Hi Everyone,
I stumbled upon this hobby recently when I was laying
on the fields (Western part of Singapore) during my reservist
and was astounded to see so many stars. These made curious
about the name of each stars.
I started star gazing about one week agao. With books
like NightWatch and Palm software Planetarium, I
have managed to find some constellations and objects.
I have some questions for you gurus,
1) Do you guys mainly buy from AstroBargains and McGills only?
2) How long does it take to set up the various kinds of mount e.g
equotorial, Dobsonian? I have little very time and thus my
preference is for quick and easy setup.
3) What are your recommendations for telescope in price range
of $500 - $1000?
My main purpose is to setup (if I feel I am ready and is
comitted to serious star gazing) the telescope and catch
a glimpse of the planets on my own. Is it possible?
Newbie question
-
HoO_Germany
- Vendor
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:41 pm
- Location: Heinsberg
- Contact:
Hi toolkit
to your first question I can not answer, because I don´t know where the ppl are buying their scopes.
Your 2.nd question is easyer to answer. I recomand a beginner mostly a Dobsonian. This why the most ppl only want to observe the sky. A 8" Dobsonian is a good start and the beginner don´t have to think to set up the mount as it must be. Further a Dobsonian brings a big aperture and so the beginner can really go on to discover the sky. You will be able to see the planets, the moon surface, but also some of the deep-sky objects (when you can find them). The only one question is, what pre-condition you have to carry the Dobson?
Your 3.rd question can be also answered easy, there is a lot what you can buy for this money.
For example a 10" MEADE LightBridge costs somewhere to 649 $ or a Skywatcher 10" costs also somewhere to 600 $.
However, here you would become some acessories more for your money.
A equipment including a equatorial mount will be not much cheaper because you have to pay the mount and there you shall see, to get as much possible a mount where your telescope doesn´t bring much vibrations. As example a combination of a 10" Newton on a (too faint HEQ5 mount) costs 1190 $.
Clear skys
Robert
to your first question I can not answer, because I don´t know where the ppl are buying their scopes.
Your 2.nd question is easyer to answer. I recomand a beginner mostly a Dobsonian. This why the most ppl only want to observe the sky. A 8" Dobsonian is a good start and the beginner don´t have to think to set up the mount as it must be. Further a Dobsonian brings a big aperture and so the beginner can really go on to discover the sky. You will be able to see the planets, the moon surface, but also some of the deep-sky objects (when you can find them). The only one question is, what pre-condition you have to carry the Dobson?
Your 3.rd question can be also answered easy, there is a lot what you can buy for this money.
For example a 10" MEADE LightBridge costs somewhere to 649 $ or a Skywatcher 10" costs also somewhere to 600 $.
However, here you would become some acessories more for your money.
A equipment including a equatorial mount will be not much cheaper because you have to pay the mount and there you shall see, to get as much possible a mount where your telescope doesn´t bring much vibrations. As example a combination of a 10" Newton on a (too faint HEQ5 mount) costs 1190 $.
Clear skys
Robert
House of Optics Germany
Intes-Micro/Ylena/STF/LOMO/Synta
www.hoo-germany.de
e-mail: info(@)hoo-germany.de
Tel.: +49 2452 976144
Intes-Micro/Ylena/STF/LOMO/Synta
www.hoo-germany.de
e-mail: info(@)hoo-germany.de
Tel.: +49 2452 976144
Hi Robert,HoO_Germany wrote:Hi toolkit
The only one question is, what pre-condition you have to carry the Dobson?
Thanks for the quick reply. According to the book Nightwatch, the author
also made the same recommendations.
From what I undertstand it weighs more than 15kg, right?
Is the installation process easy? I believe the base have to be fixed?
How long is the installation process?
Hi Toolkit,
Take a look at this article:
http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=32
I know that portability and cost is very important for astro beginners in Singapore. Based on what you say, I would suggest a 5" SCT or MCT on a Manfrotto Jr gear head and a sturdy tripod e.g. Manfrotto 055. This is a common setup here. You can ask Ian, who was using a similar setup in Mersing.
The dob is really value for money, but moving it around is difficult, unless you drive.
Kay Heem
Take a look at this article:
http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=32
I know that portability and cost is very important for astro beginners in Singapore. Based on what you say, I would suggest a 5" SCT or MCT on a Manfrotto Jr gear head and a sturdy tripod e.g. Manfrotto 055. This is a common setup here. You can ask Ian, who was using a similar setup in Mersing.
The dob is really value for money, but moving it around is difficult, unless you drive.
Kay Heem
If you order from overseas, there will be some installation required, like the furniture you get from Ikea. This is no big deal. You can finish installing the rocker box and base in maybe about 1/2 hr or less. If you buy new from a local dealer, ask them to install, collimate and commission it for you!
The issues with a dob are:
1) Storage. Space is a premium in Singapore, so you must have a place to put it. Leaving it in the living room as a 'conversation starter' will invite nagging from the missus sooner or later. Do some research on the internet to have a handle on the size and weight of typical dobs e.g. 6" F8, 8" F6, 10" F5 etc.
2) Collimation before each viewing. Again, no big deal, once you get a hang of it.
I believe Astrobargains has one in stock in his room, er, I mean showroom
Take a look and try out different scopes (and read the article) before you decide.
Kay Heem
The issues with a dob are:
1) Storage. Space is a premium in Singapore, so you must have a place to put it. Leaving it in the living room as a 'conversation starter' will invite nagging from the missus sooner or later. Do some research on the internet to have a handle on the size and weight of typical dobs e.g. 6" F8, 8" F6, 10" F5 etc.
2) Collimation before each viewing. Again, no big deal, once you get a hang of it.
I believe Astrobargains has one in stock in his room, er, I mean showroom
Take a look and try out different scopes (and read the article) before you decide.
Kay Heem
Toolkit, a quick visit to Astro Scientific at the SG Science Center will give you an idea of different sizes of scopes available (but look elsewhere if you want to buy). For planetary, I would second Kayheem's recommendation of getting a 5" MCT on a Manfrotto tripod, but get the Microstar mount instead of Manfrotto head. Astrobargain has the Microstar for sale, I think.
You can browse our Buy and Sell section for well-tested and proven (aka. used) scopes and mounts.
Robert, I think your prices is in USD, so need to multiply by 1.7 :-)
cheers,
Arief
You can browse our Buy and Sell section for well-tested and proven (aka. used) scopes and mounts.
Robert, I think your prices is in USD, so need to multiply by 1.7 :-)
cheers,
Arief
-
HoO_Germany
- Vendor
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:41 pm
- Location: Heinsberg
- Contact:
Hi Ariefariefm71 wrote:
Robert, I think your prices is in USD, so need to multiply by 1.7 :-)
cheers,
Arief
I thought the change-course between Euro and S$ is 1,95079
What is the actual change-course?
Clear skys
Robert
House of Optics Germany
Intes-Micro/Ylena/STF/LOMO/Synta
www.hoo-germany.de
e-mail: info(@)hoo-germany.de
Tel.: +49 2452 976144
Intes-Micro/Ylena/STF/LOMO/Synta
www.hoo-germany.de
e-mail: info(@)hoo-germany.de
Tel.: +49 2452 976144