Completing my set up (for now)!.

[vegasrock55]

Hi all,

 

This is my first post so please excuse any clangers. Ok, I have 4 scopes at present but I'm not sure I am getting the best all round experience at present and also would like something portable on a goto equatorial mount (eq3 or similar). So, at present I have an Orion Europa 254mm f4.9 ish reflector, a Celestron SE6 SCT, a Skywatcher ED80 to begin practicing with imaging, and I still have my first scope, a Celestron  AstroMaster 130eq MD I have a light weight mount and a Celestron AVX goto mount.

My first thought was to sell the SE6 mount and keep the OTA for use on the AVX, then I figured with the Orion giving a similar FOV etc. maybe lose the SE6 altogether, and replace it with a different scope and mount that would compliment the other equipment and sit on an eq3 or similar as for at lest the next 6 Months as I cant lift too much following heavy surgery. The option option I have considered is losing the AstroMaster which has little or no real sale value and is not on a goto mount which is what I want, or, do I keep the AstroMaster and find a suitable goto? leaving me with the AstroMaster, Skywatcher, and Orion. Is the AstroMaster good enough or would I be better swapping it out for a 130PDS for example, In summary do I sell to fund, which one, and replace with?, I would appreciate your wise views.

 

N.B I am still quite new to astronomy so buying expert/expensive gear is not really an option at present, almost all my gear to date is second hand

 

[Elp]

I had a 130pds, it's a good scope and at 650mm gives a decent focal length. I however sold it and got a C6 instead because this now provides me 3 focal lengths with the one scope (1500mm native, 1045mm with F6.3 reducer and 307mm with Hyperstar) and it's easier to manage and store. I tend to image however so this suits me. It's also just about light enough to work on my most used mount (azgti), the 130pds was a struggle a bit due to the larger size so it wobbled due to the slightest bit of wind. But yes, the mount would be the most important part of any setup as long as it's up to the required task.

[RobertI]

Hi and welcome to SGL! 🙂 For visual observing I would say you have a great selection of gear there and I wouldn’t be inclined to rush out and change anything until you have done a lot more observing and decided what you really love looking at. For imaging the 80mm plus AVX would be great but sounds like you are after a lighter weight mount? I will leave others to comment on this as I am not an imager, and I expect there may be lots more questions coming your way about what you want to achieve!

[Clarkey]

Welcome to SGL.

If you are looking to get into imaging, you don't want to be going any lighter than the AVX in my opinion. Probably a pretty good match with the ED80. By the time you have added the camera and other kit you will be close to 2/3 of the quoted capacity which is a good rule of thumb. Looking at the selection you have, it is a pretty good range for FL and types - although with the others the Astromaster is probably a bit redundant. But as you say, there is little resale value.

[RolandKol]

Welcom to SGL,

Sounds like you want to spend some out of boredom? don't you?

In this case Astrophotography is your BEST choice! And you are quite ready as you have the main backbone of it, - AVX mount...

If you can handle it after your surgery, - you just need guiding scope, guiding cam, and of course, the main camera (DSLR like Canon/Nikon is ok the the start, or if more money can be sacrificed for Gods of Astrnomy, - dedicated astro cam), some adaptors and bunch of cables.
As per Telescopes,  -  SE6 & ED80, covers most of the targets you will be able to image on AVX, and of course,  sadly your 254mm cannon is way too large and too heavy for AVX.

For planet photography, - in fact you have SE6  and you just need high speed (high FPS) astro cam something like ASi224MC, which you will be able to use for guiding while imaging DSO.

If AVX is too heavy for your helth condition...  wide field imaging can also be an option, as it does not need a very precise tracking and guys do it on "portable astronomy mounts".

 

 

Edited November 2, 2022 by RolandKol

[vegasrock55]

Just a couple of questions...

Why is the "cannon" too much for the AVX?, it's only 7. something Kg and I plan to use this for visual only, I know it's a sail in the wind but this is for backyard (sheltered) use only.

Are the cannon and the se6 a bit too similar FOV etc.?

"sounds like you are after a lighter weight mount?"   Yes, I am looking for a goto eq3 or similar for visual with the 130 or a god 5" replacement.

 

Again, all comments appreciated.