S.Wales. Help pls!!!!!!!

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Sam!

I've only been to Wales once.. and it rained!

Dana

[Psychobilly]

HJi Arad...

The reason that soem of recommend the syntrek is a laptop is an almost "essential" for imaging infact most probably alll dedicated astro CCD wont do anyhting unless they are tethered to a "PC" ... with this in mind then you might as well use it for mount control as well.

Now to contradivt myself... I no longer control my CPC800 from a PC (its still guided by the pc but not "controlled" I just use the handbox but thats a concious decision to stop me being a tourist...sticking instead to pre-planned targets...

Peter...

Peter...

[narrowbandpaul]

hi Adrian.

You seem to have aperture fever, which we all had when we began. But when it comes to imaging, and especially extended objects like DSO's a larger aperture doesnt gather light more quickly. What does gather light more quickly is a faster (or smaller f ratio). Its a strange concept but true. Its the way the maths works out.

So dont discount the 190MN because its smaller.

Also the MN190 has a flat field so stars will be sharp across the entire field of view. I used to think that a bit of non flat-fieldness was OK, but I really prefer a flat field.

But I have learnt that the mount is the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE SETUP. A good mount will take most scopes easily. A bad mount will take few scopes quite poorly. Infact a bad mount and you may as well not image.

The HEQ6 would be my choice for the largish MN190.

that would be a powerful setup.

good luck

paul

[arad85]

HJi Arad...

The reason that soem of recommend the syntrek is a laptop is an almost "essential" for imaging infact most probably alll dedicated astro CCD wont do anyhting unless they are tethered to a "PC" ... with this in mind then you might as well use it for mount control as well.

Hi Peter,

Yes, I know, but for the difference in price (£75) you get something you can also use as a goto without the hassle of other stuff (power supplies, cables, somewhere to put the laptop...) if you want to. For instance, if you wanted to pack it up and go to a dark site and just "have a look".

To me, the key thing in your statement is dedicated. If flatfootsam is thinking a dedicated rig, he'd better start planning the cable runs to the obsy now.....

[Psychobilly]

A lot of people still image in the "field" ... to get to decent dark skies

For £75 it probably worth it....

[flatfootsam]

Hi

I certainly have a very very long way to go, and fortunately I will have the time to devote to my quest. I will be taking my time before buying the equipment. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience here. All digging their holes in their specialist field, getting deeper and deeper in their holes. I shall walk around the top of the holes they have been digging and see what each are doing and pick out the best for me from each hole so I can in turn start digging my own hole. I will be taking early retirement hopefully next year and moving to S.America high in the Andes (Lat -3* which should make for interesting polar alignment) and building a prmanent observatory, hence I have to take all I need with me. At least there is Internet there if nothing else to stay in touch with all at SGL

[Psychobilly]

Sounds like a very interesting location for Astronomy with almost 12 hour "nights" all year...

[flatfootsam]

6.15 p. to 6.15 am............. Smashing. AND not a sodium light in sight

[arad85]

Nice - very nice. Good to see the internet gets everywhere tho.....

[flatfootsam]

hi Adrian.

You seem to have aperture fever, which we all had when we began. But when it comes to imaging, and especially extended objects like DSO's a larger aperture doesnt gather light more quickly. What does gather light more quickly is a faster (or smaller f ratio). Its a strange concept but true. Its the way the maths works out.

So dont discount the 190MN because its smaller.

Also the MN190 has a flat field so stars will be sharp across the entire field of view. I used to think that a bit of non flat-fieldness was OK, but I really prefer a flat field.

But I have learnt that the mount is the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE SETUP. A good mount will take most scopes easily. A bad mount will take few scopes quite poorly. Infact a bad mount and you may as well not image.

The HEQ6 would be my choice for the largish MN190.

that would be a powerful setup.

good luck

paul

I see the 190 is F5.3, the SN10 is F4. Does aperture matter in this instance or does the flat field of the 190 compensate?

[Doc]

You could make the SN10 F4 even faster still by putting a focal reducer in line to bring it down to F2.8 or something.

[flatfootsam]

Mick

Thx for that!!! lol. The 190 is obviously a popular choice for people but is not the SN10 better technically? Comparing the shots of M42 from the 190 and those on the Meade website for the SN10, it appears that the stars on the Meade seem to be more pinpoint but the clouds less defined. Can anyone discern whether this is the optics or the camera/processing and going by these images which one is the better scope and why?

[Dave Moulton]

Adrian,

Welcome to the forum. I see that you have had a lot of good advice already. I also live in Wales a bit further North though and have a passion for Astrophotography.

I have a n EQ6 Pro Synscan mount running EQMOD which in effect means that it is controlled by a Laptop via free Star chart software. The mount has been bullet proof, as to it being a bit noisy when slewing I would not be put off at all by that as it is kinda nice to hear it move on the two occasions in the night you will probably use it, once to slew to the object you are trying to photograph . Photograph it for a couple or 4 hours then slew back to the park position. Sound wise it is not invasive by any stretch of the imagination.

The mount I feel would be a good choice as has been said.

Taking things a step at a time is the way to go with this. A pair of refractors from the Skywatcher or William Optics stable would not be a mistake. A 10” Newt would be a challenge to use and to guide with, susceptible possibly to wind vibration if exposed . I would not dismiss it, but having decided on the EQ6 and a double mount bar then the basic set up is modular and the scopes can and probably will change over time while the cameras and mount will probably stay.

My current scopes are a GSO 8” F4 Newt, very affordable fast but a challenge to keep the collimation William Optics Megrez 110 Refractor TS 66mm Refractor and a Meade 10”SCT

My Astro Photos taken with various kit most of which were taken with small refractors and a Canon DSLR

.http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/daveymoulton/AstronomyPhotos#

If your set up needs to be portable then a twin refractor set up will be the easiest to set up and tear down. Stunning photos are taken with small refractors at sub £300 a Skywatcher ED80 Would make a good first imaging scope choice.

