Brady Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Hi All Im looking at buying my first scope soon and decided i like the look of the Skywatcher Skyliner 200P and the PX as a close second, reading up i feel this is a good all rounder with plenty of positive reviews on various sites and was wondering if any of you agree or disagree with this decision? Does this scope sound about right for a beginner? my intentions are not having to upgrade for a least a while anyhow Also i would like to try some photography with the scope and i have a Nikon D200 body doing nothing at the moment, although a bit heavy would there be a problem using this sort of camera with the scope at all? just to point out it would not be an every day occurrence with the camera but i would like some keep sakes Any help would be much appreciated All the best Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Both scopes are dobsonians which are generally not suitable for photography, they are manual scopes and do not track the sky. If you want to do photography I would get the 200P on a EQ mount instead of dobsonian mount. In case you didn't know the only difference between the P and PX is the mirror, the PX has a Pyrex mirror which will reach thermal equilibrium a little bit faster. Brady 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 Thats a shame...i like the look of the Dobsonians as well, so my first decision...photography or not?....Thanks for your time Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 If you are completely new to the hobby, maybe get a Dob and learn your way round the sky, and while you are doing that keep saving for a decent mount. This will be the biggest outlay if you go down the AP route. You don't need a big scope for imaging, most get stunning results from something like an ED80. If you buy the Dob, and defo don't want to do visual, then they hold their value well if looked after. So you sell it on and concentrate on imaging, but having learned your way round and seen some good stuff to boot. My two pence worth. Brady 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 So would you recommend the Skyliner 250px Martyn? my original post states the 200 but its the 250 im interested in..also the imaging side is partly because i have a camera doing nothing at the moment and is not the guaranteed route i would like to go..i think your idea on a possible future mount is sound enough, Thanks for the reply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Hello and welcome to the forum, when going for a reflector always get as big as you can afford but bear in mind where are you going to store it, will you want to carry it around to dark sites etc and will you be able to lift it? I would get the 250 over the 200 purley for the better light grasp but be mindful of the above. Like Mick says, you can't really do AP with a dob but you could still do some nice wide field shots with your camera. In the mean time, keep asking questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I think a dob is a great instrutment to learn the sky with. Get yourself a good atlas or use Stellarium on your lap top and learn to star hop and eventually you will get to know all the constellations. A 10" or 12" dob is really good for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zidder Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Hi Wayne, My first real scope was a Skyliner 250PX, I bought it second hand, if you keep your eyes open you can find some good deals. I am still learning how to use the scope but have already had a few WOW's I have seen Galaxy's, nebulae, a comet, star clusters, so there is plenty to see with this scope, I find the seeing is not the problem but finding what your after the standad Dob is very basic and does not include any form of object finding attachments so it will need modding to get the best out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I love my 250px. Plenty of aperture and just manageable size wise. Gives some amazing views. I have known people to start with a dobsonian and later mount the Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) with tube rings on an eq mount. Dobs are great for just getting out and seeing stuff relatively hassle free and you get the best bang for your buck. My was again second hand from astrobuy and sell. Ideally, if you can, get to a meet and have a look through some kit so you know what to expect with views and size. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 As mentioned above, the Dobs are not the smallest of scopes, but what they do give you is light grasp at a reasonable cost. People have took images with them, but they are very limited at what you can expect, and I don't know if you would be able to use the DSLR, owing to tracking being neigh on impossible. That said Paul Cotton has taken stunning images of the ISS by stuffing a video camera in the focuser and tracking it with the finder. I am a bit busy at the moment with personal issues, but if you fancy popping over one night in the next few weeks, you would be welcome one night. I am at the Nottingham end of the A610 in Watnall. Let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 I think you guys have convinced me with the Skyliner and im itching to scan the skies with one, i even have a place set out in the garden already as a "viewing station" Martyn i have also been reading up on the webcam conversions with a laptop and it just so happens i came across an unused laptop tonight in fact for that very purpose , the DSLR will be returned to whence it came, i just need to try it for my own needs...and that offer of a drive up the 610....it would be a pleasure, just let me know when you are ready, and thanks again to all, its much appreciated All the best Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Wayne, I'm round the corner from Baz so I can bring mine, then you can see a 200P as well as Baz's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Shout up and I'll bring the 250px as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share Posted May 3, 2015 (edited) Well after a weekend of searching the entire world wide web for a telescope i have come to one conclusion....i dont know what i want .....why so many?.....why cant they all produce images like hubble?....why cant i get a 116 inch dob for under £100?...one last question at the other end of the spectrum before i shoo.....sorry before i finally get around to making my mind up.....and can i thank all who have been answering my questions already, much appreciated...can anyone recommend/slate the Skywatcher Skymax -127 AZ SynScan GO-TO?, basic photography using webcam or dslr?, ease of use? for me not my 11yo., any problems