38 replies to this topic

[rob1986]

https://www.telescop...eyword=skyview#

https://www.telescop...?keyword=12 dob

https://www.telescop...uts?keyword=mak

80 mm ed ST

astrometric eyepeice

 

What about you?

[blakestree]

DZ

[qswat72]

I think the three big things that I think about as stuff for the future would be: better mount (something such as the HEQ-5 or CEM25P), better camera though not sure exactly which, and a l-eNhance. One thing that I don’t currently plan on buying but would be interested in seeing would be a dob, as I’ve never actually gotten a chance to look through one yet.

[Stellar1]

TSA-120

[MrRoberts]

Sell everything I currently have and replace with:

 

102mm frac

12.5" Obsession

[David I]

Orion Eon 104mm triplet refractor.

[alphatripleplus]

I was going to say a 130mm triplet refractor, but I'm having second (or third)  thoughts.

[WadeH237]

The last 6 months have pretty much been a blur.

 

I retired early when my company eliminated my position.  At that point, I sold my home outside the Seattle area and moved east of the Cascade mountains.  In that move, I went from a Bortle 6 zone to a Bortle 3 zone.  I also went from about 40 clear nights per year, to over 100.  I went from having a 30+ degree tree line all around my scope on a 1.25 acre lot, to having 360 degree views nearly down to the distant horizon on 40 acres.

 

Prior to retirement, I had no plans for further astronomy gear in the foreseeable future.  With retirement, I am planning an observatory with a visual pier and an imaging pier.  I'm also making some gear purchases to fill out the observatory the way that I want.  I'd been on the waiting list for an Astro-Physics 130 GTX for who-knows-how-many-years.  Back in November or so, I gave up waiting on the AP 130 and ordered a TEC 140.  The TEC 140 was about a year out at the time I ordered it.  Unexpectedly, Astro-Physics contacted me in December to say that my name came up on the AP 130 list.  I immediately jumped on the AP scope, since it's been my dream for a while to own and Astro-Physics refractor.  The AP 130 was delivered yesterday.  The thing is, I still have the TEC 140 order in place.  I am undecided about whether I want to cancel the order or not.  I may take delivery and put it through its paces and then decide whether I need two high-end refractors, or whether I just want the AP.

 

So I've gone from no new gear plans, to having a very significant investment in new high-end refractors...

 

I've also noticed that the market for used gear is really hot right now.  Because of that, I am considering selling a few things.  In particular, my AT102ED is completely redundant, since I'll soon have three triplet refractors (in addition to the AP and TEC, I already have a Stellarvue SV80ST).  I also don't think that I'll ever use my AT6RC again.  I could also sell my two AVX mounts and replace them with a used Mach1 (I may know of one of these that I could talk the owner out of).

 

When I half-joked to my wife about getting a used Mach1, I expected her to go through the roof, since we're now on a fixed income.  I was surprised that she was quite supportive and actually encouraged me to do it.

[rob1986]

and if money were not issue

 

https://www.telescop...s?keyword=mount

 

https://www.telescop...newtonian 10 in

 

with a guidescope, visual spectroscopic filter, wheel of narrow band nebula filters, and a separate wheel of planetary filters, and modified dslr for computerless imaging

[DSOGabe]

I've been looking at the ES 127mm Achromatic refractor. 

I've been debating back and forth if another scope is really needed

[Dennis53121]

As far as astronomy equipment, I want for nothing. I just want to be able to have more clear nights and use what I already have.

 

Dennis

Edited by Dennis53121, 24 February 2021 - 12:30 PM.

[jjbag]

I've been thinking on this for a week or so now, I want "ALOT".. LOL  In order of GETS

 

Custom rocker box for my 10xti to replace the current one.

ES 20mm eyepiece 

18" - 20" Sub f4 Premium Dob (currently working on wife... thinking I'll be able to order by summer) Was bouncing between an SCT 14" and a Large Dob, Dob won out in my mind.

BinoViewer

A nice refractor (never had a good one, just a toy 70mm one that worked as expected)

[SloMoe]

The Hubble space telescope, I figure the price will drop on it when they get the James Webb space telescope working, 

 

I'm sure I can save enough if I can just stop buying other astro stuff,,,,,,,,

[jjbag]

The Hubble space telescope, I figure the price will drop on it when they get the James Webb space telescope working, 

 

I'm sure I can save enough if I can just stop buying other astro stuff,,,,,,,,

Your thinking too small, I'm saving up for the WEBB, figure by the time I can retire the Webb will be replaced so by then it should be cheap.

[arrowspace90]

ZWO ASI2600s.  I ordered the MM, thinking seriously of the MC, but will have to evaluate the MM first.

In other words, for over a thousand extra dollars over what my present 533MC or 1600MM costs, I will need to be able to actually see a difference in the results.

Holding up a photo of the camera to impress people here on C/N will not cut it.

[rob1986]

The Hubble space telescope, I figure the price will drop on it when they get the James Webb space telescope working,

I'm sure I can save enough if I can just stop buying other astro stuff,,,,,,,,

Its going to need sone refurbishment by then, that will be quite they DIY thread, just make sure to take some pictures!

[RogerM]

Tesla X P100D

 

Why?

 

1. Cargo capacity so that I can bring all my stuff to image with, along with snacks.

2. I can use the car's battery pack to run my gear.  Won't need but an extension cord. 

 

Seriously, that car is a dream list item.  In the near future maybe, just maybe a MEWLON M-210 or 8" Edge HD.

[RogerM]

Your thinking too small, I'm saving up for the WEBB, figure by the time I can retire the Webb will be replaced so by then it should be cheap.

Maybe cheap but you won't be able to retrieve it out at L2.

[weis14]

I'm on the waiting list for a Mach 2, so I'll buy that when my name comes up. I'm also waiting on a backorder for a 10mm Delos and have been lusting for a mid-20mm Eyepiece.

Other than that, I've bought and sold too much over the last 14 months as it is. I need clear skies (less than 10 good nights since October) so I can use my equipment and not just buy and sell it.

[Stardust Dave]

A counter weight kit for the LX-3.

[laurelg9]

Oberwerks binos, prob the 15/70 LWs, and the mount. 

[Joe1950]

There is always something I’d like to have, but it changes from time to time.

 

Right now, I would like a Questar 3.5, with broad band coatings and a cervit mirror. And a good, lightweight dedicated tripod. Why? Don’t know for sure. But I think if I had one I’d use it all the time.

 

I’m in the ‘simplify things’ mode. Nothing huge, heavy or complicated. Easy and quick and simple. A Q 3.5 would fit nicely. Plus, where I live, there are so many trees, I have to move when I go from one object to another.

 

So never having one, but always fascinated by them that’s what I would pick. Oh and 3 or 4 TeleVue Delights. That’s it. I’d give my other scopes to family to enjoy.

 

But it will never happen! Just a wish. I look at pictures and that’s as close as I’ll ever get.

 

Second choice is a 100mm short APO (ED doublet). Maybe a TV. And a lightweight alt-as mount and 3 or 4 TeleVue Delights.

 

I have an AT-102ED, f/7, and it is a very good scope. So it will do.

 

Thanks.

[SloMoe]

Its going to need sone refurbishment by then, that will be quite they DIY thread, just make sure to take some pictures!

Two of the first upgrades are the finder's, that cheap computer controlled RDF can't be trusted, 

 

A good green laser pointer and a Telrad !!

[Bigal1817]

A 3rd telescope to improve upon my grab n' go setup and travel with me when there's not room for my 8" dob.  Perhaps a 3" apo or a 5" mak.

[Epox75]

A big triplet refractor (between 130mm and 150mm) 

 

A new filter wheel and filter sets to move from 1,25'' to 2''

 

A new camera, I still don't have a clear idea about it but preferably above the 4k resolution. 

Edited by Epox75, 25 February 2021 - 12:04 PM.