Poll: Best travel scope (airline carry-on)

A few questions, how would the C5 compare to say an ETX125?

Optically, probably neck and neck except the C-5 has a shorter focal length and
is not limited by the flip mirror system. Pretty complicated getting focal
reducer on an ETX-125 so that the forks don't get in the way.

The C-5 is robust, no plastic, it is built like a mini C-8 and takes the same
accessories. Mine is number 669 and seems to still be going strong.

(Currently, my
favorite targets are globulars and planetary nebulas. Although I've never
seen any detail on galaxies from my polluted sites, so I get little
satisfaction out of them...now)

When the skies get dark, then the big wide FOVs become more.


I do already have a very sturdy tripod (star-d 70", 3-way adj head, 1/4-20
mounting screw) , what would I need to have the C5 on it?


I am not familar with the Star-D tripod but I did find a website where one was
used for a comparison of 4 Medium format cameras so my guess is that it would
be more than adequate.

With the 3 way head, hopefully you can do what I do which is mount the OTA
"side saddle" which effectively turns it into a single armed fork mount. Heres
a photo of an ST-80 mounted "Side Saddle."

http://members.aol.com/jonisaacs/bik...s/poglidsk.jpg

The top axis is flipped sideways.

So, if everything works out, it should just screw right on and you should be
ready to rip.

I would recommend trying it first if you could, it works for me, I use it with
my C-5 and with my Pronto, but I am an Alt-AZ DOB sort of guy.

If you want some photos or other info, Email me privately.

THese come up every so often on Astromart, might give that a look.

Jon

Thanks Jon;

I agree about the DSO's, I recently got a 6" f/10 reflector that gives me
views of planets that make me want to sell my C8 (sorry Uncle Rod!). So
planetary viewing would be a low proirity.

A few questions, how would the C5 compare to say an ETX125? (Currently, my
favorite targets are globulars and planetary nebulas. Although I've never
seen any detail on galaxies from my polluted sites, so I get little
satisfaction out of them...now)

Is an ETX125 even possible as a carry-on?

I do already have a very sturdy tripod (star-d 70", 3-way adj head, 1/4-20
mounting screw) , what would I need to have the C5 on it?

Thank you once again for all your help.

-Tim


"Jon Isaacs" wrote in message
...
Since you are looking to travel to dark skies, then capabilities with DSOs
should be first and foremost. This means aperture is important. I also
believe that one needs to use a tripod, those table top jobs are too
awkward
for serious extended use. In that event the tripod will need to go via
baggage.

There are lots of options here.

I have a Pronto, not a bad travel scope but it just does not have enough
aperture.

Same with the ETX-90 that others have mentioned, not enough aperture and
it
also has a long focal length, limiting its field of view.

For my money, for under $1000, the best airline carryon is a C5 spotter
on an
Alt-Az mount. This scope is 12 inches long, takes standard SCT
accessories
such as a focal reducer (which hopefully your already have.) With the
reducer the C5 will work at about 800mm focal length and provide a 2
degree FOV
with a 32mm Plossl.

The entire OTA, complete with dew shield, finder and accessories will fit
in a
regular size camera bag. The one I use is 15in x 9 in x 9 in.

Some of the 5 inch MAKs are also attractive but they have longer focal
ratios,
are larger physically, and may or many not accept focal reducers.

As far as the mount goes, there are several possibilities, the Unistar
series
are quite popular. I use a Bogen 3040 with a 3047 head with the scope
mounted
"Side saddle." Works for me.

Other options for a scope under $1000 would be a 100mm F6 Achromat such as
the
Orion/Synta scope on an alt-az mount. These can be airline portable.

A C-5 under dark skies does a pretty decent job of most DSOs. A couple of
years ago I spent a night roaming the Virgo galaxy with mine from a
mountain
site, pretty nice going.

For scopes over $1000, there are several 4 inch APO refractors that should
be
airline portable.

And then there are some foldup DOBs that are pretty amazing, the Teleport
gets
a lot of aperture into a small package or one can home build a 6 inch F5
into
take apart/truss scope.

But for my money, the most aperture into the handiest, smallest package,
the
C-5 Spotter is a hard one to beat.

Jon

And then there are some foldup DOBs that are pretty amazing, the Teleport
gets
a lot of aperture into a small package or one can home build a 6 inch F5
into
take apart/truss scope.


I'll second this. You can make a truss tube of this size that will fit
easily into a box 10 inches on a side. The tubes are lightweight and you can
either toss 'em into the overhead compartment or else check 'em. The
important and fragile stuff is safe beside your feet. With ready-made optics
you can probably do it for under $500 (or a lot cheaper), and here is one
place where the ATM'ers still have the advantage. No companies I know of
produce a decent little DOB for travel, and on DSO's there's just no
comparison (IMHO) between a 6" reflector and any of the small aperture,
short focus refractors most folks travel with, or even with the ETX.

just my .02 -

Chris

On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:50:34 -0600, "starburst"
wrote:
No companies I know of
produce a decent little DOB for travel,


Chris



Hi Chris,

Check out http://www.infinityscopes.com/. Pricey, but a great idea.

