I love Vixen stuff...there, I've dealt with that one.
I have a R200SS (8" Newtonian) which I really enjoy imaging with, but it must be pushing 15 years old now. The mirror looks great, there's no degradation that I can see, but it's still 15 years old and I keep wondering about treating myself to a new one. But then, it's a reflector, with all the hassle that comes with. These things do need collimating (I'm not quite sure why some perceive they don't!), they do have light leaks, they're big (although light) so windy nights are a waste of time....and I do already have one that I am happy with.
I went out with my youngest the other night and he was transfixed by what he saw on my ipad (via ASIair) but wanted to see it "himself". I do have a Redcat51 but it isn't set up for visual and it's tiny (of course). So I've been wondering about something like the Vixen SD81; it's not horrendously expensive, decent focal length (I like around the 600-800mm mark) and it's a Vixen! But is it really feasible to do imaging at f7.7? It'll require nearly 4 times the integration time compared to my newt, but perhaps there'll be less time setting up etc and the frames might be "better". Will I notice the vastly reduced aperture in my images in terms of resolution or are my northern England skies so rubbish that an 8" is a waste anyway? Perhaps my appalling weather makes a fast scope essential? Do focal reducers really speed things up or merely increase the field of view?
I've got the hang of mosaics now so I wonder if I even need the Redcat, which I bought for the really big things in the sky...although it's f4.9. I could use that to part fund a new scope...I would keep hold of the newt though.
Someone (please) tell me what to do!
I have a R200SS (8" Newtonian) which I really enjoy imaging with, but it must be pushing 15 years old now. The mirror looks great, there's no degradation that I can see, but it's still 15 years old and I keep wondering about treating myself to a new one. But then, it's a reflector, with all the hassle that comes with. These things do need collimating (I'm not quite sure why some perceive they don't!), they do have light leaks, they're big (although light) so windy nights are a waste of time....and I do already have one that I am happy with.
I went out with my youngest the other night and he was transfixed by what he saw on my ipad (via ASIair) but wanted to see it "himself". I do have a Redcat51 but it isn't set up for visual and it's tiny (of course). So I've been wondering about something like the Vixen SD81; it's not horrendously expensive, decent focal length (I like around the 600-800mm mark) and it's a Vixen! But is it really feasible to do imaging at f7.7? It'll require nearly 4 times the integration time compared to my newt, but perhaps there'll be less time setting up etc and the frames might be "better". Will I notice the vastly reduced aperture in my images in terms of resolution or are my northern England skies so rubbish that an 8" is a waste anyway? Perhaps my appalling weather makes a fast scope essential? Do focal reducers really speed things up or merely increase the field of view?
I've got the hang of mosaics now so I wonder if I even need the Redcat, which I bought for the really big things in the sky...although it's f4.9. I could use that to part fund a new scope...I would keep hold of the newt though.
Someone (please) tell me what to do!
….no!