Post by RobbW on Aug 16, 2011 7:14:37 GMT -6
My birthday is upon us, and my wife has been asking for gift hints. I have been mentioning lately my desire for a decent grab-n-go scope. I love my GoTo Celestron C8 and all, but I don't get as much observing in as I would like due to several considerations:
1). Total weight of C8 equipment ready to roll is 125lbs+ in two large containers (guesstimate as I do not have a scale big enough to hold both packed containers at one time).
2). Total time required just to assemble C8: 20-25 minutes
3). Total time required to polar align mount and then sky-align scope: 15-45 minutes+
4). Average number of nights per week I actually have available for observing: 3-5 depending
5). Average percentage of those nights when weather and other variables actually cooperate and are conducive to observing: ~40%
6). Average time at night AFTER which I can actually get out for some observing: 9:00pm
7). Average time at night at which I have to break down and start packing up due to work or WAF (wife appeasement factor): 12am-1am
8). Average total amount of time available for actual observing after setup and before breakdown: ~2 hours
9). All factors prior to #9 are predicated on simply setting up in my back yard where I only have a small view of the Eastern to Northern skies from about 30 degrees up to almost not quite the zenith
10). Taking the show on the road to any other viewing location severely decreases the amount of available observing time
Anyway, what I'm getting at is that relying on my trusty C8 is not conducive to increased observing time or spur-of-the-moment observing opportunities. There are so many times when we get home at night from doing whatever it is my family does, and I look up and see that the sky is unexpectedly clear. Oh how I wish I could get my scope out for some quality observing time. My heart starts pumping and the anticipation of some celestial gazing builds until I start thinking about everything I have to go through to get my scope set up. The cost/benefit analysis rarely ever gives a greenlight for tripping the night skies fantastic!
I so often find myself wishing I had a smaller, lightweight scope at the ready that I could quickly grab and head out the front door across the street to the lake/pond and setup with minimal fuss for some trouble-free observing. The problem with a grab-n-go scope is that unless you have Patrick-style disposable funds, the options for high-quality optics with backpack convenience are slim to none. With my available funds (not much), I am forced to choose between either decent optics (not even high-quality, just decent) or true convenience.
I want a scope that is small enough and light enough that I can keep it fully assembled on its mount and tripod for truly grab-n-go convenience. However, I also want a scope with optics of a higher caliber than the all-plastic crap from Toys 'R Us. Additionally, for exceptional convenience and efficiency, I would prefer something with a motorized, GoTo tracking mount, but not an EQ mount. I do not want to spend all night polar aligning the damned thing. So, an Alt-Az mount would have to suffice. I'd like it on a tripod that isn't going to wobble uncontrollably at the slightest touch or breeze. I want an aperture big enough to see more than the moon and planets, but not so big that it becomes unwieldy. I would like it to come with the ability to accept 2" EPs, or at least the ability to upgrade the scope to 2". I would prefer not to be stuck with 1.25" EPs or worse yet 0.965" EPs!
Sounds like a lot of demands, right? Well, here's the real kicker. I'd like to get away with this for less than $300, even lower if possible! Now, I'm not going to be unreasonable and expect to get all of this new-in-the-box and all in one package for $300 or less. I've been perusing eBay and Craig's List for deals on use equipment. I also have many parts and components laying around in my basement that I can re-use and re-task. But I really don't have a lot to spend, even though this is for my birthday.
I just want something that will provide me with pleasing views. That I can grab and run out the door at anytime. That doesn't take an hour and an engineering degree to set up. That will be easy to quickly find targets and stay on target. That can be carried out of the house in only one trip. That doesn't require a pack mule or Radio Flyer wagon to get it across the street or to a remote site. And doesn't require a high-interest loan to acquire said equipment. I can probably do without the GoTo or motorized tracking if necessary, but I'd at least want the manual controls to be smooth, fluid, and easy to operate.
So far, the only scopes I have found that seem to come close are of the used Meade ETX variety on eBay and Craig's List. Even those usually top out over my budget. And I have never used one to know if they are of decent quality or not. Plus, it seems the available apertures are in the 60-90mm range. Is an aperture that small going to show me what I want?
