Well I have a decent all round 8 dob, but want to really get detail out of the planets. I have $500-$600 and figure that should get me something good on the used market...potentially up to something that would be $1000 new. So you could interpret the question this way if you prefer: best planetary scope under $1000 (new)...either way...what can I get in this range including mounting?
Best planetary views for under $600 (used)?
Started by toml, 02/07/2003 10:27AM
Posted 02/07/2003 10:27AM
Opening Post
Posted 02/07/2003 02:33PM
#1
There was an 8" f 6.85 Dob with the mirror made by Mike Spooner (see previous post) for sale on this board last night. I have an 8" f 5.7 mirror by Mike Spooner that is a wonderfull planetary scope.
The Mak Newts are also excellent, even the MN 56 which occasionally come up and go for around $600 for a good OTA. I have one of those also. It goes on an GEM which is nice for planetary.
There is an argument that scopes of 4 or 5 inch apeture do well on average seeing nights. There is some truth to this, but only some.
The Mak Newts are also excellent, even the MN 56 which occasionally come up and go for around $600 for a good OTA. I have one of those also. It goes on an GEM which is nice for planetary.
There is an argument that scopes of 4 or 5 inch apeture do well on average seeing nights. There is some truth to this, but only some.
Posted 02/07/2003 10:05PM
#2
Okay, I'm getting the refractor itch. Jim you have me looking at the Orion Skyview Pro 120, AstroView™ 120mm EQ and Sky Instruments (Antraes) 120 f8.3 812GP (Sky Instruments).
I think these OTAs might all be the same?! except as you pointed out that the Sky Instruments may have Vixen glass instead of Synta glass but otherwise that same synta setup ota on an eq4. It certainly costs more (double) wherever I see it.
Looks like some reviewers say the antares is better on false color than those orion's, which i assume are optically identical (the 2 orions that is) -- ie. synta --, just the mount and motor and tripod is different, yes?
okay, so i could pull the trigger on this right away...if all could benefit from a chromacorr, then is there any point in getting a slightly better antares/japanese glass than an orion/chinese glass, if i'm splurging on chromacorr correction on either one? or am i better off getting the orion if i'm planning on adding chromacorr to either.
2nd, IF IT WERE YOU, and you could buy the USED sky instruments (japanese glass) 812GP on an EQ4 (cg5-ish?) mount with aluminum tripod (to be replaced i'm sure) with 8x50 RA finder and 2" focusser
OR
NEW Skyview pro Synta made orion branded on the beefier mount / steel tripod with a free RA motor (!) but a chincy 6x30 straight finder.
FOR THE SAME PRICE as each other...which would you buy?
I think these OTAs might all be the same?! except as you pointed out that the Sky Instruments may have Vixen glass instead of Synta glass but otherwise that same synta setup ota on an eq4. It certainly costs more (double) wherever I see it.
Looks like some reviewers say the antares is better on false color than those orion's, which i assume are optically identical (the 2 orions that is) -- ie. synta --, just the mount and motor and tripod is different, yes?
okay, so i could pull the trigger on this right away...if all could benefit from a chromacorr, then is there any point in getting a slightly better antares/japanese glass than an orion/chinese glass, if i'm splurging on chromacorr correction on either one? or am i better off getting the orion if i'm planning on adding chromacorr to either.
2nd, IF IT WERE YOU, and you could buy the USED sky instruments (japanese glass) 812GP on an EQ4 (cg5-ish?) mount with aluminum tripod (to be replaced i'm sure) with 8x50 RA finder and 2" focusser
OR
NEW Skyview pro Synta made orion branded on the beefier mount / steel tripod with a free RA motor (!) but a chincy 6x30 straight finder.
FOR THE SAME PRICE as each other...which would you buy?
Posted 02/08/2003 06:37AM
#3
Send your 8" mirror to a custom place to have it refigured. Then put Protostar flock paper or baffles in your dob tube and replace its focuser with a nice one. Then add teflon and ebony star (or similar pebbled texture formica) to the mount bearings. Go get a nice UO Konig or Tele Vue plossl in 8mm and you will see some pretty darn awesome planetary images.
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