[Fwd: Re: (meteorobs) OT: Telescopes]

meteorsga at bellsouth.net meteorsga at bellsouth.net
Fri Mar 23 12:24:05 EDT 2007


 I don't really intend for this to be a meteor scope. My primary purpose is 
minor planets, comets, planets and stellar observing/deep sky.

Getting an SUV for transport is, of course, not something I'm prepared to do.

My F-150 is pretty old and the shocks aren't that great. But I would be 
driving slowly and carefully and the roads would all be paved save the last 1/2 
mile or so.

By the time I throw in a hard-shell case the cost of an 8" Nexstar is at 
$1,700.00.
But I can get the 12" Dob, along with extra lenses and filters, for about 
$1000.00. That savings and the better aperture means a lot to me. Surely 
there has to be some way to load this thing in the bed of the pickup without 
too much jarring around.

Thanks for all your responses so far. You've all given me a lot to think about!

Kim

> 
> From: "Kim Hay" <cdnspooky at persona.ca>
> Date: 2007/03/23 Fri AM 08:37:46 EST
> To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
> Subject: Re: (meteorobs) OT:  Telescopes
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Kim
> 
> > It's OT time of year!
> >
> > I'm considering (strongly) buying my first decent telescope within the
> > next month.  I had some experience using the Celestron nexstar goto scopes
> > last year, which sort of lit the fire to own one myself.
> 
> good for you.
> >
> > But a bit of looking around has shown me that I could get much better
> > aperture for far less money if I forget the computereized slewing
> > functions and go with a dobsonian mount.  Right now I'm considering a
> > Celestron 12" dobsonian.
> 
> We have an 8" Skywatcher, and enjoy it immensely. I can move it around
> quite easily, however, we add a milk crate underneath for height, so you
> don't have to bend over as far (bad back syndrome)
> 
> We took our 8" out west in a van , over gravel roads, and it stayed
> aligned.  Our scope weighs around 30 lbs.
> 
> I like the dobs, more light power for the dollar, but it really depends on
> if you want trackability or not.
> 
> > Oh, and to get us back on topic, I'll probably try my hand at telescopic
> > meteors...
> 
> Early this morning - I was out finishing up my Messier list, looking at my
> last Messier (M86) and a very fast meteor went through the field.
> 
> Awesome, it was a great morning (2:00-3:45 am) -4C, frost on everything,
> train whistle in the distance, water flowing from the local falls, and
> geese honking, with the cyotes running a muck in the fields.
> 
> Oh yes, Saturn and Jupiter were excellent as well.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Kim Hay
> http://www.starlightcascade.ca
> Observatory & Gardens
> 
> 
> ---
> Mailing list meteorobs: meteorobs at meteorobs.org
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, email: owner-meteorobs at meteorobs.org
> http://lists.meteorobs.org/mailman/listinfo/meteorobs
> 



More information about the Meteorobs mailing list