GSO 16" (400mm) Dobsonian telescope

[glenc]

Not sure if this has been posted already.

Guan Sheng 16" f/4.5 Dobsonian telescope for $2450 at:
http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/

GSO 16" $2495
http://telescope.com.au/Home/tabid/247/CategoryID/833/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/4981/Default.aspx?SortField=UnitCost%2cP roductName

Andrews 16" $2599.00 Due July.
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm

York Optical's 16" GSO is $2600
http://yorkoptical.com.au/ProductMenus/Telescopes/tabid/42/CategoryID/5/List/1/catpagesize/10/Level/a/ProductID/4986/Language/en-AU/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName% 2cProductName

Bintel's 16" GSO is $2750
https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=7976

[glenc]

Can anyone give a review or report on a GSO 16"?

This collapsible 305mm looks interesting too.
http://www.staroptics.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=25_21&products_id=374

[toyos]

That 'SkyWatcher’s patented tension adjustment control on the altitude bearings' makes the movement pretty jerky when used. Just letting you know.

[GrahamL]

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=33113 :)

[CoombellKid]

Good read :thumbsup:

I have to say that review didn't win me over. It seems to me they are
building these things with probably a bit of thought but also keeping cost
down to a minumim. The problems I see in this is long time wear, for
instance the 1/2" play the reviewer was talking about. I assume must
come from the structure of the scope. It appears to me that the struts
dont sit very far into there seats.

I'm sure there will be threads by the miles on the mod's to get these scopes
to function nicely.

regards,CS

[glenc]

Thanks guys.

[tnott]

Most of the flex will come from the tall skinny rocker box, which seems to be the same thickness cheap particle board as the smaller scopes. Twice as long = 8X the flexure - and that's without increasing the weight!

[CoombellKid]

I see a few other places where flex could/probably will set in. And I think
it will get worst the more you setup/break down. I'd take a chain saw that
rocker box, looks to much like those ugly and horrid John Dobson rocker
boxes

regards,CS

[toryglen-boy]

i as having a look through the archives ... isnt it crazy how the pricing has changed?





kinda scary ...

:(

[pgc hunter]

^^shocking isn't it? If I was in the market for one of those, I'd be turned off completely.

[toryglen-boy]

my sentiments exactly ...

:scared:

[Calibos]

Thats mad!! Though I suppose its the same relative price increase as seen in the UK, its just the exchange rate makes it look really MAD!!!

Ordered my LB16 from the UK just before Christmas and was lucky to hit the jackpot timing wise. Oldish stock bought by the retailers at the very favourable GBP/USD exchange rate and priced accordingly, then there was a very large Meade subsidised discount in the UK, then there was the specific retailer 10% Christmas discount and then there was the Euro reaching parity with the Pound.

I paid the GBP968/Euro1000ish. At todays AUD exchange rate thats AUD1980. IN the UK the LB16's are gone back up to GBP1800+

after saving so much on my 16in, I don't feel so bad about spending so much extra on mods for it :D Its going to be the worlds most unique LB16 when its finished :D

[toryglen-boy]

well done you fella, TBH i am kinda hopeful Skywatcher will bring out a 16" dob, or maybe a 14" ...

i wonder how we would find out what goodies are on the horizon?

;)