still searching for an OTA...

[Andrew*]

do you think either of these would be any good, considering I'll get into astrophotography?

http://tinyurl.com/y48u67

http://tinyurl.com/y538ta

they seem to be achros, but you'd know better. Would they nevertheless be worth the money?

Andrew

[Jamie]

Both those scopes will only be of use for Lunar/Planetary imaging

and not for all the planets either. e.g : Moon /Jupiter/ Saturn.

No disrespect to the people selling those scopes but just remember Andrew you only get what you

pay for with astronomy equipment.

[iancandler]

warehouse express have a 6 " Bushnell F8 dob ( reflector) going for £70 in their bargain basement section.http://www.warehouseexpress.com/

Pulsar optical still have the 5" meade frac at £149 so you might be able to haggle with them and get it down.http://www.pulsar-optical.co.uk/prod/telescopes/usedexdisplay/meade/lxd55refractorota.html

The phenix you show there usualy end up going for around £275 on e bay.

[Andrew*]

could that dob be popped on an EQ mount with any ease? And does anyone knwo offhand if it's parabolic? Or for that matter, any good?

Cheers for teh tips guys. Always helps.

Andrew

[Jamie]

Try this Andrew if you are looking for a GOOD one.

http://stargazerslounge.co.uk/index.php?topic=8961.msg96271;topicseen#new

[Kain]

Maybe you shouldn't call people 'Dirty old man' without knowing the guy first.

He has a few customers on SGL.

Some manners won't got a miss mate.

Kain

[Andrew*]

you're right Kain. I momentarily forgot the smallness of the astronomy world! I do apologise most sincerely for any offence caused.

Plain cheek can indeed sometimes come out as plain bad manners.

Andrew

[iancandler]

Yes you could use the bushnell with a a set of rings.. its only undoing a couple of screws holding the side bearings in place.. I dont know what the mirror is like but I do know the bushnell has been heavily reduced in price, plus you get a dob base to play with as well.

I think we all know that just the same as us you aspire to something better, like an 8"-10" but realisticly its unlikely around or under £100, in fact under £200 seems hard as well.

[John]

Is this any good for you ?:

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=9524

If it's what I think it is then it's a Synta OTA - they are pretty good and even with postage it's well under £200, including tube rings and a dovetail bar.

John.

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Have you checked this out?

http://www.seeviewo.org/index.php?p=catalog&parent=1&pg=1

Seems to be reasonably priced kit sold by a member here.

Captain Chaos

[Greg]

Andrew,

Sorry if i've missed something here but what's the budget?

[Andrew*]

Yes John, I saw that, and I'm surprised it hasn't gone already at that price! It's definitely good. Maybe a bit big from the portability side, but probably just about right for my budget. Considering that I'll be using it on an EQ5 for astrophotography, it migth be a bit of a load.

My max budget, I'm afraid, is £200. I'm basically after a 6" reflector (parabolic, obviously), but would consider a half-decent refractor too. I'm just gathering information now, as I'll probably buy it with christmas money, rather than wages.

When that time comes though, my budget might well be a little bigger.

I'm quite sure something perfect will come up in good time. Any advice is always appreciated.

Andrew

[StarMan1701]

Andrew,

Did you get the PM I sent you a week or two ago regarding my 6" f/5 Meade Newtonian?

Lee.

[Andrew*]

yes lee, thanks,

I've sent you a PM.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I don't know how you all stay so up to date of everything that's out there!

Andrew

[Andrew*]

my! I can't imagine that the Bushnell is still there! It's indeed parabolic, according to its instruction book, and only £70 + p&p. I would have to buy rings additionally. Would any 6" rings do? I might well phone up tomorrow to check. Has anyone used a Bushnell? Do you know if they are a recommended manufacturer? Any advice appreciated.

It probably isn't a new item though, but that doesn't matter.

Andrew

[GazOC]

Bushnell have an 'OK', reputation for budget scopes. Nothing great just 'OK'. Your best bet for rings is to measure the outside diameter of the scope and put a 'wanted' ad up. You'd be suprised how many people have spares knocking about, but don't assume that a set of 6" rings will fit your 6" scope they can vary quite at lot on size even though they are listed as the same size.

[Andrew*]

Okay Gaz, thanks. That's very helpful.

Andrew

[John]

For what it's worth I reckon you might find that that £70 quid Bushnell 6 inch is not a great deal better than your Tasco 114mm. If I were you I would be looking for an 8 inch newtonian OTA - you should get one if your patient for well under £200 - I picked one up for £120 last year in great nick (sold a while ago I'm afraid). In terms of outright performance the newtonian will give you the most "bang for your buck" but you should look for an 8 inch if you want to see a really noticable performance jump from where you are now IMHO.

John

[Andrew*]

it's a fair point John. But at the moment my storage facilities are not very spacious. What I was wondering as well though, would an 8" not be too heavy for an EQ5 if you're doing long exposures?

Andrew

[GazOC]

Yes, is the short answer.

[Andrew*]

ooh! great! I'm rather excited about the prospect of getting an 8"! But why should you be sad about saying that, Gaz?

Andrew

[GazOC]

Sorry Andrew, I missed the 'not' in your post. "Yes it would be too heavy". Sorry mate!

[Andrew*]

oh. indeed!

the bushnell is off the list now though because they've sold it. there was a tal on ABS, but that's sold too

I think it'll have to be a 6" then, don't you?

Andrew

[Ambermile]

220056461218 on ebay?

[blinky]

I have an 8" Newt on an EQ5 mount. I have not done any long exposure photography but it seems to be OK for everything else. I do think it is cutting it a little fine and I would like to get an HEQ5 but for the moment it copes fine. Dont be put of getting an 8" Scope by this.