Future Setup

[Benklerk]

Hi all

I have set aside 25K to build a backyard observatory and all the equipment. (Australian dollars). January is the time frame when I start to order all the gear.
I currently have a GSO 6" RC with guide scope on an HEQ5 and a DSLR. Also, have a TAK scope. So going with an upgrade.

What do you think of the gear?

Skywatcher EQ8
GSO 12" RC, if money is left over I could go with a GSO 14" RC.
Moonlite Focuser
Moravian Inst G4-9000 with 7 50mm square filter wheel. Can get a 9 50mm round filters for the same price but don't know what is better; square or round?
Astrodon LRGB, Baadar Ha 3.5nm and Baadar clear filter.
Don't know if I need a field flattener?
Is there anything I forgot to add?

Sequence Generator Pro with mosaic addon for camera control.

The observatory will have an automatic roller roof.

Ben

[RayD]

34 minutes ago, Benklerk said:

Skywatcher EQ8
GSO 12" RC, if money is left over I could go with a GSO 14" RC.
Moonlite Focuser
Moravian Inst G4-9000 with 7 50mm square filter wheel. Can get a 9 50mm round filters for the same price but don't know what is better; square or round?
Astrodon LRGB, Baadar Ha 3.5nm and Baadar clear filter.
Don't know if I need a field flattener?
Is there anything I forgot to add?

Sequence Generator Pro with mosaic addon for camera control.

My opinions below:

 

Skywatcher EQ8 - Very good in the price range.  I suspect with the proposed OTA's others may be recommending Mesu or 10Micron though
GSO 12" RC, if money is left over I could go with a GSO 14" RC. - Ooooh yes please 
Monoliet Focuser - I think with the Moravian with 2" filters you may want to look at something like a Feathertouch or similar.  I have Moonlite which are good, but it's a heavy camera so you may get some slippage with the crayford and in this instance need the R&P.
Moravian Inst G4-9000 with 7 50mm square filter wheel. Can get a 9 50mm round filters for the same price but don't know what is better; square or round? - I believe the unmounted will give you a better result, but those more in the know will offer a better opinion here.
Astrodon LRGB, Baadar Ha 3.5nm and Baadar clear filter. - Like the Astrodon idea.  Not sure that the Baader HA is a perfect companion?
Don't know if I need a field flattener? - I don't think you will with the RC as it's a true reflector.
Is there anything I forgot to add? - About $10k 

Sequence Generator Pro with mosaic addon for camera control. - I use it and love it

 

I'm extremely envious and can't wait to see the images of this lot being installed and the images it produces 

[DaveS]

Mount, mount, mount.

If you're getting into that territory I'd forget the EQ8 and go straight to a premium mount (I did, HEQ5 to DDM0 Pro), then worry about what you're going to put on it.

What targets are you going to be imaging? Remember it's about pixel scale and FL rather than brute aperture. I think I'd rather go with the GSO 12" rather than 14 unless you're looking at small galaxies, in which case you really *will* need a premium mount, ASA DDM85 Std, or GM2000, at least.

[swag72]

I'm not even going to touch on the mount  

My thoughts on a couple of other bits...... Have you considered the other narrowband filters to go with the Ha? I'd certainly be looking ta an OIII and SII to go with it. Focuser wise, I've used both a Moonlite and a Feathertouch... The later is FAR superior in my experience and that is the only focuser I would use as a replacement. You haven't mentioned anything about guiding in your upgrade. You say that you have a guide scope now - What focal length is it? You'll benefit from a few mm's in guide scope length or how about an OAG? It's the ONLY way I'd guide a long focal length scope.

[ChrisLX200]

20 hours ago, Benklerk said:

Hi all

I have set aside 25K to build a backyard observatory and all the equipment. (Australian dollars). January is the time frame when I start to order all the gear.
I currently have a GSO 6" RC with guide scope on an HEQ5 and a DSLR. Also, have a TAK scope. So going with an upgrade.

What do you think of the gear?

