Which Telescope Should I get ?

[orly_andico]

there was an MK-65 OTA going for $550 on A-mart a week ago.. was sorely tempted.

but I've decided to just rebuild my 10" dob. I already bought a GSO two-speed crayford for it and some Meade motors so I can make it Go-To. should be fun for a tinkerer like myself..

if this ends badly (my DIY efforts usually do...) then I'll look into getting an SCT. With the advent of the ACF/RC's, SCT's go for crazy prices these days (like $350 for an 8", $700 for the 9.25, or $1100 for the C11).

(i have to add.. a few days after buying my focuser, motors, etc. I saw a C8 with byers fork for $450 (US). which really kinda annoyed me...)

[10,000rpm]

May I know how do u make a Goto with just motors. Doesnt the system need some electronic brain to make it a Goto?

[orly_andico]

10000rpm, I have a 494 Autostar back in Manila from my old ETX-60.

If things go well I will purchase a 497 Autostar (which has a bigger object database). But for now what I have are the motors are hand-controller (e.g. what you get with an ETX-90EC).

[10,000rpm]

Thanks for your reply. I notice that Autostar n the hand controller can be bought individually. So is it possible to buy the rest of what is needed and make it work on a dob?

Thanks!

[orly_andico]

10000rpm yes!

meade used to sell this thing called 492 Motor kit which included 2 motors, a hand controller, and control panel. you can get this from ebay sellers like Scopehed (William Vorce) and Emily Newberg (just do a search for Meade DS motor).

You will need: 2 Meade motors, the meade worm gear (forgot to buy these, so needed to follow-up order), the control panel which has jacks for the motors and handbox, and an autostar (494, 495, or 497). The autostar 497 is the most expensive component at around $85 - $90 plus shipping (USD).

Of course your dob will also have to be modified in order for it to be motorized. A non-trivial undertaking which I will try but am not sure if it will succeed.

[orly_andico]

here's how one guy motorized his dob using the Meade motors..

http://astronomyasylum.com/drive.html

[10,000rpm]

Many thanks Orly!