Cheers,

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chairman
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

Ouch! My Wallet! It's cute, and I'm sure the electronics are impressive, but
*man*! 2500 bucks for an 8" newtonian? - whew. - Chris

"Craig Levine" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:50:34 -0600, "starburst"
wrote:
No companies I know of
produce a decent little DOB for travel,


Chris



Hi Chris,

Check out http://www.infinityscopes.com/. Pricey, but a great idea.

Cheers,

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chairman
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

Ouch! My Wallet! It's cute, and I'm sure the electronics are impressive, but
*man*! 2500 bucks for an 8" newtonian? - whew. - Chris

"Craig Levine" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:50:34 -0600, "starburst"
wrote:
No companies I know of
produce a decent little DOB for travel,


Chris



Hi Chris,

Check out http://www.infinityscopes.com/. Pricey, but a great idea.

Cheers,

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chairman
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:50:34 -0600, "starburst"
wrote:
No companies I know of
produce a decent little DOB for travel,


Chris



Hi Chris,

Check out http://www.infinityscopes.com/. Pricey, but a great idea.

Cheers,

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chairman
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

And then there are some foldup DOBs that are pretty amazing, the Teleport
gets
a lot of aperture into a small package or one can home build a 6 inch F5
into
take apart/truss scope.


I'll second this. You can make a truss tube of this size that will fit
easily into a box 10 inches on a side. The tubes are lightweight and you can
either toss 'em into the overhead compartment or else check 'em. The
important and fragile stuff is safe beside your feet. With ready-made optics
you can probably do it for under $500 (or a lot cheaper), and here is one
place where the ATM'ers still have the advantage. No companies I know of
produce a decent little DOB for travel, and on DSO's there's just no
comparison (IMHO) between a 6" reflector and any of the small aperture,
short focus refractors most folks travel with, or even with the ETX.

just my .02 -

Chris

Since you are looking to travel to dark skies, then capabilities with DSOs
should be first and foremost. This means aperture is important. I also
believe that one needs to use a tripod, those table top jobs are too awkward
for serious extended use. In that event the tripod will need to go via
baggage.

There are lots of options here.

I have a Pronto, not a bad travel scope but it just does not have enough
aperture.

Same with the ETX-90 that others have mentioned, not enough aperture and it
also has a long focal length, limiting its field of view.

For my money, for under $1000, the best airline carryon is a C5 spotter on an
Alt-Az mount. This scope is 12 inches long, takes standard SCT accessories
such as a focal reducer (which hopefully your already have.) With the
reducer the C5 will work at about 800mm focal length and provide a 2 degree FOV
with a 32mm Plossl.

The entire OTA, complete with dew shield, finder and accessories will fit in a
regular size camera bag. The one I use is 15in x 9 in x 9 in.

Some of the 5 inch MAKs are also attractive but they have longer focal ratios,
are larger physically, and may or many not accept focal reducers.

As far as the mount goes, there are several possibilities, the Unistar series
are quite popular. I use a Bogen 3040 with a 3047 head with the scope mounted
"Side saddle." Works for me.

Other options for a scope under $1000 would be a 100mm F6 Achromat such as the
Orion/Synta scope on an alt-az mount. These can be airline portable.

A C-5 under dark skies does a pretty decent job of most DSOs. A couple of
years ago I spent a night roaming the Virgo galaxy with mine from a mountain
site, pretty nice going.

For scopes over $1000, there are several 4 inch APO refractors that should be
airline portable.

And then there are some foldup DOBs that are pretty amazing, the Teleport gets
a lot of aperture into a small package or one can home build a 6 inch F5 into
take apart/truss scope.

But for my money, the most aperture into the handiest, smallest package, the
C-5 Spotter is a hard one to beat.

Jon

"Tim Powers" wrote in message ...

What is your opinion on an airline carry-on scope?

It's hard to answer without knowing your other constraints. Do you
want to carry the complete scope on board, or are you willing to
carry just the optical tube, and check the mount? If so, is there
an upper limit on the size/weight of the mount due to other
constraints (e.g. total baggge allowance)? Would you consider
checking the whole telescope? How much are you willing to push
what the airlines officially allow on board? (Note that 2/3
of all passengers on any given flight are exceeding their
official allowance -- but mostly with stuff that can be checked
at the last moment if necessary, which would not be a good idea
with an optical tube in a lightweight case.)

I assume this is for visual observing only, not photography.
Do you want an equatorial mount, or is altaz OK? Do you have
to observe standing up or is sitting OK? Does this have to be
off-the-shelf or are you willing to do some construction, or
have somebody else do it for you?

After answering all of those, you're going to end up looking
at three classes of scopes: catadioptrics, short-focus
refractors, and truss-tube Newtonians (probably Dobs).
Catadioptrics give best performance per unit length, refractors
best performance per unit diameter, and truss-tube Dobs best
performance per unit total volume/weight including mount.
Good luck!

- Tony Flanders