Binos vs small scopePosted By Hugh Bartlett |
I've also done it both ways. If you go with a small scope, I'd get something larger than 80mm because I feel the view is too dim in that size. A Short Tube 90 is a good compromise between aperture and field of view, only I don't know who makes them anymore.
One thing I definitely recommend is not using it with a pan head. It is fine if you are spotting terrestrial targets, but will become unbalanced and awkward if you are looking up. Instead, get either a MicroStar (New) or UniStar mount from Universal Astronomics. I have the slightly larger UniStar Light Basic, and it works great with my 4" f6/4 refractor. I pick up the scope/mount/tripod with one hand and I'm outside observing within a minute! They slew like a Dob and travel well because they are very lightweight in and of themselves, and don't require counterweights.
Hugh Bartlett
Oakland, CA
One thing I definitely recommend is not using it with a pan head. It is fine if you are spotting terrestrial targets, but will become unbalanced and awkward if you are looking up. Instead, get either a MicroStar (New) or UniStar mount from Universal Astronomics. I have the slightly larger UniStar Light Basic, and it works great with my 4" f6/4 refractor. I pick up the scope/mount/tripod with one hand and I'm outside observing within a minute! They slew like a Dob and travel well because they are very lightweight in and of themselves, and don't require counterweights.
Hugh Bartlett
Oakland, CA
