[AngrySpud]

I'm budgeting for a 15" light bucket. I've considered building one, but don't have the confidence to do it right. In any case, it doesn't seem that one can save much money by doing it at home (quality mass-production and economy-of-scale seem to keep the price of commercially-made Dobs reasonable). Does anyone remember the name of the FReeper who used to post astronomy pics?

[Joe Hadenuf]

Yes, and I currently have a Go-to computerized Meade Instruments LX-200 10" Schmidt Cassigrain Catadioptric. I love this thing. I am currently getting into astro photography using film imaging with an Olympus OM-1.

As soon as I can afford it, I am going to purchase a CCD camera to do digital imaging through my computer. Going to be setting it up tonight. Soon, when I get the time and money I will build my own backyard observatory to avoid all the set up and polar alignment.

Astronomy and space are the final frontier...

[AngrySpud]

Paging, paging ...

[Gorzaloon]

I have a 10" f5 Newtonian.

On a whim, I found that a local Cosco was blowing out the Meade LX 60's for around a hundred dollars. The 6800 based microprocesser runs a neat utility that makes it GOTO any of thousands of stars and objects. Performance is quite decent. Despite having the fast 10", the one I use all the time is the little Meade GOTO!

The reason I mention it is that if you look at my 10" at http://www.gearloose.com/scope.html you will not see the wheels I had to put on the 10" to be able to use it.

The best scope to get is the one you will actually USE!

Dobsonians are cheap and easy to build but highly frustrating if more than one person is there..."LOOK FAST BEFORE IT MOVES OFF THE FIELD!"

They are useless for astrophotography as well.

My neice has an 8" Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain. Easy to use, compact, and with a digital camera can deliver surprising photos, even of Messier objects.

Lurk in the newsgroup sci.astro.amateur for the best group of helpful people and the best advice on what to get. There are as many diverse opinions on the "Best" scope as there are on cars and guns!

[longshadow]

>I'm budgeting for a 15" light bucket. < Holy light-bucket, batman! They only thing I can suggest (and you've probably already done it) is to check Sky & Telescope for reviews on such products. Lastly, talk to someone who has used a scope that big before; one of the lessons I've learned about amateur astronomy is that it doesn't matter how big your scope is if it just sitts in the closet all the time. If setting up/breaking down and transporting a 15" scope is a pain, it is unlikely to ever get used..... unless you are a fanatic, which, since you're contemplating a 15" scope, you probably are.

Best of luck. Personally, I'd find the 4" refractor a great deal more user friendly.... but that's a personal opinion.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Personally, I'd like some suggestions on what a good starter scope would be. Took my daughter to the Roane State Observatory for the meteor shower back in November, and we had a great time. I'm going to be working with the Professor who runs the observatory (getting their scope software to work properly - actually - getting them to understand the software), but I'd like to have a scope of my own. Any suggestions?

[RightOnline]

"Any telescope afficionados out there?"

Why..............ahem..............yes, since you've asked.

Now, it's common knowledge among yer basic stargazer that a telescope is a device that is specifically designed to allow the user to see things that are usually rather far away and..........follow me here..........make them appear really close, aka "larger". This is accomplished by internal mechanisms and objects of a technical nature (like glass, some metal; things of that sort) inserted into long tubes. At one end is the portion that the user afixes his/her eye to in order to view the aforementioned "far away" or "distant" objects (like stars, planets, the occasional comet, common sense in a Democrat) and the other end is a piece of glass that, with the assistance of the internal mechanisms, um........."sees" stuff.

Now, the real key is to ensure that you look into the little end, but a recommendation to ensure use in "darkness" seems to be well-received, as well.

Hope that helps. More, if you need it..........anytime.

[Cachelot]

Bookmark bump...

[N2Gems]

I have been through several scopes since 1980 ranging from 4" to 15". I never got much use out of them because of the hassle of setting up. Last year I bought a Celestron Nexstar 8. I have got more use and enjoyment out of that scope than all of the others combined. I don't have very deep pockets but I got a good deal at eBay. I got it for just over $1000. I am keeping my eye out for the new Nexstar 10". When I see a good deal I am going to buy it and auction off the 8". Setup is a breeze and with a wedge, (about $100) long exposure photography is a snap. Shop around, but be sure to check out eBay.

[strela]

Here's what I have:

Its still in the box though. I'm saving to build a permanent enclosure in the back yard with seating and a heater, but I'm not quite there with the cash yet. I'm looking at pouring a round 15' concrete slab with permanent mounting and power supply for the scope and computer, with a retractable Lexan bubble and hail shield over it. Kind of a gazebo on steroids.

[muir_redwoods]

I envy you. Years ago I bought a Criterion 6" newtonian and fell in love with a scientific hobby where even the amateur gets to deal with the best subjects there are. I have not had time to fully indulge in this for years but some day I'll be back. Good hunting and remember, always get the biggest bucket you can reasonably afford.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Hey AngrySpud funny you should ask.

I just got a cataloge from Orion Telescopes, and they have a highly rated 10" Dobsonian Reflector for $645.

You can add go to to it for 349.

I got a really nice catalog from them by going to www.telescope.com and requesting it.

[RightWhale]

Build your own. Dobsonians are about as simple as can be. You might even consider making your own mirror, but that requires a considerable investment of time, and mirror blanks aren't all that cheap anymore.

[rockfish59]

think i'll wait and buy the 'hubble'!
probably get a good deal on ebay! {:^)

[IronJack]

I just got my son a 4" Newtonian for his birthday. I'm disappointed in the planetary reach; I've seen the rings of Saturn and Jupiter's moons, but only because I've got a good imagination. The moon, on the other hand, is incredible. I swear I could read Neil Armstrong's newspaper.

I'd like to do deep space stuff too, and maybe some photography, but I can't even get the clock drive to work properly!

[LibWhacker]

I bought an 8" mirror kit once. Still haven't gotten around to making the darn thing, though, lol. Some day I will. Ever think about amateur radio astronomy?

[UFO]

I read the first part of this thread and forwarded to my son, a degreed astonomer. This is his response. I hope it's not too late to be useful.

I only read the first few screens of replies. They are all right on. 15" is way too big. Besides, any object will be a passing blur in a Dobsonian that big. Useless unless you are a loner. My opinion is that ideal is a 5-6" schmidt cassegrain with a tracking motor (motors, if a-a mount). No bigger than an 8" unless you are a fanatic. The capabilities of a scope that size will keep any amateur busy forever, including photography.