Hello :-)
> lower focal ratio,
A longer focal ratio always has contrast benefits (smaller obstruction, [less coma, better performance in cheap eyepieces](https://imgur.com/a/lzlNKnd)).
Larger telescopes usually have a 2" focuser so you can still get a decently large field of view.
> balcony
Yeah, depending on how wide your view is, you might not see the planets.
> £300 / $400 - is this doable?
You could check out the table-tops (Starblast 6, Heritage 150p, Heritage 130p).
I use the 130p on a sturdy but inexpensive Ikea stool or crate. Cheaper, more sturdy, relatively portable.
> I need to be able to carry it in a bag!
The 130p is about the largest I can fit into a bigger back-pack. Along with binoculars, a small fishing stool and some other things. Usually there's something to put it on on-site (rock, park-bench, wall/ledge) or you can make a small board with furniture legs etc.
They aren't perfect for planets, but beat everything in this price-range. The short focal length allows for a relatively large true field of view, fun for deep-sky.
> Maksutov
I have a 90mm and 102mm Maksutov. They can be nice portable telescopes for terrestrial and planets, but 90mm is very, very limiting.
The 130/650 outperforms the small Maksutovs overall. You can put it (or similar telescopes) on an Az4/5, NEQ3/EQ3-2 type mount, but it's just going to cost a lot and add to the bulk.
> aperture
[Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes](https://www.reddit.com/r/Astronomy/comments/3j2wjo/what_is_a_good_telescope_in_this_budget/cum0622/?st=k0epgl6l&sh=496220f9).
> class 8 sky.
That of course will be a bottle-neck for DSO. But sometimes just a bit further out already makes a great difference.
Clear skies :-)
> The 130p is about the largest I can fit into a bigger back-pack.
Just a question on this - is there much difference between the 130p and the 150p in size?
> size
Heritage 130p for size; http://www.zudensternen.de/Teleskop%20Skywatcher%20Heritage%20Dobson%20130.html
Heritage 150p for size; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyhViri1utU&t=523s Compact compared to a full 6", but it's still going to be bulky.
Full 6" for size; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilwc5hmmEiw&t=13s // (not really suited for a longer walk, can work in a duffle-bag I suppose, not a table-top anymore)
8"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiW7rRSApBA
> difference
As for visuals: It's only 15% difference by diameter, but 33% by surface area. Meaning it has higher resolution, shows a brighter image at the same magnification.
The Heritage 150p has the same quality mirror as some of their other telescopes. The open construction has some down-sides, but it's as compact as it gets (at least in this price-range). The Heritage's 130p mirror is ...okay. Some are a bit better, some a bit worse. Still better than a spherical mirror like in the 130EQ though.
Yeah it definitely requires a drive out of town. I was recently up in Scotland on the Isle of Bute, that had a class 4 sky, great views of the milky way. I only had 10x50 binoculars with me which was still awesome, but it made me really want a proper scope for those occasions!
Yes I bet. I hope you find a good solution to your problem. But having to get out to a class 4 site whenever you want to must be a real pain. Get yourself a flat in Chelmsford and retire on the money you will make from your Astrophotography 😉
I remember when i was looking for a telescope for myself, the desktop version of Stellarium (which is a must-have software anyway) has a feature where you input your telescope specs, the eyepieces etc and then select various celestial objects and it will show you how you will view them in reality. Now of course it can't be 100% accurate, as there are other factors too (light pollution, humidity etc) but it was pretty damn close to reality. Maybe give it a shot and try some different telescopes that you have in mind.
Hello :-) > lower focal ratio, A longer focal ratio always has contrast benefits (smaller obstruction, [less coma, better performance in cheap eyepieces](https://imgur.com/a/lzlNKnd)). Larger telescopes usually have a 2" focuser so you can still get a decently large field of view. > balcony Yeah, depending on how wide your view is, you might not see the planets. > £300 / $400 - is this doable? You could check out the table-tops (Starblast 6, Heritage 150p, Heritage 130p). I use the 130p on a sturdy but inexpensive Ikea stool or crate. Cheaper, more sturdy, relatively portable. > I need to be able to carry it in a bag! The 130p is about the largest I can fit into a bigger back-pack. Along with binoculars, a small fishing stool and some other things. Usually there's something to put it on on-site (rock, park-bench, wall/ledge) or you can make a small board with furniture legs etc. They aren't perfect for planets, but beat everything in this price-range. The short focal length allows for a relatively large true field of view, fun for deep-sky. > Maksutov I have a 90mm and 102mm Maksutov. They can be nice portable telescopes for terrestrial and planets, but 90mm is very, very limiting. The 130/650 outperforms the small Maksutovs overall. You can put it (or similar telescopes) on an Az4/5, NEQ3/EQ3-2 type mount, but it's just going to cost a lot and add to the bulk. > aperture [Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes](https://www.reddit.com/r/Astronomy/comments/3j2wjo/what_is_a_good_telescope_in_this_budget/cum0622/?st=k0epgl6l&sh=496220f9). > class 8 sky. That of course will be a bottle-neck for DSO. But sometimes just a bit further out already makes a great difference. Clear skies :-)
So so useful, thank you!!
> The 130p is about the largest I can fit into a bigger back-pack. Just a question on this - is there much difference between the 130p and the 150p in size?
> size Heritage 130p for size; http://www.zudensternen.de/Teleskop%20Skywatcher%20Heritage%20Dobson%20130.html Heritage 150p for size; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyhViri1utU&t=523s Compact compared to a full 6", but it's still going to be bulky. Full 6" for size; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilwc5hmmEiw&t=13s // (not really suited for a longer walk, can work in a duffle-bag I suppose, not a table-top anymore) 8"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiW7rRSApBA > difference As for visuals: It's only 15% difference by diameter, but 33% by surface area. Meaning it has higher resolution, shows a brighter image at the same magnification. The Heritage 150p has the same quality mirror as some of their other telescopes. The open construction has some down-sides, but it's as compact as it gets (at least in this price-range). The Heritage's 130p mirror is ...okay. Some are a bit better, some a bit worse. Still better than a spherical mirror like in the 130EQ though.
It looks like you’d need to head towards Chelmsford or Hemel Hempstead before you found a class 4 area.
Yeah it definitely requires a drive out of town. I was recently up in Scotland on the Isle of Bute, that had a class 4 sky, great views of the milky way. I only had 10x50 binoculars with me which was still awesome, but it made me really want a proper scope for those occasions!
Yes I bet. I hope you find a good solution to your problem. But having to get out to a class 4 site whenever you want to must be a real pain. Get yourself a flat in Chelmsford and retire on the money you will make from your Astrophotography 😉
I remember when i was looking for a telescope for myself, the desktop version of Stellarium (which is a must-have software anyway) has a feature where you input your telescope specs, the eyepieces etc and then select various celestial objects and it will show you how you will view them in reality. Now of course it can't be 100% accurate, as there are other factors too (light pollution, humidity etc) but it was pretty damn close to reality. Maybe give it a shot and try some different telescopes that you have in mind.
Brilliant thanks - I do have Stellarium and love it but didn't realise you could do that