to buy or not to buy

[prbaxter]

so, as a beginner with telescopes, do i buy this or save my money:

Reflectors - Skywatcher Explorer 150P EQ3-2

does anyone have any sample images taken with one of these so I can get some idea what I can expect?

[brantuk]

I started with one of those - very nice scope and the recent models have direct dslr connectivity - smashing - if it's in budget and fits your criteria there's no reason to not get it. Use this site to determine what you're likely to see (minus any colour of course apart from planets).

http://www.12dstring.me.uk/fov.htm

If you plan imaging you'll want to add an RA motor eventually.

[nightfisher]

the 150p is a VERY good starter scope that should serve you well for a good few years

[perrin6]

With a reasonable quality six-inch reflector you should see fairly good detail on Jupiter such as several cloud belts, Great red spot, maybe other spots if present.

Saturns 2 main rings with the cassini division between them. Saturn has very subtle detail on it's disc, you might see one or perhaps two belts, subtle colouring.

Some of the larger surface detail on Mars when fairly close to us. (every two years for a few months.)

Uranus and neptune as tiny bluish-green discs.

Venus's phases.

Shadows of Saturn and Jupiters moons in transit over their disc.

The moon will be incredibly detailed showing you hundreds of mountains, craters, some rilles, domes etc etc

Hundreds of coloured stars, double stars. dozens of star clusters, some globular star clusters will be partially resolved into faint stars.

Only a few gas/dusty nebulae unless you can get far from the city lights.

A few dozen galaxies looking like small grey smudges of various shapes (but no distinct spiral arms) Again you see more of these where there is little light-pollution.

Some Planetary nebulae (ie old stars that have puffed out their outer atmospheres) - most looking like small round or oval smudges but a few with hints of structure such as the ring nebula.

Variable stars if you have the patience to estimate their brightness and record them. (Most don't !)

Patience and experience tend to reveal a lot more than you will see when first starting out.

Of course photography will reveal a lot more than what you can see visually but I know nothing of such new-fangled gadgets !

[kharga]

Brantuk - nice link, thanks!

[perrin6]

Just to confuse matters (how I love to do that!)

You have a choice of the 150PL F8 long focal length or the 150P F5 short focal length. The F5 is better for wide field viewing, the F8 better for detail on the moon & planets. If you have very dark skies then you might prefer the F5 as large nebulae will be visible but if in yer average bog-standard town you wont see these big faint objects so you may prefer the F8 version.

[perrin6]

In general I would recommend the 150PL as it will show slightly better detail in things.

[prbaxter]

i've already done the 150P vs 150PL thing. i'd prefer something portable as i only have a small car so going for the f5. And i hear its better for general purpose and ideal for a beginner.

[prbaxter]

150P ordered.

[crabbiT Scot]

It's a great scope, you will get many nights of enjoyment from it

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Let us know how thing go at first light.

[brantuk]

Congrats! you're gonna love it when it arrives

And it'll keep you going for several years to come.

[prbaxter]

And it's here... but I'm too busy working to play with it!

Very quick service from FLO. Next day delivery as standard.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Neat, but now the clouds roll in, don't they?