Sky at Night Magazine

[sirius_starseed]

Hi,

I'm looking for my first 'scope and would like either a Skywatcher Skyhawk 114P or a Skywatcher Explorer 130P. Must have its original EQ mount and eyepieces. As this is my first 'scope I don't want to pay too much (no more than £70) for a secondhand one.
I live in Nottingham but can travel as long as it's not too far, or meet half way.

Please message me via here or email me [email=wingedisis@hotmail.co.uk]wingedisis@hotmail.co.uk[/email]

Thanks!

[0113mountainman]

Hi,

Just a quick bit of advice...

The standard 114 has an additional lense built into the focusing tube in order to achieve a focal length of 1000mm. It also has a plain spherical mirror not often used anymore. I owned this scope once and found the optics are ok at low power, but when using a 10mm eyepiece at x100 and then the addtional supplied barlow for x200, the optics are not really up to scratch giving a blurred view of the moon and planets. And yes, it was collimated. I got rid of it.

Make sure you get the 114P model as this has a parabolic mirror and does not have the additional lense in the focuser. This results in a much sharper image. True, the focal length is half of what it was, but you can just get a good Barlow to get the higher mags if you are moon and planet watching. If you are deep sky watching the reduced focal length is an improvement as you get a much wider field of view.

Even better, the 130P has the same improvements but will give a brighter image due to the apeture increase.

My two shekels...

[sirius_starseed]

That's very interesting. Thanks for that.

Can you tell me if this one is a p model or not? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120607209343&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT


[quote]ORIGINAL: 0113mountainman

Hi,

Just a quick bit of advice...

The standard 114 has an additional lense built into the focusing tube in order to achieve a focal length of 1000mm. It also has a plain spherical mirror not often used anymore. I owned this scope once and found the optics are ok at low power, but when using a 10mm eyepiece at x100 and then the addtional supplied barlow for x200, the optics are not really up to scratch giving a blurred view of the moon and planets. And yes, it was collimated. I got rid of it.

Make sure you get the 114P model as this has a parabolic mirror and does not have the additional lense in the focuser. This results in a much sharper image. True, the focal length is half of what it was, but you can just get a good Barlow to get the higher mags if you are moon and planet watching. If you are deep sky watching the reduced focal length is an improvement as you get a much wider field of view.

Even better, the 130P has the same improvements but will give a brighter image due to the apeture increase.

My two shekels...
[/quote]

[0113mountainman]

Hi Sirius,

Unfortunately that is not the 'P' model. The 'P' model does actually say '114P' in the name, but if you are unsure if an ebay seller has missed out the 'P' when advertising, then check out the focal length.

Standard model has a focal length of 1000mm (due to additional lense in focuser).

'P' model has a focal length of 500mm.

Cheers - mountain man.

[sirius_starseed]

[b]UPDATE:[/b] I've now found what I'm looking for :)

Thanks everyone!

@0113mountainman - Thanks, you've been very helpful in me making my mind up regarding which 'scope to go for. In the end I got SW Explorer 130P Supatrak Auto :)

[0113mountainman]

Hi Sirius,

That's a great choice. Benefits of the parabolic mirror plus tracking.

Good luck and clear skies!

[sirius_starseed]

Thanks, I'm really excited for it arriving and really pleased I upped my budget to get the 130P with tracking instead of the 114P without tracking.

Clear Skies [:D]

[quote]ORIGINAL: 0113mountainman

Hi Sirius,

That's a great choice. Benefits of the parabolic mirror plus tracking.

Good luck and clear skies!
[/quote]

[revs]

Grats, mate. Hope you really enjoy it. You've timed it well as most of the UK is in for clear skies tonight! Hope it arrives today for ya ;)

[sirius_starseed]

Thanks!

The skies are looking very good. Last night was very dark and clear over here in Nottingham. I'm just hoping it holds out for me *crosses fingers*

[quote]ORIGINAL: Revs

Grats, mate. Hope you really enjoy it. You've timed it well as most of the UK is in for clear skies tonight! Hope it arrives today for ya ;)
[/quote]