Deciding on setup

[gidion]

Hi,

I have been trying to decide on my first basic stargazing setup and would like any feedback from those more experienced than myself.

To start with I will just be viewing but would like to eventually move onto imaging. I plan to start on planets, lunar and other near objects. Budget in the region of £2000, but I would like as much kit as possible for that (i.e. Not just a £2k scope). Portability would also be needed (at least until I am deep into the hobby and have a secure observatory).

So.......

Scope:

Skymax 127

I have heard nothing but good things about this scope and hear that it is good for lunar and planetary views.

For my budget and desires could anyone recommend something to top the skymax127?

Mount:

I have been leaning towards the skywatcher EQ mounts. Main reasons being I have heard the drives for these are quieter. The EQ is so that I am already geared towards imaging at a future date.

I would say EQ3-2 as a minimum (I hear the ones below are flimsy). Would the EQ3-2 be stable enough for me to move into imaging at a later date? Or would I be better off going for EQ5 or HEQ5 to future proof myself (or even EQ6).

Drive:

My knowledge here is lacking. Are drives and GOTOs the same thing? Would I be restricted to the skywatcher drives if I have an EQ mount (as mentioned above). Is it possible to go for the basic EQ mount now and upgrade with a drive later?

I want something quiet and accurate (for future imaging).

Camera:

DLSR, webcam or CCD?

What are the pro's and cons of each option? I was looking at webcam or CCD as it can link directly to my PC (I work in IT so would be great to one day have a remote setup controlled via laptop from the warm indoors). Also I assume CCD and webcams are alot lighter (thus reducing need for bigger mount with bigger max payload).

This post now looks huge!!

So I shall stop there.

Thanks,

Luke

[gidion]

Well 39 views and 0 replies.

I'll take that as a ringing endorsement then.

Thanks!

[jgs001]

I was one of those who viewed, but I'm not really qualified to answer your questions, having only been at this 18 months, and having very limited knowledge of the kit available (and a very long wish list ).

But I shall have a pop...

For the money you have available, I'd suggest spending a fair amount on the mount, especially as you want to get into Astrophotography. I have just upgraded my mount to an HEQ5 for that very reason. The HEQ5 is, as far as I can tell after only 2 uses, a very capable mount. It's not exactly portable, but... I can carry it the 50 feet from it's store to the garden intact and setup (with both scopes mounted). The HEQ5 comes with drives and they are pretty quiet, even slewing at 800x they don't get very loud. If you can, and you're thinking about mounting larger and heavier scopes in the future, go for the EQ6/HEQ6, the more spent now on the mount, the better.

As for the Skymax, I've heard very good things about it for solar system work, but having not used a Mak (only having refractors) it's hard to tell you much more. Maybe consider the Skymax 150 Pro instead ?

For solar system stuff, maybe something like the DMK (I've seen good results from them, but again I've no experience of them, having the Philip SPC900 webcam). I don't know if the DMK can be used for deepsky or not. A DSLR is a very useful tool for both normal and astro photography (it's weird the two often seem to go hand in hand, I guess in both cases, it's all about optics and light...) so it might be worth considering one. But then you might also want to look at something like the 80mm ED refractors for wider field objects..

This is turning into more than I'd intended, but I hope that's of some help... Steve @ FLO is a good person to talk to.

[Ben Ritchie]

I'll take that as a ringing endorsement then.

Thanks!

Don't take it personally gidion, things sometimes slip past.

With a £2000 budget, i'd definitely consider the EQ6 with full GOTO as a base mount, mainly for future-proofing. If your interests are lunar/planetary imaging and viewing then you'll be looking to long focal lengths, and a solid mount is an essential component.

I've never used a Skywatcher Mak, but they do have a good reputation. I'll leave others to comment here, but i'd consider the larger-aperture versions too, which should be within your budget.

As for the camera, the Webcams are the general choice for lunar and planetary imaging, as you can stack large numbers of frames to overcome some of the limitations of seeing. The DMK cameras are very good indeed.

[kniclander]

hi gidion, my only comment (and take it with a pinch of salt cos my kit is completely different and I'm not imaging) is that only about 10% of your budget is going on the scope - the little mak is ok but it's best for moon and planets and I imagine will disappoint for DSOs. Also, for imaging, i think it will be limited because it will give you a very narrow field - I am not really sure of the cost of the imaging kit or the mount but once you get up to 4 or 5 hundred you are looking at some really nice scopes - my understanding is that the imagers tend to use short FL apos a lot for dso imaging ...

ps - I suspect the lack of response is because the forum has chnaged over the w/end on to a new platform and people ar egetitng to grips with the interface...

pps - try calling Steve at FLo (the sponsor) for advice

dan

[vlebo]

This might be of some use and there should be enough left over for some eyepieces etc to get you started http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=sw300peq6pro

[kniclander]

This might be of some use and there should be enough left over for some eyepieces etc to get you started http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=sw300peq6pro

it's a lovely set up and I would imagine unbeatable visually for the money but it is BIG

ps, did I mention that it was BIG

[ZOG]

I'm not an imager, but I would imagine that you would want at least an HEQ5 Pro mount. As to the OTA, I'm sure some of the imagers will be along to give advice or you could ask in one of the imaging forums.

