Upgrades: My options ... your thoughts please!

[Al.Grant]

Hi,

 

Forgive me, only joined EMS yesterday and already asking questions, but you seem like a friendly bunch, so here goes  

 

I currently have a Skymax 127 AZ GoTo. Whilst I like my 127, I seriously dislike the AZ mount and want to move things up a gear - better views, dump the goto and much less wobble.  I do more visual than imaging, but getting rid of a wobbly AZ goto may mean I attempt more.  

 

Having had a serious think about how much I can realistically justify spending   (my forum sig pretty much sums it up  ) my options basically come down to my existing Skymax 127 OTA with a pic 'n' mix of :-

     EQ5 with dual axis motors. (sturdier mount with tracking)

     Skywatcher 150PDS (imaging & visual)

     Skywatcher Flextube 200 Dob (visual)

 

Option 1:  

Start with a Skywatcher EQ5 with dual axis drive motors as a new mount for my Skymax 127,  then upgrade to something like Explorer 150PDS at a later date.  Use that for both visual & imaging.

 

Option 2:  (currently my preferred option)

Is basically option 1 but includes adding Skywatcher Flextube 200, non goto for visual observing and the 150PDS for imaging and visual.

 

Option 3:

EQ5 mount and stick with the Skymax 127 for some imaging and a Flextube 200 for visual

 

Note:

I'll be looking to spread my purchases over a few months, helping with the budget.  If I eventually go down the Flextube route then I'ii also consider the 250

 

Where I mention 'imaging', this will only be some limited astro-imaging with SPC900 and Canon DLSR.  I appreciate that for any serious imaging I'd need a dedicated system with a bigger mount and equipment like guide scopes etc. (maybe in years to come!)

 

I think the EQ5 should let me get more from my Skymax 127, then I'll probably upgrade to a 150PDS.  

I don't think I could push the load on the EQ5 any higher.  I suspect a 200PDS would be too heavy.

 

 

Questions:

I think the mount upgrade is a 'must do', but the difficulty I'm having is that of the scopes I'm considering, I've only got experience of the 127, so it's hard to judge the level of improvement I'll actually see.  

 

 Would appreciate any thoughts or comments on:

 

1. Visual Observing: Does the difference between the 150PDS and the Flextube 200 justify having both scopes ?

 

2. Limited Imaging: Does the difference between the Skymax 127 and the 150PDS justify the upgrade ?

 

3. Given the level of astro imaging I'm looking at am I better sticking with the Skymax 127 and getting the bigger Flextube for improved visual ?  

 

 

Hopefully I'll have made my shopping list before the IAS in a couple of weeks !

 

 

Thanks,  Al

 

 

 

 

[Daz Type-R]

One question, why are you looking to get the flex tube 200P over the solid tube 200P, I think you will be hard pushed to find a new (or second hand) 200P flex tube in a dob, they mostly came as a GOTO package I believe.

 

Also, I would of thought the solid tube 200P's would be cheaper, allowing more cash for other things needed with a dob (finders etc).

 

Just curious as you have been very specific regarding the flex tube?

[Al.Grant]

Hi,

 

I found a Flextube 200p non goto here for £328:  http://www.pulsar-optical.co.uk/prod/telescopes/sky-watcher/dobsonians/flextube-200.html

 

The only real reason I have been looking at the Flextube is for portability, especially if I ended up pushing the budget to the 250!  

A solid tube wouldn't be an issue for home storage, but I do like to take my scope with me when we go away .... and I have a couple of nice remote, dark sky holidays booked.

[Doc]

I think you have come to the conclusion like many of us in that you cannot do everything with one telescope. This is why people are normally either visual or imagers. If you select imaging then the mount is the utmost consideration, if you choose visual then aperture rules and the bigger the scope the more you will see.

 

Then there are a select view who do both.

 

Why not consider a HEQ5 with a Skywatcher 200P mounted on it. This set up is ideal for visual, and imaging, I agree it's a compromise but it does work.

