So today being my birthday I unpacked my new Skywatcher 10" Collapsible Dobsonian, put it all together (not at all difficult) and spent a happy hour this eveming, before the Melbourne skies clouded over, enjoying Jupiter and its Galilean moons, and Saturn. So good!
As a complete tyro to telescopic astronomy, I will need some practice setting up the telescope for best use - corrent tightness to ensure easy movement but no wobble, eyepiece and filter use and so on. (For example, I think I've over-tightened the base screw so that the azimuthal movement sticks a bit. Also, I need to properly align the finderscope.) But if this evening's viewing is anything to go by, I have some exciting times ahead!
Happy for you. If you find it difficult to get the azimuth movement
nice and smooth, an easy fix[if you are reasonably handy with tools]
is to get a 12" diameter thrust bearing from any bearing stockist,
about $30, fit it in place of the Teflon pads. Adjust the centre bolt
so there is no slop, but also no binding.
raymo
love the planets myself 
