My first telescope

[SpikeK6]

Got a chance to buy what looks to me like a good telecope, but would like some comments about it, the stand is a Skywatcher EQ5 PRO GOTO Mount

http://www.f1telescopes.co.uk/shop/...ting-system/?gclid=CLaVgd2kh8MCFSsCwwodylMAag

And the telescope is a Skywatcher 200P 8" telescope

It comes with 2 eye pieces a finder scope and also a DSLR mount

 

[Jannyfox]

Go for it.
Skywatcher does decent kit at sensible prices & the 200mm is a decent size for a reflector.

 

[arad85]

EQ5 or EQ3?

If you want to do ANY astrophotography, the mount is of utmost importance. I owned an EQ6 and when you used it you know where the £1000 went....

TBH, if you want a visual scope, the largest Dobsonian you can manage with some decent eyepieces is where it's at.

 

[dazs]

nice one , almost the same spec as mine - good viewing and got some good astro photos , its definately worth getting some better eyepieces tho

 

[quietandy]

Looks good.

Sorry if this might seem not right to ask on some one elses post but what do you guys think of the Celestron Nexstar 130slt? It is at the very limit of my budget so was wondering if this is a good starting point?

If the OP wants i can start a new topic just i am unsure where to start it!

 

[arad85]

Looks good.

Sorry if this might seem not right to ask on some one elses post but what do you guys think of the Celestron Nexstar 130slt? It is at the very limit of my budget so was wondering if this is a good starting point?

If the OP wants i can start a new topic just i am unsure where to start it!

For £320 I'd recommend:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html

one of these:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/telrad-finder-astronomy.html

and one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Telescopes-Pocket-Atlas/dp/1931559317

If you get to like visual observation, I'd upgrade to a decent set of eyepieces:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics-eyepieces/william-optics-uwan-eyepiece.html

are (or were when I last looked a few years ago) about the only real wider angle alternatives to the rather expensive, but ultimately very good, Televue Nagler and Ethos range of eyepieces (I used to own a couple of Ethos and the 31mm Nagler).

For software, I use:

SkEye on Android and
Cartes du Ciel for Windows (personally, I don't like Stellarium which is what a lot of people like)

I know this is a photography forum, but unless you want to invest serious amounts of time, money and hair - and you live in a dark part of the UK - I'd stick to visual observing.

Did I mention you need lots of money for photographing the stars?

 

[mpe]

You should first answer a question how do you want to use the telescope. For visual observing or for photo? Do you want to do bright objects (the moon, planets) or deep-sky? From dark area or from a city? Is this going to be used on one location or you'll be travelling with it?

If for visual observing I think you can buy better. I would go either for a smaller high quality ED for wide angle observing (from a dark area) or a bigger reflector on Dobsonian mount. EQ mount is awkward to use for casual visual observing.

If for astrophoto, then what gear do you want to put on it. A DSLR in prime mount? Autoguider? What focal length? You'll probably quickly find that the EQ5 isn't good enough for anything but a very basic use.

Do some research before buying. It could save you a lot of money

 

[SpikeK6]

Thanks for all the posts guys, Bought it today so only need some clear skys now, supposed to be cloudy or raining here in Guernsey for the next couple of weeks.

The guy I bought it off showed me some of the photos he had taken with the scope and I think for a begginer like me at this moment in time it will serve a purpose for now, If I find it lacking as I get more experienced then I will invest more money (same as cameras and lenses to be fair)

Its small enough to be protable in a field at the darkest part of the island (to be fair very few places are that light out of the main town.