Skywatcher EQ8
GSO 12" RC, if money is left over I could go with a GSO 14" RC.
Moonlite Focuser
Moravian Inst G4-9000 with 7 50mm square filter wheel. Can get a 9 50mm round filters for the same price but don't know what is better; square or round?
Astrodon LRGB, Baadar Ha 3.5nm and Baadar clear filter.
Don't know if I need a field flattener?
Is there anything I forgot to add?

Sequence Generator Pro with mosaic addon for camera control.

The observatory will have an automatic roller roof.

Ben

You have not said what your objectives are in terms of imaging, it would seem you are aiming specifically for small and faint objects (small galaxies and planetary nebs) with the gear selection quoted. If that's not true you need to re-think your equipment list now.

EQ8: carries a heavy load but its tracking accuracy at long focal lengths would be questionable IMHO. A better mount is advisable (my choice with your budget would be a MESU200).

12" or 14" RC: a big OTA with narrow FOV, fairly slow optically - you can look forward to long-ish exposures. Collimation can be a PITA to sort out. A reducer may be available but that would shrink the usable image circle even more.

Moonlight Focuser: Forget it, you need a decent R&P focuser for the instrument load you're thinking of! TS make them, also FeatherTouch of course (more expensive).

Moravian G4-9000: Really? Why the 12uM pixel model? I would think the 16000 (9uM pixel) would be more usable - potentially with other kit at least. Need the 50mm square filterwheel to cover the sensor. However, the image circle provided by the GSO RCs will not cover these big sensors anyway and will appear as vignetted. Other OTAs would avoid this limitation but would absorb your entire budget on their own. G3-16200 would be a better option with a more modest-sized sensor.

Astrodon LRGB, Baader 3.5nm Ha: Astrodon LRGB are OK, Baader work OK too for LRGB. You would be better putting more money into the NB filters really (unless specialising in LRGB).

Generally speaking you won't need a field flattener with an RC but that would depend on optical quality, not exactly sure of the image circle size (fully corrected) but I believe it's around 40mm.

ChrisH

 

 

[DaveS]

Agreeing with Sara and Chris. If you go Mesu then you will have to guide, and with long FL (And possibly somewhat mobile optics) then an OAG is the way to go, perhaps even with an AO unit. I think the DDM85 will run a 12" 0r 14" on its encoders without a separate guider, but they're seriously expensive.

[Benklerk]

Currently I have a skywatcher 80mm 400FL guide scope using a ZWO ASI120mm.

I will see how much the Mesu 200 will be sent to Australia as the EQ8 is bit under $5000 AUS. The Mesu 200 will be close to $7000 AUS from Euro to Aus conversion rate.

The reason I'm looking at the G4 9000 is because at Bin 1 the pixel is right on 1 arc sec per pixel with the 12 inch, where I live I usually get 1.1 Arc sec viewing conditions. The G4 16000 will bring it down below 1 Arc sec pre-pixel.

Main focus of imaging will be most DSOs and of course comet hunting.

I will be getting other filters when I get the money, but the main LRGB and Ha I can afford. The baader LRGB is about $300 cheaper too.

What my goal is, I image during the night and wake up in the morning to a bunch of images.

I know the new GSO RC's have a new 3 inch back adapter which has both 2" and 1.25", would this mean the image circle will still be the same

Ben

[ChrisLX200]

2 hours ago, Benklerk said:

Currently I have a skywatcher 80mm 400FL guide scope using a ZWO ASI120mm.

I will see how much the Mesu 200 will be sent to Australia as the EQ8 is bit under $5000 AUS. The Mesu 200 will be close to $7000 AUS from Euro to Aus conversion rate.

The reason I'm looking at the G4 9000 is because at Bin 1 the pixel is right on 1 arc sec per pixel with the 12 inch, where I live I usually get 1.1 Arc sec viewing conditions. The G4 16000 will bring it down below 1 Arc sec pre-pixel.

Main focus of imaging will be most DSOs and of course comet hunting.

I will be getting other filters when I get the money, but the main LRGB and Ha I can afford. The baader LRGB is about $300 cheaper too.

What my goal is, I image during the night and wake up in the morning to a bunch of images.

