New Scope!

[barx1963]

Well I have taken a plunge and purchased as 20" truss dob. After a bit of "will I won't I", I decided what the heck. Pics are attached.
Hoping for first light tonight. It is an older design and some things will need fixing up. Not sure I like the secondary assembly, the plastic on the UTA needs fixing, but the optics look fine, apart from some minor water marks on the primary.
Anyways I have very roughly collimated and will give it a burst tonight and see how we go!

[Forgey]

Thats one big dob Malcolm, hope you've got a big enough ladder !
Enjoy the views :)

[Stardrifter_WA]

Sweet :)

[Mighty_oz]

Looks nice, should get some great views with that bit of kit :)

[Scorpius51]

Drool! Niiiiece!

Lucky sod.

Enjoy :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

:) Congratulations.

[naskies]

Whoa! Congrats :) Please let us know what it's like!

[barx1963]

Thanks all.
Well putting together a scope of this size is a bit of an exercise. I am sure it will get easier with time.
The new scope curse was not operating tonight. Very nice clear skies and fairly steady seeing.
Firstly all the positives. The views are excellent. The mirror is a Galaxy Optics mirror and from what I can tell it appears really nice. First object looked at was 47 Tuc. Resolves clear to the core even in the 17 Ehos as only (only!!:P) 147X. Whacked in a 9mm Nag for 278x and it filled the field with pinpoint stars right through.
NGC 2070 had more detail than I have ever seen before and there were heaps of nebs in the LMC that I don't think I have seen before.
NGC 253 looked huge with hints of dark lanes. M42 and M43 were bright with far more detail in the nebulosity than in my 12" and the running man was easily seen despite still being quite low.
And all this with what I can best describe as a pretty rough collimation!!
Couple of things I am not wrapped in, not really negative just items I would like to fix. The focuser is a bit clunky, hope to install my Moonlite eventually. Secondary holder is fiddly with collimation.
Only has a Telrad. I am used to a finder so may have to install one soon.
Overall I am a happy boy!!:D

Malcolm

[byronpaul]

Malcolm,

big congratulations on you new baby ..... can't wait to check her out at the next SV camp :D

What's the f ratio?

Paul

[barx1963]

Thanks Paul
Its f5. Means a ladder for most objects. In fact a big Ladder!!

Malcolm

[Ric]

Awesome scope Malcolm, congratulations.

Hope you not scared of heights. :D

[alistairsam]

Congrats Malcolm, I'm guessing the bigger aperture speaks for itself.
Looks like you'll be having fun for a while.

[traveller]

That's awesome Malcolm. Bring it to the next SV camp... please....

[Paddy]

Wooo-hooo:cool: congratulations Malcolm!!!! Can't wait to have a look through this especially with all your lovely ethoses! Great that you had a clear night to try it out. Did you take today off?

[Larryp]

Looks good, Malcolm!:thumbsup:

[ourkind]

Wow that would cure anyones apeture fever! Great scope! Clear Skies!