Taking the plunge

[RoveyDoveyGrovey]

So im finally in a position to buy some equipment.  Ultimately I would like to get into imaging, mainly DSO and the Moon.  But for now i'm going to buy a scope and a mount.

I was looking to get an EQ6 Pro with Synscan GOTO (For future proofing) - https://www.astroshop.eu/equatorial-with-goto/skywatcher-mount-eq-6-pro-synscan-goto/p,4070

and

Skywatcher 80/600 - https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/skywatcher-apochromatic-refractor-ap-80-600-evostar-ed-ota/p,15056

What else am I going to need to start viewing?  clamps, filters, eyepieces???

Thanks 

[Ricochet]

It looks like that scope should come with a finder, diagonal and eyepiece (and the tube rings/dovetail to fit it to the mount) so technically on that front you don't "need" anything, you could start with what you get. However, you will need a way of powering the mount. I'm not sure what is included with it. 

When you want to add some observing upgrades you'll be interested in eyepieces and filters. If you give us a budget you'll get lots of opinions on how to spend it. With regards to filters the ones you'll want are:

Moon: Neodymium, variable polarising

Nebulae: UHC, OIII

With the last two it might be worth looking into how you will eventually set up for imaging as it might (or might not) be possible to use the same filter.

[Demonperformer]

Visual OIII tend to have a wide bandwidth than imaging ones. I have taken shots using a visual one, but they are way-inferior.

Scope and mount sound good.

If imaging is the way you want to go pick up a copy of Making Every Photon Count from FLO, it will save you money and heartache in the long run. 

[RoveyDoveyGrovey]

Thanks for the replies, i read that book a while ago, should probably take another look.

Would an accessory pack like this be any good, or is it a bit of a false economy? https://www.astroshop.eu/eyepieces/omegon-suitcase-with-eyepieces-and-accessories/p,8353

[Demonperformer]

I would be wary of the quality. There is a big difference between a "good" plossl and a "poor" plossl.

[Stu]

42 minutes ago, RoveyDoveyGrovey said:

Thanks for the replies, i read that book a while ago, should probably take another look.

Would an accessory pack like this be any good, or is it a bit of a false economy? https://www.astroshop.eu/eyepieces/omegon-suitcase-with-eyepieces-and-accessories/p,8353

A false economy I would say. Better to get the eyepieces and filters you really want, and make sure they are decent quality (that doesn’t have to mean stupidly expensive!)

[alanjgreen]

2 hours ago, RoveyDoveyGrovey said:

Thanks for the replies, i read that book a while ago, should probably take another look.

Would an accessory pack like this be any good, or is it a bit of a false economy? https://www.astroshop.eu/eyepieces/omegon-suitcase-with-eyepieces-and-accessories/p,8353

Eyepiece "sets" are there to trap beginners into spending an extra £100+ !!

Use the extras that come with the scope to begin with and get familiar with how it all works - that will take you a few sessions to do.

Then you will get a feel for what you think you are missing or what you dont like... ask on here what to do to fix your "real" issue/next step

Bottom line: avoid eyepiece sets, 80% of whats in it, you will never use.

If you are desperate to spend more money now, then I recommend the book "Turn left at Orion" (get the spiral bound version). It has 200+ pages of targets ordered by season and will help you decide what to look at  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/0521153972/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535535541&sr=8-1&keywords=turn+left+at+orion+book

Alan

[RoveyDoveyGrovey]

Thanks Alan, just ordered that (im not desperate to spend money but i hear it helps to be).  Good to know i should be able to start off with just the scope and mount.  Thanks all.

[fozzybear]

21 hours ago, RoveyDoveyGrovey said:

So im finally in a position to buy some equipment.  Ultimately I would like to get into imaging, mainly DSO and the Moon.  But for now i'm going to buy a scope and a mount.

I was looking to get an EQ6 Pro with Synscan GOTO (For future proofing) - https://www.astroshop.eu/equatorial-with-goto/skywatcher-mount-eq-6-pro-synscan-goto/p,4070

and

Skywatcher 80/600 - https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/skywatcher-apochromatic-refractor-ap-80-600-evostar-ed-ota/p,15056

What else am I going to need to start viewing?  clamps, filters, eyepieces???

Thanks 

Astroshop.eu will price match just queried price on ed80 Flo 516 euros and astroshop 625 euros  same on the mount Flo cheaper every penny helps