The only input I have is that Orion makes a really nice 9X50 right-angle
finder that fits right on most Orion scopes. I put one on my newtonian dob
and I love it. Under $80 (US) if I remember right.

I could never use a straight-through finder with my back. (Well I COULD, but
not for long....).

Cheers.
--
Dan Braasch
___________________________________________
"Livingston" wrote in message
...
Hello, I have been observing for some odd two years now.
I have bought my equipment small and cheap up until now.
I have an Orion 70mm refractor, a pair of 12x50 Scenex binocs,
and just got a pair of Celestron Skymaster 15x70 binocs. The
Celestrons are being serviced right now, they came out of alignment
and produced double images.

Thing is, I am ready to move up. I want to be able to magnify what I
have observed more, and would also like to go deeper. Seeing m13 as a
faint fuzzball and only detecting the inner most portion of the
Andromeda galaxy is a real drag.

I am satisfied with the binocs, it is cool over time your hands learn
to steady themselves. The telescope though... I tell you. I feel like
a gymnast sometimes with the positions I must get into to aim that
thing. I am 6' tall, so the activity of trying to target any object
over my head where observing is best is just plain impossible.
I got fed up trying to target the Andromeda galaxy the other night.

I have no interest in auto finding systems. I want to learn the sky.
Auto drive might be nice, but appears costly. It is easy enough to tap
the scope with my fingers, and this has a certain earthy feel to it.
I enjoy the work.

I figure I should go for a dobsonian, and have honed in on the Orion
Skyquests. I have a number of questions though. It really is a choice
between the 6", the 8", and the 10". I could have the 6" right now,
or I could wait and save for the larger sizes. What has been your
experiences? Will I find great limitations with the 6" in terms of
light gathering power? I am drawn to the 8" really. How is nebula
observing with the 6"? Something I have never done yet, I mean I have
yet to see much more of the Orion Nebula than just the wispy cloud
like haze surrounding the sword star of Orion, and I do believe I have
read the Orion Nebula actually covers an area 6 times the size of the
Moon in the sky. I suppose I have read all Messier objects can be seen
with 7x50 binocs, but c'mon, the Owl Nebula in those? Please. How
would the Messier list be with a 6"? I assume it would work well.

In addition, once again I see a finder scope design that looks like it
will keep me exercising all through the evening to target objects over
my head. What options are there to avoid this? I tell you what I would
really like, a laser pointer for a targeter, but I assume that would
be illegal because of the minute infinitesimal risk to pilots
overhead. How do experienced observers solve this dilemma?

Also, for those who have used a Skyquest, is it easy to move as
objects slowly rotate? Does it stay on target until you decide to tap
and move it?

How about a fine focus? You see, on my 70mm refractor, the whole thing
gets going vibrating when I focus, so I am forced to feel where the
sweet spot is with broad sweeps and then try to hit this spot.
Needless to say, I always get close, yet when observing Mars recently
I pump the thing way beyond it's limit to 232x sometimes. If I could
get that sweet spot, it would not be all that bad an observing
experience, but it is hard to do.

Also, I see Orion recommends a laser collimater for the 8" and up, but
not for the 6". Any idea why? Does it go out of alignment less? Is
doing this job with the included cap easy enough for those with some
mechanical ability? Or, should you get the laser tool?

So, feedback? Advice?

- Livingston