Should i get a Skywatcher 120?

[Johnty]

Hi i was wandering if anyone could help me with my decision to buy my first telescope. I have been looking at a Skywatcher 120 refractor, and the guy i was speaking to in the shop made it sound very good. I went away feeling pretty certain it was the one, but after reading a few reviews that thought it was pretty average i'm in starting to think i should look elsewhere.

Does anyone own a skywatcher 120 (or any skywatcher) and if so are they any good (bearing in mind it's my first telescope)? What types of things can expect to see out of a telescope like this? Also if there are any scopes of a similar type (i can prbably strech to about £450), suggestions would be much appriciated. i'm sure i dont want a reflector, as im off to uni next year and i want to be able to carry the thing around and set it up without too much bother.

Cheers,
Johnty

[slotdrag]

i know you said you dont want a reflector. but look at the celestron 76gt it is only a 3 inch reflector but im lovin it for my first scope. it has the goto system. its easy to take and set up and use. ive seen jupiter and four of its moons. saturn , and venus. i was able to see the rings of saturn. when we went to the lake i seen alberio the double star in the northern cross. the dumbell nebula. i even saw uranius. seen many star clusters. just my 2 cents worth. cost about $325.00 usa.

[Bee in the hive]

Hi Johnty
I own the helios 120 F8.3. Its exactly the same as the skywatcher, just branded differenlty.
I use it to compliment my 10" dobsonion.
What can you see. Tons of lunar detail. Clear phases of mercury and venus.
Mars. Polar ice caps are easy to see with plenty of detail and colour on the rest of the surface (depending on how close the planet is to earth)
Jupiter. I have found up to 5 cloud belts with a few wisps of detail. The red spot and shadow transits also can be seen
Saturn. A little cloud detail. 5-6 moons. The rings, their divisions and the shadow they cast on the disc.
Uranus and neptune can be seen as small discs but with no detail.
Pluto. Unless anyelse knows different is out of range of a 120mm.
With a low power eyepeice star clusters of all types are a joy. Stars that are single points of light can be slpit into double or triple stars.
Galaxies may be a dissapointment, showing only as a smudge of light.
There will be a little false colour, but dont let this put you off. Be sure to check the mount for sturdiness as this if where some of the budget scopes lag behind.
I think they come with a 10 and 20mm E/P as standard. I would make a 32 or 35 mm your 1st addition.
Mine is a F8.3 tube assembly. Dont go for the F5 short tube version as this is opticaly inferior.
Other comments may differ to mine, but hope I,ve helped out.
Nigel.