Here's What I Think I've Decided On Purchasing, Input Please, Thanks!

[PatrickM]

Hi Gang,

OK, here's what I think I have finally decided on to get us

going for now. I have decided to purchase a complete setup

just for astrophotography at a later date. I think to get the

whole family going first, the below package will be a good

starter system for us.

Please look at the below package and give me your thoughts.

Am I missing anything? Recommend anything else?

Telescope:

Orion Build-A-Scope 12" IntelliScope Truss Dobsonian Telescope

Components & Accessories:

Orion SkyLine Deluxe Green Laser Pointer & Telescope Bracket

26mm 32mm 38mm Set of Orion Q70 2" Wide-Field Eyepieces

Orion SkyGlow Broadband Eyepiece Filter (for 2" eyepieces)

Orion LaserMate Pro Laser Collimation Kit

Orion Scope Cloak - 12"-16" Dobsonians

Orion 1.25" Premium Telescope Accessory Kit

The Accessory kit above includes the following:

Five 1.25-inch Sirius Plossl eyepieces - 40mm, 17mm, 10mm, 7.5mm, and 6.3mm focal lengths

Five 1.25-inch color eyepiece filters - #12 Yellow, #23 Orange, #25 Red, #58 Green and #80A Blue

1.25-inch 2x Shorty Barlow Lens

1.25-inch neutral-density Moon eyepiece filter

Foam-lined hard carry case

Total price for package deal including shipping comes out

to: $1700.70

I think for what you get for that price is a pretty sweet

deal. Let me know what you think.

I appreciate your advice and input,

Patrick

[rowan46]

that looks to be a pretty nice set up you seem to have covered all the bases, I can't comment on whether the eyepieces are good as they're a little harder to get hold of over here. but I think I would be happy with that setup. I am sure you will get many nights of pleasure.

[rowan46]

I forgot to add you may wish to get a telrad finder on that as well

[stardad]

I'm not an expert but thing you may have a problem heading down the astrophotograhy path with this.

Looks good for observing with though.

[nicnac]

looks good

as has been said, imaging will be restricted with the dob but it will be great for observing, enjoy

[PatrickM]

Hi Folks, and thanks for the replies,

As I said in the beginning, I will purchase a whole different package

and setup for my astrophotography at a later date. This setup will

be used for the family for stargazing only.

I'm looking at the Celestron CGEM 1100 Computerized Telescope

for my astrophotography setup.

Anyway, do you really think a telrad will be needed even though I

am getting the laser pointer?

Thanks,

Patrick

[rowan46]

i would get the telrad and forget the laser and unless you are using fastar or hyperstar I wouldn't use an sct for imaging

[rowan46]

I had better explain imaging dso's requires long exposures consequently a small scope is used as it puts less strain on the mounts accuracy as obviously if the scope is wobbling under the weight you will not get clear images. sct's are great telescopes but they can be a real problem to image with unless you have a very good mount. the most cost effectice and easy way to image is to use a small apo or ed doublet and guide with a cheap refractor. this means you can get away with a cheaper mount. this book explains the principles of astrophotography and the rationale behinfd equipment choice. I would suggest you read this or something similar before you buy your imaging setup

http://firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=makin_every_photon_count

[RobH]

i would get the telrad and forget the laser and unless you are using fastar or hyperstar I wouldn't use an sct for imaging

I agree about the laser/telrad.

SCT's are perfectly good imaging scopes however, but very unforgiving and possibly not the best choice for a first imaging scope due to the long focal length and need for very accurate guiding, together with the small field of view, even with a focal reducer.

The most pain free way to start imaging is with a small to medium sized apo. and an HEQ5/6 type of mount.

Cheers

Rob