So … right now I'm shooting with a Celestron EdgeHD 8" with Hyperstar on a Skywatcher AZ-EQ6, with the ZWO ASI 1600MM-C and 1600MC-C. Between all the nuts and bolts, breaking things, and changing my mind I spend quite a bit of money on the whole thing. I enjoy the hobby, so I don't mind. However, we've had months of only clouds… and haven't touched most of the stuff. Apart from fighting with a new USB 3.0 hub because I want to try the short-exposure lucky imaging technique for DSOs.
Recently, however, I became aware of the Officina Stellare Veloce RH 200, which seems to be the perfect OTA for me. It's relatively light, fast like the Hyperstar, much sharper, better thermodynamics which is good for that quick set-up&go of my mobile set-up … but man that price tag. I can afford it, but do I really want to… it doesn't make any sense in The Netherlands. But I want it so bad
How do you combat this ever need for the-next-thing consumerism, while keeping your wallet in check
?
Recently, however, I became aware of the Officina Stellare Veloce RH 200, which seems to be the perfect OTA for me. It's relatively light, fast like the Hyperstar, much sharper, better thermodynamics which is good for that quick set-up&go of my mobile set-up … but man that price tag. I can afford it, but do I really want to… it doesn't make any sense in The Netherlands. But I want it so bad
How do you combat this ever need for the-next-thing consumerism, while keeping your wallet in check
?
It's fun to expand ones kit and to open up new possibilities. That being said, I am currently trying to reconcile what I can realistically accomplish given the sky/weather conditions where I live (northern Germany) with my general goals in the hobby (quality deep sky photos at shorter focal lengths, for now) and how that relates to the equipment I got. Before each purchase I ask myself: Have I exhausted what I can do with my kit and is my kit right now limiting me rather than other factors (my skills, weather etc etc). In other words, how much will I gain buy upgrading a specific component versus how much that will cost me and how often I get to use it. The scaling factor here is your disposable income (after tax, food and spouses/kids