Brainstorm Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 My next telescope will probably be a Skywatcher 10", but I'm not sure whether to go for a 10" Dobsonian with auto tracking, or an 8" on an Equatorial with a clock drive, at around the same price bracket. Compared to a Dobsonian, is an EQ mount any better when both scopes will auto track the same?I'm primarily interested in astrophotography, if that makes any difference. Has anyone got an auto-tracking dob they're doing astrophotography with? If so, I'd like to hear your views, and hopefully see your photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digz Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 If you have a strong interest in Astrophotography you will need an EQ mount.That isn't to say a dob wont work, it will but you will be limited to short(ish) exposures. If Im correct (and there is a strong chance I wont be!!!!), a dob will suffer from field rotation which will be far more apparent than an EQ mount. That isn't to say an EQ mount wont suffer from field rotation, it can, but accurate alignment can reduce this.The benefit of an EQ mount is you polar align and then have an accurate mount that can track the stars in their apparent motion across the sky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brainstorm Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 ..But if the dob has tracking, then surely in theory, it should be no different to an EQ with tracking, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazOC Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 ..But if the dob has tracking, then surely in theory, it should be no different to an EQ with tracking, no?No, you'll get field rotation tracking in alt/az. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brainstorm Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share Posted March 16, 2011 Thank you, that answers my question. I think I'll definitely be going for the mount over aperture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digz Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 No, you'll get field rotation tracking in alt/az.Pretty much what I said above?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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