Kiddies scope suggestion

[russ]

Hi all,

I need to replace my Tasco 80mm f5 refractor before the kids realise I've sold off their scope.

Don't want to replace it with another short tube refractor as they have no interest in widefield views of the stars. They just want the moon and planets. I'm pretty constrained as to what i can buy. Limited by what the Celestron Nexstar GT mount can carry (3Kg) and by £70-80 budget. The scope also needs to be compact really.

Currently my top contender is the Skymax 80 for £61 from TS in Germany. Sounds perfect for the job. Although I would have preferred the Skymax 90 but the 80 only weighs 1.1Kg, so the Nexstar will love it.

Originally wanted to buy a William Optics Zenithstar 66, that way it would be a dual scope for me (hehe) and the kids but budget won't allow.

Any suggestions most welcome.

Regards

Russ

[GordonCopestake]

What about a f/10 refractor? Not as compact as a mak but it looks like a telescope? You could have had my 60mm f/12 but i've just sold it.

[russ]

Thanks Gordon. I'll pop back onto Ebay and see what's going.

Still wanted the views to be half decent for them. The Tasco was good on the widefield stuff but the planets not too good. I suppose an 70-80mm f10 refractor should be good. The Skymax 80 got a nice little review in Sky@Night mag which caught my eye.

How about an ETX90 ota...wonder how much one of those go for?

Russ

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

What about the scopes n skies offering? You get a free red dot finder, case and stuff for 50 quid.

http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/Meade/telescope-for-astronomy-and-general-spotting/visiomar.html

Captain Chaos

[FLO]

How about an ETX90 ota...wonder how much one of those go for?

http://stargazerslounge.co.uk/index.php?topic=5615.0

[GordonCopestake]

Perhaps a little out of budget but how about Robs Mak 127?

[russ]

He's sold it Gordon. Plus it may have been just a bit too much for the GT. I think the Baader website says the Skymax 102 is the max.

Steve's suggestion of the ETX 90 could be a winner at £100. Although a little over budget for the kids. Pretty much a straight fight between the Skymax and ETX.

Russ

[geppetto]

How about this one

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=7541

[GordonCopestake]

is that f/16? :shock:

[geppetto]

Looks like it Gordon :shock:

[The Warthog]

He says it's 16.5. OK, I know, splitting rabbits here. I don't see much of quality in Russ's price range. Perhaps a used 90mm spotting scope?

[GordonCopestake]

I've got a 4.5" f/8 reflector you can have for free Russ if thats any use?

[russ]

blast.....ordered the Skymax 80 at 3pm. Money taken, scope on the way. Many thanks for another superb offer Gordon. Will the 114 not fit on the SLT?

Russ

[GordonCopestake]

Oh well. The 114 will fit the SLT but i have no use for it. The ED80 suits me fine at the moment. Just seemed a shame for it to sit in the shed forlorn and useless heh. I'm sure it will come to some use at some point.