Eq3-2 vs Dobsonian

[Nair al Saif]

Hello Nair al Saif (Iota Orionis) here,

Recently, I have concluded that a 150mm long Focus length reflector is the best option (Thanks John). I mainly like planetary and BSO. 75:25 split really. I’m mainly a visual observer tho smartphone imaging is nice. Budget is under/around 300quid.

 

So now it’s the battle of the mounts, the question is: Do I sacrifice Tracking for a stable mount, or do I get an eq3-2 Mount for a 6inch reflector but lose some stability.  Portability isn’t an issue, backyard astronomer.

The two telescopes are:

Skywatcher 6inch Dobsonian on Flo (219 pounds)

or: Skywatcher 150PL Eq3-2 (319 pounds)

BTW it’s worth noting that the 8 inch skywatcher dob is 289 pounds!

 

Edited August 15, 2020 by Nair al Saif
Forgot the budget lol

[John]

Dobsonian mount every time for me. EQ3-2 is not really up to 150mm F/8 tube in my opinion. And I would stretch to the 200mm F/6 dob as well

 

[ollypenrice]

3 minutes ago, John said:

Dobsonian mount every time for me. EQ3-2 is not really up to 150mm F/8 tube in my opinion. And I would stretch to the 200mm F/6 dob as well

 

Agreed. At one time I did have the 150 F8 on an EQ3/2 and it was possible but marginal, irritatingly wobbly and hopeless in the wind.

Olly

[JamesF]

7 minutes ago, ollypenrice said:

Agreed. At one time I did have the 150 F8 on an EQ3/2 and it was possible but marginal, irritatingly wobbly and hopeless in the wind.

I'm genuinely surprised it was even that good, to be honest.  Not that the EQ3-2 is a poor mount, but a 150mm newt is an awful lot for it to keep control of.

James

[ollypenrice]

Just now, JamesF said:

I'm genuinely surprised it was even that good, to be honest.  Not that the EQ3-2 is a poor mount, but a 150mm newt is an awful lot for it to keep control of.

James

It was a 150 F8 refractor. Sorry not have been clearer. Mind you, how much difference would there be?

Olly

[Nair al Saif]

So the dob Mount but lose tracking is the main idea I like it keep talking.  The more the merrier. What is an Eq dob Mount?

Edited August 15, 2020 by Nair al Saif

[Nair al Saif]

So what is a good alternative for tracking on dobsonian any ideas?

 

Also refractor glass is probs miles more heavy than a reflector, so let’s stick with people who have experienced this please.

Edited August 15, 2020 by Nair al Saif

[Stu]

8 minutes ago, Nair al Saif said:

So what is a good alternative for tracking on dobsonian any ideas?

 

Also refractor glass is probs miles more heavy than a reflector, so let’s stick with people who have experienced this please.

There is about 1.3kg difference (7.7kg for the frac, 6.4kg for the best), weight at the opposite end of the tube obviously. I suspect the biggest issues would be the length of the OTA in both instances on that mount.

The chaps who are responding have a little bit of experience between them so I would be welcoming the input if I were you......

[Nair al Saif]

Yeah, Ik moderator, I just want to find some first hand experience rather than approximations...

 

Sidenote: I hate text because you can’t express mood like you can with your voice and this can cause a problem. I love this forum because people here are friendly and have experience. Every time I write something (horrible spell that’s why there’s so many edits) I mean it in a good way. 

Edited August 15, 2020 by Nair al Saif

[Nair al Saif]

What are some ways to track using a dobsonian?

[johninderby]

It’s quite easy to use a dobsonian and most get used to it ot just a few minutes. The concept is quite simple. You will soon get used to nudging the scope a bit at a time to keep something in thr field of view.. This vid might help.

 

Edited August 15, 2020 by johninderby

[Nair al Saif]

Haha I just finished watching this vid!

[Nair al Saif]

So  let’s say I use a 50degrees eyepiece and a Barlow plus 10mm.

1200mm focal length.

 

How long would I have until Saturn/anything went out of view?

[SiriusB]

I make it around 45-50 seconds,from one side of field to the other!

This is one reason Dob owners like wide angle Eyepieces. 🤑

50 minutes ago, Nair al Saif said:

So  let’s say I use a 50degrees eyepiece and a Barlow plus 10mm.

1200mm focal length.

 

How long would I have until Saturn/anything went out of view?

But you won't be using 240x mag very often in the UK,whatever scope you buy, only on the best nights(maybe!)

[Nair al Saif]

Yeah so is the life of a brit. I have not seen the moon for 4 days! So many clouds!

[Stu]

10 hours ago, Nair al Saif said:

What are some ways to track using a dobsonian?

You could use an EQ platform, they provide around 45 mins to an hour of tracking. You find the target and then the platform keeps it centred.

[banjaxed]

8 hours ago, Nair al Saif said:

Yeah so is the life of a brit. I have not seen the moon for 4 days! So many clouds!

Only 4 days, it’s been about 4 weeks for me 🙁

[Nair al Saif]

Is there any way of making that eq Mount for the dob. I shall look in to that because I knew something like that existed.

 

Tracking for me does not mean GoTo as I have not clarified

Edited August 16, 2020 by Nair al Saif

[Nair al Saif]

4 hours ago, Stu said:

You could use an EQ platform, they provide around 45 mins to an hour of tracking. You find the target and then the platform keeps it centred.

How would you get the slow motion control thing?

[Stu]

25 minutes ago, Nair al Saif said:

How would you get the slow motion control thing?

You don’t. You position the scope just by moving the tube as normal, but then it will track fairly accurately once in position. A lot depends on how accurately you set the platform up in the first place.

[Nair al Saif]

28 minutes ago, Stu said:

You don’t. You position the scope just by moving the tube as normal, but then it will track fairly accurately once in position. A lot depends on how accurately you set the platform up in the first place.

Oh I get it así ally just counters the earths rotation and so it tracks normally. I will definitely try to make this once I get the skills!

 

Also cool telescope!

Edited August 16, 2020 by Nair al Saif

[Stu]

57 minutes ago, Nair al Saif said:

Oh I get it así ally just counters the earths rotation and so it tracks normally. I will definitely try to make this once I get the skills!

 

Also cool telescope!

Thanks. It’s an 8” f8 scope, fairly specialised for Moon, planets and doubles, very nice optically.

[Nair al Saif]

Moon filter or Polarizing filter?

[John]

Just now, Nair al Saif said:

Moon filter or Polarizing filter?

I don't use either even with my 12 inch dobsonian.

Some folks like to use them though.

[johninderby]

Polarising filter as it lets you adjust it to suit yourself. Some find the moon too bright but others find it doesn’t bothr them so you may or may not need a filter. The polarising filter also helps with Venus.

Edited August 16, 2020 by johninderby