6" GS Dobs

[janoskiss]

I had a chance to check out ThunderChild's new 6" GS Dob last night. This scope looks like it is going to make a very fine planetary scope. The OTA is long and slim with an f8 mirror. The secondary is just slightly bigger than needs to be to get all of the primary in view. The resulting central obstruction is only about 25mm in diameter, so 17% of aperture, which is supposed to be excellent for contrast. The spider vanes are the same quality as on the bigger GS scopes, no thick bolts or metal bars like you see on cheap dept store Newts. Unfortunately we did not get to look at anything through the scope. Rain & thunder. :(

Does anyone else own a 6" GS Dob, or is this a first for IIS? :confuse3:

[gaa_ian]

I dont Know if anyone else has one on IIS, but I have suggested them as a first scope for people on a tight Budget a number of times.
Invariably they either wait till they can get an 8", or stretch their budget & get an 8" right away.
I will be interested to see the observing reports.

[ving]

hmm... i know someone here does or did but i cant hink who.... was it vindictive?

[Starkler]

A nice starter scope I reckon. The only letdowns being a 1.25 inch r&p focuser and 30mm finder, but still far and away the best choice in its price range by a country mile.

[janoskiss]

While collimating the 6" scope as best I could without a centre spot, I was just impressed that the secondary is so well matched in size to the primary, and that the resulting secondary obstruction is so small. Frankly, I expected something a little more crude considering the scope's price and apparent lack of popularity.

[davidpretorius]

is it making a trip to snake valley ini march???

[janoskiss]

I sure hope so. That's up to Chris (ThunderChild).

[davidpretorius]

r u coming steve???

[janoskiss]

Yep, with my 8" dobbie and boxful of very nice EPs and a binoviewer!!! No ED80 this time.

[davidpretorius]

excellent!

now we are getting so much more chummy than last time, i would like to get :

6",8",10",12" all in a row, all collimated and then run a range of ep's across them, each owner noting the difference?

how does jupiter look etc etc

[asimov]

How much is this 6" dobbie????

[janoskiss]

$300. Andrews is the only dealer I know that sells them.

[asimov]

I'm wondering how it would go as a dedicated planetary imaging scope. Hmmm...

[janoskiss]

The 6" aperture would limit the resolution for imaging, but still, it ain't too shabby...

[asimov]

Yeah, it was just a thought...If I could pick up a OTA only cheap enough, I'd almost be tempted to try one out.:confuse3:

[ving]

andrews have a seconds section on the site. check it out asijohn you might get lucky :)

[asimov]

Yup, been doing that for the last few months once a week.:thumbsup:

[Starkler]

Any update on this scope ?

Im tossing around the idea of putting one on an eq5 I recently acquired and also to carry on trips as a small lightweight travel scope.

[janoskiss]

I still haven't looked through it, and Chris too is waiting for clearer skies I believe. It is just as long as an 8", so it is not exactly a travel scope. It still won't feet in the boot (of a smallish car) and takes up the whole back seat. But if you do end up getting one, I have a pair of good quality tube rings to suit a 6" newt.

[Starkler]

A travel scope to me is one where I can fit the whole thing in the back seat, and doesnt take much setting up.

With the 10 incher that I have, its the bulk of the base thats the killer.

[vindictive666]

nope ving i got the 12" GSO Wid All the Xtras from Andrews :)


:innocent: ;)

[ving]

alrighty then... you HAD one?
well someone did!!!