stuck on scopes

[nicnac]

after a new scope and it will be my first. i have narrowed the choice to 3 but now im stuck on deciding.

Skywatcher Evostar 120 (EQ3-2)

Skywatcher Startravel 120(AZ3)

Skywatcher Skymax 127 Supatrak

Considering that the one chosen will be used for a bit of everything, which one is the best buy in your opinion and can you elaborate?

[nicnac]

More complications!!

here is another for your consideration!

Bresser messier 90

[alfi]

hi

i would have gone for the Skywatcher Evostar 120 (EQ3-2), it will give you good wiews on solarsystem objects, and performe ok on DSO`s.

i have a 6" f/8 myself, and feel these scopes are a good compromise for the widest range of objects.

alfi

[arad85]

Any reason why you want either a refractor or Mak?

TBH, if I were starting now, I'd be looking at a dob - something like the Skywatcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian (Dobsonians - Skywatcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian) would give you both lots of light gathering (about 250% more than the 120mm ones) for DSOs, a reasonable F/6 focal ratio for planetary and really easy to setup and use. I'd also think the 200 would be light enough for anyone to carry around.

Essential extras for a dob - telrad finder and a starmap

[nicnac]

i will nip on to FLO and check out the specs

Nice, specs look good but to my untrained eye it looked a [removed word] to shift, maybe im just stuck in the mindset refractors would be easier, think im used to using tripods

[arad85]

The tube comes off the base. Move the base first, then put the tube back on. You'll probably find it lighter than the 120 refractor, and easier to set up too...

[nicnac]

so dobs are better all rounders ?

what is the dimensions of that set-up, do you know? reason i ask is that space, for me, is at a premium that is why i am looking at the startravel 120 and the skymax 127. The Evo 120 was put in as "the big en"

[arad85]

Manufacturers sites are always helpful

SKY-WATCHER TELESCOPE

[nicnac]

thanks very much

and the quest continues ;0

[Rusty Strings]

I had a similiar dilemma when I got my scope. I had to choose between an evostar 120 and an explorer 200p reflector. Opinions suggested that the reflector was the best all-rounder so that's what I got. Mine came with an EQ5 mount, if I could buy it again I would probably get a dob.

John

[John]

so dobs are better all rounders ?

what is the dimensions of that set-up, do you know? reason i ask is that space, for me, is at a premium that is why i am looking at the startravel 120 and the skymax 127. The Evo 120 was put in as "the big en"

An 8" F/6 dob is a great allrounder for visual work

In terms of space, if you keep it with the tube pointing up, it's "footprint" is only about 24" x 24".

John

[nicnac]

rookie question time!!

whats the difference between a newt and a dob?

[johninderby]

They're the same type of telescope (Newtonian reflector). A dob is just the type of mount and so the common way to refer to a Newtonian scope mounted on a Dobsonian base is just to call it a dob.

John

[Paxo]

Newt is short for Newtonian which is a description of how the optics are arranged, i.e a set of mirrors to bring the light to a focus as opposed to the glass lenses of a refractor. This purely describes the how optical make-up of the system i.e the tube (or OTA optical tube assembly as it is known).

You need to put a newtonian tube on a mount of some description to allow it to be used. Commonly these come in two basic forms. Firstly what is known as alt/az of which a dobsonian is a simple form, and secondly an equatorial mount of which the EQ3 is an example of.

So to answer your question the dob as you describe is a newtonian tube assembly mounted on a simple dobsonian style mount, the tube sits in a cradle so it pivots up and down, the pivot sits on a base so it rotates, very simple to use.

Hope this helps.

Steve..

[Wobbly Bob]

The Dob, simply put, the quickest to set up (no polar aligning) and the biggest BANG (mirror size) for your hard earned cash.

[albedo0.39]

Bob is on the nail. But don't forget you have to do all the finding / guiding by hand and some people just don't want that from a scope

[nicnac]

understood and thanks kindly.

im thinking Skyliner 250px dob from FLO, whats the thoughts on that ?

used mostly for visual to begin with.

is it good for a bit of everything ? (planets and DSOs)

suggestions for accessories ?

i know, im not asking much of you folks am i !!

[nicnac]

Or the Explorer 200p EQ5

[arad85]

It's up to you, but I'd go with the biggest one I could handle. And Dob all the way... If you can lift a 250px dob, I'd say go for it over the 200p EQ5 (unless imaging calls...)

[nicnac]

200p looks easier to shift than the dob, sweating just looking at that base.

i have access to the roof of a fairly tall building which means stairs, many,many stairs.

I think newt and tripod would be better

WOW! i think ive just chosen!

cheers guys