Re: ETX-105 vs 8" Dob

From: Alan Dana (alan_dana_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 10/07/04 

Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 19:23:11 -0500

"Jon Isaacs" <jonisaacs@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20041006074621.07582.00001582@mb-m11.aol.com...
> >I kind of overestimated the portability of my scope - it's easy to
>>overlook all the extra stuff you need to take with you such as a power
>>pack, dew shield, EPs...
>
> Someone once called his 8 inch SCT, "The Gizmo." I thought it appropriate as
> you have seem to have discovered.
>
> But not all 8 inch scopes are created equally when it comes to portability and
> ease of setup. The 8 inch DOB which is the topic of this thread, does not
> require anything more than a few eyepieces and a chair. Setup is quick,
> alignment is only necessary if something along the lines of digital setting
> circles (Intelliscope) is desired.

My 8" SCT is a NexStar 8i. I have it mounted on its tripod in my garage. All
I do is pick it up, haul it out into my driveway or backyard, align on two stars,
and then I can tell it to find any object I want to observe using the hand controller.

>From the time I open the garage door until I can be observing M13 or the Dumbell
is somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes. If I want to look at something that is
a little difficult to find, I'm sure I would be observing it through the 8i well before
I could setup and find it with my dob. And if you count the time it would take to
find 3 objects, the SCT is far faster.

> I find that a small scope like the 80mm you are contemplating is a nice
> companion for an 8 incher, especially if is a relatively fast scope that is
> compact enough to be used for bird watching.

My 80mm does a great job doubling as a spotting scope. That was one
of my reasons for going with it.

Still, it is very hard to forego the 8" dob, such nice views for very reasoable
prices.

Alan

Relevant Pages

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