Which telescope?

[Omega]

Hi, I'm after some advice please...

I am looking at replacing my ETX with something more suited to general viewing and astrophotography (via CCD and DSLR + piggybacking) and am looking at two telescopes. I might be barking up the wrong tree entirely, but would like some feedback on the two I have chosen to look at:

A Skywatcher 10” newtonian reflector and the
Schmidt-Newtonian Meade LXD75 10”

thanks in advance

Angie

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Omega,

I have a 12" f/5 Newtonian & a Meade SN-10. on different mounts. The SN-10 will be f/4, so pretty fast, the Newtonian will likely be f/8 so a much longer tube to support. The SN-10 is more compact and an EQ 5/6 would be great as a mount. The 10" Newtonian an EQ 6 minimum. The longer tube has a lot more leverage, which causes easier movement when adjusting the focuser, touching the tube etc.

It also depends on what you want to use the scope for? To get high mags with the SN-10 you will be using a 4 or 5 times Barlow or EP projection, with the Newtonian a 2 or 3 times Barlow with give you reasonable mag. My 12" fork mounted Newtonian is non portable, the SN-10 is. A 10" scope is on the limit of portability, especially the Newtonian with its longer tube.

Assuming both scopes are of equal quality, I would go with the SN-10 - both for ease of mounting and transportability, others may well chose the Newtonian with a higher f/ratio for planetary imaging etc.!

Let's see what other members have to say - someone in the group may well have used both 10" scopes you mentioned.

Check my Picasa link below to see the size difference between my scopes.

I have added a couple of pics of the Alhena mount with a SN-10 and a Meade LXD-55 mount for size comparrison. The /55 and /75 are the same physical size but the /75 has better innards - it replaced the /55 mount.

Clear skies...

[Dusty]

Let's see what other members have to say - they seem a bit slow in coming on, maybe my post will generate some 'discussion'.


Sorry I don't have any experience with either so can't comment.
But I know one guy who has a 12" Newt and he is producing World class Planetary images and animations.
He's also now venturing into DSO imaging with his Canon 350D.

All I can suggest is, use the best mount you can afford, this is crucial to the quality of your final images.

Good luck.

:pipethinker:

[h0ughy]

for general astrophotography deep space get the fastest possible scope you can, say f4, you can start with a f4 6" from bintel, this OTA is astroimaging friendly and visual. Or Vixen have a R200SS 8". you can piggyback them or go side by side on a lxd55 or 75 or eq6 mount with ease. :eartoear: :eartoear:

or go an ed80 with say a 5" MC Intes f10, so you can do planetary imaging and deepsky widefields, track with either one and have them side by side (http://www.kendauzat.net/cust/0227061b.jpg)

[Omega]

Thanks everyone for your great advice. I know I'm going to regret selling my etx because its so small to cart around in the car and the family can come too and its great to take camping. I just cant keep it as the funds go toward the new scope.

I do like the sound of the SN10 Meade, but I would have to order one in from the east like I did my etx. I just found that they isnt much support for Meade in Perth. But on the other hand, the SN10 has a focal ratio of f/4 whereas the skywatcher is f/4.7, so the meade would let in more light, but would f/.7 make much difference?

they are both the same price too, which makes it hard too. here are the links to the two scopes:

http://www.staroptics.com.au/index.php?a=telescopes&p=72

http://www.staroptics.com.au/index.php?a=telescopes&p=14

I'm not usually indecisive, but I guess I dont want to make another mistake!

thanks again for all your advice everyone. :thumbsupmate:

Angie

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Omega,

I would go with the Sky Watcher EQ6, the EQ6 mount it is so much bigger than the LXD75. Optically you will not see a difference in the light grasp. Make sure you have the version 3.xx handbox, which can link to your PC to upgrade, the earlier version 2.xx cannot.

I have the LXD-55, which is a lightweight discontinued mount - it was replaced by the LXD-75, better bearings but that still physically the same size and way too small for a 10" scope IMHO.

The EQ6 is a whole new ball game, definitely a must for a 10" scope. I also have one so I can directly compare. I have the GPS unit for it as well as an extra. I am also fitting it with an EQMOD which means one can use a laptop & planetarium programme without the handbox, also the pointing precision is much higher this way. I will be using the Shoestring Astronomy bits for this and for the autoguider! Just in the process of setting it up this week.

Contact me off-list if you need to, some people find talking one to one a bit less intimidating and I get heaps of emails from newcomers all the time:
(Associate Editor) Shevill.Mathers@SkyandSpace.com.au

Hope this helps & Clear skies...

[Radar]

Hi Angie, I agree with Shevill. I think the Sky Watcher will suit you better because there is a skywatcher dealer in Perth and not a Meade dealer. So parts and support will be easy for you.

Regards

Ray

[Draig]

HI Angie & welcome to the group.

If this helps at all I have a Skywatcher 8" Newtonian on a HEQ5 mount.

Whilst the HEQ5 does not have GOTO capablities it can be upgraded later. This mount is more than adaquate for my 8" scope and the scope it self works brilliantly. I think far better than I thought it would. It does however suffer from a sevre case of "User Malfunction" :Chessy_Smile:

Cheers Colin

P.S. The cost difference between the 8" & 10" meens you might be able to keep your beloved ETX as well, then you can take them both camping, one for you and one for the girls. :Chessy_Smile:

[Omega]

Thanks Collin for the great advice.

I had a trip to BTOW and attempted to put together a 10" reflector on an eq6 mount and soon realised that I was going to have to 'hire another hubby' just to put it together for me. It's way too heavy for me and I couldn't even manage to lift the ota onto the mount!

So there goes that idea! I'm running down an old familiar track now and am looking at a 7" mak now. I was thinking of piggybacking an ED80 on top later on too. They both have great optics and the 7" will give me the extra light gathering power over my 5" for astrophotos. And, I can lift the equipment too, without breaking my back (just come out of hospital yesterday due to my back!). :duh:

thank you again for your advice. The 7" mak comes on a HEQ5 version 3 for upgrade and I'll be going the goto and coffee making facility! :eartoear:

Angie

[Radar]

Those Maks are actually quite good little scopes. I had one once. Whilst not designed for astrophotography, they can certainly do it easily. They are also great visual scopes, and would also be good for planetary imaging.

[Omega]

For the same dollars as a 7" mak there is a Celestron 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain. Both on equatorial mounts with goto's, but what about optics? which is better? the mak? I'm getting a little confused with all the information I am getting from so many sources!:eek:

Angie

[Omega]

:hmm: here are the links for the two scopes:

http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?CatID=11&ProdID=60#specs

http://www.astronomyonline.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=52&ProductID=2197&cid=290
(cant' believe the price on this one!) I can get one for $2,800.

please help!!! I have looked thru the 7" mak and liked what I saw, but I don"t know anyone with an 8" SC.

THANKS :hmm:

[Draig]

Hi Omega,
Sorry I cann't help.

I like my Newtonian and despite the fact that it does have some short comings compared to the SCs and Maks, I don't think I will swap it.


At least not yet. When I have a few more dollars and can afford to go for a 14"or 16" scope then I will consider it.

But perhaps AstroTasmania can help. He has a wide veriaty(?) of telescopes at his access.

Cheers Colin