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Paul_R
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/05/05
Posts: 1648
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The best way to avoid regret is to get a 2nd scope (or 3rd) and use them for a while. If, after several months, you find the 9.25" still gathering dust (metaphorically that is), then sell it! And, in this astro hobby biz, regret is usually overcome by the next toy or rebuying the old one!
A small refractor--and the book Turn Left at Orion--will get immersed nicely. But I'll still pitch an 8" dob with a Telrad (red circle finder) as a good choice... no fuss set up, and with a planisphere, the book Turn Left at Orion, and one of the Telrad object finding books (some free on line), you'll be in clover pretty quickly. And, if you have a car, and not a very small car, the 8" should fit in it for going to darker skies or at least a nearby park with more sky visible!
Good luck with it all and report back on what you end up doing--and how you like your 2nd scope--or the rediscovery of your current one!
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digitaldave
sage
Reged: 04/23/06
Posts: 205
Loc: Stevenage, UK
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Bob,
I'll admit that a dob is tempting, but one problem I see is that if I keep the SCT, I'll have TWO large scopes - can't see the wife being happy with that  . Also, I do have a car, but it's not the largest - it's a MINI, so not too much spare space in there.
I've got a copy of Turn Left at Orion, so I'll have a good read through that.
I'll definitely let you guys know what route I end up taking...
Dave.
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digitaldave
sage
Reged: 04/23/06
Posts: 205
Loc: Stevenage, UK
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Update:
After getting some good advice and inspiration here, I decided to have a go at getting the C9.25 going again. After some teething troubles with the power supply for the mount, I now think I've got a pretty good handle on getting set up without too many problems. I can get the mount up quite quickly, and then do a polar alignment that seems to be pretty good for visual use. The finder is correctly aligned with the main scope, so I can get the main alignment done pretty quickly as well. Now that the alignment is getting easier to do, the GOTOs are pretty good too, the object is usually near the edge of the field of view of my 32mm Plossl.
Overall, I think I'm getting the hang of setting the scope up and working, and more importantly, I'm actually getting to observe! So, thanks for all the advice, even if I haven't actually taken all of it, the discussion has proved extremely useful in getting me motivated to use my scope. Thanks everyone! I think for now, I won't be changing my setup much, probably only to ad a few nice accessories to my C9.25 - I certainly don't feel the need to get another scope for grab and go use  .
Regards,
Dave.
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THEPLOUGH
Nailed Again
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 3957
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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Great to have you back Dave. Clear skies to you...(Sorry just remembered you are in London). Happy viewing anyway...  
--------------------
Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE -- 9X50 RACI Finder scope... 6.3 F/R.-- 13 & 17mm Hyperion EPs.. 25mm Celestron E- Lux EP.. 2X Celestron X-Cel Barlow----- Celestron solar filter + A few bits and pieces..
Never give up on any one..... MIRACLES happen every day....
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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Posts: 4658
Loc: Illinois, US
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Hey, let us know how it goes...
Chris
--------------------
"To tread the sharp edge of a sword;
to run on smooth-frozen ice,
one needs no footsteps to follow..."
"Well, people sometimes ask me 'how did you get involved in astronomy?' I said 'I got born, what's your problem?'" -- John Dobson
"In discussing the large-scale structure of the cosmos, astronomers sometimes say that space is curved, or that the universe is finite but unbounded. Whatever are they talking about?" -- Carl Sagan
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Shawn H
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/16/07
Posts: 1134
Loc: Southern France 43°56'N-4°50'E
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A mini  ?
Your going to need a truss Dob! Ive got a Peugeot 306 and can just get the tube of my xt10i across the backseat! Though I have to close the door slowly  !!! But your still going to need the mini to get away from Londons skyglow! Cheers Shawn
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18" David Lukehurst truss Dobson (being built)
xt10i with Telrad on 4" risers & feather touch focuser & huge Boston Red Sox decal
Starblast
15x70 Celestron Skymasters
35Stratus
27Pan
13 Ethos
8 Ethos
Orion ultrablock
Astronomik OIII
Tele Vue 2x barlow
Antares 1.6x barlow (2")
CATSEYE collimation tools
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2656
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Hi Dave,
Just my two cents:
I would consider joining an astro club. Observing together is much more fun, and you might get to visit darker places, suggested by your fellow observers.
I try to visit a dark sky once every month. It's an 80 minute drive, but it's worth it.
When I started with astronomy, I had an 8" Dobson. I soon figured out that I did not like its weight. I then bought a 4 inch scope. From that moment, the 8" started collecting dust. My best scope is the one that I use the most, and in my case, it's sure not a big one. I'm in my fourth year of observing and still haven't seen it all with a four inch.
Depending on your sky in London, it might be possible that a 3" or 4" scope on a remote dark site will show as much as the C9,25 in the city. And the open space of a remote site will help you to find your way among the constellations. The narrow view of the city garden does not help either.
