skywatcher powertank dilemma

[danos]

hi

I am going to buy the Skymax 127 this month and on a relatively limited budget. I was wondering if the powertank was completely necessary upon purchase or if I could go on batteries for the rest of the month until I can get the powertank next month? Last thing I want to do is get the telescope home and regret not buying the powertank straight away but like I say it'd only be a month I'd be going without it and therefore only a month where I am reliant on batteries.

Any comments/views very welcome

[davew]

Hi Danos,

Depends on how big a power tank you want and how much you want to pay. Also how much use is it going to get during the shortest nights

If you look around batteries like this Platinum - Platinum 12V 20Ah VRLA AGM Deep Cycle Battery, Price £23.41, UK are available. Should last a lifetime.

A charger to suit could be CTEK - CTEK XS 800 Battery Charger 12V, Price £28.80, UK

Dave.

Please note I am not promoting this site but they have all the info you may need.

[Worzsel]

I bought an adaptor for mine from maplins. It was £18 and means I can use it in the garden with an extention lead.

I'll probably buy a powertank eventually but, like you, I have to watch the pennies

[Demonperformer]

I have one of these: Portable Jump Starter and Air Compressor : Most Wanted : Maplin

Charger is included, although you will probably want to buy a longer cable (check out astroboot if you can't find one locally)

[great_bear]

I was wondering if the powertank was completely necessary upon purchase?

Do you mean 127 SupaTrak or the GoTo version?

I don't know about the GoTo version, but the SupaTrak mount lasts for ages on a set of Duracells. We've had our 130P SupaTrak for a year now and still only use regular AA batteries. We'll probably never use a PowerTank on that scope - it's not worth the faff.

An HEQ5 mount on the other hand...

[danos]

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions i think ill just stick to aa batterys until i can afford a powertank

[brantuk]

I've got a powertank (celestron) and the maplins starter battery pack. So far neither has let me down. The powertank is very expensive for what it is - the skywatcher one is a little cheaper. The Maplins model is half the price (or less if on offer) and just as effective. The powertanks are way overpriced cos you're paying for a name and I wouldn't buy one again when the Maplins one does the job way cheaper