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Looking for Suggestions?

RickK

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RickK

RickK

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I'm getting back into astronomy after a few years of selling my old Meade Starfinder Eq mount. I'm wanting a goto type ( I think) and something 8" or larger. I been looking at SCT's namely a LX90 but open to other choices, maybe getting into AP later but now mainly deep space and stars. I can find my way around pretty well with a dob, but always had that itch for a computer scope. Its been a long time since I bought my Meade ( 92') that I sold 3yrs ago and it looks like a lot has changed with scopes and company's so I'm back to square one.


I was wondering if their are other company's that are coincided top company's as well as Meade and Celestron. I'd like to check all options. Looking forward to reading reply's. 


~Rick

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ollypenrice

ollypenrice

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If you want to get into AP (deep sky, that is) with a large scope it would be a whole lot easier to go for one with a fast F ratio and short focal length. If you go for an SCT the tracking precision required will mean a very good mount, possibly better than an EQ6. (These can be very accurate or less so depending on luck.) In short, for deep sky a slow F ratio, long FL SCT is a specialist choice for certain targets and for those who don't mind a bit of a struggle.

What about an 8 inch Newt on an NEQ6?

Olly

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ronin

ronin

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The other one running around with goto, but on mounts not I think as scope and mount system, is iOptron.

Don't think that ES have entered that field, and just about everything else are rebadged Meade and Celestron/Synta items.

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nicoscy

nicoscy

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Well, it depends on the budget really, so what's the spending limit?

Also, take into account that you will need eyepieces and the usual accoutrements that go with a scope.

That being said, 99% of DSO are 0.5 degrees or less, which means that for visual and AP you can get the job done with a SCT. You can always plug in a focal reducer and there are x0.63 and x0.33 reducers available which can turn a Cassegrain into a fast scope, or even f2 with the use of a FASTAR system.

8" + refractor too expensive. 8" +reflector too unwieldy. I would recommend a nice 9.25" SCT (Celestron HD is nice) and you can always score off astronomy classifieds a nice 80mm ED refractor at some point for both wide field astrophotography or as a complement to the SCT.

And again, it all goes back to the budget. One point already mentioned: whereas for visual if your mount is at the limit with your scope this only means 2-3 seconds dampening time and a little difficulty in focusing, for imaging the mount is more important than the scope, so plan ahead...

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RickK

RickK

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I'm looking at a budget @ 4k or less for the scope/mount and the eyepieces and acc I'll add as I go. I really wish I was able to test drive a refractor, my only experience is the really cheap models and the astronomy club I was a member no one had one. The club has a 14" Celestron SCT in a Ash dome, but it was always in AP mode every time I seen it so I never got to look through the eyepiece.   

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nicoscy

nicoscy

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An 8" Newt would get the job done, but you will need something with rotatable rings to get the job done with ease, otherwise the eyepiece ends up in weird positions. To be honest I don't like huge Newts (I like big dobs!) but it is potentially the cheapest option out there.

The only refractor which is relatively affortable and is 8" is the Istar 8" but don't expect it to be a good performer for AP or for high magnification / planetary work as it is an achromat and you will need an uber heavy mount for it, but still it is an option:

http://www.istar-optical.com/telescopes.html#telescopes03

http://www.istar-optical.com/comet-hunters.html#hunters02

Venturing into larger diameter refractors or with ED / APO elements will necessitate a multiple of your budget so it's out of the question.

A middle of the road solution is to get a nice 12 " Meade ACF combined with:

  • Dew shield
  • Dew controller and strips
  • Power tank or other power source (I love those little 12V 20A+ portable power packs on Amazon)
  • 2" SCT Focuser (to eliminate mirror shift)
  • 2" diagonal
  • a webcam (many choices really) to get started with planetary / lunar imaging to wet your appetite (plus they are cheap so low cost to entry for planetary)
  • 3 eyepieces to get the job done. Definitely something in the 38mm to 42mm for low magnification and large exit pupil work, something in the 20 - 23mm for medium magnification and something in the 10 to 12mm for those good nights with good seeing. No need for expensive eyepieces as the long focal ratio of the Cassegrain is very forgiving.
  • Plus 1 cheapo 8 - 24mm zoom (these come really handy when you have tracking and goto as the narrow field of view is not a problem and they can be used when you are too bored to swap eyepieces. It gives a good range of magnifications and these are really cheap)
  • A good O III or UHC filter

OR

A 8" SCT, the above accessories and this should leave enough money on the side to also get a refractor for wide field views and AP possibilities with both the SCT and the refractor. The 2" diagonal can be used with both, plus the eyepieces as well should perform decently.

Finally, do consider buying pre-owned as this can save you big money and you can always inspect locally and then commit to a purchase.

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RickK

RickK

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Yes I would consider pre-owned, and I do like the 12 " Meade ACF. I been looking at both the LX90 12" and LX200 12" f10 w/heavy giant tripod. I may go over my budget if needed when I find the scope. Another scope I like is a  Orion SkyQuest XX14G, but I seen some bad reviews about the drive.

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wuthton

wuthton

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Yes I would consider pre-owned, and I do like the 12 " Meade ACF. I been looking at both the LX90 12" and LX200 12" f10 w/heavy giant tripod. I may go over my budget if needed when I find the scope. Another scope I like is a Orion SkyQuest XX14G, but I seen some bad reviews about the drive.

Is this going to be permanently set up?

A 12" LX200 is not something to just carry outside and setup on a whim, I believe it is about 56kg.

