Help me decide what to buy!

this is the main message area for anything solar :)
Post Reply
HAL
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:29 pm
Been thanked: 133 times

Help me decide what to buy!

Post by HAL »

Following on from my question about ERFs the other day...

I want to level up my imaging rig with some more aperture. I currently have a lovely Lunt LS60 and also a Quark which I am using with a Skywatcher 80ED. I will be keeping the Lunt for visual work and want a new scope for the Quark. I have a ZWO ASI174MM camera and Celestron AVX mount. Here's the options within my budget (around £2k).

1. Skywatcher Evostar 150 £639
Aperture 150mm
Focal length/ratio 1200mm f/8
Crayford focuser upgrade £185
ERF £963
Total £1787

Adv: aperture!
Dis: achromatic (though with the focuser upgrade I don't think this will matter for solar).

2. Skywatcher Evostar 120 £339
Aperture 120mm
Focal length/ratio 1000mm f/8.33
Crayford focuser upgrade £185
ERF £774
Total £1298

Adv: cheapest option but still significantly more aperture than the 80mm.
Dis: as above.

3. Skywatcher Evostar 120ED £1384
Aperture 120mm
Focal length/ratio 900mm f/7.5
ERF £774
Total £2158

Adv: apochromatic so can use for night time work as well, though this isn't the priority.
Dis: most expensive option.

4. Something else in this price range?

I would like to get the best imaging set-up I can within budget. I'd love to hear from anyone imaging with any of these telescopes + Quark + ERF.

Thanks for any help!

HAL


Dennis
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 1668
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2019 6:44 pm
Location: Germany
Has thanked: 2977 times
Been thanked: 2082 times

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by Dennis »

Hi,
what are your imaging goals / preferences?


Triband C9.25
H-a: Quark Chromosphere with BF mod
WL: Antlia 500nm/ 3nm, 393 nm/ 3nm
Ca-K: homebrew (includes 2x 1.5A filters, thanks Apollo)
Player One Apollo Max + Mars MII
Barlows:
-2x Gerd Düring 2.7x
-2x TMB 1.8x
pupak
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 2139
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2022 5:20 am
Has thanked: 4206 times
Been thanked: 3807 times

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by pupak »

The Celestron AVX mount and the IMX174 camera are the most decisive for your choice. The assembly excludes the 150/F8 because it does not have the necessary stiffness.
That's why he chose them:
3. Skywatcher Evostar 120ED + Baader TZ4, or TV4x PMT 2". With this setup, you will be able to photograph details in good quality. It would be ideal to replace the IMX174 camera with a IMX432.


I do not look at the sky with the eyes of an astronomer, but of a person looking for the beauty of nature.
HAL
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:29 pm
Been thanked: 133 times

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by HAL »

Thanks for these responses.

Dennis, I would like more resolution and more close-up views in general and possibly to move into some animations.

Pupak, the set-up with the 150mm would be well within the stated payload capability of the AVX, I know that in practice you can't go right to the limit. I wonder what you feel the limit is?


pupak
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 2139
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2022 5:20 am
Has thanked: 4206 times
Been thanked: 3807 times

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by pupak »

It's not just about weight, it's about length and torque. The picture shows my AR150/F8, which is 160 cm tall and weighs 15 kg with equipment. I have it on a backlash-free EQ-HD mount, and even that has something to do with it when the wind blows. That's my experience.
Attachments
AR150/F8
AR150/F8
EQ HD mount kopie.jpg (276.07 KiB) Viewed 332 times


I do not look at the sky with the eyes of an astronomer, but of a person looking for the beauty of nature.
Dennis
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 1668
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2019 6:44 pm
Location: Germany
Has thanked: 2977 times
Been thanked: 2082 times

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by Dennis »

HAL wrote: Sun Mar 19, 2023 9:46 am Thanks for these responses.

Dennis, I would like more resolution and more close-up views in general and possibly to move into some animations.

Pupak, the set-up with the 150mm would be well within the stated payload capability of the AVX, I know that in practice you can't go right to the limit. I wonder what you feel the limit is?
Ok, then i would go with the 150mm f/8 achromat if you think seeing will support it.
Idk about the mount, but as pupak said, its not only about the weight but the length of the scope. I had a similar scope on a Ioptron az mount pro (15kg max payload specification) and it was shakey but worked. I kept the scope at minimum weight (~ 7.2 kg without dewcap and finder scope, no focuser upgrade). I used a D-ERF.
Balance is very important and doesnt leave much room for inbalance, that you have to keep in mind.
I also used a good diagonal to reach focus and not have the whole thing too long.


Triband C9.25
H-a: Quark Chromosphere with BF mod
WL: Antlia 500nm/ 3nm, 393 nm/ 3nm
Ca-K: homebrew (includes 2x 1.5A filters, thanks Apollo)
Player One Apollo Max + Mars MII
Barlows:
-2x Gerd Düring 2.7x
-2x TMB 1.8x
pupak
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 2139
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2022 5:20 am
Has thanked: 4206 times
Been thanked: 3807 times

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by pupak »

If you want to run an AR150/F8 on your mount, choose a lightweight lattice design. Not only will the weight be saved, but the area for the influence of the wind will be significantly reduced. That's how the 150/F15 can be handled.
Attachments
AR150/F15
AR150/F15
AR150F15.jpg (501.15 KiB) Viewed 320 times


I do not look at the sky with the eyes of an astronomer, but of a person looking for the beauty of nature.
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42269
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20424 times
Been thanked: 10243 times
Contact:

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by marktownley »

I'd go for #1


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
solarchat
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4359
Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 3:10 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
Has thanked: 83 times
Been thanked: 1314 times
Contact:

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by solarchat »

I'd go with #1, also.


Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
HAL
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:29 pm
Been thanked: 133 times

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by HAL »

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I think I am leaning towards #1, though I take on board the comments about tube length and balancing.


User avatar
MAURITS
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 8507
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 4:37 pm
Location: Belgium
Has thanked: 2412 times
Been thanked: 4786 times
Contact:

Re: Help me decide what to buy!

Post by MAURITS »

I go also for the 150mm aperture.


Regards,
Maurits

Vista del Cielo Observatory

www.vistadelcielo.be
Post Reply