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Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
- Bigzmey
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
- starguru
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
- Bigzmey
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Yes, Stellarvue is a pure pleasure to use. My favorite tool for doubles. But, 8"
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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
- Sky Tinker
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
starguru wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:12 am Cool images! I am aware of the CA consequence of achromatic refractors. In the earlier posts many recomm them for starting out.
Do you have any examples of what proper targets for refractors look like?
Also, I see in your sig you have an APO piece, how does that do?
Ah, yes, my "quintessential Japanese toy", as I call it...
A vulgar display, that is. I started out, at the age of 9 or so, with a 60mm
I still have it, but it needs restoration...
The very first object I ever saw through that telescope was Saturn, and with my late father.
When I was 27, I got a Parks(Towa) PRT-813, an 80mm
With that one, I watched Venus from about 5:30 one morning, whilst it was still dark, and via the motorised
In 2003, it was time for me to get my definitive 4" refractor, and to be the largest
...but once it arrived I decided that I did not want another achromat, not for my 4"; and the rest is history. I observed only one object with the Vixen, I can't recall what it was, and that was that; back it went. I did retain the Vixen's tube-rings however, and for the Takahashi once it arrived...
I take the FS-102 out only during droughts these days, as we have considerable humidity in my area. One of the last times was the night of August 31st, 2015, and during a six-week-to-two-month drought...
But many years before, I had split Sirius, and when it had been stated that a 4" refractor could not. Back then, the "Dog" and "Pup" were very close together, making the split most difficult...
There's B, that little bump on the edge of A.
The difficulty was that Sirius A is so very bright, the brightest star in the sky, worldwide, that Sirius B was practically lost in A's glare. But there was B, blinking in and out as I watched.
I attribute that feat to the fluorite element of the telescope's doublet. The other element of the doublet, the "flint" portion as I call it, the mating-element to the fluorite, is mysterious. It's designated with a "K" and with a few numbers after that. It was produced using heavy-metals. As a result, some individuals who had produced the glass became sick, with the production perhaps even having caused a fatality or two, from what I had read years ago. But once finished, as it now rests within my telescope, it's inert. These days, Takahashi(actually, Canon-Optron) refers to their current mating-elements as being "eco-friendly".
I overwhelming prefer refractors, for first-impressions are lasting, and eternal. But since 2015, I have been observing with reflectors as well. I do like my reflectors, a lot, but dare I say that I love my refractors? I do have quite a few achromats...
Last edited by Sky Tinker on Sun Jan 05, 2020 4:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Look, son! Up there!" His son shouted back, "I see it! What is it?" The father regaled, "The galaxy! Andromeda! Our origin, our destiny!" And so the boy was hooked, and for the rest of his natural life.
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
- JayTee
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Alan -- STOP the madness!
Let the poor guy make a decision!
It's getting to the point where he may need to wrap his head in duct tape to keep all the recommendations from leaking out!
Cheers,
JT
Let the poor guy make a decision!
It's getting to the point where he may need to wrap his head in duct tape to keep all the recommendations from leaking out!
Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
- Sky Tinker
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Perhaps the OP needs a bit of history...heh heh heh...
The very first telescope ever developed, was a refractor, and in 1608. Galileo had one in 1609; Saturn appeared as having "ears" instead of rings through his instrument. The refractors back then, and up to 1727, were plagued by oodles and oodles of false-colour; so much so that Newton became disgusted, and was driven to create the first telescope utilising only mirrors; the Newtonian, and in 1668. Newtonians are apochromats in and of themselves; 100% false-colour free. Practically all telescopes that use mirrors, wholly or in part, are apochromatic. In 1727, and commercially-viable by the 1750s, after Newton's passing unfortunately, the achromatic-refractor was developed. They're essentially the same today as they were back then. Back then they were very costly, but now they're relatively inexpensive. At last, the false-colour was minimised, tamed by the achromat, and the optical-tubes became much shorter to boot, far shorter.
Refractors, over all other designs of telescopes, produce the sharpest and most contrasty images, bar-none. But at the same time they have the smallest apertures per dollar spent. Ah, but there's nothing like cozying up with a smaller refractor whilst outdoors. Light as a feather to haul out, to be amazed and wowed, then to haul it back in for the night.
Here's something of a sleeper...
https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... l?___SID=U
It's not a true apochromat, but relatively close given its relatively low price. Read the reviews. There's 36 of them at present.
A Maksutov-Cassegrain is the only mirrored design that has been described as being refractor-like in performance. They're built like a tank, the design developed by Dimitry Maksutov for that very quality, and for schools. The only downside, for some, or most, who knows, is that it has the longest focal-length of any other design per inch ofaperture . It is a celestial "microscope". Now, a telescope, in the first place, is for seeing faraway objects up close, front and center, and the Maksutov is the ideal for that, hands-down. Low powers and wide fields-of-view, use your naked eyes or a pair of binoculars. Among all the apertures of the design, the 127mm, or 5" , is the sweet-spot...
