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wanderer_oz
member
Reged: 09/24/09
Posts: 13
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Hello,
I'm new to this forum. First of all, I found this is a great forum full of information and entertaining stories.
I've been enjoying astronomy for quite many years via some extensive reading and occasionally star-hopping with a pair of Fujinon binoculars. I've no practical experience with any telescope. I'd like some help, advice and comments regarding what I'm planning for the next coming few years. My purpose is to acquire the few equipments that can provide good quality (at a budget) and lasting value. I'd like to avoid as few mistaken acquisition as possible.
I'm planning to set up the following for viewing and astrophotography:
Mount: HEQ5-PRO
Main scope: a WO APO OTA in range of 90 - 110mm. (After a few years in the future, may be add an 8" SCT.)
Guide scope: a WO Megrez 72mm APO (already ordered)
Eyepieces: Televue or WO in range of 41, 28, 13, 6, etc and a 2xPowermate
While I'm still not 100% confidence with choosing the right main-scope and the Goto-mount, I'm toying with the idea of getting a cheaper manual-mount, for a start. This will let me to practice with star-hopping, viewing some of the simple objects (DSO, planets, moon, etc), while building up basic practical experience with telescope Megrez 72mm (just ordered). I'd like to know if it is a good idea to keep a spare manual (non-Goto) telescope mount in addition to a main Goto mount. Such as an EQ5 (which is listed as AU$399 at AndrewComm)? It appeared to be lighter (compare to HEQ5PRO) for carrying around as well as available for viewing for 2 persons to use the 2 scopes. I'm willing to defer the advanced astrophotography with DSO.
Thanks in advance,
Simon
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C6-S CG5 ASGT
WO Megrez 72mm
Eyepieces - 28mm, 20mm, 13mm, 4mm
Fujinon 7x50 FMTRC-SX
Nikon D300
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4947
Loc: MA
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>>> I'm toying with the idea of getting a cheaper manual-mount,<<<
IMO, you should get an 8" Dob for ~$350 US. It's a scope and manual mount all in one. You'll appreciate the aperture on DSOs.
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17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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izar187
sage
Reged: 09/02/06
Posts: 248
Loc: 43N
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Getting an affordable manually mounted scope, for a start or as a second scope, is always a good plan.
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4 thru 13 inch scopes.
30 years observing.
You just read this on the internet, so.....
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marked
member
Reged: 01/22/09
Posts: 14
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I have my TV102 mounted on a GoTo mount most of the time, but also have a manual alt-az for those nights that I just want to carry the mount and telescope out together at one time and do some quick observing.
Ed
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Reed
member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 57
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A well balanced EQ computer mount can be used as a manual mount. I used my EQ5 pro tonight for a quick look by just unlocking the axises (SP?)and pointing the scope at Jupiter. I then locked the declination axis and manualy tracked using the RA axis.
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mich_al
super member
Reged: 05/10/09
Posts: 125
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I've picked up a nice Universal Astronomics manual mount when my new GGEM failed. It was great to have all summer while Celestron had my mount. It got little use the week after Labor Day while my CGEM was functional but now it's back in full time service while Celestron works on the current crop of failures. With luck it will get a rest after Thanksgiving if my CGEM is back by then. A good manual mount is great to have around for quick setups and especially if you have a flakey mount like my CGEM has been.
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wanderer_oz
member
Reged: 09/24/09
Posts: 13
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Hello,
Much appreciate everyone's advices and comments. I now understood that a spare manual mount is not a bad idea in the long run. I'm seriously considering between the EQ5 vs EQ3-2. Although I'm kind of tilling toward EQ5 for its sturdiness for the 110mm refractor (possibly, a future 8" SCT), I'm not quite sure if EQ5 is going to be too heavy as a grab & go scope. I won't mind to move the scope in 2 separate pieces (the mount + OTA). Would be much apprecaite if anyone know thw total weight of the non-motorized EQ5 and EQ3-2.
Regarding a 8"Dob, since the start, I made a choice to start with refractor for its easier maintenance and more ruggedness. I do hope to use a mirror scope in the future.
Thanks again.
Simon
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C6-S CG5 ASGT
WO Megrez 72mm
Eyepieces - 28mm, 20mm, 13mm, 4mm
Fujinon 7x50 FMTRC-SX
Nikon D300
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