Maybe the experience at a remote site will help you to get the best from your own garden. The 10x50 will also help in finding and identifying your targets.
Clear skies,
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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digitaldave
sage
Reged: 04/23/06
Posts: 205
Loc: Stevenage, UK
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Rony,
Thanks for the reply . I've decided to keep my C9.25, as the posts here inspired me to get it going again, and I think I've got the hang of setting it up correctly now.
A local astronomy club had a star party a couple of weekends ago, and I went along to that. I'm thinking about joining, as they do have a site that's darker than mine where they try to have an observing session about once a month.
I've started using the 10x50s, as like others have said, they are very handy for a quick look, and it's surprising what you can actually see - the other night, I managed to see the Beehive Cluster, nicely framed by Asellus Australis, Asellus Borealis and Mars! I'm pretty sure I managed to see the Double Cluster as well, but it was quite low down to the north, and conditions in that direction aren't great. I'm off on holiday next week to North Devon, so I'll definately be taking the binos with me - hopefully the skies will be darker than here...
By the way, I have been reading your Binocular Icons series - great work, keep it up!
Regards,
Dave.
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digitaldave
sage
Reged: 04/23/06
Posts: 205
Loc: Stevenage, UK
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Update 2:
After a few months of using the scope again, one thing has become very obvious - the scope is a huge pain to set up! I went along to one of the astronomy club's observing sessions last night, and took the scope along. Unfortunately, it took five trips to the car to get it all loaded, and it took a long time to get it all set up at the observing site. And it was all very heavy. So, although I'm confident about setting it up and using it, I'm just not inclined to do so  . So, after much thinking, I've decided to downsize, and get a grab and go scope, probably a refractor in the 3-4" range.
I want to say thank you to every one that has provided input on this thread - although I've changed direction since the start, the comments have all proved useful - they got me using the scope again, even if that was only to find that a large scope like this isn't the best option for me .
Thanks,
Dave.
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kaaikop
sage
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 467
Loc: Ste-Therese, Canada
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Dave! I read this thread with a lot of interest.
First, we have the exact same equipment, and second we are about the same point in the hobby (advancing beginner).
I love my 9.25, seen awesome things through it, even from my light polluted location.
However, I too got to find it a little tedious to carry all that stuff outside (counted min. 6 trips...).
I bit the bullet and got myself a true grab&go (80mm refractor on AltAz),
for when I just dont feel like lugging all that stuff up the stairs, and back before I go to bed.
I tried my new toy last night, LOVED IT!!!!
I actually could see Jupiter better in it than in my big one.
Dont get me wrong, the C925 is not going anywhere!
But I will set it up only when I know I will be out there at least half the night (like tonight...)
for all the other occasions, when I only have half an hour or something, I'll just grab the small setup under my arm and just do it!
I was not sure about spending all this additional money, I thought I spend enough money already,
but I think this is more than a hobby, rather a passion, and this little kit will allow me to enjoy the starry nights twice as much.
Another benefit is it somehow got my wife interested, she likes that little thing, doesnt find it as intimidating as the big one.
Good luck & clear skies!
--------------------
Benoit, RASC Montreal
-C 9.25XLT on EQ6 Pro / ED80SF on Portamount
-Plossls, Radians, Naglers, LVW's & Orthos.
-a pair of 7x50's
Edited by kaaikop (08/31/08 07:34 PM)
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 419
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Why is the set up of the C9.25 6 trips? I'm thinking tripod, mount, and OTA, aside from whatever you'd need for any other system (eyepieces, bug spray, whatever else you use with the scope). Is it the power supply that's the issue?
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kaaikop
sage
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 467
Loc: Ste-Therese, Canada
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1. tripod
2. mount
3. OTA
4. toolcase with 2 x 11 lbs. weights, Telrad, Finder, cables, etc.
5. Eyepiece case & dew cap
6. 2 batteries & chair
snacks, drinks, bugspray, etc. that one be one more...
--------------------
Benoit, RASC Montreal
-C 9.25XLT on EQ6 Pro / ED80SF on Portamount
-Plossls, Radians, Naglers, LVW's & Orthos.
-a pair of 7x50's
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 419
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Quote:
1. tripod
2. mount
3. OTA
4. toolcase with 2 x 11 lbs. weights, Telrad, Finder, cables, etc.
5. Eyepiece case & dew cap
6. 2 batteries & chair
snacks, drinks, bugspray, etc. that one be one more...
Okay, that helps. Thanks.
So, the smallest system will combine 1, 2, 3, 4, and the batteries (if needed) into one, so you'd be down from 7 to 4.
I appreciate the help, as I'm considering what I'll do if/when I out-grow my current system, which does combine those I mentioned.
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