Christmas present suggestions

[Pig]

I Just thought I would be one of the first to bring the subject up.

My wonderful wife is going to spend a whopping £500 on me for Christmas  and has asked what I want.

So I now have the lovely dilemma of what to get

If you was in my position what would you get ?

[John]

If I had your current kit I'd be thinking of a fast "grab and go" type scope on a simple alt-az mount. Something quick to set up and something that would give you access to wider views than your 9.25" SCT does - to complement it, so to speak.

[emadmoussa]

No question about it, an Ethos

[emadmoussa]

If I had your current kit I'd be thinking of a fast "grab and go" type scope on a simple alt-az mount. Something quick to set up and something that would give you access to wider views than your 9.25" SCT does - to complement it, so to speak.

Yep, that too...80ED will be ideal.

[Pig]

If I had your current kit I'd be thinking of a fast "grab and go" type scope on a simple alt-az mount. Something quick to set up and something that would give you access to wider views than your 9.25" SCT does - to complement it, so to speak.

Good idea John, the problem is I lead a very closed circuit life and the grab part sounds ideal but I don't go anywhere

Seriously though that is a great idea and has been on my mind for some time, any ideas / links

[Pig]

Yep, that too...80ED will be ideal.

I am not going to splash out on an Ethos as I know I wont be able to stop

I hear an awful lot about 80 ED's so this is a very good option, are they a Skywatcher or do many brands do them ?

[emadmoussa]

The best value for money out there are the Skywatcher Evostar 80ED scopes...full kit (including aluminum bag, diagonal, finder scope, 28 2" eyepiece and t-ring) for under £450.

I had mine for almost a year. Originally bought for imaging, but then ended up using it the most for visual observing. Very neat piece of kit indeed.

[Pig]

Do you get any kind of mount with it Imad?

[emadmoussa]

Nope - just the scope. I think you can  benefit from a Vixen Porta mount, they're relatively cheap and great grab and go Alt-Azimuth mounts.

[Pig]

I will go and have a look at one, I guess I can get my daughter to buy me the mount

[emadmoussa]

Good idea...use your charm!!!

[Pig]

Not sure if I have any left, I think I used it all up when she hoovered the care out for me

[Mark in Macc]

Or two ES 100 eyepieces imported from the US. After delivery and (potential) tax, should come in around the £500 mark.

[Pig]

Or two ES 100 eyepieces imported from the US. After delivery and (potential) tax, should come in around the £500 mark.

Lovely idea  but I am slewing toward the idea of a grab and go

[emadmoussa]

Slewing toward...Lol

[Pig]

One has to try Imad

[John]

I didn't necessarily mean a refractor with my suggestion. I've tried quite a few ED80's and, while fine scopes, I just didn't find 80mm enough to delivery satisfying views. 100mm is my minimum aperture now but I don't think you would get a 100ED plus mount for anything near the budget you stated.

What I was thinking was a 150mm F/5 Newtonian on a nice simple alt-az mount such as the AZ-4. You then have an easily portable scope with enough aperture to show nice views and wide ones too as long as it's got a 2" focuser. 

[Steve Ward]

As you don't look to be carting it about off the premises I'd have to say this would be my pick for the budget , with a bit of change for a Telrad .... 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-250px-dobsonian.html

[Pig]

That is quite appealing Steve    I think white suits scopes better, it makes them look crisp & clean.

[BillP]

For that price you could get 2 grab n go things instead of one (more is always better for Xmas, like these:

Nikon 12x50 AE Binoculars (I love these) for £143 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Action-EX-12x50-Binocular/dp/B0001EFIFW

SkyWatcher Skymax 127 SynScan AZ GOTO for £369.95 - http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/SkyWatcher_Skymax_127_SynScan_AZ_GOTO_127mm_Maksutov_Cassegrain_Telescope.html#a211

or

Get wife and daughter to combine money to get you this:

Coronado Personal Solar Telescope for £659 - http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/Coronado_Personal_Solar_Telescope.html

[Scott]

No question about it, an Ethos

Yep, that too...80ED will be ideal.

Never let it be said that Emad is fickle

[Pig]

For that price you could get 2 grab n go things instead of one (more is always better for Xmas, like these:

Nikon 12x50 AE Binoculars (I love these) for £143 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Action-EX-12x50-Binocular/dp/B0001EFIFW

SkyWatcher Skymax 127 SynScan AZ GOTO for £369.95 - http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/SkyWatcher_Skymax_127_SynScan_AZ_GOTO_127mm_Maksutov_Cassegrain_Telescope.html#a211

or

Get wife and daughter to combine money to get you this:

Coronado Personal Solar Telescope for £659 - http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/Coronado_Personal_Solar_Telescope.html

The solar scope is a great idea  I already have some binos for grab and go and they are an extremely good alternative.

Mind you bino-viewers would be a good option too

[BillP]

And oh yes, other fun optical toys to consider if you don't have are close-focus binoculars for bird, flower, butterfly, and insect observing...

Pentax Papilio 8.5 x 21 binoculars can focus to 18 inches for £121 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentax-8-5x21-Close-Papilio-Binoculars/dp/B0007TSYCK

And if you want brighter (and expensive) image then the Eagle Optics Ranger 8x42 Binoculars are well respected and focus to 5 feet for £285 - http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/eagle-optics-8-x-42-ranger-binoculars_d2206.html

[Pig]

Ive never heard of close up bins before, I suppose it saves using a magnifying glass    I thought bins were invented for looking a t things far away.

Nice idea though

[faulksy]

^{first of shaun you still havnt bought a badder clicklock diagonal like me. second choice you could put that money down on a 16" david lukehurst dob and be done with it}