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... n_ota.html
I have one, but it's the Explore Scientific 127mmf/ 15. It has a longer focal-length(if such were possible) than the Sky-Watcher. It's at a whopping 1900mm(!), and quite close to that of an 8" Schmidt at 2032mm...
What I like about the design is that you can insert a 20mm eyepiece, which is usually a low power with many other telescopes, and you're there, up close, and without feeling an immediate desire or need to bump up the power further. But then, you can go higher, and higher still, and still enjoy sharp, pleasing images, even at the highest power that theaperture , and albeit the atmosphere, will allow.
The very first telescope ever developed, was a refractor, and in 1608. Galileo had one in 1609; Saturn appeared as having "ears" instead of rings through his instrument. The refractors back then, and up to 1727, were plagued by oodles and oodles of false-colour; so much so that Newton became disgusted, and was driven to create the first telescope utilising only mirrors; the Newtonian, and in 1668. Newtonians are apochromats in and of themselves; 100% false-colour free. Practically all telescopes that use mirrors, wholly or in part, are apochromatic. In 1727, and commercially-viable by the 1750s, after Newton's passing unfortunately, the achromatic-refractor was developed. They're essentially the same today as they were back then. Back then they were very costly, but now they're relatively inexpensive. At last, the false-colour was minimised, tamed by the achromat, and the optical-tubes became much shorter to boot, far shorter.
Refractors, over all other designs of telescopes, produce the sharpest and most contrasty images, bar-none. But at the same time they have the smallest apertures per dollar spent. Ah, but there's nothing like cozying up with a smaller refractor whilst outdoors. Light as a feather to haul out, to be amazed and wowed, then to haul it back in for the night.
Here's something of a sleeper...
https://www.astronomics.com/astro-tech- ... l?___SID=U
It's not a true apochromat, but relatively close given its relatively low price. Read the reviews. There's 36 of them at present.
A Maksutov-Cassegrain is the only mirrored design that has been described as being refractor-like in performance. They're built like a tank, the design developed by Dimitry Maksutov for that very quality, and for schools. The only downside, for some, or most, who knows, is that it has the longest focal-length of any other design per inch of
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... n_ota.html
I have one, but it's the Explore Scientific 127mm
What I like about the design is that you can insert a 20mm eyepiece, which is usually a low power with many other telescopes, and you're there, up close, and without feeling an immediate desire or need to bump up the power further. But then, you can go higher, and higher still, and still enjoy sharp, pleasing images, even at the highest power that the
"Look, son! Up there!" His son shouted back, "I see it! What is it?" The father regaled, "The galaxy! Andromeda! Our origin, our destiny!" And so the boy was hooked, and for the rest of his natural life.
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
- Lady Fraktor
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
If you are still indecisive I would really wait till you can get to a star party and see the telescopes in use and look through them.
Better to wait than spend your money on something you discover is not what you wanted.
Better to wait than spend your money on something you discover is not what you wanted.
Gabrielle
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
- JayTee
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Alan, that was just evil.
JT
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
- Sky Tinker
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Nonsense, for knowledge is power.
"Look, son! Up there!" His son shouted back, "I see it! What is it?" The father regaled, "The galaxy! Andromeda! Our origin, our destiny!" And so the boy was hooked, and for the rest of his natural life.
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton
Alan
Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
- starguru
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Thanks Sky Tinker for both the wonderful story and the history!! And yes JT, this thread has given me a lot (too much) to think about, but I think that was bound to happen. At this point it's just a matter of picking something. I think what I am going to definitely do is make sure whatever mount I get can handle a plethora of options so even if I get a suboptimal first scope I can always get another.
Lady Fraktor, the first meeting of the local astronomy club I can attend isn't until February, and Im not even sure it will be a star party type affair, but yes that would be the safest option. But if there is one thing I learned here is that there is no clearly better choice for everything, so no matter what I get it's not going to be ideal for something.
I like the idea of the Cassegrain being decent at everything (but master of none), and I like the idea of the Refractor (or perhaps reflectors) being better forDSOs , which is what (I think) I am most interested in, as well as the simplicity of the refractor design, where you can be up and running in seconds as opposed to 10-20 minutes if you need to align the mount/scope.
Lady Fraktor, the first meeting of the local astronomy club I can attend isn't until February, and Im not even sure it will be a star party type affair, but yes that would be the safest option. But if there is one thing I learned here is that there is no clearly better choice for everything, so no matter what I get it's not going to be ideal for something.
