What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Newtonian reflector on an equatorial mount as compared to a Dobsonian? Is it just price?
Dob vs. equatorial mount
Started by tom0011, 08/22/2002 04:41PM
Posted 08/22/2002 04:41PM
Opening Post
Posted 08/22/2002 06:03PM
#1
Michael is right on about GOOD EQs being $$. Personally I'll wait until I have the bucks for something like a G-11 before I try an EQ again.
Also consider that if you are just starting out in the hobby the DOB mount should be a much more "comfortable" system for two reasons. 1. on Newts an EQ mounts will end up with the EP in weird angles as you aim at different parts of the sky unless you have equipped the OTA with tube rotating rings, and good ones will cost you even more $$ when included in the mount system. Refractors are not so bad but it can still be a problem. And 2. balancing a DOB (even with adding weights for heavy EPs) is much easier that a EQ mount because you are really dealing with only one axis vs. two on a EQ. Also, I wish I had 10 cents for every time I've run into a blinking counter weight sticking out in the dark - but that may just be me ;^).
Also, some DOBs break down so the rocker box becomes part of the scope storage case, making for a neat "all in one" compact package when storing and transporting the scope. With an EQ you will always have two parts to move and deal with.
And BTW you can track with a DOB mount. While not cheap (unless you happen to be handy and want to try building it yourself) there are tracking tables for DOBs that will track an object for well over an hour and even have all-axis motorized slewing and DSCs if you want to get really fancy (but for more $$, of course!). The nice thing here is you can upgrade your system later if you really like the way it works.
My 2 cents - dark skies.
Tom (Mengel)
Also consider that if you are just starting out in the hobby the DOB mount should be a much more "comfortable" system for two reasons. 1. on Newts an EQ mounts will end up with the EP in weird angles as you aim at different parts of the sky unless you have equipped the OTA with tube rotating rings, and good ones will cost you even more $$ when included in the mount system. Refractors are not so bad but it can still be a problem. And 2. balancing a DOB (even with adding weights for heavy EPs) is much easier that a EQ mount because you are really dealing with only one axis vs. two on a EQ. Also, I wish I had 10 cents for every time I've run into a blinking counter weight sticking out in the dark - but that may just be me ;^).
Also, some DOBs break down so the rocker box becomes part of the scope storage case, making for a neat "all in one" compact package when storing and transporting the scope. With an EQ you will always have two parts to move and deal with.
And BTW you can track with a DOB mount. While not cheap (unless you happen to be handy and want to try building it yourself) there are tracking tables for DOBs that will track an object for well over an hour and even have all-axis motorized slewing and DSCs if you want to get really fancy (but for more $$, of course!). The nice thing here is you can upgrade your system later if you really like the way it works.
My 2 cents - dark skies.
Tom (Mengel)
Tom Mengel
Moderator Equipment Talk
“Insanity: Trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results”.
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