TheSkySearchers-Welcome!

I used to be a member of astronomyforum.net before it shutdown. I was guided to come here when I went to login today and found out the site was permanently closed.
I am looking to get back into this hobby again. I'm about to get a new set of equipment for stargazing to replace my old worn out set.
My name on the astronomyforum was Shelby123456789.

I have observed many comets since my initial interest started back in 2011.
I was only 11 back then, I am now 22 and still interested in astronomy.
I hope to hang around here and meet some of the others. Is there anyone else still here from astronomyforum?

Hi Shelby and Welcome to TSS! I was a longtime member (since 2012) of AF.net as well, as are many of the mod team and members. I hope you enjoy it here!

Hello Shelby and welcome to the Forum.

Hello Shelby

Welcome to TSS. Glad you joined us over here.

Cheers

back to the new place .

Hello and welcome.

Hi Shelby, welcome back from AF; been a while for sure. Look forward to hearing about what you purchase

All the best,

Thefatkitty wrote: ↑Wed Nov 17, 2021 9:58 pm Hi Shelby, welcome back from AF! Look forward to hearing about what you purchase

All the best,

I was actually wondering if someone could help me out a little on that.
My previous setup was an iOptron SmartStar N114 with GPS.
That one got dropped several times when I had the original flimsy mount that came with it, I got a better tripod for it, but the damage was already done. The motor doesn't work properly anymore no matter what I try and the optical tube was stored in a moist place for too long and has some rust on it, it is still able to use though. It has a crack on the focuser ring which I had to tape to fit eyepieces to it, but it pretty good other than that.

I am looking at getting something similar without goto capabilities, I want to look at the sky without guidance instead of having a computer tell me where to go.

I was looking at the Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ or the Celestron Cometron 114AZ. I heard some bad things about the powerseeker, so I think I am leaning more toward the cometron.

I will be using it for viewing planets and comets, the moon, the sun (with a filter, of course), and some nebulae like Orion or the nebula around the Pleiades.

Has anyone used these scopes before that could help guide my decision, or is there something better in that price range?

Hi again Shelby, I will weigh in on the Powerseeker, just don't I'm sure many others will agree. As for the Cometron, no experience with those. It does have a spherical mirror though, and may not be your best bet.
Have you thought about a 6" or 8" dob? Better mirror, and easier to find objects...

BTW, a nice time to get into Solar observing

All the best,

Welcome home Shelby!
Glad you're here!

Welcome aboard Shelby.

Hi Shelby, and welcome here to the Forum!

smp

Thefatkitty wrote: ↑Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:16 pm Have you thought about a 6" or 8" dob? Better mirror, and easier to find objects...

A good point. And for $575, a little over 2x the price of the Powerseeker 127 EQ, you get something that is way more capable! This is the standard production 8" Dob I like best as it collapses for easier carry and storage and travel, has a much more useful right angle finder instead of the neck breaking straight thru ones many come with, and of course a 2" focuser. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... gK05_D_BwE

If that is too expensive then the 6" is also quite capable. Most 6" Dobs do not have 2" focusers so you lose the ability to observe a larger swatch of sky not being able to use 2" eyepieces. However, this one does come with a 2" focuser. Only downside is it has one of those neck breaking straight thru finders, but that is easily replaced. https://www.highpointscientific.com/sky ... ope-s11600

Welcome to TSS , I agree a 6 to 8 inch dobs is the way to go , dont waste your hard earned cash on the powerseeker

Hi Shelby. It's great to have you join us here on TSS. And I also recommend a 6" or 8" Dob. You get a lot of aperture for the money and it is easier to set up or transport. Welcome to the forum Shelby and you can see a lot of former AF site members now on here.
TO TSS

Welcome to TSS, Shelby.

AI agree with all that's been said about a 6-8 inch Dob.

Like your profile image and welcome. Get a 6" DOB.

Hello Shelby

Welcome to the forum.

Regards

Graeme

Welcome to TSS, Shelby

Refractordude wrote: ↑Thu Nov 18, 2021 10:25 pm Like your profile image and welcome. Get a 6" DOB.

Thanks, that is picture I took of the 2017 eclipse with my telescope and smartphone camera.

I am really thinking about saving money to get a 6 inch dobsonian now.