Here is my 2 cents
For just visual observation, get 120mm refractor on AZ3 mount. (~SGD1K)
- you can upgrade this setup with better scope if you dislike the achromat 120mm refractor.
For imaging, you can get 80mm ED with EQ3 goto. (~SGD3K)
- you can add autoguider and guide scope for long exposure later
Advice On Grab and Go Options
Thanks for all your advice. After weighing all the suggestions, I might consider a larger aperture (5") for an apochromatic refractor. What do you think of an EON 120ED? The weight (14.6lb) seems manageable. Anybody has anything good or bad to say about this scope (performance wise), or any recommendations of refractors in this range?
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weixing
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Hi,
I never seen through one before, but the review for EON 120ED seem not bad.
Anyway, there are some upcoming observation session and I suggest you should join some of those observation session to get an idea of an actual scope setup before you decide. Scope look smaller and lighter on paper than it actually is, so my suggestion is to see and feel the actual scope or some similar size scope and setup first before you concluded that it's manageable.
Take your time to decide.
Happy shopping and good luck in your quest of scope.
Have a nice day.
I never seen through one before, but the review for EON 120ED seem not bad.
Anyway, there are some upcoming observation session and I suggest you should join some of those observation session to get an idea of an actual scope setup before you decide. Scope look smaller and lighter on paper than it actually is, so my suggestion is to see and feel the actual scope or some similar size scope and setup first before you concluded that it's manageable.
Take your time to decide.
Happy shopping and good luck in your quest of scope.
Have a nice day.
Yang Weixing
"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance."
"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." 
Well,
I got a ED115 which is 115mm. Sightly different specs from info given below.
Thread:
http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=6979
Info:
http://www.vixenoptics.com/refractors/ed115s.htm
Review:
http://www.astromart.com/articles/artic ... cle_id=555
ML
I got a ED115 which is 115mm. Sightly different specs from info given below.
Thread:
http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=6979
Info:
http://www.vixenoptics.com/refractors/ed115s.htm
Review:
http://www.astromart.com/articles/artic ... cle_id=555
ML
Photo Album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14113965@N03/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14113965@N03/
a gd 4" refractor is alot of aperture. take a look thru one of those fs-102. i would definately pick a fs-102 over a c8. there's just something magical about these japanese made apos.
depending on your needs, one of those 102ed f/7 might do very well. it's light, under 4kg with tube rings, well constructed and shows very nice images. however for imaging you would want something better, since those are not well corrected enough for imaging purposes.
the flt-98 is pretty decent, but is much more expensive and approaching the cost of the tak tsa-102. it's still very light, slightly over 4k with tube rings. would work on those porta mounts. i didn't find the case that useful, it's strong but very heavy. no way you can hand carry the scope. but if you drive, it shouldn't be that much of an issue.
eon120 is in an entire different class altogether, it no longer rides properly on the smaller mounts, is too long for you to broad a public transport. not cheap either.
~MooEy~
depending on your needs, one of those 102ed f/7 might do very well. it's light, under 4kg with tube rings, well constructed and shows very nice images. however for imaging you would want something better, since those are not well corrected enough for imaging purposes.
the flt-98 is pretty decent, but is much more expensive and approaching the cost of the tak tsa-102. it's still very light, slightly over 4k with tube rings. would work on those porta mounts. i didn't find the case that useful, it's strong but very heavy. no way you can hand carry the scope. but if you drive, it shouldn't be that much of an issue.
eon120 is in an entire different class altogether, it no longer rides properly on the smaller mounts, is too long for you to broad a public transport. not cheap either.
~MooEy~
I suggest you look at the size of the scope first. it is not the weight that matters.....it is the bulk that is the problem. And don't forget that for a 5" scope, you need a bigger mount and tripod too. Definitely not in the class of grab and go to me. The scope itself maybe can still grab and go.....but surely you can't just use the scope without a mount and tripod.leechriz wrote:Thanks for all your advice. After weighing all the suggestions, I might consider a larger aperture (5") for an apochromatic refractor. What do you think of an EON 120ED? The weight (14.6lb) seems manageable. Anybody has anything good or bad to say about this scope (performance wise), or any recommendations of refractors in this range?
