Alternatives to the Skywatcher Explorer 200p

[Radium]

After many long hours of research and reading up on telescopes, and astrophotography I had settled on the 200p with a modified EQ5 mount. However living in the US I am only finding links to British sites who offer the 200p for sale. Is there anywhere I could purchase it in the US? or alternatively are there any other telescopes you guys would recommend for astrophotography?

I will probably use it for visual viewing as much, if not more than astrophotography.

Thanks in advance,

Radium

[mrjonathanbrown]

http://www.telescope.com/ (You're looking for Orion scopes) 

[Cornelius Varley]

The Orion Skyview Pro 8  goto http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/GoTo-Computerized-Telescopes/Orion-SkyView-Pro-8-GoTo-Reflector-Telescope/pc/-1/c/1/sc/15/p/24731.uts and non goto versions http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Reflector-Telescopes/Reflector-Telescopes-with-Equatorial-Mounts/Orion-SkyView-Pro-8-Equatorial-Reflector-Telescope/pc/1/c/11/sc/341/p/9738.uts?refineByCategoryId=341 are virtually identical to the Skywatcher versions.

[ghostdance]

Good links above, check the Dobsonian section. Look at the XT8 Dob for example. Orion did also have an upgraded version, the Plus.

Intelliscope push-to is really good. Simple alignment, and only use it if you need/want to....Great stuff.

[ghostdance]

Oops.... Only just realised you're looking re the Explorer model, not a Dob. Ah well.....

[daiwelly]

Never the less nice dob http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/IntelliScope-Dobsonians/Orion-SkyQuest-XT8i-IntelliScope-Dobsonian-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/27/p/102012.uts?refineByCategoryId=27

[Radium]

Thanks for the quick responses guys!

[skfboiler]

I've been eyeballing this setup from Orion for astrophotography.  This mount can handle the weight better than the Orion Skyview Pro 8 setup when you add up the attachments, camera, autoguider etc.  The OTA is an astrograph optimized for astrphotography.  Looks like a good scope for visual also.

The OTA:

http://www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Astrophotography-Telescopes/Orion-8-f39-Newtonian-Astrograph-Reflector-Telescope/pc/-1/c/4/sc/19/p/101450.uts

The mount:

http://www.telescope.com/Mounts-Tripods/GoTo-Mounts-Tripods/Orion-Atlas-EQ-G-Computerized-GoTo-Telescope-Mount/pc/-1/c/2/sc/36/p/24338.uts

[RichM63]

I had to sleep on it to remember.....But aren't Zhumell quite a popular alternative to SW over in the USA?

[Radium]

That would be an awesome setup. Unfortunately that mount is WAY out of my price range. Thats why I was going to go for the EQ-5, and mod it with motors, and the necessary parts to hook it up to my laptop and guide it with PHD or or some other guiding software.

I know that a lower f/ is better for astrophotography because it will reduce the exposure time needed for a given photograph, but how does the f/ rating affect visual viewing? I'm aware that higher f/ allows for more magnification with a given eyepiece, but does it affect anything else? Would I be able to enjoy the same visuals with an f/5 telescope that I would with an f/10 telescope, but with a different eye piece? Is there anything else to consider for example are higher magnification eye pieces much more expensive, or do they produce higher levels of distortion? Are there any reasons to choose a telescope with a higher f/ for visual viewing, or is it irrelevant?

I've been eyeballing this setup from Orion for astrophotography.  This mount can handle the weight better than the Orion Skyview Pro 8 setup when you add up the attachments, camera, autoguider etc.  The OTA is an astrograph optimized for astrphotography.  Looks like a good scope for visual also.

The OTA:

http://www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Astrophotography-Telescopes/Orion-8-f39-Newtonian-Astrograph-Reflector-Telescope/pc/-1/c/4/sc/19/p/101450.uts

The mount:

http://www.telescope.com/Mounts-Tripods/GoTo-Mounts-Tripods/Orion-Atlas-EQ-G-Computerized-GoTo-Telescope-Mount/pc/-1/c/2/sc/36/p/24338.uts

[triton1]

The faster the scope the harder it is on ep,s.Televue ep,s are rated as down to f4 so f3.9 would be pushing it, and their very expensive.