[Daz Type-R]

Hi,

 

I found a Flextube 200p non goto here for £328:  http://www.pulsar-optical.co.uk/prod/telescopes/sky-watcher/dobsonians/flextube-200.html

 

The only real reason I have been looking at the Flextube is for portability, especially if I ended up pushing the budget to the 250!  

A solid tube wouldn't be an issue for home storage, but I do like to take my scope with me when we go away .... and I have a couple of nice remote, dark sky holidays booked.

 

OK, so transportability is key - one drawback to the 200P flex tube - they don't make it any more - probably why on the link you provided it says this item is currently unavailable.

 

They do the 250 upwards in a flex tube though, but that is considerably bigger and heaver.

 

I like Mick's idea, but the downside to a reflector on an eq mount is the ep can sometimes be in a very awkward position, still a very good compromise though.

 

Good luck!

[Doc]

Then make up a pair of rotating rings.

 

It's big enough for visual and ideal for light photography work either from a webcam or a DSLR.

[Doc]

Alastair speak to Felix (catman161) he has a similar set up.

[Daz Type-R]

Then make up a pair of rotating rings.

 

It's big enough for visual and ideal for light photography work either from a webcam or a DSLR.

 

Good point Mick - forgot about the rotating rings - I think Ron may of done something similar as well as Felix so you should be able to get good advice.

[Doc]

Thats right Daz, Ron's done it as well, he even made some rotating rings.

[Al.Grant]

Thanks,

 

I had considered the HEQ5, but was trying to split my upgrades over a few months in an attempt to ease the pain!

The HEQ5 with a 200PDS does sound good. 

 

I'll have to have another think about this, but I suppose could go for the HEQ5 Syntrek and just use my Skymax 127 for a few months then get the 200pds.  That would spread the cost a little, but I still need to consider ease of transport.  

The 127 would look a bit small sitting on this mount but I can live with that for a little while.  Eventually I would look at selling the 127 AZ GoTo setup.

 

 I appreciate the input .... my bank manager may not 

[+RonC]

That's my set up Grant, HEQ5 Pro and a 200PDS, great combination for both visual and AP! there's a photo of my setup (with rotator rings in my gallery if your interested)

I used a 200PDS on a EQ5 Pro (SynScan) before getting the HEQ5 whicj is on a pier in my obsy!

 

Cheers

Ron

[dawson]

I've got a 127 mak on the azeq6; now that does look crazy, but who cares!

You can make the az mount much more stable by changing the legs.

James

[Brantuk]

Felix's 200P is on an NEQ6 Pro folks. But the ota will sit nicely on an HEQ5 Pro for visual and a bit of light imaging. And you wouldn't regret getting the mount which has to be a prime consideration.

 

It's not worth having the 200P and the 150P - the 150P would never get used. But for more serious dso imaging consider a short tube wide field refractor - you can get some nice doublets around £300 (give or take £50) which'll give you some very nice snaps of galaxies, nebulae, and big clusters.

 

If you go smaller I wouldn't get an EQ5 - the CG5 is much better value being better built and sturdier. A 150P would be very comfy on that - or a dual bar with refractor and ST80 guide scope.

[Al.Grant]

Thanks again...

 

Brantuk - I looked at the CG5 in the past, but sort of ruled it out because I've seen lots of comments about the noise of this mount when slewing.  

Fine if I'm out and about but more of a problem if I'm in my back garden.  

A pity really as there are a couple on ebay at the moment that look to be at a decent price and not too far from me (50-60 miles).

[Brantuk]

Yup - The CG5GT Goto has plastic shell cowlings over the motors and they vibrate/echo on full slew - it's often referred to as the "coffee grinder" for that reason. But it does track silently like other mounts with a very faint hum. None goto versions are quieter cos they don't have the cowling. If your neighbours are twitchy though it's nice of you to be considerate,

[Al.Grant]

Have decided on an HEQ5 SynTrek but everywhere looks to be out of stock until end of Aug.

..... I think I can wait that long (just!)