Does anyone have any advice, recommendations, comments, links, or reviews they'd like to offer?
1). Total weight of C8 equipment ready to roll is 125lbs+ in two large containers (guesstimate as I do not have a scale big enough to hold both packed containers at one time).
2). Total time required just to assemble C8: 20-25 minutes
3). Total time required to polar align mount and then sky-align scope: 15-45 minutes+
4). Average number of nights per week I actually have available for observing: 3-5 depending
5). Average percentage of those nights when weather and other variables actually cooperate and are conducive to observing: ~40%
6). Average time at night AFTER which I can actually get out for some observing: 9:00pm
7). Average time at night at which I have to break down and start packing up due to work or WAF (wife appeasement factor): 12am-1am
8). Average total amount of time available for actual observing after setup and before breakdown: ~2 hours
9). All factors prior to #9 are predicated on simply setting up in my back yard where I only have a small view of the Eastern to Northern skies from about 30 degrees up to almost not quite the zenith
10). Taking the show on the road to any other viewing location severely decreases the amount of available observing time
Anyway, what I'm getting at is that relying on my trusty C8 is not conducive to increased observing time or spur-of-the-moment observing opportunities. There are so many times when we get home at night from doing whatever it is my family does, and I look up and see that the sky is unexpectedly clear. Oh how I wish I could get my scope out for some quality observing time. My heart starts pumping and the anticipation of some celestial gazing builds until I start thinking about everything I have to go through to get my scope set up. The cost/benefit analysis rarely ever gives a greenlight for tripping the night skies fantastic!
I so often find myself wishing I had a smaller, lightweight scope at the ready that I could quickly grab and head out the front door across the street to the lake/pond and setup with minimal fuss for some trouble-free observing. The problem with a grab-n-go scope is that unless you have Patrick-style disposable funds, the options for high-quality optics with backpack convenience are slim to none. With my available funds (not much), I am forced to choose between either decent optics (not even high-quality, just decent) or true convenience.
I want a scope that is small enough and light enough that I can keep it fully assembled on its mount and tripod for truly grab-n-go convenience. However, I also want a scope with optics of a higher caliber than the all-plastic crap from Toys 'R Us. Additionally, for exceptional convenience and efficiency, I would prefer something with a motorized, GoTo tracking mount, but not an EQ mount. I do not want to spend all night polar aligning the damned thing. So, an Alt-Az mount would have to suffice. I'd like it on a tripod that isn't going to wobble uncontrollably at the slightest touch or breeze. I want an aperture big enough to see more than the moon and planets, but not so big that it becomes unwieldy. I would like it to come with the ability to accept 2" EPs, or at least the ability to upgrade the scope to 2". I would prefer not to be stuck with 1.25" EPs or worse yet 0.965" EPs!
Sounds like a lot of demands, right? Well, here's the real kicker. I'd like to get away with this for less than $300, even lower if possible! Now, I'm not going to be unreasonable and expect to get all of this new-in-the-box and all in one package for $300 or less. I've been perusing eBay and Craig's List for deals on use equipment. I also have many parts and components laying around in my basement that I can re-use and re-task. But I really don't have a lot to spend, even though this is for my birthday.
I just want something that will provide me with pleasing views. That I can grab and run out the door at anytime. That doesn't take an hour and an engineering degree to set up. That will be easy to quickly find targets and stay on target. That can be carried out of the house in only one trip. That doesn't require a pack mule or Radio Flyer wagon to get it across the street or to a remote site. And doesn't require a high-interest loan to acquire said equipment. I can probably do without the GoTo or motorized tracking if necessary, but I'd at least want the manual controls to be smooth, fluid, and easy to operate.
So far, the only scopes I have found that seem to come close are of the used Meade ETX variety on eBay and Craig's List. Even those usually top out over my budget. And I have never used one to know if they are of decent quality or not. Plus, it seems the available apertures are in the 60-90mm range. Is an aperture that small going to show me what I want?
Does anyone have any advice, recommendations, comments, links, or reviews they'd like to offer?
