broken ankle and i'm too impatient to wait.. although selling mine i did manage to buy 2 x scopes one for me my c8 (same aperture but so much more compact and easy to store) and a nice cheap goto for quick cloudy sessions travelling and for the wife n kids and other family members who im sure will be wanting a lend with the comet due this year..

have you considered one of these : http://www.modernastronomy.com/telescopes_swDobs.htm

i'll be getting one of these when i get my observatory built this summer auto track and a great price the aperture , also simple and i love the auto track idea..

[sparkyjon]

sorry in that link scroll down tot he flex one with auto track,,, i'll be buying a 300 beast for a nip over a grand,,,

[russ.will]

sorry in that link scroll down tot he flex one with auto track,,, i'll be buying a 300 beast for a nip over a grand,,,

My 300p FlexTube barely takes up less spae than my old 200p/HEQ5 Pro and is a LOT heavier to carry in and out - It doesn't break down into small, easy to handle chunks.

Russell

[Extreme Fencer]

The 200p is 1 metre long and as the 200 suggests 200mm aperture.

If its on the mount it's around 2 metres high and the tripod is about 1 metre on each side of the triangle of the tripod.

I keep mine on its HEQ5 mount in the living room.

It takes me 4 trips to take out the setup with power supply. Not a 5 minute job.

My garden is fairly sheltered so wind is not such a problem for me, the scope is fairly stable on the HEQ5 when I had my EQ5 any slight touch of the scope produced vibration.

The whole set up is a bit of a beast looks like a cannon.

so with the 250p you'd have a monster

[sparkyjon]

My 300p FlexTube barely takes up less spae than my old 200p/HEQ5 Pro and is a LOT heavier to carry in and out - It doesn't break down into small, easy to handle chunks.

Russell

i know thats why i'm not buying one until my obsevatory is built..

[jonathan]

About the only thing stopping me from owning a 300 is the storage problem. At least with the NEQ6 the tripod legs can be gathered close together and it will still stand up OK in a corner, and can be easily lifted over obstacles (without the mount attached).