Should a beginner like me get this telescope?

[acc]

The dob is a good recommendation. May be just a tad more clumsy to transport, but much easier to use.

[Airconvent]

Most singastroians here swear by the newtonian as a first scope but I'm the exception.I do hate collimation and having to do that will generally kill my interest. The refractor on the other hand is compact and ready to use out of the box and generally do not need collimation. A Mak falls in the same category too.

Another way to kill your interest is to start with an equatorial mount! I suggest you go for something simpler like an alt-azi mount instead.

Also, I suggest you pop by Weixing's Friday sessions, try out his scope, get a feel to see whether you prefer a refractor or a newtonian. Its a matter of choice. Also do read all the articles in our FAQ forum too. They should give you an idea.

BTW, the Perseid bunch are a friendly lot! And they also sell a 6" or 8" trus s dob which is very compact and value for money. Do check it out too.

rich

Meng Lee : Nice video link! I have added it into the faq section. Thanks.

[weixing]

Hi,

Most singastroians here swear by the newtonian as a first scope but I'm the exception.

I don't think so, right??? I think only a few of us would recommend Newtonian as a first scope.

I do hate collimation and having to do that will generally kill my interest. The refractor on the other hand is compact and ready to use out of the box and generally do not need collimation. A Mak falls in the same category too.

Do you need to do collimation for Newtonian often?? Other than the first time you received it, It's actually depend on individual... if you are those non-critical or "don't care much" type observer, you may choose not to collimate your Newtonian every time you use it (although I do recommend to check collimation every time before you use it) as most newer tube Newtonian hold their collimation quite well, unless you disassembler it, knock it hard, drop it, you are using a fast Newtonian or a truss tube Newtonian. Since you only observe from your balcony, I don't think you'll need to collimate your scope that often.

Another way to kill your interest is to start with an equatorial mount! I suggest you go for something simpler like an alt-azi mount instead.

I don't agree with this... EQ mount is actually better for Newbie especially if they are low on budget and start with a low cost entry level scope. The Alt-Az mount for those low cost, entry level scope are basically... err... not user friendly... it's hard to point and have problem tracking the object steadily, but I think an EQ mount even on those low cost, entry level scope will be easier to point and easier to track an object. Also, one can find an object using star hopping method more easily by using the "following the RA and DEC" method. Yes, it take more time to setup and the learning curve it slightly higher, but an EQ mount will allow you to track an object easier.

Have a nice day.

[Airconvent]

Hi,

Another way to kill your interest is to start with an equatorial mount! I suggest you go for something simpler like an alt-azi mount instead.

I don't agree with this... EQ mount is actually better for Newbie especially if they are low on budget and start with a low cost entry level scope. The Alt-Az mount for those low cost, entry level scope are basically... err... not user friendly... it's hard to point and have problem tracking the object steadily, but I think an EQ mount even on those low cost, entry level scope will be easier to point and easier to track an object. Also, one can find an object using star hopping method more easily by using the "following the RA and DEC" method. Yes, it take more time to setup and the learning curve it slightly higher, but an EQ mount will allow you to track an object easier.
Have a nice day.

Hi Weixing,
The acid test is to see how long and how many steps you take to set up an equatorial mount and an alt-azi setup....
For the latter, its one step. Setup...go!
But whether its either mount, it really helps if you have a goto library embedded in your head like rlow, who I observed can point to most objects from memory even dim ones in cloudy skies..!

[lonestar]

Thanks to Meng Lee for recommending the 6" Dob! However when I checked with Perseid they said it's unavailable =( Yet to ask them on the truss though. Yup the FAQ is very useful! Would love to pop by weixing's Friday Session, since I'm living in Pasir Ris haha. Thanks everyone for you precious advice! Clear Skies!

[weixing]

Hi,

The acid test is to see how long and how many steps you take to set up an equatorial mount and an alt-azi setup....

I think those low cost, entry level Alt-Az mount might take longer time to setup than those low cost, entry level EQ mount...

Would love to pop by weixing's Friday Session, since I'm living in Pasir Ris haha.

This Friday night might not be free, but I'll have my annual post-reunion dinner observation session if the weather is good.

Have a nice day.

[MooEy]

depends on how low cost u looking at la. those U-shaped supported by a single screw alt-az mount that comes with eduscience is prolly harder than a eq-1. but an az3 alt-az which goes in the same range as the eq-1 are somewhat more friendly. of course, some people dun even regard them as mounts.

a better comparision would be maybe the eq3-2/cg-5 vs the porta/astroslew/m410. all is needed for the porta/astroslew is to open the legs and mount the dovetail on.

all of these mounts cost more than the entire eq114, so i'm not gonan complain abt the eq-1 that comes with the package. can always buy a nicer mount in the future. but still, look ard, see if the dob version can be gotten at similar prices.

~MooEy~

[weixing]

Hi,

but an az3 alt-az which goes in the same range as the eq-1 are somewhat more friendly. of course, some people dun even regard them as mounts.

AZ3 is actually a better Alt-Az mount and is in the same range as EQ3-2 not EQ1. AZ1 mount is in the same range as EQ1 mount and AZ2 mount is in the same range as EQ2 mount. AZ1 and AZ2 are not good and I think it's better to select the EQ1 and EQ2.

Have a nice day.

[MooEy]

hell no, az1 and az2 are not even suppose to be called mount. the only scopes that will ever come with them are no more than 70mm in diameter. an eq-1 is actually a decent mount that carry 3" refractor and 5" cassegrains with ease. i have used it with a c5 and a 3" reflector before. not too bad. pls don't compare it to any of those "does not deserve to be called mounts" toys.

az3 is the minimium that i consider a mount for the alt-az. i'm not too sure abt prices, but i do believe the simplicity of the design should put it in the same range as the eq-1, infact even cheaper since u do not have to make wormgear and counterweights.

http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/sky_watc ... ractor.htm <==take a look, the az3 and eq-1 version of the 80mm short tube cost the same.

if u ask me, i would tell u the eq-1 is prolly barely acceptable or too small for the 114/900. if it's some shorter f/4 or f/5 scope it would prolly fit just nice. but 900mm makes for a slightly too long tube. for the price, can't expect anything more lor. but still keep a lookout for dob versions, a 4.5" f/8 dob makes a nice scope. of course, if u feel like it, making a diy dob base might be a fun project in the future.

~MooEy~

[kazumacat]

i'm so agreed to MooEy on those az1 and az2...
They are not suppose to be called mount.
I had one of those which comes with my 70mm refractor.
It sucks~