Grab n' Go Scope

What would be a good grab n' go scope without breaking the bank. Setting up the SGT takes a good half hour and as I said in previous posts I need a second pair of hands to carry the tube.

I came across two possibles but would like some advice. Both are on www.telescope-service.com/refractors/sta...torsstart.html#r60mm . Either the Luna 2 or just get the Jupiter OTA and set it up on the CG5 mount. Any other suggestions welcomed. It'd just be used for breaks in the cloud etc - not a serious nights observing.

Hi Joanna

Both of those scopes have long focal lengths and the field of view is going to be very narrow, useful only for the moon and planets. Also the lens is very small.

If you are looking for a wider field of view the 80mm Skywatcher would be a better choice. If you are looking for a larger lens, then Skywatcher offers a 102mm wide field refractor, see www.acecameras.co.uk/asp/web/ph/cat/prodtype/1525/prodtype.asp , which might suit your needs.

I have a William optics Zenithstar 80 that I set up on a Manfrotto photographic tripod, I'm ready to go in minutes and a grab 'n go scope is essential.

Hope this helps.

Paul

Hi Joanna.

Just wondering what you intend to use the new scope primarily for. If its for the moon and planets then the small refractors will provide passable views.
If it is for wider field stuff then maybe one of the short tube refractors with slightly larger aperture is the way to go. or a decent pair of binoculars might be the answer

I have a 70mm F10 skylux (lidl special) refractor and a 90mm F5 refractor on a sturdy camera tripod. i might use the skylux occassionaly for the moon and filtered for the sun, but I would use the 90 mm much more often.

Hi Joanna,
Trevs right, if its solarsystem objects that you want to look at, then stick to a small refractor, don't bother with goto as it takes more time to setup .

just a note, the cg5 mount may be small in relation to other mounts, but it is still quite heavy and you wont go carrying it too far by yourself! i fell into this trap, thinking it was portable ( that i could throw it over my shoulder) but its way to heavy for that. just my word of caution