[Ben Ritchie]

Agreed, it is BIG - I have what I think is (effectively) the same OTA in Dobsonian form, and I can't imagine lifting that on and off a GEM in the dark by myself. Certainly one to look at in real life before buying, but would be a good system if you can manage the size.

[Doc]

I have seen this combo as a long time ago I was going to buy one. It's big and heavy and is really a two man job to lift on and off and locate it.

But then I went and bought a 16" LB which is bigger so don't listen to me.

I would go either HEQ5 Pro or EQ6 with a newt in the region of 8". Piggyback a ED80 on it.

This way you have great visual, a great guidescope and can photograph using both. You have go-to and tracking.

All you need then is relevant adapters and cameras.

[Ben Ritchie]

I would go either HEQ5 Pro or EQ6 with a newt in the region of 8". Piggyback a ED80 on it.

This way you have great visual, a great guidescope and can photograph using both. You have go-to and tracking.

An 8" Newt + 80ED would be very good, but i'd certainly go for the EQ6 in that case - the Newt on its own is close to the limits of the HEQ5 IMHO and the 80ED is not lightweight as refractors go.

[martin_b]

Skywatcher Explorer 300P NEQ6 PRO...

I'm also interested in getting the above, but when you say "Big" how big is that?

Would the combo fit in the back of an Estate car and be a one-man set up?

cheers

Martin

[philsail1]

Yes, sometimes, questions take a day or two to answer. Imaging is a specialised part of astronomy, and not everyone is into this aspect. I only take "afocal" shots at present.

The Skywatcher 10" Newtonian Reflector and HEQ5 "Goto" mount that "kniclander" mentions, is an excellent buy for the money, and would I'm sure give you a lifetimes enjoyment - however, it as as he says BIG! and heavy. It tracks well, for photography, and is quiet.

I persnally have an "Orion Optics" "Europa" 8" Newtonian, on a Celestron CG5 "Goto" mount. This is a very lightweight set up (about half the weight of the Skywatcher). The scope is excellent. The mount tracks well, and whilst tracking is very quiet - but when you select a new object on the "goto" computer handset. The mount then "whizzes" the scope to what you want to look at, but in the process (about 10 to 15 seconds) it is very, very NOISY!!! (Neighbours think I'm using my grindstone or electric drill in the shed after midnight!).

Hope this helps,

[Ben Ritchie]

Would the combo fit in the back of an Estate car and be a one-man set up?

Just about, and not really in my view.

My 12" f/5 Skywatcher dob is as one-person move when split into base and optical tube, but it's much, much easier to put a 12" OTA on a dobsonian base than on a german equatorial mount. On a cold night when the tube dews up (and then possibly even freezes) it's a bit slippery to hold, and the thought of mounting that single-handed on a GEM seems a recipe for disaster unless you're big and strong.

[Doc]

I agree with Richie.

It should fit into a big estate car but it's a PITA to place the OTA into the cradle yourself and secure them.

[martin_b]

Just about, and not really in my view.

>>>>unless you're big and strong.

Ex Prop froward, so certainly big,( or at least wide!) I also used to weight lift before I had a heart Op' but as long as its not ridiculously heavy I should be OK.

[John]

It's not just the weight of these scopes that needs to be taken into account when considering their portability. They are relatively delicate optical instruments so need to be moved around with a little respect. Placing a large newtonian optical tube assembly onto a dobsonian mount is easy enough but fitting one to an equatorial mount in the dark can be a really delicate business - one slip and you have done a lot of damage.

It really is best to have a look at some of these scopes before choosing IMHO.

John

[Ben Ritchie]

Ex Prop froward, so certainly big,( or at least wide!) I also used to weight lift before I had a heart Op' but as long as its not ridiculously heavy I should be OK.

You should be ok with it then, it is the awkward combination of quite heavy and bulky rather than very heavy - if you see what I mean. Putting it on a EQ6 by myself would be beyond me, but i'm a 5'11", 140lb wimp!

On a plus side, it would be a cracking setup once you're up and running with it. But I would recommend trying to see one first-hand before spending the money.

[martin_b]

cheers,

In London on Thursday so I'll see if the "widescreen" place has one I can take a look at.