So, telescopes.

[/quote]I'm a little surprised to hear this...perhaps others can offer an opinion here. I've never owned a Mak-Cas myself so I can't speak from personal experience, but I had always thought they were one of the best optical systems available....mabey I'm incorrect? Anyone able to offer a more educated opinion than mine on the matter?[/quote]

I'm surprised too. Maksutov-Cassegrain optics are usually excellent and in fact provide slightly superior views to Schimdt-Cassegrains (assuming similar aperture) due to a smaller secondary. Of the two types, Schimdt-Cassegrains are preferred for photography as Maksutov-Cassegrains normally have longer focal ratios.


Tom, I would suggest you buy Phil Harrington's book Starware (Third Edition), as this is a great guide to buying optical equipment and accessories.

Gordon

Thanks for the book tip, Gordon....most of my looking around has been on online, I probably should get a book. I do have the Backyard Astronomers Guide, and that's not bad, but it's only one book.

Looks like I need to do more research!

I'm not sure why you're so dismissive of Intes telescopes.

Well, they're built in Russia, and I guess I'm a little unsure of how well I might be able to get an Intes serviced or replaced if something were to go wrong. Not being dismissive of the scopes themselves, really.

But your words are making me think again - I will take a closer look at them, and TAL as well.

[posting this reply from Jimmy Miller who replied on the IFAS list]

Hi Tom

I am replying to your mail with my Andromeda Optics hat on.

I feel you are being very harsh on Helios based on a scope that has been "
feckled up "( which by the way is the same as Skywatcher, Orion and
Celestron just a different coat of paint ).

I would suggest get the problems sorted out ( should be easy to sort out a
finder ), maybe invest in motor drives ( approx. EUR 150 - EUR 175 for dual
axis for the EQ 3.2 ) and give the scope a real lash before discarding it (
ps. if you are discarding it I will take it off your hands for free ).

Seriously, we are the agents in Ireland for Skywatcher/Helios, Meade etc and
can assure you that the scope you have is a good performer ( apologies for
the website, it hasn't been updated in a while and, point/criticism taken,
needs work to show a more realistic view of what we offer ie. full ranges of
Meade,Skywatcher,Intes, TAL INCLUDING ANY AND ALL ACCESSORIES FOR THE THIS
LIST including any exotic equipment you may wqant to play with ).

But as you say, with the finder not working and a limited set of eyepieces I
would be frustrated too.

OFFER - If you would like us to take a look at the scope and tell you
what ( if anything ) is wrong we would be happy to do so.

As regards smaller more portable. we can suggest the meade ETXs ( especially
the 90 mm - in stock at the moment ) or another option & excellent performer
is the Skywatcher 127mm Maksutov ( also in stock ).

Either way dont get frustrated by a scope that possibly only needs a little
tweeking.

Give us a call if we can do anything for you.

Clearskies

Jimmy
Andromeda Optics

Hi All,
All you guys out there with an 8 inch SCT wishing for a 12" need to keep in mind that it is a real monster to carry around, even though its only 4 inches more in aperture, its easily twice the bulk/weight of an LX90.
I'm seriously considering getting an ETX125, just so I can carry it around without chancing a hernia (I got an 12" SCT 3 years ago).

One thing is for sure, there is no way I'm buying it on this side of the atlantic !!!!! :twisted:

I posted this to the Celestron thread, but thought I better post to the original thread...
After some more research, I'm still looking for a small scope...almost definitely a refractor, hopefully a 90mm (maybe a 100mm - will look at an 80mm if the accessories are really good) and will probably get it in England as it's quite a bit cheaper to do so, and I'll actually be going there at the end of November as well.

But holy crap, deciding what you want to get is a very tough job.

As for the optics on the Mak-Cas that I said weren't as good as others, well, I have a nice slice of humble pie here and it tastes great Reviews I've seen rate them highly - I probably got confused with something else (spot the rookie!). But I'm learning