Hey there! Please help me xD

[VeeVee93]

So if I left it between Skyliner 150 dobsonian and the 200P Skyliner which would be the one you'd all go for? -looks at bank account and cries-

[gnomus]

The one you found on Wex is the right one. As I said I'd go for that over the 150. FLO also have it in stock - I have found them pretty helpful. Why not drop them an e-mail asking what they think?

As to astrophotography .... Well that's a real can of worms. The urge to attach a camera to the scope is almost overwhelming, but .....

I have been taking photographs for years. Indeed, I sometimes sell a few. However, when I tried astrophotography I felt like I was learning to walk again. I still cannot walk very far without falling to the ground gasping for breath.... and covered in bruises...

Also, astrophotography (AP) will make never-ending, draining demands on the wallet - it's probably more expensive than marrying Heather Mills......

Have fun with the new scope, whichever one you choose, but put a camera on there at your own peril.... I did warn you ......

[Magrene]

I would go with the 150p dob. Thats a great price for a 6" mirror. I got my first respectable telescope an orion xt8 a few weeks ago and love it. Its pretty easy to use the only time it can get difficult is when the altitude (angle from the horizon) is very high because rotating the scope becomes a bit more difficult but not impossible. I would say the 150p and if either of you have iphones get the app starwalk. Not starwalk 2 that app nickle and dimes you at every turn just starwalk. Starwalk has a nighttime mode and with brightness turned all the way down it doesnt effect the your eyes adjustment to dark nights. Best of luck I think you will be impressed with either of the options but 150p seems best.

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum. As already advised above, go with the 'dobsonian' type scope as all your money will able to purchase more aperture, which means the ability to collect more light and more light means more detail and the structure on the object you are looking at. Goto at the smaller apertures in my view is a waste of money because although these systems provide the ability to see thousands of objects, you wont have the enough aperture on the smaller scopes to see anywhere near half of the objects listed. The 150P that has already been recommended to you is a good solid performer but if it was my money (easier spending someone else's cash I know! ) I would go the extra mile and go for the 200P. My reasoning is that the extra aperture is really worth it and from my personal point of view, 8" is when observing starts to become really interesting, especially on deep sky objects (DSO's) which are naturally very faint and need all the light capture that you can muster. Also because this scope is such a good performer and is slightly above the level of a starter scope, should you want to sell it to do something different or hopefully to upgrade to a larger scope (we'll discuss commission later ) the 200P will command a better resale value because of its popularity (UK's best selling scope) and so the real cost of your astronomical adventure will be reduced accordingly. Skywatcher, Meade and Celestron are the manufacturers that I would stick with as they have a proven record of quality control and for making affording scopes at all levels.

I would like to further endorse the comments above that suggested you purchase a scope from a specialised dealer like FLO but there are others out there too who will give you great advice because nearly all of them are astronomers too. Sure, the internet might sell a slightly cheaper scope but the continuing advice and help that astronomical dealers can provide you will be worth more than the couple of pounds saved by buying a scope on Amazon etc. It might sound a bit corny but they are genuinely there to help as well as sell products and the combination of the two will always ensure that you are able to get the most from studying the stars.

Clear skies and hope the surprise goes well!

[Charic]

The 200P is a great choice, but is not designed for astrophotography. Yes I can attach a Nikon or hold my mobile phone to the eyepiece and take cracking images of the Moon, but while Planet Earth is rotating at 1000mph? Dont expect Jupiter to stand still for a few moments at the higher magnifications this telescope is capable of. For that type of photography, you will need a tracking mount, NOT a Dobsonian. Also, dont be tempted by half price eyepiece or filter kits.

[brantuk]

This is the sort of second hand bargain I was mentioning in my advice:

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=99671

You'd have to see it first - but if all appears as per the advert then I would go for it. The guy is also including a few extras that will save you getting on for another £100. Astro Buy/Sell is a popular site where astronomy gear is passed on - for the most part it's very reliable.

[Floater]

Hi again, VeeVee. I came in on this earlier and mentioned the used market - and Brantuk is right on the money here. The 150 is great but you can get the 200 within your budget. Your location is north west England and Manchester may be within reach by car? You'll get a scope for life - check Charic's posts - and more 'bang for your buck', as the saying goes (relentlessly!).

B-u-u-ut you've introduced something about attaching a camera!! A Dobsonian is not the best choice for astrophotography ...

To recap: A new150 Dob is a great choice and within your budget; the used 200 is a better choice, within your budget and not much difference in portability. Neither is a good choice for astrophotography.

Hope it all works out well. Keep us posted.

Clear skies will help ...

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire  good luck with the telescope purchase.

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, VeeVee!

Dana

[VeeVee93]

Thanks again everyone, I think I'll go for the 200p dobsonian from FLO, I've worked it out financially and can just about get that but he'll have to wait for any accessories/better lenses etc which i'm sure you guys would all help me with when/if we get to that point - Maybe if I win the lottery i'll go into the photography side but for now seeing things up close and personal is a great start (If I get into it all too might even buy a second telescope just for photographhy haha! Bye bye pennies!)

