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Post by setzer on Sept 11, 2007 23:59:49 GMT
Hello to everyone,my name is Dave and I come from Larne (please dont hold that against me)
I was introduced to this site by Mia so a big thanks is due there.
I am pretty new to astronomy but have had quite a keen interest in the physics side for a while which led me on to the observing.
I am very keen on getting to meetings so I hope to get along and meet some of you very soon.
My gear is very modest at the moment just an ETX70 which I hope to upgrade soon so If anyone has an ETX125 or 105 for sale please let me know as I would be very interested.
If anyone has any experience with either of those scopes I would be glad for any advice, mainly is there is much difference between the two scopes? as the 105 is roughly half the price of the 125 second hand.The reason Im going for an ETX is the autostar which I hope will help me to get to know the sky better and when I have more knowledge I think I might change to a dob.
Once again thanks to Mia for introducing me to the site.
Dave............
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Post by nemesis on Sept 12, 2007 3:02:13 GMT
You're very welcome here, Dave. A number of our members have experience of the ETX series. Neil Patterson and Philip Matchett have both used the ETX 105 extensively, I believe, although Neil has now sold his to Mia. The Autostar is very handy once you learn to align the scope, although some of us (like Stevie and I) prefer to use the old eyeball to find our way around. being in Larne is handy, as most of our sessions are at Killylane reservoir on Shane's Hill Road, about 5 miles away from you. Keep an eye on this forum, as you'll see when we're heading out, and please come along, or meet up with one of us beforehand. Don't worry too much about your scope, as there'll always be several there and we're pleased to share the views. Again, you'll get details of the next meeting here, so come along and make yourself known to us. We'll be glad to see you.
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Post by Veronica on Sept 12, 2007 7:34:48 GMT
Hi Dave, nice to hear from you! I wholeheartedly agree with Eamonn - never worry about what observing gear you have; my scope (Meade 70mm GoTo refractor) generally ends up sitting in the carpark all alone while I drool over Eamonn's Lightbridge or get a sore neck while Stevie guides me round the sky with the binos!
Do come along to the next session, it's really good craic and hopefully (a) it's not too long in coming (b) the clouds stay away and (c) I'm not in England or dosed with the cold so that I miss it!
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Post by Phil on Sept 12, 2007 8:26:50 GMT
Hi Dave welcome aboard! I have had an ETX105 for a few years now and I've also seen through a 125, not sure if it is worth the extra money though, especially if you are looking at buying a dob sometime in the future. The only other problem with an autostar is you can get lazy and not learn where everything is!! Or maybe thats just me!! If you get a chance come along to an observing session and get a look through either Mia or my 105 and compare it to your 70.... best way to find out!!
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Post by mia on Sept 12, 2007 9:42:45 GMT
Hi Dave, glad you managed to negotiate the treacherous waters of admin clearance! I'm the opposite re the Autostar! I don't use mine (and it's not because I can't figure it out..................okay, it's a wee bit of that but don't tell any of the others!) I find I retain the info better if I find it myself but I will start using the GoTo at some stage! As Eamonn (nemesis) says, it's handy as my 105 used to belong to Neil so he's usually plagued by me at our observing seshes! As the others say, keep an eye out here for any sudden ob sessions, you're more than welcome to come along and listen to the dog's abuse I get from them! Joking, they have all been great and are very generous with their time and advice! Hope to see you at the next meeting, did you get the new season's programme okay?
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Post by stevie on Sept 12, 2007 18:37:48 GMT
Welcome to the forum Dave, hope to see you at the next meeting and at some observing sessions. This also goes for our new members and those considering joining. Don't be shy, just say hello to any of us and we'll introduce you to everyone else. And don't be afraid to ask questions. Some aspects of astronomy can be quite complicated, especially in relation to telescopes and finding particular objects to observe, so feel free to ask anything. There is no such a thing as a stupid question. If the person you ask does not know the answer, they will find someone who does.
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Post by jonathan on Sept 12, 2007 20:22:54 GMT
Welcome to the forum Dave.
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Post by setzer on Sept 12, 2007 20:47:57 GMT
Thanks guys for making me feel very welcome.
Killylane is extremely handy for me, so the next time there is a session I will be very keen to get along.
Thanks for the new seasons programme Mia,much appreciated.
How do you find the 105 Mia? I have one in the pipeline but it is not too late to change my mind if I find out they are not very good.
Dave.........
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Post by mia on Sept 12, 2007 21:14:20 GMT
I love mine, Dave.
I've a RDF fitted as the finderscope was in an odd place for me in relation to the EP and I use it as a 'point and find' scope.
I will get round to the GoTo but if I were you.....come and see the views through Eamonn's 12" or Kieran's 16" dob as you've mentioned maybe getting one.
It does depend on what you want to aim to do in the long run. You can keep using the 70 but for the price of a 125, you can get a good dob and for free, get the advice of a lot of people on here who use both types.
Come to the next meeting and bring the 70, if it's clear, we may have an impromptu sesh!
And keep an eye to the forum re sudden seshs.
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Post by phoenix on Sept 12, 2007 21:33:28 GMT
Welcome to EAAS forum Dave. There is a Meade ETX 125 on sale from a guy on UK Astro Ads, looking for £700 but I would offer £550 cause I know he picked it up second hand for less than he's asking now.
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Post by NeilP on Sept 13, 2007 5:56:44 GMT
Hi Dave
Welcome to the forum, I had an ETX105 as well and I loved it, the optics on them are great but I will say the GoTo can be pretty frustrating at times and sometimes you can waste too much time to aligning it and getting it working right that you lose quite a bit of sky time. If you are in no mad panic hold off and come to the next session and see some scopes in action, it might help you make up your mind.
Rgds Neil
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Post by setzer on Sept 14, 2007 21:47:10 GMT
Thanks for the advice on the ETX.
I tried that guy for the 125 but he has it sold already.
The good comments about the 105 have made my mind up for me to go ahead and buy it.
I already have a ETX70 so I am slighty experienced with the auto star,but the 70 is a bit lacking.
Thanks again.
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Post by nemesis on Sept 16, 2007 19:26:31 GMT
There are a couple of ETX 105 for sale in this months Astronomy Now.
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