Hello from Northumberland

[CaineIsCarter]

Hi all

I've been sniffing around the notion of getting a telescope for a couple of years now, and have narrowed my search down to the Skywatcher Heritage 130p and the Skyliner 200p. They both offer distinct benefits and disadvantages to me. I want the 200p, but have the nagging feeling the small scope would get more use.

I'm lucky enough to live near the Kielder area, which I'm sure you know is a reknowned Dark Sky location.

I look forward to chatting and picking your experienced brains ?

All the best

Caine

 

 

 

[mark81]

Welcome to the forum ?

Two nice scopes your looking at. I think most people would advise going for the 200p, even though most smaller scopes get used more, the 130 will need a tabletop to sit on - but then again you will need to be seated to use the 200.  But considering the vast light gathering cababilities of the 200, you won't be disappointed..

[Mr Spock]

Hi Caine, welcome to SGL

[Owmuchonomy]

Welcome.  My immediate thought is to take advantage of your dark skies and get the largest aperture within your budget.

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL.

[Paxo]

Hi Caine and welcome to SGL.  I'm on Tyneside and try and get up to take advantage of your Kielder skies whenever possible.

Steve

[Floater]

Welcome. Have fun with your scope, whichever you choose. ?

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi Caine, welcome. 

[sloz1664]

Hi Caine and a very warm welcome to the Lounge ?

Steve

[ronl]

Hello Caine, and welcome to SGL, the 200p is a very good scope, and it will stick with you

for years to come, enjoy your scope whichever you choose, see you around the forums.

Clear Sky's.

[PeterCPC]

Hello and welcome.

Peter

[scarp15]

Hi we have friends who have a cottage at Donkleywood which we have on occasion been invited to stop over. I enjoy Kielder for cycling, walking, wildlife in addition to the dark skies. You will not regret the 200p dobsonian and will quickly become accustomed to its size and use which should be manageable. There will be the spring Kielder star-camp in March, which, provided that the weather is not adverse, could be an opportunity to see a diversity of amateur astronomers set ups.

[CaineIsCarter]

Thanks for the very warm welcome ?

[SacRiker]

Welcome to the SGL! Make sure you take your time with the scope decision...you will be stuck with each other for a long time! Each will have strengths and weaknesses, so once you make a decision don't look back. 

[westmarch]

Hi there,

welcome to the forum.

John

[dweller25]

Hello Caine and welcome to SGL.

What are your pros and cons for the two scopes you mention ?

You have narrowed it done to two very good scopes by the way.

Perhaps the 150mm Skyliner could be a compromise ?

[CaineIsCarter]

21 hours ago, dweller25 said:

Hello Caine and welcome to SGL.

What are your pros and cons for the two scopes you mention ?

You have narrowed it done to two very good scopes by the way.

Perhaps the 150mm Skyliner could be a compromise ?

Hi 

Thanks for the reply. I think the 200p will afford a brighter, more detailed view, offers more potential for taking snaps on a mounted iPhone, and assuming I get into the hobby, should be a better long-term buy. Bang for buck, as it were. 

The Heritage is a lot more portable and will be much easier to just grab and stick in the car just in case. 

I see it as a compromise either way. However, I am brand new to this and very open to suggestions and corrections. I have had a look at the 150 Skyliner, but it didn’t look that much smaller than the 200, so I thought in for a penny !

cheers 

[dweller25]

The 200P is very capable and easy to move - I found it no problem to move even though I have a bad back (not telescope related though ?)

Also you can take the OTA off the dobsonian mount and put it on a motor driven mount at a later date.

[Demonperformer]

On 25/01/2019 at 20:13, CaineIsCarter said:

I want the 200p, but have the nagging feeling the small scope would get more use.

The rule of thumb I learned the expensive way: a small telescope that gathers photons is of infinitely more benefit than a big one that only gathers dust.

Which ever  you choose, both are capable of giving you some wonderful sights, although undoubtedly the 200 (if used) will give you more. Might be worth going along to a local meet (sure there must be some in your area) and having a look at the scopes "in the flesh". Might help you decide if the 200 is going to be practical for you or not.

Enjoy the journey.

[CaineIsCarter]

Just a brief update on my plans: having read the beginner's sections in depth, and in particular an excellent article by Alan MacRobert, I've decided to start small. I bought a Collins book called Stragazing:  A Beginner's Guide to Astronomy, and I'm going to spend a bit of time learning the sky with the naked eye and my old binoculars before I go any further.

Thanks again for the replies.

Caine

[Unklewhale]

With the skies you will get there (from time to time !) I would imagine just gazing up unaided will be awesome enough. Have you any binoculars to take a further step whilst you make your scope choice ?

[CaineIsCarter]

Hi, yes I have a set of good quality 8x40s. Not what you’d call specialised Astro bins, but good enough for the moment. 

And you’re spot on about the skies over Kielder; on a clear winter night you get a stunning naked eye view of the Milky Way. It’s like being in a foreign land. 

[Unklewhale]

I visited 'Battlesteads' a year or so back for an astronomy evening with their telescope. Really enjoyable, but being deep in Kielder must be inspiring !

[Alfian]

On 31/01/2019 at 15:49, CaineIsCarter said:

Just a brief update on my plans: having read the beginner's sections in depth, and in particular an excellent article by Alan MacRobert, I've decided to start small. I bought a Collins book called Stragazing:  A Beginner's Guide to Astronomy, and I'm going to spend a bit of time learning the sky with the naked eye and my old binoculars before I go any further.

Thanks again for the replies.

Caine

A good move. A good pair of binos will always be a friend and with the skies you can get in your part of the country (I've spent many happy days there) you will see plenty. When you finally choose a scope you should know your way around the sky a bit. Enjoy your astronomy and welcome to SGL.

[scarp15]

There is a potential very good and very cold, clear sky forecast for NE tomorrow, Saturday night. Would be a good opportunity to use the binoculars you have. I also wonder whether there would be any Aurora activity? I aim to get out though not as far as Kielder, just need to reckon on the road conditions.