Hi and welcome to the forum. As already advised above, go with the 'dobsonian' type scope as all your money will able to purchase more aperture, which means the ability to collect more light and more light means more detail and the structure on the object you are looking at. Goto at the smaller apertures in my view is a waste of money because although these systems provide the ability to see thousands of objects, you wont have the enough aperture on the smaller scopes to see anywhere near half of the objects listed. The 150P that has already been recommended to you is a good solid performer but if it was my money (easier spending someone else's cash I know! ) I would go the extra mile and go for the 200P. My reasoning is that the extra aperture is really worth it and from my personal point of view, 8" is when observing starts to become really interesting, especially on deep sky objects (DSO's) which are naturally very faint and need all the light capture that you can muster. Also because this scope is such a good performer and is slightly above the level of a starter scope, should you want to sell it to do something different or hopefully to upgrade to a larger scope (we'll discuss commission later ) the 200P will command a better resale value because of its popularity (UK's best selling scope) and so the real cost of your astronomical adventure will be reduced accordingly. Skywatcher, Meade and Celestron are the manufacturers that I would stick with as they have a proven record of quality control and for making affording scopes at all levels.

I would like to further endorse the comments above that suggested you purchase a scope from a specialised dealer like FLO but there are others out there too who will give you great advice because nearly all of them are astronomers too. Sure, the internet might sell a slightly cheaper scope but the continuing advice and help that astronomical dealers can provide you will be worth more than the couple of pounds saved by buying a scope on Amazon etc. It might sound a bit corny but they are genuinely there to help as well as sell products and the combination of the two will always ensure that you are able to get the most from studying the stars.

Clear skies and hope the surprise goes well!

Thankyou for the detail and actually explaining what these numbers mean as I didn't have a clue, my understanding was just the higher the number the better but it's good to be clear on exactly what it means, much appreciated.

We are very close to Manchester but I think it might be wise to step away from the 2nd hand market as, if we did go look at one, we wouldn't have a clue whether it's all there/undamaged etc and would loose a good chunk of money with no refund/warranty. Plus the extra advice from FLO will most definitely be needed at some point

So yeah the 200p from FLO I reckon, thank you so much for you're huge amount of priceless advice,I really appreciate it, would of been lost without you all. Hopefully you'll see both me and my partner on the forums quite a lot very soon mithering all of you with question after question haha! Apologies in advance.

Thank you for such a warm welcome to the group,couldn't have asked for more! Was expecting to be shunned for lack of knowledge haha!

[HIP3802]

Hi, VeeVee, and a warm welcome to SGL! If you are near Manchester you could do a lot worse than call in at 'Opticstar' on Washway Road, Sale. They are a very reputable and helpful astronomy retailer who can explain the advantages (and differences) of the various scopes - and you will have the advantage of seeing the scopes before buying.

Hope that helps!

[Sonicfishcake42]

+1 for a dob

[Sonicfishcake42]

And this is a great place to ask all your future questions, everyone's always willing to help! Hope your other half (and you) enjoy your new scope 

Regards,

James 

[Charic]

....................... wait for any accessories/better lenses etc which i'm sure you guys would all help me with when/if we get to that point.............

Just get used to the telescope first. The Planets and stars wont go away any time soon! and with the longer Winter nights ahead, there is plenty of time  to choose wisely.

Again, referring to my system, I needed (on advice) to upgrade the sky-watcher supplied 10mm eyepiece for a better one? I chose the 8mm BST Starguider, the rest is history.

There are other quality optics out there, and some have a handsome price to boot,   this comes due to  build quality and some correctional features,  better suited  for   'faster'  focal ratio telescopes. You`ll be happy to know that the Skyliner`s f/6 focal ratio is quite a happy chappy with most eyepieces, and you really do not need very expensive premium eyepieces to get the best out of this telescope.  Dark skies even make the supplied EPs work well?

The eyepieces in use with my system are more than adequate,  they have  a  generous amount of eye-relief, 60ˆ field afov, just  real value for money as a first upgrade from the supplied EPs, but I doubt  I`ll ever change this present set-up, except to buy/add a 6mm BST Starguider ?

If I ever purchase a larger apertured telescope with a focal ratio lower than f/5, I would consider some eyepieces  in the premium price bracket to cater for corrective issues, more noticeable on the faster scopes?

[Moonshane]

great advice above and I think you have made a good choice. It's surprising what you can fit in a car.......

my guide to star hopping might help a bit.  http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/197640-collimation-and-star-hopping/ 

If you were to get two accessories only then rather than eyepieces I'd recommend a red dot finder and a decent star map - details in the guide.

welcome to the bankruptcy club! 

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi 'VeeVee93', (& partner). Welcome to SGL. :hello2:

Congratulations on your choice of 'scope. I don't own one, but a work colleague does, and it is awesome!

[Bizibilder]

Hello VeeVee and welcome to SGL!!

[brantuk]

Yup - a brand new 200P dob is better than a used one even if just for the warranty. Congrats on a great choice and have loads of fun with it.

[VeeVee93]

Again thank you so much for all the welcomes and great advice quite excited, didn't think I would be as all this is kind of out of my comfort zone and more for my partner but looks like I might give it a go too can only try!

[estwing]

welcome along...

[jimbo747]

Good choice! If I had room for a dob I'd have gone for one too.

BTW, although imaging deep space is out of the question, you'll be able to buy a cheap webcam and use that to capture images of the moon and planets. Even with no tracking, I've seen excellent images taken with a manual 8" dob - far better than what I get on my tracking 127 SLT!

[purdo]

Hi & Welcome to SGL.  Great choice of scope you have made.  Don't forget to give us an update after you buy it.