Before I take the plunge!..

[eccentric]

Here is my "shopping list". I am posting it here as i just wanted to run it through with all you wonderful people to make sure what I am getting is right, if there is anything that needs to be added or changed!!!

Skywatcher Skyliner 250px FlexTube Dobsonian

Tal 2x Barlow

Meade ND96 Moon Filter (1.25")

Collimating Eyepiece

Anything I should add or change or even take away?

comes to £576.50 at the lovely FLO

[TheThing]

Turn Left at Orion?

[Astro_Baby]

Doesn't the scope come with a Barlow ? If so you could dump the Tal Barlow.

[George]

Ask Steve if dark clear skies are available as an optional extra

[kniclander]

unless you are really short of space, think about the solid tube 10" - it's quite manouvreable, you won't need a light shroud, it should hold collimation better and it's a good few quid cheaper

[eccentric]

Already purchased TLAO

The telescope doesnt come with a barlow according to all of the sites i have looked at, eg - http://www.flyingastronomer.co.uk/product.php?id=157

As far as space goes, My dad has bought me a small garden shed thing that isnt tall enough to hold the 10" normal dob so im going with the flex tube Plus its sexier anyways

Is the moon filter good enough? And as far as culmination goes I saw a cheaper £6 cap on FLO and wondered if that would do the job?

edit- heres the collicap for £6 i was talking about http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=ccollicap

[irishbloke]

Hi I just got me one of these (250px) Am very pleased! I had a moon filter and polarising filter which I double up when looking at bright moon. Makes it easier on the eye. I haven't got a good barlow yet but i hear those tals are great for the money.

As for collimating I got a lazer collimator and it makes doing collimation a peice of cake. I think a lot easier than caps.

Brian

[eccentric]

Hey IrishBloke!! Which polarising filter did you purchase ? You've made me eager to buy mine now :D

[Doc]

The collicap will only get you half way through the collimation process.

You adjust the secondry mirror so the view through the collicap had the primary mirror and all three mirror clips central in the collicap.

You then use a laser to adjust the primary so the beam hits the centre of the etched part of the laser.

When it does you are collimated.

[eccentric]

ah ok then i will go for the cheshire one !! Are there any eye pieces anyone can recommend or anything else as this is all a birthday pressie and i have £25 left to spend :D

[eccentric]

well i ordered them, Im so excited !!! But wont be able to actually see it for another 5 weeks as i am at uni and they are being delivered home, but until then i recieved my binos today, i am a very happy girl

[kniclander]

Already purchased TLAO

As far as space goes, My dad has bought me a small garden shed thing that isnt tall enough to hold the 10" normal dob so im going with the flex tube Plus its sexier anyways

what are you planning to do with it and do you really need 10 inches of aperture!?

[eccentric]

what am i planning to do with what? the telescope? And why not 10"? Theres plenty of people with 16 and + so why not 10"?