Orion SPX 200 F4.5

[Fay]

I was looking at the above scope & would like to know the for & against, from anyone in the know.

I would want it for deep sky as my 6" Maksutov is F12 & best for planetary, Moon.

I was reading that there could be a problem with focusing the camera regarding inward travel. My camera is SXV M7 & colimation may have to be regularly performed. Is this easy?
Would my EQ5Pro mount be adequate, bearing in mind I have a heavy dual plate as well? The Orion weighs 7kg

Thanks

[Ian]

I'm a big fan of Orion Optics, so I'd say the scope is likely to be good.

It's going to need lots of collimating given the focal length, but it's not too hard and you'd get used to it. I'd recommend using a Cheshire eyepiece for a good collimating session and probably a laserpointer one for the regular checks. Bear in mind you can't fully collimate with just a laser...

I don't know what the load capacity is for the EQ5Pro, but my 8" is at the limit of my GP, without bolting anything additional to it. I can't talk from experience but I would imagine that guiding becomes less effective the closer you are to a mounts load limit.

Inward travel is generally an issue with newtonians, however I got mine sorted by swapping the stock high profile focusser for a low profile one, and then put a 2.5" extension tube on for visual observing. I'd have a chat with Barry at OO to discuss. As they make everything themselves if you want a bit more in-travel I would expect they can make it that way.

[Fay]

Thanks for all that Ian

[JohnP]

fay - you know you want it.........

[Fay]

Pardon!

[Fay]

John, you say I want one, but I was looking at a Skywatcher of the same size & it is quite big, I don't like the sound of the colimation, & possible inward travel problem. There are enough problems as it is!

[mickw]

It'll be much simpler once you get an observatory 

[Fay]

Behave!