Am I doing it wrong?

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:55 pm

Sometimes I wonder if I'm going down the wrong track - combined visual/AP setup using an 8" SCT with a tracking GEM, autoguider, etc etc....
Total cost: I don't really want to think about it
It strikes me that for that money I could easily get a NEW 14.5" premium dob with tracking or an 18" used premium dob, again with tracking preinstalled. Combine that sheer aperture with a field derotator (or software) and DSO imaging is definitely do-able as well; visuals with such a large scope (and premium mirrors) should be much more impressive than in my 8" and cooldown is not much of an issue here in Singapore
So I wonder: should I just sell off my equipment, bring in a good quality dob with tracking motors and literally, kill 2 birds with one stone.
Hmmmm.....
(not to mention an 18" truss dob is probably easier to transport and set up than a GEM)

Post by **rcj** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 4:13 pm

Actually this may be a generic issue that all of us face (possibly almost daily!) and from observation trends in this forum and many others, or talking to amongst our astro-friends..… it seems natural to shop for price: you will work out what you want, then go and buy the cheapest items you can find and then feel relieved for saving the money. After that, one way or another, dissatisfaction sets in. Either a component of the mount broke, didn't work, the telescope had a streak somewhere, coarse focuser, lousy grease. Then eventually you feel it is time to do something about it, you spend more money, buying something you think makes it better, or sell the previous one, and buy a better similar item, and the process goes on. Before you know it, the total amount of money you spent (and lost through reselling), you probably could have been happier buying something more expensive but with better quality! I think everyone admire quality or appreciate excellence in any product, the issue probably stems from us, ourselves - impulsiveness. If we needed something, we wanted it right away and now. If we cannot afford the best, we probably end up settling the cheapest or a bargain. Going for a quality telescope, mount, camera, whatever, does not mean we're elite (stuck up) or living beyond our means - if you cannot afford it, don't buy it - simple (or can you accept that?). Going for quality means you appreciate the finer things, can see the sense in buying something well-made, well-crafted, well-designed, well-produced items as they will last longer, be more robust, and will not break or disfunction so easily. The logic is simple thereafter - no need to replace so often, which means you actually SAVE money. These better equipment will also make you feel better (ain't it?).

At the end of the day, the best thing (which personally i would go for) - look for quality items which i can afford, and if i could, prepare to find them at the lowest possible price. Done!

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:39 pm

Thanks for your thoughts

Actually for me I'm satisfied enough with the quality of my instruments; no complaints there.
The main thought I've been having is really will a big dob with tracking serve better for both visual and AP in heavy light pollution as compared to a smaller astrograph (my VMC200L) on a GEM - with main issue being aperture especially when going visual and ease of set up yet retaining ability to image decently (no hope of matching your quality

)
Anyway for the record, the equipment I'm using is a VMC200L or Orion 110ED on an SXD, FM80M2 guidescope/Taurus tracker 3 (deciding to use OAG or guidescope), Celestron Nexguide and unmodified D700. Don't think I'll want to go the CCD way for now as I really hate lugging around more cables and a PC. For visual same scopes as above with a Nag 9,20 and Ethos 13 and a smattering of broadband, UHC and OIII filters.