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[regichuck]

Hi everybody,

If you guys were in the market for a good planetary telescope for around 2.5K what would you get? I'm currently looking for one and I'm open to your suggestions on what to buy. My previous telescope (7" mak) spoiled me on good contrast and portability, so I'm torn on what to own next.

Regards,
Carlos

[-=CROMAN=-]

What type of mount do u plan on using?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Carlos...

Your 7" Mak does a great job in visual observation.

I wouldn't be so quick to jettison it and perhaps a little work is all that is needed to get it close to 100%.

But,

Refractors are the best for planetary/lunar work, providing razor sharp views...at the expense of large apertures for Deep Space Objects (D.S.O.s).

Provide us with some criteria that you are looking for in your next scope.

[Paulie pchris00]

Carlos,

Joe is correct that good refractors have a reputation as good lunar and planetary instruments. This is mainly due to 1) they tend to have a high focal ratio, and 2) compared to reflectors of the same aperture, with no secondary mirror obstruction, you're getting 100% of the light collected.

Nothing wrong with going for a refractor, but I feel that a high focal ratio reflector such as an SCT or long tube Dob will deliver better planetary views. You can get bigger aperture with a reflector, and it's the long focal length that allows for great planetary resolution. I'm not sure how pricing is, but I think you'd be better off paying for the bigger aperture of a long focal length reflector than a smaller refractor.

Joe is also correct that a 7" Mak should be delivering pretty good planetary views. Perhaps it just needs some tweaking? Get out to as many star parties as you can the rest of this summer and fall, and see what kinds of scopes deliver the planetary views you're looking for, and enjoy your scope in the meantime.

[Paulie pchris00]

I'm just trying to point out that there are pros and cons to all telescopes. I just feel why get a small refractor that is great for lunar and planetary, but more limited with the deep sky when you could get a larger aperture reflector that will be pretty good for lunar and planetary, and much better for DSOs. Just my $.02.

[regichuck]

Hi croman, my budget is limited, so for 2.5K it needs to come with a mount. I won't be doing any serious astrophotography with it but it must have goto function. I've been eyeballing the Meade lx80 and the celestron vx mount for a while now. What kind of mount do you recommend? 

Joe, I just shipped the scope back to the eBay seller on Monday. We couldn't come to an agreement regarding the shipping damage the mount sustained, so Paypal said to return it for a full refund. Too bad because the optics, from what you mentioned, seemed to be ok. It's a shame meade doesn't sell maks like that anymore. I'd buy a brand new one right now if I could. 

My criteria would be that it must be excellent on planets and clusters. Must also be able to fit in the back of a small suv, so dobs longer than 50" are out of the question. -  I have a 10" meade starfinder in storage I never use because it's such a pain in the neck to lug around. Hard to believe, but the 7"Mak blew it out of the water optically for some reason. Any idea why? The views of saturn were so much sharper and full of contrast. I'm sure gonna miss that scope!

Regards,
Carlos

[regichuck]

I hear you Paulie. Unless the prices have come down some, last time I checked refractors are way over my budget, however, I took a peek at Bill's sky watcher refractor a few weeks ago and I have to tell you I was very surprised. Not a lot of chromatic issues with it considering it's not an APO.

What kind of reflector or SCT do you recommend?


Regards,

Carlos

[-=CROMAN=-]

Carlos.... I have a VX on the way this week. You are more than welcome to check it out if we all get together this week or weekend. I had 2 Atlas EQ-G's last summer and while they were beefy mounts, I really wasnt to thrilled with its goto capabilities. I mean they worked ok but the software in the hand controller is limited compared to the likes of Celestron. Even with near dead-on polar alignment I was getting star trailing with 20 second unguided photos. I know some trailing is acceptable but both mounts were less than desirable. This year I'm going for the VX. I've heard many great things so far so we shall see.

