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Terry Wood

Jupiter (clearer) Nov 5th 2023 w/Mewlon 180c

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Best Grab & Go Scopes?

Started by Herp-art, 10/05/2009 12:57PM
Posted 10/08/2009 12:00AM | Edited 10/08/2009 12:04AM #10
John Agnew said:

I've been thinking about getting a scope(& mount) that would be more easily dealt with on a camping trip than my C9.25 CPC. My initial thoughts were leaning towards an ETX 127 or something similar. I know there are some nice refractors of about the same size that might work too, but I'd like to keep the price below $700. What small scopes will give me the best views of DSO's? I just spent a few weeks in an area with amazing skies, armed only with a small pair of birding binocs. Never again.
We can continue the refractor vs reflector fight here, I suppose.

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.aspx?p_id=13462&store_id=2&did=1

Having taken my C8 on a couple of camping trips, I know what you are talking about. Though I don't go camping much as I used to, I use a WO 66 on a used Orion Astroview mount. It is portable enough that I can get it out the door easily. The apurature is less than ideal, but it cures the itch to observe well enough when I am intersted in a quick peak without spending to much time or effort to set up.

It is what it is...
Posted 10/09/2009 06:38PM #11
Best I've found is a TV76 on a Portamount. I imagine any good 70-80mm short-focus refractor would do as well. A Pronto or a Ranger on a Portamount might come closer to your budget.

I've been tempted to go to a TV85, but I'd be sacrificing portability for aperture and I'm quite happy with the combination I have now. Good for nature viewing too.
Bob