you have found?..and thanks again to everyone. Wayne Edited May 3, 2015 by Brady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 The 127 Skymax is a great scope, light, easy to work, and it has a go-to system. You can do basic photography with one, they are very good at moon, double stars, not so good with deep space stuff but still not bad. You will also need a power supply and a dew shield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 It can be a very difficult decision when faced with a myriad of different scopes and configurations. Most people take the plunge and learn with whatever they have, and soon gain more understanding of exactly what different scopes are capable of. They often then specialise and stick to one type of scope best suited for their requirements. Some people change scopes over time to accommodate changing astronomical interests and some just keep adding to their scope collection and end up with various different scopes to cover every possible aspect of their viewing/imaging. Using other people's scopes, asking questions and reading up about them is a big help, but your own experience using a scope and learning exactly what it is capable of is probably the best way to really understand what is going to suit you best. Remember that when you have a scope, you can always change it, upgrade it or mod it to get the results you want. The Skymax 127 is a good reasonably priced scope to get you started that will give you a lot of experience, but will probably have you wanting more. We are all on learning curves here and always wanting more, but that is all part of the fun Good luck Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share Posted May 4, 2015 Thanks Mick/Pete, i have now rounded down to a possible two as of today, im not saying that will not change towards Friday which is order day but there we go Up to now the finalists are... Skywatcher Skymax -127 AZ SynScan GOTO Skywatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 GOTO Im being drawn to the Explorer, although double the cost of the Skymax the reviews seem to be better for imaging, i might even get the dslr on it also i think this setup gives me more options to expand in the future, possibly better deep space viewing on the explorer?, im still unsure on how these way up to each other with respect to the viewing but will keep reading up, after all i still have 4 days left Thanks to everyone for all your input All the best Wayne Tweedledee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 You don't NEED a driven mount to do astrophotography but, if you do, it really helps. Most nights (at least round my way), it is simply not dark and cloudless enough to do long exposure deep sky photography. However, I can usually get the Moon. In fact, my Skymax 127 and DSLR are great for taking Moon shots and I get a more even exposure than by using a compact digital camera afocally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Thanks Mick/Pete, i have now rounded down to a possible two as of today, im not saying that will not change towards Friday which is order day but there we go Up to now the finalists are... Skywatcher Skymax -127 AZ SynScan GOTO Skywatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 GOTO Im being drawn to the Explorer, although double the cost of the Skymax the reviews seem to be better for imaging, i might even get the dslr on it also i think this setup gives me more options to expand in the future, possibly better deep space viewing on the explorer?, im still unsure on how these way up to each other with respect to the viewing but will keep reading up, after all i still have 4 days left Here are a few bullet points off the top of my head to help you with your pros and cons. Hopefully others might chip in with some more... The 200p on the eq5 goto will outperform the 127 Skymax goto in every way but it costs more and is heavier. The Skymax will be slightly easier to transport. The 200p will allow wider fields of view, brighter images and better deep sky and planetary views. It has 2.5x the light gathering power of the 127. It will be far sturdier and more vibration free than the 127, and will allow all the advantages of 2" eyepieces. It will have improved pointing accuracy over the 127 and be more versatile in every respect for visual and imaging. The 200p on the EQ5 will properly and accurately track the stars without any field rotation so it has minimal limitations for imaging unlike the 127. There is more scope for modifying and adding to the 200p to make it better for your needs. The 200p is probably the most popular scope on EMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted May 9, 2015 Author Share Posted May 9, 2015 Cheers guys, as of today im the very proud owner of a Skywatcher Explorer 200P EQ5 GOTO, well at least i have paid for one decided to get it from RVO as they are about the most local i could get, really looking forward to setting it up although the weather could be better i suppose, expected delivery is Tuesday so have until then to sort out a power supply and hopefully clearer skies, im going for mains for now so if anyone has any input on what they are using it would be appreciated, thanks.. Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 You're going to have a lovely time with that setup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Nice set up. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 That will keep you happy for a good while. As for a power supply you would be safer going 12v, unless you are running out a 12v cable from the house. Don't be tempted to take 240v out as when it gets dewy it gets wet, and puts you at risk. Most folks use a 12v battery, and you will be wanting some dew control in the near future, dew can cut short your night fairly quickly. Something 17amp/hours and above should do it. The mounts are quite sensitive to voltage drop, and when it gets near to 12v they start doing all sorts of things, mostly not doing what they should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I agree with Baz. Get a good 12v battery such as a leisure battery which will last a lot longer then a car battery. Run a 12v cigarette lighter splitter box from it. Then you can plug your dew controller into the splitter box. Then your heater straps plug into the dew controller Also you plug your motor cable into the splitter box. You will be able to run for quite a few nights with a leisure battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 A splitter box is on offer at Aldi, have a look here. https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/sun-10-may/product-detail/ps/p/car-socket-adaptor-1/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now