As far far as your original question was concerned I agree with Joe and Paulie. I own a 10" dob and under good skies the views are incredible. I'm on the fence as to what I will get for the VX but so far I am leaning towards the explore scientific AR152 f/6.5 achro.

www.telescopes.com/telescopes/optical-tubes/explorescientificar152f65airspaceddoubletachromaticrefractortelescope.cfm

I was considering a 6" or 8" reflector but the EP location could get dicey on an EQ. There are ways to solve that like adding extra rings but I dunno.... Maybve I'll shoot for an Orion 8" f/3.9 reflector with a coma corrector

www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Astrophotography-Telescopes/Orion-8-f39-Newtonian-Astrograph-Reflector-Telescope/pc/-1/c/4/sc/57/p/101450.uts

Entirely to many decisions... This is how one ends up with too much stuff. There is no such thing as the holy grail of scopes... but a C8 comes close. I had one of those bad boys but the corrector plates frighten me..lol Also, dew is a huge problem unless you're strapping some heat bands, which I wasnt.

But... The VX mount with an 8" Edge is on sale now for $1799.00! That's $200.00 off regular price. The C8 is a really good sized , highly portable scope. With a focal reducer you can get it down from F/10 to F/6.3. That's if you plan to do some astrophotography or video.

[regichuck]

Wow, that AR152 looks promising. What a bargain. Anybody around here have one we could test drive?

I agree with you on the vx. I've read nothing but good things about it! I just wish it held two OTA's like the Meade lx80 does.

[-=CROMAN=-]

Carlos...

Th vx can hold 2 otas with an adapter, just not in alt/az mode.

admaccessories.com/V_Series_SBS.htm

adm is a little pricey but the quality is there and that's what you need.

Now if you want an AZ/EQ mount worth its weight you can check out this bad boy from Orion

www.telescope.com/Mounts-Tripods/Equatorial-Mounts-Tripods/Orion-Atlas-Pro-AZEQ-G-Computerized-GoTo-Telescope-Mount/pc/-1/c/2/sc/34/p/102340.uts

I'm not a fan of the Meade lx80. I've not heard good things. Plus Meade as a company is iffy.

I'm not sure if anyone around these parts has ever brought an AR 152 to one of the CA star parties but how bad can it be? Its a 6" refractor.... The build quality is said to be superb with the usual chromatic aberration. I dont know about you but I couldn't care any less about the purple halo crap. To me spending 3-4grand on an APO, of possibly lesser size, is ridiculous if your not a pro imager. I simply want to put my Nikon or vid cam at the end of it and take some pics or video.

no matter what you get make sure you have a couple decent EP's if you're doing visual. That's a whole conversation in itself!

[regichuck]

We're good on the eyepieces Croman. I've got a few Naglers I'm still hanging on to. Best money I ever spent.

I think so far I'm leaning towards that AR152 refractor, but I would love to do a side by side comparision with a celestron 8" Edge. I wonder if anyone around here has had the opportunity of using either one?

[patrickm]

I have a 9.25" Edge and love it very much. I'd go with the extra 1.25" not only for the aperture but for the ability to use 2" eyepieces. Next time I drag it out, you are welcome to come check it out.

[regichuck]

Patrick, what a coincidence, I was just researching about the 9.25 edge last night and I was considering getting that instead of a 8" edge. Big price difference and I think the lowest they go for is $2,100 for the ota? It's definitely out of my budget but hopefully I can convince Regina to let me spend the extra money. Wish me luck.

Are you coming to the next star party on the 17th? Throw me a pm and let me know if you're showing up. Hopefully the weather has nothing against me that day..

Regards,

Carlos

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The best view of Saturn I had, was through Patrick's 9.25 SCT.

It's a solid good scope and and well worth the price.

[patrickm]

Aug 2, 2013 18:38:51 GMT -6 regichuck said:

Patrick, what a coincidence, I was just researching about the 9.25 edge last night and I was considering getting that instead of a 8" edge. Big price difference and I think the lowest they go for is $2,100 for the ota? It's definitely out of my budget but hopefully I can convince Regina to let me spend the extra money. Wish me luck.

Are you coming to the next star party on the 17th? Throw me a pm and let me know if you're showing up. Hopefully the weather has nothing against me that day..

Regards,

Carlos

Hey Carlos,
Sorry I didn't get back. I was away for a bit. Not sure when I'll drag the scope out next, but I'll likely be out somewhere Wednesday night with the Perseids, though that may be in Rockford. I'll do my best to shoot you a note next time I am out. Feeling like I need to set up in the neighborhood to show the kids Saturn before we lose it again, so that should be soon.
p