Recommendations for a beginner telescope - 150 Flextube or solid?

[blinky]

Hi,

I've been asked to recommend a beginner telescope for a friend - they are looking to get one for their boys for Christmas to get started and see if it interests them.  The budget is around £200 and I was looking at the Skywatcher 150P dobs, I was pointing them in the direction of the flextube since they don't have a good view from their house but then noticed its F5 and since they are just getting started and will be using the basic eyepieces and wont have collimation kit (other than possibly me collimating it initially) i was wondering if the solid tube @ F7.84 would be more forgiving on EP's and collimation - what's the view of others since I'm primarily an imager....

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/sky-watcher-heritage-150p-flextube-dobsonian-telescope.html

[johninderby]

The new Bresser 6” dob is worth a look. Over budget yes but better build quality and  a better  equipped scope with proper bearings, decent focuser etc. Worth the difference if they can stretch the budget though.

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/bresser6-planet-dobsonian.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw59n8BRD2ARIsAAmgPmJn4sdeN4qVrhK6Hxm8DxN7ukbxHXxoPDzAvGYQ1K21tt4WGRsPDs0aArnCEALw_wcB

Edited October 26, 2020 by johninderby

[vlaiv]

I would say - go for F/8 version for more reasons that speed of the scope alone.

F/5 dob has one thing going for it - that is portability and compactness. Well, two things - it is wider field as well. Other than that, I think F/8 version will prove to be better scope.

[Louis D]

23 minutes ago, johninderby said:

The new Bresser 6” dob is worth a look. Over budget yes but better build quality and  a better  equipped scope with proper bearings, decent focuser etc. Worth the difference if they can stretch the budget though.

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/bresser6-planet-dobsonian.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw59n8BRD2ARIsAAmgPmJn4sdeN4qVrhK6Hxm8DxN7ukbxHXxoPDzAvGYQ1K21tt4WGRsPDs0aArnCEALw_wcB

That, and it's in stock.  I'd jump on it ASAP if you want it for Christmas!  Most dealers don't realistically expect new stock until February 2021.

[Alan64]

A 150mm f/5 is versatile, for observing practically every object in the night sky satisfactorily, from a low 23x to 200x and beyond, the latter if the collimation is spot-on.  A barlow or two, or very short focal-length eyepieces, would be required to reach the higher powers.

However, a 150mm f/8 Newtonian-Dobson better fits the purpose of a telescope, and to see faraway objects up close.  Simpler, less-costly eyepieces will give a good show, and collimation is indeed easier at f/8.  Also, the secondary-obstruction is smaller, resulting in somewhat sharper, more contrasty images.  The power with a 150mm f/8 can be as low as 21x, with a 2" 56mm Plossl, whilst keeping the exit-pupil just within limits, and for the hunting of objects.

But then you have the physical sizes of the kits.  The 150mm f/8 would be a bit more difficult to store and carry about, yet with improved stability whilst observing.

Edited October 26, 2020 by Alan64

[bomberbaz]

That Bresser looks a very nice starter version of the 150 OTA. If the friend can push the budget, then I would go for that everyday. 

However it only comes with one eyepiece, a zoom on top might be needed. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EL5XU9S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2QGSSHY6RX5FN&psc=1

[johninderby]

But at least it comes with a Plossl eyepiece that is actually not bad. 👍🏻

Svbony or Hyperflex zoom would be a good match. 🙂

Edited October 27, 2020 by johninderby

[Sanderson734]

Thanks for your replies. I have stretched the budget and gone for the bresser as others not guaranteed for xmas.

Any budget good performing zoom eyepiece suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[johninderby]

Great choice. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 You won’t reget spending the extra as you are getting your moneys worth.

I have the Bresser 10”. 

The Hyperflex zoom is an excellent zoom for the monsy. A best buy. 👍🏻

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-hyperflex-7e-7.2---21.5mm-zoom-eyepiece-1.25.html#SID=239

One of the Svbony branded zooms is also good and available from Amazon.

[johninderby]

One other thing you might want to get later on is a right angle erect image finder. 
https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-6x30-right-angled-erect-image-finder--bracket.html#SID=22

Will fit the stock finder bracket and is easier to look through for most.

[blinky]

Thanks for all the advise folks, Im going to see if I have a red dot finder we can attach - have plenty of red dot finders just not sure I have a bracket and not sure why/how I managed to get RDF's without brackets!

[bomberbaz]

if you wqanted the sybony zoom then its apparently available hee

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVBONY-1-25inch-Zoom-Eyepieces-7-21mm-8-24mm-10-30mm-FMC-Metal-for-Telescopes-/283962379034

However i would check first

[Louis D]

You could just get a RDF/finder shoe set for cheap off ebay and replace the ES/Bresser shoe with a Synta/Vixen shoe at the same time.  Synta/Vixen finder accessories are more plentiful and cheaper.

Edited October 28, 2020 by Louis D

[johninderby]

13 minutes ago, Louis D said:

You could just get a RDF/finder shoe set for cheap off ebay and replace the ES/Bresser shoe with a Synta/Vixen shoe at the same time.  Synta/Vixen finder accessories are more plentiful and cheaper.

Just be aware that the hole spacing on the Bresser finder shoe used on their dobs isn’t the same as the standard  SW finder shoe and you will need a finder shoe like the Baader one.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/baader-universal-quick-release-finder-shoe-base.html

Edited October 28, 2020 by johninderby

[blinky]

Ah, thanks for the info

[Pixies]

It might be an important consideration for Christmas - the 150 Heritage is in stock just now at FLO.

[Sanderson734]

Thanks for your replies. Got a notification from FLO today regarding the flextube stock levels. Had already ordered the bresser from Harrisons, which arrives on Friday. Confident we have made the right choice and couldnt risk waiting for stock after FLO advised mid december at the earliest for the solid skyliner.

[johninderby]

If you want to improve the movement of the bearings on the Bresser use some Turtle Wax original. It’s the best wax for dob bearings. Just has the perfect formulation for the job.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turtle-Wax-50187-Original-Shell/dp/B00068OL1A/ref=asc_df_B00068OL1A/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310513207083&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15593881433322917941&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006674&hvtargid=pla-555610532102&psc=1