C4-R and C6-N

[huang_qingyuan]

I am new to astronomy and would like to buy a telescope.
izzit a good idea to buy a C4-R for 995 dollars?
is the price considered expensive or fair?
izzit better for someone new like me to start with planetary observation or deep sky observation?
would be thankful for any answers..

[Meng Lee]

Hi, first consideration is that the mount might not reach 0 degree latitude, then there will be problems with tracking. This CG-4 or EQ-3 mount looks like it can reach 0 degree but may have problems of counterweight colliding with the tripod legs.

Hope someone with experience with this mount can clarify this.

Next consideration is, next time, do you want to concentrate as a visual observer or astrophotographer? For either option, you might want to get instruments that will stay with you next time, rather than getting rid of old equipment next time.

Observations of Moon and planets as a start are very satisfying and hooks you on! (provided the instruments are good.)

[weixing]

Hi,

I am new to astronomy and would like to buy a telescope.

Err... My advice is don't buy first... try to join in some observation session and look through others scope first. Don't have the expectation that you'll see images like those photo from website and magazine... because you don't. After a few observation session, you think Astronomy is the right hobby for you, then you can start consider buying a scope... by this time, you'll have a better idea which scope is more suitable for you.

izzit a good idea to buy a C4-R for 995 dollars?
is the price considered expensive or fair?

Mount included?? If yes, then the price is fair.

izzit better for someone new like me to start with planetary observation or deep sky observation?

Actually, it same. But due to Singapore light pollution, planetary and lunar is a good start.

Anyway, since you mention the C6N (6" F5 Newtonian), I'll said that is a very nice scope if you can handle to scope and don't mind learning and doing collimation. It'll basically outperform C4R (even a 120mm F8.3 Achromatic Refractor) basically in every category... I know because I had a similar scope (different brand) before.

Hi, first consideration is that the mount might not reach 0 degree latitude, then there will be problems with tracking. This CG-4 or EQ-3 mount looks like it can reach 0 degree but may have problems of counterweight colliding with the tripod legs.

There are two type of tripod for this mount: One version have the north peg above one of the tripod leg and the other version have the north peg in between the tripod legs. Make sure you get the version with the north peg between the tripod legs. With this tripod, you can reach quite near 3 degree latitude with original counter-weight, unless your telescope is quite heavy. You can solve this problem once and for all with a half-pier. You can also get a smaller diameter counter-weight (such as vixen counter-weight) which you should be able to reach 1 degree latitude, but without much spare space for very accurate polar alignment... not a big problem for visual use.

Have a nice day.

[Meng Lee]

Hi,

Btw the C6-N i think is a catadiatropic Newtonian:

http://www.skywatchertelescope.com/1501EQ3-2.html

Celestron and Skywatcher gets their telescope from the same company, Hehe.

But I remembered that this design was found to be inferior to actual Newtonians. So its a better idea to think of getting a real Newtonian

Thanks.

[tungkian]

hiya..i jus started out about half a year back too..got a vixen 80mm refractor but soon realised that i couldn't see just as much..have since upgraded to a nexstar 6SE.

functionality wise, the scope is great. the optics are pretty amazing for the price, and i have been able to resolve plenty of details on the planets and DSOs. the tracking is very accurate, and the goto, if properly aligned, brings up all the objects within the centre 50% of a 32 mm plossl..the scope is also pretty portable. i stuff the entire scope into a hiking backpack and hand carry the tripod.

it's a good scope to consider if you wanna start out..goes for US999, else you can try the smaller nexstar 5SE for US799. however, the 6SE mount is more robust, damps out vibrations faster, and gives you provision for future OTA upgrades too!

just my 2 cents worth...cheers!

[weixing]

Hi,

Btw the C6-N i think is a catadiatropic Newtonian:

http://www.skywatchertelescope.com/1501EQ3-2.html

Celestron and Skywatcher gets their telescope from the same company, Hehe.

Yes, don't get the catadiatropic Newtonian. Not sure about the new Omni XLT series, but I think Advanced Series C6N is not a catadiatropic Newtonian.

Just in case, make sure there is no "glass" in front of the secondary mirror when look through the eyepiece holder. Sky-Watcher got 2 version and one of them is the catadiatropic Newtonian and the other is the "pure" 6" F5 Newtonian (my previous scope: http://www.skywatchertelescope.com/15075PEQ3-2.html ). I think Orion only have "pure" 6" F5 Newtonian version.

Have a nice day.