Lucky13
sage
Reged: 10/21/07
Posts: 281
Loc: Ashtabula, Ohio
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So I was going to buy a 32" LCD TV, but ended up deciding against it, since I don't have room for it in my dorm room!  So I decided I'd get more use out of a new telescope. I already have a 10" dob which works very well for almost anything I ever wanted.
I want a telescope to kind of round out my collection, so I'm looking at refractors that I can use for planetary and lunar targets, and also remain more portable than my dob. I would like to be able to take it with me in my car to my dorm, so I can observe during the week, not just on some weekends.  I also want a GEM mount, since I'll be using it for planets at (hopefully) higher mags. My price range is about $700. Is this realistic?
So, being new to refractors, my question is this: What type and size of refractor would you recommend? Also what brand is a good brand in refractors? How about focal ratios? I've been looking around, and the Orion SkyView 120 EQ looks nice. Thoughts?
Thanks,
Sean
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Sean
A Z10 and some other stuff 
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dlapoint
sage
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 452
Loc: Moncton NB Canada
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If you can get just a bit more money you could get a ED100 from orion. Its the best priced high power refractor on the market. Good for what your looking for. The 700 would cover the scope but the mount, thats where you need a bit extra. As for the Orion SkyView 120 EQ its a fine scope as many people here have said. It will show false color on the moon and planets, but it is a very good deal.
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Antares 127 F6.5
Skywatcher Pro ED100
Orion 72mm Eon
Orion XT8
C4.5
Naglers 16mm T5, 9mm T6
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watcher
super member
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 119
Loc: NJ
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120 Omni XLT
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1986 Celestron c-8 (retired)
Celestron Omni XLT 120
Meade 16x50 binoculars
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Lucky13
sage
Reged: 10/21/07
Posts: 281
Loc: Ashtabula, Ohio
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Wow, that Celestron there looks like exactly what I'm looking for! I was looking at the Orion EON 72mm APO, and the Celestron 120 achro is much cheaper (when you factor in mount/accessories). How bad is the color in this achro? Is it like the "coma" everyone worries about on fast dobs? 'Cause I never notice the coma in my dob, its not as bad as some people make it sound 
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Sean
A Z10 and some other stuff
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mathteacher
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/13/07
Posts: 1045
Loc: SF Bay Area
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Sean, can you mount a refractor on the EQ mount for the Tasco? It seems like your 4.5" newt should weigh as much as a 4" refractor. If you can use the same mount, I'd recommend the 100ED. You'll enjoy it for a long time... until you get a nice paying EE job. Then you'll be in Takahashi-Televue territory 
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Regards, Mr. Wang
CR 150-HD - Gordie, Vixen ED100sf - Schipperke, Orion ST80 - The Pug, Orion 7x50 Scenix
Meade DSI Color
Vixen Porta Mount, Super Polaris, 2" pipe mount
Please join the International Dark Sky Association
My CN gallery
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watcher
super member
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 119
Loc: NJ
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Quote:
Wow, that Celestron there looks like exactly what I'm looking for! I was looking at the Orion EON 72mm APO, and the Celestron 120 achro is much cheaper (when you factor in mount/accessories). How bad is the color in this achro? Is it like the "coma" everyone worries about on fast dobs? 'Cause I never notice the coma in my dob, its not as bad as some people make it sound
The color is only really apparent on the full moon at high magnification, to my eyes. For the amount under your budget, you can get a Baader semi-apo filter if it bothers you. Some will tell you that it's under mounted, but I find it very reasonable for visual only.
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1986 Celestron c-8 (retired)
Celestron Omni XLT 120
Meade 16x50 binoculars
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Mr. Mike
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/08/05
Posts: 858
Loc: Churchville, NY
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A 120mm refractor isnt very portable, IMO. The mount required will be a beast of sorts. I suggest staying in the 80mm to 102mm range for the ultimate in portability. A well-made 80mm or 102mm will show a LOT!
Dont overlook Stelleravue as an option. Their scopes are terrific and so is their service. I, and many others believe that their products are a step above the standard "clone" scopes from various mfgs. You get close to the same pricing as the "other guys" but you get a personal touch and tighter "specs" & better build quality.
