|
Darren B
super member
Reged: 05/02/05
Posts: 181
Loc: Poole, Dorset UK
|
|
I looking at getting a small lightweight telescope before the summer to use on my birding tripod. the tripod itself can handle an OTA wieghing 3 1/2 pounds with the usual accesories on it. At 51 degrees north it does not get truly get dark in the months of June and July. So I am aiming to do some lunar observing and sketching during those months. I have thought about the WO66SD, but I have seen one retailer selling the WO66Pevztal at a very reasonable price. I know there will be some CA, but I use to own a ST80 & ST102 so I am a bit use to that. I will be using a 30mm Ultima as a finder eyepiece, WO Zoom II and a 5 or 4mm BO TMB Planetary eyepieces. Can anyone give me their experiences, advice etc.
Thanks
Darren
--------------------
Darren
WO ZS80FD 10th AV with Vixen Porta Mount
Skywatcher Equinox 66ED
William Optics 7x50
|
Tim2723
The Moon Guy
Reged: 02/19/04
Posts: 5121
Loc: Northern New Jersey
|
|
Hi Darren, 
Given the number of views and responses, I think the rest of the Lunies are waiting for someone to break the ice!
I don't own one of those, but I've drooled over these tiny gems endlessly. I WANT one so bad I can taste it. Lightweight, beautifully machined, fit-in-your-pocket portable, mounts on a feather. Who wouldn't want one?
The big question is, what is it going to do for you that your Williams 80mm doesn't do already, and probably better? That's one sweet little scope you have there, and trading down almost never works.
To be frank, a 3.5 lb. birding tripod is going to be tough with the Moon. Watching birds is one thing, the Moon at 100x is another. I think you'll be disappointed.
Rather than go for a smaller scope (remember, the Moon is all about resolving power!), I'd suggest you invest a hundred of that money in a couple of good Moon resources. An atlas and map if you don't have them, and a good book or two like Modern Moon if you need to brush up on the subject.
(OK fellow Lunies, have at it! )
--------------------
The crwth will set you free!
|
kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2005
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
|
|
I have the z66 SD and z66 Pevztal scopes and their both are great on the moon!
Very little CA that I can notice in either scope. The Pevztal is a bit heavy compared to the SD.
Let us know what you end up with!
Fred
--------------------
River Cam - Cambridge England
|
Darren B
super member
Reged: 05/02/05
Posts: 181
Loc: Poole, Dorset UK
|
|
Thanks for the replies. The main reason why I want a 66 is that I live in an apartment block so I have to travel to a site to view. My 80mm scope is a great set up when I plan to do some observing for an evening or early morning. Mostly weekends sometimes the odd week day. There is a view point near where I live, not dark sky, but fine for viewing the moon. Quite often during the working week I walk there and view with binoculars for around 1/2 an hour or so. That's why I want the 66. I have used a 90mm mak(3 1/2lb) and a ST80(4lb yes I am obsessive enough to weigh them) on my birding tripod. The mak was ok, the ST80 was pushing it.
I visited my local astronomy shop and ended up pulling the trigger on the Skywatcher Equinox 66. Should be picking that up next week. I'll keep you posted on how I get on.
--------------------
Darren
WO ZS80FD 10th AV with Vixen Porta Mount
Skywatcher Equinox 66ED
William Optics 7x50
|
kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2005
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
|
|
Congrats on your new scope! I have never seen the Skywatcher Equinox 66; could you post a picture once you get it?
Fred
--------------------
River Cam - Cambridge England
|
Darren B
super member
Reged: 05/02/05
Posts: 181
Loc: Poole, Dorset UK
|
|
Hi Fred, here's a photo of the Skywatcher Equinox 66ED. As you can see it's a re-badged AT66ED. It's well made and I can't wait to get out and observe with it.
--------------------
Darren
WO ZS80FD 10th AV with Vixen Porta Mount
Skywatcher Equinox 66ED
William Optics 7x50
|
kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2005
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
|
|
Nice looking scope!
Fred
--------------------
River Cam - Cambridge England
|
square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 23955
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
|
|
Looks like I'm a late arrival to this thread but I thought I'd contribute anyway. I have that scope and I use it with eyepieces similar to what Darren is suggesting. For me it has been a very satisfying combination. The 66P is my "now-you-ain't-got-no-excuse-not-to-view scope.
The lunar views are very good for just a 66mm scope. CA is apparent but limited enough that I don't bother using my -V filter. I use those TMB Planetaries that Darren mention to good effect with this scope. But more often I use it with just a Vixen 8-24 zoom and an Ultima barlow. Hard to beat a scope and mount that you can easily carry in one hand while carrying your observing chair in the other. Great for the nightly following of brighter comets, too. I keep mine mounted on my old Discoverer mount. Plop it down and track with the RA slo-mo knob. Love it. 
--------------------
Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP 100 f/6 achro
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
|
|
0 registered and 0 anonymous users are browsing this forum.
Moderator: desertstars
Print Thread
|
Forum Permissions
You cannot start new topics
You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled
UBBCode is enabled
|
Thread views: 438
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 