Upgrade fever! Help.

[solarwallace]

Sigh.

I thinking of selling my SW 150P and 130 Heritage mini dob. Bought the mini to fit in a small campervan we no longer have. We've got a bigger vehicle now and I think some Revelation 15x70's would be fine for grab and go fun. I tend to prefer using the EQ3-2 anyway as it's easier to track stuff with the slow mo controls on that mount. Neither scope does my back any favours but I can usually find a way around that with the EQ mount.

This would give me a chunk of cash towards a 200P EQ5 (from FLO of course). That's about my budget limit really. Maybe not a massive upgrade but the mount would be better in the long run if I want to motorise it I guess? (I've got an SPC880 waiting to be played with when the skies clear). There's more light gathering there too which would help when looking at DSO's which I love finding. A dob would good in that sense but as mentioned I like the idea of doing a bit of planetary photography. I've got a DSLR as well which I think can be connected directly on these newer SW scopes. Not fussed about a goto although I think this mount could be upgraded to that in the future.

I originally got into all this to just look at the moon! This is a very slippery slope. Fun though.

Someone tell me I shouldn't be thinking of doing this

Steve

[vulcan]

It is much better to keep your money in that savings account earning 0.1% than getting some enjoyment out of your life - NOT!

[Moonshane]

I think you are making a good decision personally. the 8" newt will give you about 50" of light gathering area and the 6" gives 28" so it's a noticeable jump in performance. the EQ5 should also be a better mount but with a bigger scope the end result may be similar stability.

not sure about photography but I'm sure you'd be able to get some good webcam images with tracking.

good luck.

[solarwallace]

Thanks for the encouragement I think I'll put my existing kit up for sale and see what happens.

Steve

[Capricorn]

If "Neither scope does my back any favours" then how will a heavier scope make things any better? An 8" will be about twice the weight, possibly more of the 6".

Suppose it could make a doorstop.

At least an EQ5 isn't that bad on the weight side.

[solarwallace]

Well I have to bend over all the time with the mini dob whereas I can usually arrange the eq3-2 into something like a reasonable angle with a bit of though Lifting it's not a problem at all.

Steve

[Slangers]

Do it. I always give in to upgrade fever and find it most cathartic.

[solarwallace]

Well it's on the for sale section now and on ebay too so we'll see what happens. I think my wife understands

[LukeSkywatcher]

Upgrading is fine if you have existing gear to fund it and dont mind selling it to raise those funds.

Not sure if i'd swap a Heritage 130P for a set of 15x70 bins though. But if the 130P gives your back gip..............then BIG bins on a tripod is a good solution/replacement.

[solarwallace]

Not sure if i'd swap a Heritage 130P for a set of 15x70 bins though.

Well you're sure right about that but I intend to take the scope along most of the time. I know it'll be big but there's room in the van and it can live in it's own 'utility' tent when I get to the other end. It's what I did at New Year in the lakes. Mind you I had to wait for 7 nights for clear skies

Steve

[LukeSkywatcher]

Well you're sure right about that but I intend to take the scope along most of the time. I know it'll be big but there's room in the van and it can live in it's own 'utility' tent when I get to the other end. It's what I did at New Year in the lakes. Mind you I had to wait for 7 nights for clear skies

Steve

Bigger van+ bigger scope+ no back pain=paradise

Go for it.

[solarwallace]

Well the 150's gone (that was quick). I've now got to move on my 130 and the polar scope. I'll miss my 150 (until I get my 200!).

The guy that's bought the 150 is a newbie so I've told him about the forum so he's probably lurking around somewhere