Anyways, I'd look for something a little smaller than 120mm if you really mean "portable".
My 2 cents....
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Stellarvue NG 80mm ED
Meade 7x50 Binos
Pentax XW 5mm
Meade 5K UWA 8.8mm
Vixen LVW 13mm
Vixen LVW 22mm
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Lucky13
sage
Reged: 10/21/07
Posts: 281
Loc: Ashtabula, Ohio
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Quote:
Sean, can you mount a refractor on the EQ mount for the Tasco? It seems like your 4.5" newt should weigh as much as a 4" refractor. If you can use the same mount, I'd recommend the 100ED. You'll enjoy it for a long time... until you get a nice paying EE job. Then you'll be in Takahashi-Televue territory
I would try this but the mount for the Tasco has seen... well, better days Its kind of sloppy and one of the slo-mo's is broke. So a new tripod and mount is probably in order. Although I will check out the mount and see if it can be salvaged next weekend.
I really like the new Orion EON's, an apo at a great price.. Is the 72mm too small? Should I get the 80mm? I guess the 120 would probably be too big for what I am aiming for. I would like it to be "grab-n-go" capable, and be able to be stored under my bed in my dorm
When it comes to planetary and clusters, how much aperture is "enough". I know in the dob world, an 8" is considered the "starting point". Is there an analog in the refractor world? In other words, will a 72 or 80 mm give me good images of planets and other bright objects? After all, my 10" dob is great for nebulae, etc..
Thanks for all the help guys!
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Sean
A Z10 and some other stuff
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ranger
super member
Reged: 04/30/08
Posts: 153
Loc: Chicago
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I think a lot of people would say a 4 inch refractor is the most versatile place to start. Smaller refractors are more portable but show less detail -- bigger refractors require bigger mounts.
I think the new Orion 102 looks pretty nice. Astro Tech makes nice scopes, Stellarview, etc.
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mathteacher
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/13/07
Posts: 1045
Loc: SF Bay Area
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There are two levels of "portable," IMO. One level is "one hand out the door." Another is "airline carry-on." A 100mm scope is one hand out the door on an altaz or light EQ. A 72mm is airline carry-on. Some scopes combine airline portability with 100mm aperture, but you'll have to pay for it.
If you go with the 72, it will be airline/backpack friendly. If you decide to try imaging, the 72 will be a good place to start because of it's lightness and short focal length.
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Regards, Mr. Wang
CR 150-HD - Gordie, Vixen ED100sf - Schipperke, Orion ST80 - The Pug, Orion 7x50 Scenix
Meade DSI Color
Vixen Porta Mount, Super Polaris, 2" pipe mount
Please join the International Dark Sky Association
My CN gallery
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Lucky13
sage
Reged: 10/21/07
Posts: 281
Loc: Ashtabula, Ohio
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Wow, there are so many options. I looked around a lot today, and really like the Stellarvue's. The Orion EON's are just calling my name though
ranger, I looked for the Orion 102 you speak of, but only found one.. and its about $1K, a little out of my price range 
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Sean
A Z10 and some other stuff
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dddhgg
sage
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 265
Loc: The Netherlands
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How big is your car?
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Meade 8" SCT (an older white-tubed version)
Celestron CG5 (non-GOTO)
Teleskop-service 30 mm WA
Teleskop-service 7-21 mm zoom
GSO 2" standard star diagonal
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Mr. Mike
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/08/05
Posts: 858
Loc: Churchville, NY
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Quote:
Quote:
Sean, can you mount a refractor on the EQ mount for the Tasco? It seems like your 4.5" newt should weigh as much as a 4" refractor. If you can use the same mount, I'd recommend the 100ED. You'll enjoy it for a long time... until you get a nice paying EE job. Then you'll be in Takahashi-Televue territory
I would try this but the mount for the Tasco has seen... well, better days Its kind of sloppy and one of the slo-mo's is broke. So a new tripod and mount is probably in order. Although I will check out the mount and see if it can be salvaged next weekend.
