Meade 16 inch Lightbridge

[jamesrees]

I am thinking of buying this Dobsonian. Has anyone used one?
I want something that is transportable and easy and quick to set up.
I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks

[AstralTraveller]

They are a fair chunk, actually a few fair chunks. You will need space and not too much carrying. Set up is about 10 minutes plus perhaps 5 to columate.

[cfranks]

Geat 'scope but I sold mine 2 yrs ago because it was too big/heavy for me.

Charles

[Stardrifter_WA]

Yes, they are big and heavy. Although they are transportable, in pieces, putting it back together on your own is problematic, unless you have a couple of extra arms. :) It is hard to hold everything in place when putting the secondary mirror section onto the truss. I found this out recently when I had to take it off in order to fit a light shroud. I did manage it, but it was difficult.

Also, in its stock form, I don't think that it is as easily to track with, as it flops about a small amount in the rocker arm, however, I got around this problem by by adding the JMI Trak-N-Train, making it much smoother. But, that then introduced another problem, balance, and with the addition of three sets of ADM balance weights that problem was also solved. Please note that I am using large and heavy Televue 2" eyepieces. A point about collimation should be mentioned here too. Because of a push pull knob system, it sucked collimating it until I added the ADM collimation screw and replacement spring set, now it just so easy to collimate it.

Next problem to solve was moving it in and out of my shed on my own. Previously, I moved out the rocker box and then lifted the telescope onto the rocker box, and visa versa. This meant it actually didn't get used a lot, as I have back problems and most of the time just couldn't lift it on my own. However, I solved the issue by adding three lockable roller wheels onto the base. The wheels I chose were industrial grade, low profile, made of a hard and wider solid rubber, NOT the type you get at Bunnings. I got these from a specialist supplier. They weren't cheap, at $80 each, but they are really good, strong with a solid lock system. Much cheaper ones are available, but they are just not as good, and I wanted to ensure they worked well, which they did and now all I have to do is wheel it out, take of the Telegizmo 365 scope cover and stick the eyepiece in.

Don't let this put you off it, just realise that you may have to modify it to get the most out of it. After spending the money on modifications, it is still a cheap light bucket, just much better than the factory version. But, even though it is considered transportable, I would go for something smaller, if you are going to do that a lot Either that or get a trailer :D I saw some awesome enclosed trailers set up to transport light buckets at Stellafane this year and those have given me further ideas. :D

My conclusion, having persevered with and resolved its quirks, and with the addition of a Stellarvue 8x50 right angle viewfinder and a laser, I now thoroughly enjoy having a light bucket. It is great for chasing down fuzzies. :D

Cheers Pete

PS: JMI have bought out a goto for the 12" version, sure hope they bring out one for the 16". If they do, there will be a spare T-N-T going.

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: I second Peters comments , having looked thru his 16 inch LB its a joy to move around the sky now and it has awesome optics to boot .
Brian.

[casstony]

I find the 16" easy to assemble but the base is annoyingly bulky and heavy - some owners replace the base with a more compact and lighter plywood version.

The 12" would be a lot easier to travel with.

[astronut]

I agree with the previous posts. 16" is a lot of aperture, but the LB 16" is big, heavy & awkward.

I have the 12" LB, still a lot of aperture, but a lot easier to manage.:)

[glend]

I have a 16" GSO, and made a new collapsible base out of marine ply. It is lesx than half the weight of the production base and very stable and smooth. In making the base I was also able to lower the overall height of the scope so no ladder is required to reach the eyepiece at the zenith position - just a small box.
If you can't make one yourself, and it is easy if you just copy the production parts, there are kits available, pre-cut in nice furniture grade birch ply, by Dennis at Dob Stuff, and there is a guy on IIS that makes them as well. Nothing will be as cheap as doing it yourself - don't be afraid to try.

[jamesrees]

Thanks everyone for your quick and informative replies. I will digest this info and move forward. I am planning to sell my ATIK 323L+ to help pay for it.Cheers
Jamie

[AstralTraveller]

That hasn't been my experience at all. I assemble and disassemble mine on my own and have no problems. You need the right technique but it's not hard at all. Basically, I leave the truss sections a bit lose at the base. Then I support the cage on two of the trusses while getting the bolt of the third one into the cage. Then I work around and get the second and third bolts in. Finally, everything is tightened down.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Hi David,

Thanks for your input David, and the tip to put it together. I did mention that I had back problems, so the experience for me is somewhat different. But that no longer matters, as I now have a much more manageable portable setup. The 16", a lovely scope that it is, was just too difficult for me to manage on my own, due to its awkwardness, which is why it is now permanently assembled and on rollers.

Cheers Pete

[sn1987a]

An extra pair of hands :D

[Davedead]

I have one and a new trolley from skywatcher and the whole package been it's big it's excellent. If you go big then you will have to allow for some awkwardness but it's definitely worth it.
The tracking is sensational and easy to set up ..
All round just great
If you get a second hand one good luck !!!

[sn1987a]

Some full on Lightbridge modding here.

[matt_rego79]

I have one and find putting it together isn't too bad but the base is quite large and can be difficult to manage on your own, especially if you have to go through a few doorways to get it out your house.

[Marios]

The 10 inh Orion Go to, solid tube is just the right size to go over the back seat, anything bigger becomes very heavy and unmanageable. The larger collapsible DOB's area option but you will have to mess around with light shrouds.
Just my 2 cents.:lol: