25 replies to this topic

[Lowendmaker]

Hi everyone,

 

As the title says, it all comes down to the visual experience difference between the two.

 

But I want to give a little context. I currently have a very (very) modest Celestron Power Seeker 114eq. I know. I've read the reviews and the opinions, but... I live in México... What does that mean? Prices and availability. I wanted an 8 inch dob. That one sounded like a perfect match for me. But the thing is... We don´t have telescope stores in southern México. The only one "near" me is located in México City and sells only toy telescopes from very weird brands.

 

So my options? Amazon or... an overseas online store that actually ships to México (a couple). The first option is also polluted by only toy ones and a couple ones from Celestron (way overpriced). The later options charge as much (or maybe more) in taxes and shipping that the actual price of the gear. Example: an 800 dlls dob is around 1700 dlls delivered to my front door... And that doesent change much form Amazon when it comes to dobsonians. At this very moment, the only 8 dob available is the starsense explorer and it sells "from" 2,227 dlls.... hahahahahaha. I think you get the picture. 

 

But I didn't came here to grumble about the downsides of living in a 3rd world country... 

 

So i got what was available, and don't get me wrong, it's given me a lot of enjoyment and some amazing views. I've enjoyed almost 5 years of dso hunting under polluted skies (M77 was an achievement), amazing shadow transits from Io, Ganymede and Europa, and I have tested almost every bargain eyepiece you guys discuss here with some amazing results. Step by step I've learnt what this little pair of mirrors can offer. But... 

 

I want to fight a little less, and observe a little more... And I thought that a little big of a mirror and a little more stable of a base could improve my experience a lot. That said I turned my head to the "inexpensive" little Heritage 150p but again... nobody ships it to Mexico and Amazon offers a 510 dlls price but its been going in and out of inventory... But yesterday a nice deal appeared on Amazon: the Starsense Explorer 150mm tabletop is exactly the same price as is offered on HPS, and delivered to my door!

 

I know that is overpriced. (what not) and I know that it doesent have a 2" inch focuser (I dont have 2" eyepieces) and I know that it does not have XLT coatings... well I can imagine is not perfect but the thing is... i'm willing to spend that money but having never looked through one I really want to know if my "upgrade" plan will be fruitful. Will I see a clear difference in the eyepiece? I have to add that we dont have astronomy clubs here... the only telescopes some of my friends have are small department store toys, and at one point I had the opportunity to use an 8" meade SCT and a 7" Mak, the later being amazing on planets and globular clusters, but waaay out my league in terms of spending.

 

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.

Edited by Lowendmaker, 17 February 2025 - 01:30 PM.

[carolinaskies]

Comparatively you're dealing with two differences, more aperture and less focal length which means lower power but more resolved detail in views thru your selection of eyepieces.   The typical 20mm will gain 16% field but the target will be smaller.  

I'm not sure I'd say it's much of a gain for putting that much into it.   

Have you considered the price of ordering pieces to make a dobsonian of larger aperture like the 8"?  If you have access to some basic woodworking tools you might be able to order a mirror set, spider, focuser and make the rest.   I know that tends to be less expensive in areas where importing whole scopes is prohibitive.  

What's this Amazon kit cost for you?  https://www.amazon.c...39823263&sr=8-5

[Takuan]

If possible, I recommend a 150/750 solid tube over a Heritage. Also a 6" f8 dob.

[Lowendmaker]

Of course! Thanks Paul, it's been a while since the last time I explored that option. The kit is priced 177 dlls + shipping for me. Thats a very good deal.

 

I can't find any info regarding whether it´s a parabolic figure or not, but I'm guessing it is. The f ratio seems a little unconventional at f/6.25, I just hope its not spherical.

 

One of the things I was up to explore is precisely a parabilic mirror. Mine, being spherical, at f/8 it's not bad (a little undercorrected and with a turned edge) but I'm pretty shure it's not as sharp as a parabolic one. But I'm just guessing here.

[Lowendmaker]

If possible, I recommend a 150/750 solid tube over a Heritage. Also a 6" f8 dob.

Yes, that was also my thinking, and a better focuser. The Starsense explorer 150 is a solid tube. An f/8 should be better for planetary I'm guessing, but none is available to me. You guys have an amazing telescope market in the peninsula.

[izar187]

In my opinion a 150/750 newt is a significant upgrade over a 114/900.

The difference in focal length can be covered by your ep's and barlow.

I have no experience with the precise 150/750 scope you are looking at.

But in general terms, that is a worthwhile upgrade.

 

My 150/750 is an older Celestron solid tube, and gives a 2º field with my 32mm plössl.

Also will barlow up to 200x for planets, when local atmospheric seeing allows.

The 150mm aperture has enough light gathering for this,

and will be brighter and more detail revealing than the 114mm scope.

Same for dso's, as they will reveal more as well.

Edited by izar187, 17 February 2025 - 11:17 PM.

[PKDfan]

I think the do it yourself approach might be the most productive path in the long run.

It sounds like your addicted and will probably want an even bigger scope in the future so it irks me that not all suppliers ship to places outside the U.S. or are wildly out of line on prices.


Best of Luck on your Hunt Lowendmaker !

You'll definitely see much more with the 150mm.



Clear Steady Skies
Lance

[mzhang117]

Of course! Thanks Paul, it's been a while since the last time I explored that option. The kit is priced 177 dlls + shipping for me. Thats a very good deal.

 

I can't find any info regarding whether it´s a parabolic figure or not, but I'm guessing it is. The f ratio seems a little unconventional at f/6.25, I just hope its not spherical.

 

One of the things I was up to explore is precisely a parabilic mirror. Mine, being spherical, at f/8 it's not bad (a little undercorrected and with a turned edge) but I'm pretty shure it's not as sharp as a parabolic one. But I'm just guessing here.

Product description from the Amazon link says spherical figure. Sorry.

 

 

 

Product Description
D203F1270 Mirror for Newtonian Reflector Astronomical Telescope

Specification:
Primary mirror: spherical
Caliber: 203mm
Focal length: 1270mm
The thickness is about 18mm
Surface accuracy： 1/6 λ
Reflected at: 92%
Secondary minor axis:50mm
Coating, aluminizing and protective film

Package description:
1 D203F1270 mirror
1 50mm second mirror
1 packing box

[Jon Isaacs]

 

I know that is overpriced. (what not) and I know that it doesent have a 2" inch focuser (I dont have 2" eyepieces) and I know that it does not have XLT coatings... well I can imagine is not perfect but the thing is... i'm willing to spend that money but having never looked through one I really want to know if my "upgrade" plan will be fruitful. Will I see a clear difference in the eyepiece? I have to add that we dont have astronomy clubs here... the only telescopes some of my friends have are small department store toys, and at one point I had the opportunity to use an 8" meade SCT and a 7" Mak, the later being amazing on planets and globular clusters, but waaay out my league in terms of spending.

 

Amadeo:

 

I have owned a number of 114mm F/8 Newtonians as well as two 6 inch F/5's.  There is no doubt in my mind that you will see more in the 6 inch. Your situation is a difficult one.  I once gave a 130mm F/5.5 to someone living in Monterrey.  He had a friend that lived in Texas... Somehow it made it to Monterrey.,.. 

 

Jon

[Lowendmaker]

In my opinion a 150/750 newt is a significant upgrade over a 114/900.

The difference in focal length can be covered by your ep's and barlow.

I have no experience with the precise 150/750 scope you are looking at.

But in general terms, that is a worthwhile upgrade.

 

My 150/750 is an older Celestron solid tube, and gives a 2º field with my 32mm plössl.

Also will barlow up to 200x for planets, when local atmospheric seeing allows.

The 150mm aperture has enough light gathering for this,

and will be brighter and more detail revealing than the 114mm scope.

Same for dso's, as they will reveal more as well.

Thanks! Your comment also makes me see it like a more versatile instrument, giving a wider view without sacrificing planetary views too much.

 

Here we have very good skies. Lots of light pollution, but I can go up to 257x in Jupiter and saturn when they are close to the meridian with nice focus. Thats what drives me to the reasoning that I was lucky with this little mirror.

 

The thing is that I have access to a semi dark location about 20 miles from the city (a safari park with a nice camp site) and there is where I feel I can go deeper... I like planetary views particularly shadow transits, but I love hunting globulars and planetary nebulae, and I really love watching a couple stars becoming an open cluster as you increase magnification... 

[Lowendmaker]

I think the do it yourself approach might be the most productive path in the long run.

Well yes... maybe that could be a long term solution... In fact my little "Er Niño" has seen some diy "mods"... I flocked the tube, center marked the mirror to get a spot on collimation (which holds like a champion), swapped finders, at one point the whole telescope fell from a small summit in the field, and the center post that holds the mount broke and I had it re-made into alt-az config, so... the thing will be getting the right parts online.

[Lowendmaker]

It sounds like your addicted and will probably want an even bigger scope in the future...

Is that evident?   I prefer the word obsessed...

 

nah... addicted is spot on...

[Lowendmaker]

Amadeo:

 

I have owned a number of 114mm F/8 Newtonians as well as two 6 inch F/5's.  There is no doubt in my mind that you will see more in the 6 inch. Your situation is a difficult one.  I once gave a 130mm F/5.5 to someone living in Monterrey.  He had a friend that lived in Texas... Somehow it made it to Monterrey.,.. 

 

Jon

Thanks for that Jon, I think that I should not pass on the sale. You guys are really helping in the decision making process. 

 

Monterrey is an hour away from Texas... I'm in the "deep" south. The city of Puebla, about 100 miles south from Mexico City.

[Devonshire]

FWIW, First Light Optics (UK) appears to ship to Mexico.  They have real scopes :-)

 

https://www.firstlig...nformation.html

[rgk901]

I found an 8' on Ali express that will ship to you but for 500 .. although that's the shipping price everywhere with this model

but still cheaper than Amazon?

you could dig around that site for a possible cheaper ship or different model/ brand.

https://www.aliexpre...16-4113de8582dc

I have a 150/750 and think you'll enjoy the heck out of it if the 8" doesn't work out


PS I like the idea of building one if you have the interest/ability

Edited by rgk901, 18 February 2025 - 11:12 AM.

[rgk901]

FWIW, First Light Optics (UK) appears to ship to Mexico. They have real scopes :-)

https://www.firstlig...nformation.html

yes! and comes out cheap than the Ali express!

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by rgk901, 18 February 2025 - 11:07 AM.

[Lowendmaker]

FWIW, First Light Optics (UK) appears to ship to Mexico.  They have real scopes :-)

 

https://www.firstlig...nformation.html

Thanks! I once quoted with them, and the shipping was very reasonable, the thing is Mexico doesn´t have a free trade agreement with the UK, like the USMCA and the taxes go up to 15% IVA + 30% tariff + something around 10% extra for customs clearance. Shipping across the atlantic for a mid size dob is around 200-250 sterling, adding up well... you get the idea.

 

And yes, ver "real" telescopes. Some not readily available in this side of the pond. I remember them having a very good inventory during pandemic times. 

 

HPS also ships to méxico. In fact there are no tariffs when purchasing sub 50 dlls items, but things escalade fast once you go up say 300-500 dlls. Both shipping and taxes.

Edited by Lowendmaker, 18 February 2025 - 12:09 PM.

[Lowendmaker]

yes! and comes out cheap than the Ali express!

Yes! The shipping rates are indeed good. But they don't do the taxes brokerage.

 

They leave that to the local customs. And here is where a $700.00 shoping kart, becomes a $1,200 one... and sometimes here in the customs office (been there with a Deering Banjo that I bought last decade) they can say that this particular item has never been imported into Mexico and needs to be verified and be compliant with the NOM. Which is a standard that every imported good needs to meet. That process can take up to a couple months and you end up paying also a storage fee... 

Edited by Lowendmaker, 18 February 2025 - 12:08 PM.

[rgk901]

oh boy:(

Than the 6" it is!!

~1/2 a magitude brighter than your 114mm and sharper mirror on high magnifications and you'll get the benefit of the plate solving gizmo too.

Edited by rgk901, 18 February 2025 - 11:45 AM.

[carolinaskies]

Of course! Thanks Paul, it's been a while since the last time I explored that option. The kit is priced 177 dlls + shipping for me. Thats a very good deal.

 

I can't find any info regarding whether it´s a parabolic figure or not, but I'm guessing it is. The f ratio seems a little unconventional at f/6.25, I just hope its not spherical.

 

One of the things I was up to explore is precisely a parabilic mirror. Mine, being spherical, at f/8 it's not bad (a little undercorrected and with a turned edge) but I'm pretty shure it's not as sharp as a parabolic one. But I'm just guessing here.

You might contact one of the ATM (Amateur Telescope Makers) groups in the US who may be able to supply you with a basic kit shipped down especially 8" kits which are pretty common.   Someone close to the Mexico border might be able to cross the border and ship parts much cheaper in country.  It is crazy how extra taxes take a bite out of any budget when things move across borders. 

Also, don't discount eBay if you can find members willing to ship to Mexico via eBay international shipping which can save money. 

[Jon Isaacs]

Thanks for that Jon, I think that I should not pass on the sale. You guys are really helping in the decision making process. 

 

Monterrey is an hour away from Texas... I'm in the "deep" south. The city of Puebla, about 100 miles south from Mexico City.

 

My wife lived in Chiapas for 17 years and still has friends and family.. we made a number of trips by car passing by Puebla... Some beautiful country.  The Pico de Orizaba.. 18,451 ft. The 7th most prominent peak in the world...

 

I wish there were some way to help.

 

Jon

[Lowendmaker]

You might contact one of the ATM (Amateur Telescope Makers) groups in the US who may be able to supply you with a basic kit shipped down especially 8" kits which are pretty common.   Someone close to the Mexico border might be able to cross the border and ship parts much cheaper in country.  It is crazy how extra taxes take a bite out of any budget when things move across borders.

Thanks Paul, that is also a great idea. I will look into it. 

[Lowendmaker]

My wife lived in Chiapas for 17 years and still has friends and family.. we made a number of trips by car passing by Puebla... Some beautiful country.  The Pico de Orizaba.. 18,451 ft. The 7th most prominent peak in the world...

 

Indeed! We have beautiful vistas over here.

 

I wish there were some way to help.

 

Jon

 

Thanks for your words, believe me you already have.

 

5 years of following your insightful, generous and often very technical and helpful comments in these forums, as well as those from other regular and passionate members, have informed and guided many of my choices and projects.

 

 

I will ruminate every advice in this thread and will move forward in order to focus on taking advantage of the rest of the observation window that the coming weeks offer.

 

Thank you all for your advice.

Edited by Lowendmaker, 20 February 2025 - 02:27 PM.

[Corcaroli78]

Hi everyone,

As the title says, it all comes down to the visual experience difference between the two.

But I want to give a little context. I currently have a very (very) modest Celestron Power Seeker 114eq. I know. I've read the reviews and the opinions, but... I live in México... What does that mean? Prices and availability. I wanted an 8 inch dob. That one sounded like a perfect match for me. But the thing is... We don´t have telescope stores in southern México. The only one "near" me is located in México City and sells only toy telescopes from very weird brands.

So my options? Amazon or... an overseas online store that actually ships to México (a couple). The first option is also polluted by only toy ones and a couple ones from Celestron (way overpriced). The later options charge as much (or maybe more) in taxes and shipping that the actual price of the gear. Example: an 800 dlls dob is around 1700 dlls delivered to my front door... And that doesent change much form Amazon when it comes to dobsonians. At this very moment, the only 8 dob available is the starsense explorer and it sells "from" 2,227 dlls.... hahahahahaha. I think you get the picture.

But I didn't came here to grumble about the downsides of living in a 3rd world country...

So i got what was available, and don't get me wrong, it's given me a lot of enjoyment and some amazing views. I've enjoyed almost 5 years of dso hunting under polluted skies (M77 was an achievement), amazing shadow transits from Io, Ganymede and Europa, and I have tested almost every bargain eyepiece you guys discuss here with some amazing results. Step by step I've learnt what this little pair of mirrors can offer. But...

I want to fight a little less, and observe a little more... And I thought that a little big of a mirror and a little more stable of a base could improve my experience a lot. That said I turned my head to the "inexpensive" little Heritage 150p but again... nobody ships it to Mexico and Amazon offers a 510 dlls price but its been going in and out of inventory... But yesterday a nice deal appeared on Amazon: the Starsense Explorer 150mm tabletop is exactly the same price as is offered on HPS, and delivered to my door!

I know that is overpriced. (what not) and I know that it doesent have a 2" inch focuser (I dont have 2" eyepieces) and I know that it does not have XLT coatings... well I can imagine is not perfect but the thing is... i'm willing to spend that money but having never looked through one I really want to know if my "upgrade" plan will be fruitful. Will I see a clear difference in the eyepiece? I have to add that we dont have astronomy clubs here... the only telescopes some of my friends have are small department store toys, and at one point I had the opportunity to use an 8" meade SCT and a 7" Mak, the later being amazing on planets and globular clusters, but waaay out my league in terms of spending.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.

Hi Lowendmaker,

I am from Tulancingo, but i moved abroad 15 years ago. I left at home an 8 inch that needs some love under the stars in a new home. I will send you a PM.

I started my journey in 2003 with a cheap Baytronix 76/900 since i had no budget and suffered from lack of decent scopes at that time. I fully understand you.

Carlos

[Jon Isaacs]

Hi Lowendmaker,

I am from Tulancingo, but i moved abroad 15 years ago. I left at home an 8 inch that needs some love under the stars in a new home. I will send you a PM.

I started my journey in 2003 with a cheap Baytronix 76/900 since i had no budget and suffered from lack of decent scopes at that time. I fully understand you.

Carlos

 

 

Jon