I really like the new Orion EON's, an apo at a great price.. Is the 72mm too small? Should I get the 80mm? I guess the 120 would probably be too big for what I am aiming for. I would like it to be "grab-n-go" capable, and be able to be stored under my bed in my dorm
When it comes to planetary and clusters, how much aperture is "enough". I know in the dob world, an 8" is considered the "starting point". Is there an analog in the refractor world? In other words, will a 72 or 80 mm give me good images of planets and other bright objects? After all, my 10" dob is great for nebulae, etc..
Thanks for all the help guys!
Sean - A GOOD QUALITY 80mm scope will show great images of brighter DSOs and planets. Although I will admit that on the rare ocassion I wish had a larger scope, its usually when viewing planets.
I actually think a 6" dob is a good starting point, but yeah, 8" is obviously a little better. For refractors, many will say 4" is the minimum. Maybe Im spoiled because of a killer dark sky spot about 5 minutes from my house, but 80mm is perfect for a "starter" refractor. Mine has been out 5 straight nights for hours on end since the upstate, NY weather has been amazingly cooperative. Ive been through tons of Messiers, some brighter NGC's and whatever I else I can point it at. No cool down, no screwing around with elaborate setups...just point and enjoy! 
I even talked a friend(property owner of dark sky site) into getting his first scope....a Starblast 6" reflector from Orion. The refractor setup was a little too much for him right now, but either way, he is IN! 
Anyways... thats my two cents.
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Stellarvue NG 80mm ED
Meade 7x50 Binos
Pentax XW 5mm
Meade 5K UWA 8.8mm
Vixen LVW 13mm
Vixen LVW 22mm
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Midnight Dan
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 620
Loc: Brockport, NY
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Sean:
>> The Orion EON's are just calling my name though...
If 72mm is enough aperture for you, the EON 72mm is on sale this week for $375, down from $500! I just ordered one.
-Dan
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Scopes: Celestron NexStar 8, Orion EON 72mm ED/APO on Astroview mount (EQ3)
Eyepieces: Celestron 40mm, 25mm, Baader Hyperion 13mm, 8mm, 5mm
Other: Telrad, 2x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Dew-not strips, DewBuster controller
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Winnie
super member
Reged: 04/28/07
Posts: 117
Loc: Las Vegas
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IF it is in your price range, a 102mm scope is the optimum in aperature/portability.
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CPC925 GPS
Feather Touch Microfocuser
C130 Mak
Celestron Plossl Kit
15mm Pan
9T6 Nagler
Canon 10x30 IS
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George Methvin
sage
Reged: 01/30/06
Posts: 406
Loc: Central Texas
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Do like me get it all. I bought a 120mm ed scope for $2000.00 and a new mount to put it on then bought a 72 HDTV and a Blueray dvd player plus a new surround sound system and also book a 5 day cruise. My point is don't let the lack of money hold you back life is way to short to worry about what size to get or the price you have to pay. In the end its a small price to pay when it comes to your happness. Your only here once don,t hold back. Boy am I happy and for the the mere cash lay out of $10.000 dollar I was able to buy this happness.. I don,t know what to do frist watch my new TV or go look through my new scope. Now wheres that bottle of Jack Daniels. 
Edited by George Methvin (09/03/08 04:28 PM)
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drshr
sage
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 207
Loc: Australia
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The king of the hill: TAK TSA-102
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Doc
14" F5 DOB.
6" f5 Achro.
TMB/APM 105mm F6.2 CF APO.
"In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe"
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Midnight Dan
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 620
Loc: Brockport, NY
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Soooo, Lucky13 .... didja get one yet, huh? didja?
-Dan
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Scopes: Celestron NexStar 8, Orion EON 72mm ED/APO on Astroview mount (EQ3)
Eyepieces: Celestron 40mm, 25mm, Baader Hyperion 13mm, 8mm, 5mm
Other: Telrad, 2x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Dew-not strips, DewBuster controller
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Lucky13
sage
Reged: 10/21/07
Posts: 281
Loc: Ashtabula, Ohio
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Quote:
Soooo, Lucky13 .... didja get one yet, huh? didja?
-Dan
nah, not yet I had some body work I had to do on my car.. Kinda took some money.. Will probably still buy one within the next weeks
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Sean
A Z10 and some other stuff
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