[Teslar]

You can get secondhand ones on ABS for a good price and some barely used

[+RonC]

Might be worth checking the Astro show at the weekend??

[Al.Grant]

I will be at the show on Friday. Already checked Green Witch who will be there, but they're out of stock. But I will be looking around.

I guess patience is a virtue!

[Al.Grant]

OK after visiting the IAS on Friday 17th I now have an ex-demo HEQ5 Pro ( at what seems to have been a good price).  

Have already ordered some replacement bolts, not sure if they are absolutely necessary, but knowing my luck if they can go wrong they probably will! 

 

First opportunity to try it out was on Sunday evening.  The guy I got it from said the polar scope was very well aligned to the mount, so I aligned with Polaris and much to my surprise I had it tracking (Saturn & the Moon) on the first attempt!  This could have been beginners luck!

 

Obviously I still need a good deal of practice and have done quite a bit of reading on alignment techniques (Astro Baby's site was very helpful) to try get all the info into my thick head.

Next comes PC control with EQMOD via a Bluetooth adapter (also bought at the IAS).

 

The mount came with the following firmware versions installed:

HC Firmware = Ver 03.32

Motor Controller = Ver 02.04.01

Database = Ver 03.28

 

I know there is a newer version of the HC firmware, so I guess I had better get this loaded.  Might as well learn the mount on the latest firmware. 

Not sure about the rest, but will check in due course.

 

Already starting to consider scope options to replace my Skymax 127 .... but no immediate rush. Best to let the wife get used to this purchase before moving on! 

[Guest]

I think you have come to the conclusion like many of us in that you cannot do everything with one telescope. This is why people are normally either visual or imagers. If you select imaging then the mount is the utmost consideration, if you choose visual then aperture rules and the bigger the scope the more you will see.

 

Then there are a select view who do both.

 

Why not consider a HEQ5 with a Skywatcher 200P mounted on it. This set up is ideal for visual, and imaging, I agree it's a compromise but it does work.

I wouldn't consider myself one of a select few but then I specialise in short exposure stuff, with no driven mount. I find more than enough to photograph, especially as I do lots of solar stuff.

[Al.Grant]

Appreciate the input so far.

 

A scope upgrade will be happening, but I'll take 2-3 months to think about it and do some research, whatever I decide on it will be going on an HEQ5.

 

A SW 150PDS looks like a safe option, but not sure how much I'll be gaining visually over the skymax 127 mak.

Other options would be the 200P or 200PDS, but I think this would be the top end for any DLSR imaging on the HEQ5.

[Brantuk]

FYI - There's a WO 72mm refractor for sale on SGL by Adam (username = "bamus").

 

"WO72 refractor (old model) + Sky Watcher Field flattener + Canon T Ring as main scope (£180)"

 

If it's a "Megrez" model then it seems nicely priced (subject to age and condition) - you might get him down a bit if all's in order with the instrument but do check. It's a cracking little deep sky imager and very capable imaging starter scope. They tend to be around £200 - £250 without the extra's these days.

 

You should also be able to pick up a SW Black Diamond 200P ota for around £130'ish and pop a Lacerta d/s focus wheel on it for £65'sh. All you'd need extra is a finder/guider (or ST80) and a dual bar then you'd be kitted out for observing and a choice of two imaging scopes. You're HEQ5 would cope very easily with all the above.

 

I'd keep the 127 for planetary. Just a few ideas for you.

[Al.Grant]

Thanks Kim ......  certainly something to think about.

 

I looked but couldn't find that WO72 on SLG - but not to worry as I think I'll be waiting a couple of months before getting a new scope (unless any unmissable bargains come up) ......  time to properly get to grips with the mount and save a bit more cash for the 'telescope fund'.

 

A 200p (or pds) are looking favourite at the moment and I have already considered keeping the 127.  Adding a refractor at some point would also be a good option.

 

Hoping to get out to Wymeswold at some point.

[Brantuk]

Yeah - he's selling a whole load of gear all priced individually in one big advert. But it was just a few thoughts for you.

 

I hope we get out to WW at least once this bank hol