SKYWATCHER STARTRAVEL-80 as a Guidescope???

I am considering buying a SKYWATCHER STARTRAVEL-80 80mm (3.1") f/400
REFRACTOR to use as a guide scope on the top of my 8"SCT with a watec CCD
camera fitted to it. Does anyone have any comments on the scope before I go
for it.
I am using a 1100mm Russian lens and the watec CCD at the moment but the
lens is quite heavy.
Thanks
Steve


--
"The UK SpeedTrap Guide" @ http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk
"The UK Weather Guide" @ http://www.ukstorms.com

I know a lot of people are now using the StarTravel-80 as guide scopes with
good results. The 80mm is also an excellent widefield scope, for other
astrophotography.

You may want to look at the Helios version, if you can still find one in
stock somewhere, as it may be cheaper.

Dave

"Steve @ The UK Speedtrap Guide" wrote in
message
I am considering buying a SKYWATCHER STARTRAVEL-80 80mm (3.1") f/400
REFRACTOR to use as a guide scope on the top of my 8"SCT with a watec CCD
camera fitted to it. Does anyone have any comments on the scope before I
go
for it.
I am using a 1100mm Russian lens and the watec CCD at the moment but the
lens is quite heavy.
Thanks
Steve



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"David Warrington" wrote in message
...
I know a lot of people are now using the StarTravel-80 as guide scopes
with
good results. The 80mm is also an excellent widefield scope, for other
astrophotography.

You may want to look at the Helios version, if you can still find one in
stock somewhere, as it may be cheaper.

Dave

"Steve @ The UK Speedtrap Guide" wrote in
message
I am considering buying a SKYWATCHER STARTRAVEL-80 80mm (3.1") f/400
REFRACTOR to use as a guide scope on the top of my 8"SCT with a watec
CCD
camera fitted to it. Does anyone have any comments on the scope before I
go
for it.
I am using a 1100mm Russian lens and the watec CCD at the moment but the
lens is quite heavy.
Thanks
Steve

Thanks Dave, I bought one today, its not bad for a £100 notes, now its just
down to mounting it to the 8" SCT.
Thanks
Steve

"The UK SpeedTrap Guide" @ http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk
"The UK Weather Guide" @ http://www.ukstorms.com

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:20:52 +0000 (UTC), "Steve @ The UK Speedtrap
Guide" wrote:

I bought one today, its not bad for a £100 notes, now its just
down to mounting it to the 8" SCT.
Thanks
Steve

Hi Steve, where did you get it at that price? Did it come with the
usual OTA acessories?
- Mike
thinking of getting one too.

"Mike Murphy" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:20:52 +0000 (UTC), "Steve @ The UK Speedtrap
Guide" wrote:

I bought one today, its not bad for a £100 notes, now its just
down to mounting it to the 8" SCT.
Thanks
Steve

Hi Steve, where did you get it at that price? Did it come with the
usual OTA acessories?
- Mike
thinking of getting one too.


Tube only kit.. 45 erect, 2 x eye (10mm 25mm), 2 x Barlow, finder,
screwdriver and mount.
Sherwood's Birmingham, price was £120 not the £100 I put by mistake, sorry

Steve
"The UK SpeedTrap Guide" @ http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk
"The UK Weather Guide" @ http://www.ukstorms.com

"Steve @ The UK Speedtrap Guide" wrote in
message ...
I am considering buying a SKYWATCHER STARTRAVEL-80 80mm (3.1") f/400
REFRACTOR to use as a guide scope on the top of my 8"SCT with a watec CCD
camera fitted to it. Does anyone have any comments on the scope before I
go
for it.
I am using a 1100mm Russian lens and the watec CCD at the moment but the
lens is quite heavy.

It is a bit short focal length for a guidescope. If you are using a CCD on
the SCT You will probably want to add a barlow to the 80mmf5 to get the
arcsec/pixel low enough.

BTW get a light weight mount to go with it and you will probably find you
are using it more than the SCT ;-)

Robin

"Robin Leadbeater" wrote in message
...

"Steve @ The UK Speedtrap Guide" wrote in
message ...
I am considering buying a SKYWATCHER STARTRAVEL-80 80mm (3.1") f/400
REFRACTOR to use as a guide scope on the top of my 8"SCT with a watec
CCD
camera fitted to it. Does anyone have any comments on the scope before I
go
for it.
I am using a 1100mm Russian lens and the watec CCD at the moment but the
lens is quite heavy.

It is a bit short focal length for a guidescope. If you are using a CCD on
the SCT You will probably want to add a barlow to the 80mmf5 to get the
arcsec/pixel low enough.

BTW get a light weight mount to go with it and you will probably find you
are using it more than the SCT ;-)

Robin



The plan is to use it with the Watec and a 2 x or 3x Barlow.. mainly for
nebula work.
I am sure your right about using it more. I will use it with my standard
photographic tripod when I don't need the SCT.
Both will be housed on a pier in the shed within a few weeks, so they should
both be easy to use.
Steve

"The UK SpeedTrap Guide" @ http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk
"The UK Weather Guide" @ http://www.ukstorms.com