You mentioned Astrophotography, the mount and the focal length of the Meade make it unsuitable for anything other than the planets.

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Dave In Vermont

Dave In Vermont

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I have a 12" LX200 GPS I purchased in 2000. It does weigh alot, but it breaks down into two components: The OTA and fork/base. And the tripod. The OTA/base weigh around 70 pounds, and is manageable for carrying. But Pete Peterson in Rhode Island makes after-market grip-handles that are easy to install - and make carrying this scope simple. I'll give you a link. He has other kits as well, and it has often been said that his improvements are what Meade should have done in the first place:

http://www.petersonengineering.com/sky/get-a-grip.htm

This should help you out. It sure did me!

Clear Skies,

Dave

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alan potts

alan potts

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Until recent I moved my 12 inch Meade  in and out but it is heavy. I used to take the scope part and place it on the strong table, move the tripod then place it outside on the tripod. Of late though it was moved less and less as my other scope don't weigh anywhere near as much.

It is now in an observatory which is the right place for one of these, just to think I almost bought the 14 inch.

Consider the SW 190mm Mak/Newtonian, very good scope for the money and to take Olly's point shorter and easier to work with, very good visually too!

Alan

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RickK

RickK

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Amazon has the LX90ACF at a decent price and you don't have to go over your budget, but without Level North Technology...

I'll check on them. Thanks!

Is this going to be permanently set up?

A 12" LX200 is not something to just carry outside and setup on a whim, I believe it is about 56kg.

You mentioned Astrophotography, the mount and the focal length of the Meade make it unsuitable for anything other than the planets.

This is the things I never knew, I always wanted a LX200 but will maybe need to rethink the choice. Thanks!

I have a 12" LX200 GPS I purchased in 2000. It does weigh alot, but it breaks down into two components: The OTA and fork/base. And the tripod. The OTA/base weigh around 70 pounds, and is manageable for carrying. But Pete Peterson in Rhode Island makes after-market grip-handles that are easy to install - and make carrying this scope simple. I'll give you a link. He has other kits as well, and it has often been said that his improvements are what Meade should have done in the first place:

http://www.petersonengineering.com/sky/get-a-grip.htm

This should help you out. It sure did me!

Clear Skies,

Dave

I bookmarked the link, I know its a heavy scope and that was one reason I sold my 10" Meade Starfinder was because it was a problem carrying it out. I never removed the scope from the mount and carried the assembled scope and base as a unit.  Thanks!

Until recent I moved my 12 inch Meade  in and out but it is heavy. I used to take the scope part and place it on the strong table, move the tripod then place it outside on the tripod. Of late though it was moved less and less as my other scope don't weigh anywhere near as much.

It is now in an observatory which is the right place for one of these, just to think I almost bought the 14 inch.

Consider the SW 190mm Mak/Newtonian, very good scope for the money and to take Olly's point shorter and easier to work with, very good visually too!

Alan

I am thinking on building a roll off roof out back, I have a small hill in the yard that would elevate above the house roof and give more viewing area. Then get another scope that would easier to move around. Thanks! 

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Owmuchonomy

Owmuchonomy

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Something I've started to look at, and try to decide about is "Focal Length" ?  For general viewing would a Newt with 1000mm be better than a SCT with 2032mm of the same aperture?

That's a big difference. It depends what you intend to view, or image. Check out this link or use the 'Telrad' function on the Sky Safari App to give you your answer.

http://www.12dstring.me.uk/fovcalc.php

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nicoscy

nicoscy

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That is a big difference, using the spec's from both scopes the FOV of the SCT is so much larger.

The exact opposite actually:

With say a 32mm Plossl 50 degrees AFOV and using the simple formula of AFOV to magnifiation:

SCT = 2,032mm FL telescope / 32mm FL eyepiece  = 63.5x mag. 50 degrees AFOV / 63.5x mag = 0.79 degrees True Field of view

Newt = 1,000mm FL telescope / 32mm FL eyepiece  = 31.25x mag. 50 degrees AFOV / 31.25x mag = 1.60 degrees True Field of view

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lensman57

lensman57

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I'm getting back into astronomy after a few years of selling my old Meade Starfinder Eq mount. I'm wanting a goto type ( I think) and something 8" or larger. I been looking at SCT's namely a LX90 but open to other choices, maybe getting into AP later but now mainly deep space and stars. I can find my way around pretty well with a dob, but always had that itch for a computer scope. Its been a long time since I bought my Meade ( 92') that I sold 3yrs ago and it looks like a lot has changed with scopes and company's so I'm back to square one.
I was wondering if their are other company's that are coincided top company's as well as Meade and Celestron. I'd like to check all options. Looking forward to reading reply's. 
~Rick

I don't think that you'd find a single scope that does the job, if you are into observing then an 8" or a 10" newt on an NEQ6 could do the job and will leave you plenty of money a short fast Apo and a few bits and pieces but excluding a CCD and filters.

A.G

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RickK

RickK

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Erm, I think you may have that the wrong way round.

The exact opposite actually:

With say a 32mm Plossl 50 degrees AFOV and using the simple formula of AFOV to magnifiation:

SCT = 2,032mm FL telescope / 32mm FL eyepiece  = 63.5x mag. 50 degrees AFOV / 63.5x mag = 0.79 degrees True Field of view

Newt = 1,000mm FL telescope / 32mm FL eyepiece  = 31.25x mag. 50 degrees AFOV / 31.25x mag = 1.60 degrees True Field of view

I must have used the link wrong, but when I punched in the FL & Ap from the spec's of both scope the SCT had the largest image.

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