10001 and one questions I know, but ask them one at a time and you will get there

Regards,

Dave Moulton

[ron.s.g]

Hi Adrian and welcome,

just don't rush into buying anything till its been researched and compared.

regards ron.s.g

[flatfootsam]

Hi

Thanks guys, I will be taking my time, i just apologise in advance for all the damn fool questions I no doubt will be asking. As I said previously, I will be emigrating hopefully next year where I intend to have a permanent set up. I see your point regarding practising on equipment before going full steam, but in the end I have to leave the country with the complete set up as I need it there. I doubt there's even a telescope dealer in Ecuador. I am therefore having to pick your brains and select the equip I think (and your good selves) I will need.

Once again I am grateful for all your comments

[Starjumper]

Hi and welcome to SGL.

John

[adamsp123]

Hi and welcome from mid Wales.

Just like you I have recently got back into Astronomy after a lengthy gap and the kit now is amazing.

I think it is a given that an EQ6 mount or better is a good starter for ten if you want to do Astrophotography.

The MN190 looks really nice but I got a secondhand 10" Meade SNT modded with Electric JMI focuser - the original is Rubbish, Flocked and other bits and bobs for less than £500.

Now I think it is unlikely you will get a MN190 for that.

The SNT is a light bucket and seems to do pretty well for AP although I am still a novice, I have just got a Baader MPCC to go with my Canon 1000D to use on the Meade.

Any system will a large front glass plate WILL dew up quite readily as I have already found and a anti dewing system is required.

Good luck with your plans.

Pizza Pete

[The_Major]

Hi

Thanks guys, I will be taking my time, i just apologise in advance for all the damn fool questions I no doubt will be asking. As I said previously, I will be emigrating hopefully next year where I intend to have a permanent set up. I see your point regarding practising on equipment before going full steam, but in the end I have to leave the country with the complete set up as I need it there. I doubt there's even a telescope dealer in Ecuador. I am therefore having to pick your brains and select the equip I think (and your good selves) I will need.

Once again I am grateful for all your comments

Where in South Wales? I'm in Newport and just came back to astronomy after years in the light. i got my scope from Telescope Planet in Cross Hands, it is definitely worth a visit to their showroom, even if you don't buy from them they have quite a few scopes and mounts on display. If you are in this part of S Wales, the Usk Astronomical Society meets every Thursday and should be worth a visit. A guy called Nick Hart is a regular, I met him at Telescope Planet and was blown away by the images he gets from his light polluted back yard, he should be able to give you a few pointers.

Oh, Welcome to SGL, officially the friendliest forum in the world! (imho)

Mark

[flatfootsam]

Hi

Yes , equipment and choice has certainly moved on over the years, and so has its popularity. The Internet has played its part in a very positive way too. This is extemely fortunate for those like me in effect starting again.

I have decided to go for the EQ6 to get the ball rolling, but still weighing up the pro's and cons of the OTA. The 190 Mak does look good, but is starting to go over my budget, which is ok if the difference can be justified. But, budgets are there for a purpose and no doubt could easily run away with itself. I do have a long way to go yet ie: OTA,camera, guiding set up, obsy, wife, and I see it as a matter of balance between cost/performance/requirement of each. This is a journey I am enjoying already.

Major, I am in Cwmbran so only up the road from you

[Macavity]

Will shortly/hopefully be moving to N.Wales coast. In these times, an almost "punk" statement? [Joking]! And, maybe so, re. rain? Yet seemingly not THAT much worse than much of the rest of the UK, if figures are to be believed. But I sense, unlike "Middle Earth" (here), you do get a CHANGE of weather sometimes. LOL. I remember too, the best skies *I* have seen, albeit way back, during (canonical!) seaside holidays, chez "Nain & Taid" (Grandparents) and with then, only 7x50 Binoculars to hand. Anyway, eternally optimistic...

[ashenlight]

Welcome Sam

Amanda

[SteveP]

Adrian - a warm welcome to SGL

You shouldn't go far wrong with the EQ6 Pro. It's a great mount for the price. I've had one for about 9 months and it has been trouble free -although it can sound a little rattly - and a very accurate tracker once it's been properly aligned. Used in conjunction with Eqmod, it takes some beating unless you want to spend a lot more of your wife's hard earned money!

I can't help much with your choice of newts. However one which has attracted a following is the GSO F/4 newt. You could do worse than give Bern at Modern Astronomy a ring. He stocks them and there may be others as well

I like your approach. Don't feel rushed into buying something which in the long term isn't appropriate for your needs. My advice would be to keep seeking suggestions and take your time before you select whatever is best for you

Steve

[flatfootsam]

Hi Steve

I think I've settled on the EQ6, it seems to be supported by all on this forum. Of course there is always something better for more dollars but there has to be a limit and I think the EQ6 is a sensible one. I'll have a look at the GSO. I dont know if I am limiting myself by trying to get a SN or MN. I do like the idea of an enclosed tube design but there does seem to be a much bigger choice with straightforward Newts. The search continues!!!

[Alan Tucker]

Hi Sam,

Welcome to this wonderful site.

Since joining earlier in the year I have found many answers to questions I had similiar to yours.

Does Flatfoot refer to a 'beat' policeman?

I am ex Swansea living in British Columbia'

Best of luck with your new venture.

Alan

[flatfootsam]

Hi Alan

My name refers to a "Red Indian". I hope your seeing is better in BC than Swansea. And yes, this is a very friendly and informative forum, others I have noticed get very impatient with newbies like me, So if they will have me, I will stay here and hopefully end up making a positive contribution however small.

Adrian