I like the idea of the Cassegrain being decent at everything (but master of none), and I like the idea of the Refractor (or perhaps reflectors) being better for
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
With the information I now have in the hobby with a $2000 budget, I would get the below. I like the AZ mount with the OTA , because I am not into astrophotography. The scope comes with a 102mm aperture mask. I still advise buy used and cheap for a few months, and then decide. Right click the image.
https://www.astronomics.com/celestron-6 ... l?___SID=U
https://www.astronomics.com/6-f-8-achro ... etail.html
https://www.astronomics.com/celestron-6 ... l?___SID=U
https://www.astronomics.com/6-f-8-achro ... etail.html
- Bigzmey
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
SkyTee 2 is a great mount. This is my desert workhorse. They are not available in US, I got mine shipped from Germany. It required some TLC, but after that it works nicely. Rock solid, 60lb load capacity, slow motion controls; and you can put 3 scopes on it and allign all 3 to the sameRefractordude wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 5:52 pm With the information I now have in the hobby with a $2000 budget, I would get the below. I like the AZ mount with the OTA, because I am not into astrophotography. The scope comes with a 102mm aperture mask. I still advise buy used and cheap for a few months, and then decide. Right click the image.
https://www.astronomics.com/celestron-6 ... l?___SID=U
https://www.astronomics.com/6-f-8-achro ... etail.html
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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
- pakarinen
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Holy Jamoly. I'm pretty sure that was my first scope too. I had forgotten about the solar projection flippy-doo thing. I wish I still had the wooden case it came in.Sky Tinker wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 4:10 am A vulgar display, that is. I started out, at the age of 9 or so, with a 60mm f/11 Sears(Towa) achromat...
Sears 4426 manual2.jpg
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I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
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AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
- GCoyote
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
There are always trade offs!
In a similar situation located in suburban Maryland I went the opposite direction. I now have a "fleet" of second hand scopes that I'm (slowly) learning to refurbish as I get used to the hobby under the worst weather conditions in generations. (Maryland set all time records for rainfall in 2018 I'm currently using my
While I still do not have anywhere close to a 'dream scope' yet, I've learned a lot about what I like and what I will actually use given my geographic limitations.
1. If you only pay $20 bucks for something, drilling a new hole in it isn't that daunting a prospect. (Neither is leaving parts on the patio overnight. Oops.)
2 a. You can make one good rig out of three crappy ones and resell the parts you don't need. I'm only at around $250 all-in and the DIY folks here have a lot of helpful ideas for whatever problem you bump into.
2 b. If you are slightly OCD, you can make a new hobby out of organizing your spare parts.
3. Collimation isn't as scary as some make it sound. Depending on where you are on the patience - irritation scale it may not be a big deal. A simple tool costs $35 from Celestron.
4. A review is only useful if the reviewer has tastes similar to yours and operates under similar conditions. That's as true of telescopes as it is of movies and restaurants.
5. This is the perfect place to get ideas and feedback from like-minded amateurs (and the occasional retired professional).
Star Party Announcements - viewforum.php?f=86
Buy, Sell, and Trade - viewforum.php?f=95
And you might like - The Urban Astronomer's Guide: A Walking Tour of the Cosmos for City Sky Watchers https://books.google.com/books/about/Th ... escription
Take advantage, and ENJOY!
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C
Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
Gary C
Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
- Ylem
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Don't over think your first scope, eventually you will own several
Clear Skies,
-Jeff
Member; ASTRA-NJ
Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
-Jeff
Member; ASTRA-NJ
Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
- mikemarotta
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
What did you decide?
How did the astronomy club meeting go for you?
And BTW, I was wrong about collimation requiring a laser and several hours. I bought a collimation eyepiece for under $40 with S&H total and it took about 15 minutes the first and only time.
It was said also that you can do that with a film canister and I did that when I first got the telescope five years ago, but I was not confident of the results. Like much else - building a back deck, fixing your car - it takes some finesse to do it right. People who find it easy underestimate the curve for others. Just to say, forums like this are fine, but doing your work is best.
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Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
- starguru
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
I’m actually going to a star party a week from today so I hope to get more info then.mikemarotta wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 2:17 pmWhat did you decide?
How did the astronomy club meeting go for you?
And BTW, I was wrong about collimation requiring a laser and several hours. I bought a collimation eyepiece for under $40 with S&H total and it took about 15 minutes the first and only time.
It was said also that you can do that with a film canister and I did that when I first got the telescope five years ago, but I was not confident of the results. Like much else - building a back deck, fixing your car - it takes some finesse to do it right. People who find it easy underestimate the curve for others. Just to say, forums like this are fine, but doing your work is best.
- starguru
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Re: Another seeking recommendations for a first telescope question
Something is arriving tomorrow. I went a bit above my initial stated budget. Teehee!
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