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Post by markdj on Feb 28, 2007 8:31:30 GMT
Yes, it's a great situation to be in but it's not me ;D I got this in an email from Australia.
HI there, I am in Australia and I am looking at getting a new telescope. And would like to ask some questions.
I would really like to purchase a Meade 14” or 16 “ lx200 and use it to observe deep space and search for comets or anything else.
I am asking is this a good selection or would I be better off with a 16 “ dob with goto capabilities. Or something you might suggest.
What is a the miniumum requirements in a telescope to search for new comets etc, or the best to purchase. I am looking at speaning around $20,000.00 possibley more depending on what is available
Many thanks
SHANE
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Post by Veronica on Feb 28, 2007 9:05:13 GMT
If that was me, I'd convert the garden shed to an observatory and buy a bigger and better scope with the change! And yes, I am jealous.
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Post by phoenix on Feb 28, 2007 12:34:47 GMT
16" LX200R retails UK at £10,000 14" LX200R £5500
Thats excluding the wedge which is £500-600. Plus there is the issue of portability with these biiger scopes.
I would go with the 12" RCX400 £6000 which would leave enough change to get a wedge and a reasonable second hand ccd like the SXV M9 or H9(mono only since the colour version limits the amount of science you could do)
Kieran
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Post by stevie on Feb 28, 2007 19:36:38 GMT
For that kind of money, you could get a second-hand Tal 4" refractor, plus eyepieces and wooden tripod. I know a bloke who might be able to help.
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Post by NeilP on Feb 28, 2007 20:13:23 GMT
If he wants to go visual comet hunting, he would be better with a big dob, than an lx200 I would think he would be better of with the dobs wider field of view.
Of course he could also get a big refractor!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by eamonnpkeyes on Feb 28, 2007 22:06:14 GMT
That's all you think about...well actually he could, and as well, he could get a 12" goto Dobsonian like the Orion Intelliscope 12, www.scsastro.co.uk/it030012.htm and spend a couple of grand on lenses, accessories and nice focusers. That'd be £3,000. He could then spend £3,000 on beer and squander the rest.
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Post by phoenix on Feb 28, 2007 22:33:11 GMT
If he only wants to comet search then get a set of good binos. Its more difficult for amateurs to pick up new comets now with pro automated sky surveys and a lot of new comets are found by Japanese amateurs. If he wants to automate a supernova search then follow Tom Boles approach... 2 Paramount mounts with C14 scopes and ccds approx £25-30000. If we had more info on exactly how he would want to use the set up, ie fixed observatory, imaging, experience with telescopes etc then we could probably give better advice.
Kieran
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Post by shaneshaw on Mar 1, 2007 3:57:20 GMT
HI there all.. From Australia. Thank you to the member who posted this topic on my behalf.
I look like buying now an Obsession 20" with goto. However I am still looking around. at present all I have is my 4" celestron and my binoculars. But with time to spare on my hand I really want to get into some serious research. I am 45 yars old and want to do as much veiwing as possible each night and weekend. I am interested in looking for comets, Ovbserving all of the possible objects and to ophotograph them. Also to do sky watches of the same area in the sky over a period to see if there is anything changing or appearing in the frame. I plan to do this with a canon 400d by taking phots and comparing them over a certain period , Unless there is easier ways. I am very computer aware and if there are any great programs that you can connect to the computer and observe thru the computer screen please tell me.
I think that might be about it, so in a nut shell I am going to dabble in a bit of everything and see what really takes my eye and try and contribute to the science as an amatuer.
thanks
shane
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Post by NeilP on Mar 1, 2007 6:39:50 GMT
Shane a 20" obsession is a great scope, is it full goto or push-to? It would be great for visual work but I'm not sure it would work for photography, the reason being the nature of a dob mount would mean it would always have to drive on on both axis to track an object so unless it is very smooth there would be trailing in the pics.
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Post by shaneshaw on Mar 1, 2007 7:08:06 GMT
thanks I have sent e-mail to manufacturer and see what they say.
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Post by eamonnpkeyes on Mar 1, 2007 11:15:45 GMT
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Post by Simon on Oct 3, 2007 21:32:28 GMT
BUY ME! So I can look after all of your new equpiment, for free (and use it secretly when you are away or taking an early night)... I wish I had £8000 to spend and I know what I'd buy too! Sorry for spamming by the way, I just had to
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