This is the age of computers. And to compete in todays world, you have to be computer savy. I would recommend a fully loaded computerized scope. I know where there is a cherry ETX125 for sale with over 35,000 objects in it's onboard computer. Pick an object from it's vast onboard library, push a button and there it is. If at some point it's not challenging enough, you can cut the power and turn it into a 5" Dob. Quoting Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>:
On 28 Nov 2008, at 21:15, Darin Christensen wrote:
Do the scopes with the computerized pointing follow the target or do they just point to at the moment they are programed?
Depends on the scope. Some (like the one on the Ealing at SPOC) help you find something but then the scope's clock drive or your muscles keep the scope on the target.
None of the scopes I have looked at even say anything about a "clock" and I wonder if a scope with a Dobsonian mount can even have one.....
Again, it depends on the scope. A basic Dob has no motors and no electronics. But if you want to spend the extra money a clock driven Dob is possible. However, some may question the sense of putting a drive on a small Dob.
Is the computer pointing system worth the extra cost?
That's one of those "personal choice" sorts of things. But the fact that most Dobs (including the state's largest) are motorless says something.
As Jay suggested in his UA post earlier today you might want to consider borrowing one from SLAS and trying it out before you buy.
patrick
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