I know the new GSO RC's have a new 3 inch back adapter which has both 2" and 1.25", would this mean the image circle will still be the same

Ben

Last point first - the Altair Astro RCs use GSO optics and that was a figure I had for a 12" RC - and why I rejected it for use with the G4-16000. You'll have to look up the spec of what you intend to buy yourself, but the size of the hole in the back is not an indication of the image circle.

I never press my opinion on anyone, it's free (the opinion) and you're the one paying for the hardware but I would look carefully at the field of view (and f-ratio) you're going to be getting with that combination - a comet hunting rig it's not.

ChrisH

[kirkster501]

MESU mount seconded - especially with your budget.  Why settle for less?  You will regret not doing so a year down the line so get the mount choice correct from the get-go.  All the imaging titans on these boards have the MESU

As to the scope have you looked at the ODK10 or ODK12 series instead of the GSO RC series?  Great scopes and faster at F6.3 - I am thinking of getting one next year. Sara will tell you all about them!

[andrew s]

1 hour ago, kirkster501 said:

Great scopes and faster at F6.3 - I am thinking of getting one next year

I think they are F6.8 not a big difference but... http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/ODK/odk10.html

Regards Andrew

[swag72]

I am pleased with the ODK10 - It has produced some decent images. I'm happy to talk to anyone about them if they want to

[ChrisLX200]

Scope is OK (I have an ODK12) but the buying experience with OO was not.

ChrisH

[Benklerk]

I looked at the ODK10 it looks nice but at almost $6000 AUD without postage, it is above my price range. As I do live in Australia, I would like to keep the cost down and try to get most items in Australia. Even the Mesu needs to be imported as no dealers over here get them in but can get the 10 micron at double the cost of an EQ8. For Australia anything over $1000 has 10% tax ontop the price. 

At this time the GSO RC fits into my price range.

Ben

[kirkster501]

GSO RC a good choice. Depending on how many clear nights you get and the quality of your skies you might want to speed it up a bit from F8 using a CCDT67:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p4955_Astro-Physics-CCDT67-0-67x-Reducer-2----z-B--fuer-GSO-RC.html

 

[kirkster501]

On 10/11/2016 at 19:56, ChrisLX200 said:

Scope is OK (I have an ODK12) but the buying experience with OO was not.

ChrisH

Why is scope only "OK" Chris? You sound less that enamored with it....!  I was looking at one of these myself in a year or two - the 14" though.

[ChrisLX200]

29 minutes ago, kirkster501 said:

Why is scope only "OK" Chris? You sound less that enamored with it....!  I was looking at one of these myself in a year or two - the 14" though.

More a case of customer service I suppose, plus the fact that when I got it home I discovered the back plate was loose (the rear end of the scope is held on by a ring of socket-head bolts and these were not tightened up!), and the rear corrector lens was filthy - covered in dust. I really had no choice other than to tighten up the rear plate by which time the collimation was also miles out (and perhaps still not right after making some adjustments) because I had been unable to focus down to tight stars like I should have been able to - but at the time I didn't know if that was the scope or the seeing conditions. Eventually I bought a Howie Glatter laser to DIY the collimation and it seems better now. It had a very gentle ride home in my car so I know it wasn't transportation to blame for this. When I voiced these concerns to OO I was treated in an off-hand way, my request to return the scope for testing and re-collimation was ignored (it was merely suggested to me the 'spacing' might not be right with no further explanation than that - like what *** spacing he was on about). I also received no paperwork other than a receipt which I more or less had to demand (there was no test report). Oh, and the in-built heater never worked which I also wanted them to look at. For those reasons alone they get no more business from me regardless of the merits of this scope or any other they might produce come to that. However, I don't think this ODK12 is actually a bad scope - just an unpleasant customer experience. That's the end of discussion on this issue I'm afraid, make of it what you will.

ChrisH

[Corpze]

I am running a ASA DDM85 today, and when i manage to get a good PA and model, it runs flawless, it is a absolute dream to have a mount that you don't need to guide.
Regarding the focuser, i would go with the new Baader diamond steeltrack if that will fit. I have heard from reliable sources that this one will outperform feathertouch  (I have not tried this one myself though)
/Daniel