Guest pvcprinting Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Hi folks, Looking to purchase a 1st scope for my 8 year old daughter..... think have settled on an 8" Dobsonian for its ease of use and results.......(Skywatcher Skyliner 200p As its a 1st scope, more than happy to buy a good condition used one..... Does the forum have a sale / wants section? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Hi Pete - yes we do have a For Sale section but I think you may need 10 or 20 posts to access it. There were no 200P dobs there when I last looked but you can always try "UK Astro Buy Sell" in the meantime. There's a few up for sale right now including: http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=74919 http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=74524 http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=72928 They are varying styles and prices and come with differing extras. Do check the age of any you enquire about. Hope that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Welcome to the forum That's a fantastic first scope and what I started with. I still use the OTA but on an EQ mount rather than the original dobsonian base. I think you have to have a minimum number of posts before being able to access the wants/sale section. You could also check AstroBuySell UK. Just type that into google and scroll through the adverts. Hope you find one In fact here's one from AstroBuySell http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=74699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Crossed in the ether Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pvcprinting Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Hi Pete - yes we do have a For Sale section but I think you may need 10 or 20 posts to access it. There were no 200P dobs there when I last looked but you can always try "UK Astro Buy Sell" in the meantime. There's a few up for sale right now including: http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=74919 http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=74524 http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=72928 They are varying styles and prices and come with differing extras. Do check the age of any you enquire about. Hope that helps thanks...... Gutted i missed out on a scope in leicseter yesterday that was on Ebay for £170 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pvcprinting Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Thanks for the prompt replies thus far folks....... Is there anything else worth considering (around the £200 mark) and anything i should be looking out for? i have seen some advertised that have stated "small marks on the mirror"....thats a bad thing....right? I am mindful of nurturing daughters enthusiasm and therefore want to buy something that will give some nice results such as seeing Saturns rings and not just a fuzzy blob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Beware of marks on the mirror - this could mean anything from a peeling coat to a deep scratch or a corrosive substance. But normally dobs are fine even if it's just dusty or a spot of dirt (which can be cleaned). E-bay is fine if you know what you're doing - let us know if you need an opinion on one. (The 200P is a great beginner scope - she's lucky - you'll see Saturns rings easy and a heck of a lot of other stuff too) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Won't go wrong with a Skywatcher 200P (see signature ). Easily modifiable to make them sooo much better, can transport it around in the car, and gives good views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Obviously you don't want marks on the mirror at all but it depends really if it just a bit if stray dust it really won't make that much difference visually. Having said that I'd go for one in as good condition as possible.The key thing really is the eyepieces that you put in the scope, the ones that come with it are fairly mediocre. They are ok for a start but you'd be best off getting a couple if better (but still fairly affordable) new eyepieces. The fact that the scope is pretty big mirror wise means you will get some great views of saturns rings when it comes around next year. At present Jupiter is starting to look better and in early evening Venus is looking nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Peter, you would be welcome to call in and see me to chat about scopes etc if you need any help? I have a business in Inner Street in the town, Cheers Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pvcprinting Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Peter, you would be welcome to call in and see me to chat about scopes etc if you need any help? I have a business in Inner Street in the town, Cheers Ron Ron, Thanks, most kind. If you are free tomorrow around 12.30 I would very much like a chat Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Ok Peter, find me at Granthan Dental Lab, Unit 3 near Vincent Tyres. I finish at 1pm on Friday so no problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) How tall is she, just a thought but the eyepiece might be a bit high on a dob. Nothing a step won't sort but worth bearing in mind. I got my daughter a little refractor. With the eyepiece at the bottom its much easier for her to look through but to be honest tend to just use mine. Good luck youve come to the right place. Edited November 21, 2013 by tuckstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Careful Pete, Ron is very persuasive, you'll end up buying his cast off equipment; at least that will save me constantly buying it No, Ron will give you some good advice. And good luck with the scope hunt. She is a very lucky girl to be getting an 8" reflector. She'll probably also be interested in seeing Stellarium on the computer, and being able to see the constellations in the sky; it's free to download and install. You can change the foreground if you are OK with a camera and photoshop. I hope she enjoys it, and I hope you do too! I suspect you'll get the bug too. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pvcprinting Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Again, thanks folks for all the replies Looking forward to meeting up with Ron tomorrow.......if he has a 'cast off' 8" Dobsonian, then he might get a sale! She is quite a tall girl for her age, so think she will cope with the size of a Dobsonian Have already downloaded Stellarium, but not sure how to use it as yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Well take a laptop tomorrow with it on and I'm sure Ron can show you the basics in about 2 minutes. There are probably some other members in Grantham, have a look on the member map. Once you've got a few posts under your belt you'll be able to send private messages and make local contacts. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Good scope the 200p. You can't go far wrong with a light bucket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Peter, I do have a 10" Flexi-Dob??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pvcprinting Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Ron, A little beyond my £200 budget i would think....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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