· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar General Astronomy >> Beginners Forum Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) csvella journeyman Reged: 09/12/11 Re: Travel scope opinions [Re: Joe R.]       #5271474 - 06/14/12 03:46 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   To answer your previous question- Yes, you can slew the ETX without a controller. Also, the ETX has a battery compartment built into it's base (which seems to only work reliably with lithium batteries for me when it gets cold) in case you want to use the controller without external power (which it also has a jack for.) One note though- the ETX attaches to the tripod mine came with by accepting two screws about 8" apart. So I don't know what you were planning for a base, but a camera tripod probably won't work. The base is about a 9" diameter circle for the ETX-90. I have used it without a tripod, though only at low mag- not sure how it would fair with high mag- I'd bet similar to the other tabletop scopes with some vibrations. I love the ETX as a grab & go though- tack sharp and I can carry scope, eyepieces, and tripod to car safely at the same time. Post Extras:       StarStuff1 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/01/07 Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line Re: Travel scope opinions [Re: csvella]       #5271521 - 06/14/12 04:11 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   FWIW I have been thru about a half dozen travel scopes in the last few decades. Overall, a 60mm ED spotter with a zoom eyepiece has become my choice for vacations at the beach. However, if astronomy is involved an 80mm f/5 is a good chice. Still wish I had kept mine when the 60mm ED came along. Oops, almost forgot. I still have the AstroTech 66, a fine little refractor capable of very low magnification up to about 120-14-X. I guess the AT72ED replaced it? Post Extras:       engchris super member Reged: 05/17/12 Loc: Florida Re: Travel scope opinions [Re: StarStuff1]       #5271690 - 06/14/12 06:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Well after reading reviews of several scopes I believe I've narrowed it down to 3 or 4 scopes and will try to further research these. Ares 5, ETX-80, Starblast 4.5, and GoScope 80mm. I also considered the Starmax 90mm; however, and correct me if I'm wrong, but this little Mak doesn't have the wide field views that a reflector or refractor has. I'd like to be able to view M31 when it's visibile again so I believe I'd need something with a wider field. Correct? I don't believe I could view with my 8se either....at least not all of it at once. Post Extras:       engchris super member Reged: 05/17/12 Loc: Florida Re: Travel scope opinions [Re: engchris]       #5271711 - 06/14/12 06:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I should also add that I'm pretty new to all this so my assumptions about field of view of certain scope types may be WAY off. Post Extras:       Midnight Dan Postmaster Reged: 01/23/08 Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl... Re: Travel scope opinions [Re: engchris]       #5271944 - 06/14/12 09:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   No, I think your assumptions about field of view are pretty good. If you're after wide views, you probably want to avoid Maks and SCTs. A small refractor or Newt would would be good choices. -Dan Post Extras:       Whichwayisnorth professor emeritus Reged: 07/04/11 Loc: Southern California Re: Travel scope opinions [Re: engchris]       #5272706 - 06/15/12 11:40 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Celestron - SkyMaster 25-125x80 Zoom Binoculars Model#: 71020 Universal Astronomics - T-Mount Light for Binos Model#: 01301 Post Extras:       Shawn H Postmaster Reged: 05/16/07 Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa Re: Travel scope opinions [Re: Whichwayisnorth]       #5273993 - 06/16/12 06:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   True any small refractor is a great travel scope! But then you have to think about the mount! Even a tabletop mount won't fit in airline overhead cabinets! I got a TMB 92L in a hard case that I can carry on, but the ALT/AZ tripod still has to be checked in! Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 12 registered and 19 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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