Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

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allisonribeiro
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Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#1

Post by allisonribeiro »


Hello folk.

Really been a long time since I’ve been here. I’ve entered the breeding part of my life and found myself with two kids during this time “away” from the night sky. Actually one of the boys is only 8 days old :)

So, during these crazy years, taking out the 8” dob has been a pain in neck. I have little time after putting everyone to bed so waiting for the mirrors to cool off and moving around the bulky scope after I’m done and have really low energy makes me use the scope much less than I’d like.

So I was thinking about selling the dob and getting a 100(ish)mm frac in its place.

I really like DSOs, specially open clusters, GCs and planetary nebulae. Would I have to give them up in this kind of scope? Would the quality of the observation go down to much compared to my dear old 8” dob?

Thanks and I hope these last couple of years have treated you all gently.

Cheers,
Allison
Telescope: Orion SkyQuest Xt8 Classic, red dot finder and Celestron 9x50 RACI. 
Eps : 5mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 9mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 25mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 2x Barlow lens, DGM NPB nebula filter
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Camera: ASI224MC
Messier: 30/110, AF.net S110: 78/110
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#2

Post by The Wave Catcher »


Just my two cents…

I’d say you’ll just have a different kind of observing. There is no doubt that you’ll lose some resolution and light sucking ability. However, you’ll gain wide field of views, portability, and ease of use. I love my fast 102 mm achromatic and though I see some minor chromatic aberration on bright objects like the Moon and Venus, I made a 60 mm aperture mask that clears it up for me. I don’t see much detail in DSOs using just my eyes through the refractor, but I domsee rich star fields, a great many double and multiple star system (often with color), fine details of the Moon, and if a runner (satellite) passes in my field of view I can grasp the scope and easily track it. :-)
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#3

Post by Bigzmey »


I would not necessarily sell the DOB, but adding small frac makes perfect sense. As Steve says sessions with small scopes have a different feel, but I enjoy them as much as with large scopes. With 4" frac you will always find targets to look and will appreciate the ease of setup.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#4

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Keep the dob. Add the frac. Telescopes are like screwdrivers, different front end for different jobs. Globular cluster observation gets really nice starting at 8” IMO.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#5

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I would also agree, add a refractor but keep the dobsonian as well.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#6

Post by allisonribeiro »


Well, thanks for the wise advices. I think adding another telescope would do the charm indeed. Any recommendations for a 4” frac? Maybe something in an EQ mount to change things up a little?
Telescope: Orion SkyQuest Xt8 Classic, red dot finder and Celestron 9x50 RACI. 
Eps : 5mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 9mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 25mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 2x Barlow lens, DGM NPB nebula filter
10X50 Bino
Camera: ASI224MC
Messier: 30/110, AF.net S110: 78/110
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#7

Post by pakarinen »


allisonribeiro wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:10 am Any recommendations for a 4” frac?
I have a 102mm ED on order, but I don't know if they ship outside the US. Reviews are good. I'm getting one to fill the gap between my 80mm and 120mm and try an ED scope.

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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#8

Post by Richard »


Yes keep the Dobs and get a small sct. mak ,or refracror , it all depends on what you want to look at , but for me the 10 inch Dobs is the best for everything but not portability
Reflectors GSO 200 Dobs
Refractors None
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Mak 150 Bosma on a EQ5
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#9

Post by notFritzArgelander »


allisonribeiro wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:10 am Well, thanks for the wise advices. I think adding another telescope would do the charm indeed. Any recommendations for a 4” frac? Maybe something in an EQ mount to change things up a little?
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... cuser.html

See also viewtopic.php?f=65&t=9641
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#10

Post by Refractordude »


Welcome back and that is a great profile image. I have a 150mm f/8 refractor which is super sharp some times 300 mag on the Moon. However, before galaxy season is in full swing I will be purchasing a 10" DOB to go deeper. I suggest a cooling fan for your DOB. Left click the image.
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#11

Post by Lady Fraktor »


There is also the Celestron 102mm f/9.8 with CG-4 mount
https://www.celestron.com/products/omni ... ifications
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#12

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 6:53 pm There is also the Celestron 102mm f/9.8 with CG-4 mount
https://www.celestron.com/products/omni ... ifications
That is a scope with a good solid reputation, with mount too.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#13

Post by Bigzmey »


Do you have a online store where you shop? It will be easier for us to make suggestions based on what is available to you. Also, while EQ mount could be a fun (for some people :D) to use, they tend to be heavier than AltAz mounts of similar payload. So, if you want grab and go I would look for AltAz mount or even higher capacity photo tripod with fluid head.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#14

Post by Lady Fraktor »


He asked for EQ mounts though ;)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#15

Post by Bigzmey »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:11 pm He asked for EQ mounts though ;)
Yes, but he says maybe EQ, so there is hope. :D
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#16

Post by davesellars »


If it's for DSOs I'd recommend the 120ST. At f/5 it's quite a short scope and doesn't weigh much (sits very steady on a skywatcher Az4 with steel legs). Cool down time is short. The focuser is only single speed and could be a lot better but it's sufficient for DSOs.

I don't recommend an EQ mount if you want something quick and easy to take out! I have an EQ5 from when I had my 8" SCT - that thing is pretty heavy with the counterweight on.

Don't sell the dob!
SW Flextube 12" Dobsonian.
Starfield ED102 f/7; SW ED80; SW 120ST
EQ5 and AZ4 mounts
Eyepieces: TV Delos 17.3 & 10; Pentax XW 7 & 5; BCO 32,18,10; Fuyiyama Ortho 12.5; Vixen SLV 25.
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#17

Post by allisonribeiro »


Howdy. Unfortunately there are no solid astronomy stores in my country, we go by buying stuff from one another and importing whenever possible.

I’ve come across a 102/800 Meade scope in an EQ mount. I know the brand is good and the frac condition seems really good. Any thoughts on this model?
Telescope: Orion SkyQuest Xt8 Classic, red dot finder and Celestron 9x50 RACI. 
Eps : 5mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 9mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 25mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 2x Barlow lens, DGM NPB nebula filter
10X50 Bino
Camera: ASI224MC
Messier: 30/110, AF.net S110: 78/110
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#18

Post by Lady Fraktor »


It would depend on the size of mount, do you have a link to it?
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#19

Post by allisonribeiro »


Telescope: Orion SkyQuest Xt8 Classic, red dot finder and Celestron 9x50 RACI. 
Eps : 5mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 9mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 25mm CELESTRON X-CEL, 2x Barlow lens, DGM NPB nebula filter
10X50 Bino
Camera: ASI224MC
Messier: 30/110, AF.net S110: 78/110
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Re: Thinking about going from mirrors to fracs…

#20

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Check to see if the diagonal can be removed so you can use a better quality one.
Some of these older refractors you could not remove them and they are not the best.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
The only culture I have is from yogurt
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