The Eon120 is a big scope. It look small only on pictures.
I used to have a Meade 127mm f7/5 which I sold later after testing it for one time. Now just from my upstairs to my downstairs, I need to make 2 trips...one trip for the scope & eyepieces, another trip for the tripod +mount head. Anything that need 2 trips...I wouldn't consider it as grab and go.
Another example.....I used to have a Mak127, pretty small scope. I can do it in one trip from upstairs to downstairs together with tripod + eyepieces. That is really grab and go.
So it really depends if grab and go is your main priority. Eon120 is a big scope.....so consider that carefully.
Umbrella? At night?tungkian wrote:yah..eon 120 is not carriable by hand..it's real long..which makes it extremely cumbersome!
a 4 inch apo/110ed f6 on voyager is grab and go..i can transport all on a shopping trolley, with a big box of accessories and umbrella and stool! haha
![[smilie=confused.gif]](./images/smilies/confused.gif "confused")
Oh! It's for rain?
[80% Steve, 20% Alfred] ------- Probability of Clear Skies = (Age of newest equipment in days) / [(Number of observers) * (Total Aperture of all telescopes present in mm)]
If you are looking for 5" apo, you may also want to consider the TMB 115mm apo in retractable tube which is more portable; check it out with Arief.
As you can see from the various replies, the "grab-n-go" concept is subjective, and each individual rightly have their own definition of this term. Only you can answer these questions which help formulate your concept of "grab-n-go":
1. Do you observe from your balcony/backyard? or further afield?
2. Do you need to carry the equipment down/up the staircases, steps etc?
3. How much weight/bulk can you physically carry and how far? Do you mind moving items in 1 or more trips? Do you mind doing it every time to observe?
4. Do you prefer a fast setup? Conversely, do you mind tedious setup?
5. Do you drive a car? or MPV?
6. Do you have an assistant or observing buddy to help every time?
It is a good suggestion to take a look at other people's scope setup at observation sessions first before making a final decision on your own choice. Sometimes there may not be a perfect solution and we may have to make choices between quality, size, features, cost, portability, practicality. All the best in your selection, and do let us know your choice.
About eyepieces: get 2-3 high quality eyepieces for a start, for eg, 1 no. 30-40mm low power wide-field eyepiece (depending on your scope focal ratio), 1 no. 13-20mm workhorse eyepiece of about 2mm exit pupil, and 1 no. 5-10mm high-definition eyepiece of about 1mm exit pupil (or a good barlow). Televue and Pentax are excellent sources.
As you can see from the various replies, the "grab-n-go" concept is subjective, and each individual rightly have their own definition of this term. Only you can answer these questions which help formulate your concept of "grab-n-go":
1. Do you observe from your balcony/backyard? or further afield?
2. Do you need to carry the equipment down/up the staircases, steps etc?
3. How much weight/bulk can you physically carry and how far? Do you mind moving items in 1 or more trips? Do you mind doing it every time to observe?
4. Do you prefer a fast setup? Conversely, do you mind tedious setup?
5. Do you drive a car? or MPV?
6. Do you have an assistant or observing buddy to help every time?
It is a good suggestion to take a look at other people's scope setup at observation sessions first before making a final decision on your own choice. Sometimes there may not be a perfect solution and we may have to make choices between quality, size, features, cost, portability, practicality. All the best in your selection, and do let us know your choice.
About eyepieces: get 2-3 high quality eyepieces for a start, for eg, 1 no. 30-40mm low power wide-field eyepiece (depending on your scope focal ratio), 1 no. 13-20mm workhorse eyepiece of about 2mm exit pupil, and 1 no. 5-10mm high-definition eyepiece of about 1mm exit pupil (or a good barlow). Televue and Pentax are excellent sources.
rlow