Whats a better telescope .. Skywatcher 10" Dobsonian or GSO 10" Dobsonian?

[Draco (Draco)]

Hi Guys and Girls.

My first post here (technically second since the first was trying to see if anyone had an old telescope I could get off them). Loving this site. I spend my time on the train reading new posts on this forum.

As comes a time in every newbie amateur astronomer's life, they want to get a telescope of their own. I have to say, my time is nearing as well

I have looked at Andrews website (since they seem to have better prices than Bintel) and can see two contenders for what I am looking for. The first is a Skywatcher 10" Dobsonian Collapsible at $699 http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm [however there is no mention of the eyepieces that come with it] and the other is Guan Sheng [GSO] 10" non collapsible at $599. This one does show that it comes with premium GSO 9mm,15mm and 25mm 1.25" Plossl eyepieces and also a right angle correct image 8x50 finderscope (i love right angle finderscopes).

I dont have any experience with either Skywatcher or GSO 10" however I have seen through a fellow members 12" GSO and also looked at another's Meade 12" collapsible dobsonian. They both look impressive and had I had to choose between these two I would definetly choose the collapsible 12" since it is so much easier to carry.

Anyways, my question is this. What is a better telescope between the Skywatcher 10" and the GSO 10" offered by Andrews? The GSO comes with the right angle finderscope and 3 eyepieces but is not collapsible (can do with this). The Skywatcher doesnt show any eyepieces or a right angle finderscope. Generally speaking are GSOs better than Skywatcher? I have read in this forum that some people have high regard for Skywatcher.

Would appreciate any help I can get.

[raymo]

You've got yourself a dilemma there, as the GSO comes with an extra
eyepiece and the R/A finder, and is a hundred cheaper, but the
Skywatcher's so much easier to move around when collapsed, and the system is so good that it retains collimation very well. You need to
remember that R/A finders change the orientation of the image, and
so can be a bit confusing at first.
raymo

[raymo]

I forgot to mention that the Skywatcher normally comes with
10 and 25mm eyepieces, but Andrews may have a different package.
raymo

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

The SW from what I have seen is better engineered than the GSO. That being said the GSO scope I had was a great piece of gear.
The GSO used to have pretty average collimation screws and spring but they have upgraded those.
I wouldn't worry about EPs, you will use the 25mm almost all the time anyway and the 6 and 9mm plossle will hardly ever get used!
I have used both straight through and RA finders, both work and are easy, the RA saves you neck a bit.
So IMHO it really come down to are you willing to pay a bit more for the build quality and convenience of the SW?

Cheers

Malcolm

[Steffen]

I believe the Skywatcher 10" Flexdob comes with 10mm and 25mm Super Plössls (EDIT: as well as a right angle finder scope), but a quick phone call to Lee Andrews should clarify that.

In the past I would have recommended the GSO Dobs over the Skywatcher ones, for their better focuser, tube pivot adjustment and altitude friction adjustment. From anecdotal evidence there seems to be a bit of a slip in QA there lately though (dirty mirrors), as well as cost savings (plastic alt knobs, fewer inclusions), so you may be better off with a Skywatcher.

The Skywatcher Dobs have better laid out collimation screws (the "lock" screws on the GSOs are more like a second set of collimation screws and can drive you nuts). I'm no fan of their focusers, but if that really bugs you then you can do something about it later.

For anything bigger than 8" I'd definitely prefer a collapsible design, it is much easier to manage and transport.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Hzadbhat (Brandon)]

I've got the 10" skywatcher. Awesome scope. Collimation is a breeze.
The ep's are fairly generic, but they will still blow your mind.
Better ep's will blow it further.
Collapsible is definately the way to go. With an extended length of over 1.2m, it's pretty huge. But twist 3 little knobs and it's only 82cm (I just measured mine). The tube assembly removes by releasing only 2 handles. A few turns and it's sitting nice and stable on some teflon, then lift.
I use the box it came in to transport.
The base, whilst being a bit chunky should fit in most car boots.
If you get one, I strongly recommend you install a lazy susan bearing in the base. Best to get it first up and install when you put your scope up. I was lucky. My scope came from a neighbour second hand but in top condition (I also bought a barlow off him and have since bought a zoom) and he had already installed the lazy susan. I've had a chance to swivel one without and will never just assemble from stock. the bearing is a must.
I've never used a GSO, and now, don't really see the point.
I'm sure the GSO is a good scope, but having both a SW as well as a Helios Explorer, which is the earlier variant of the Skywatcher, I find them to be serious.

[Draco (Draco)]

Thank you for all your suggestions. I will give Andrews a call next week and see what all is included in the SW. Its a pity the GreyStanes store isnt open in the weekends I still prefer the GSO since it is cheaper but if that means inferior quality then SW would be well worth the extra $$$

[GraemeT (Graeme)]

Originally Posted by Hzadbhat

If you get one, I strongly recommend you install a lazy susan bearing in the base. Best to get it first up and install when you put your scope up..

Draco, I would second the choice of a collapsible dob. If you're buying new, use it as it comes for a while before doing any mods, Sure, the base will probably benefit from a lazy-susan bearing eventually, but there's quite a bit of fiddling required to get the necessary friction balance, which could be a turn-off if you haven't used the scope before. I fitted a lazy-susan to my SW collapsible but only after about 3 years of use.

[EricB (Eric)]

I have a SW 10" (Goto) bought from Andrews. 2 ep came with it. I am very happy with it.

Cheers,

Eric

[Deeno]

I still have my 10" GSO dob, which I purchased back in 2006 and I still can't bring myself to sell it.

Sure its had its issues (mainly the base swelling up from constant soakings of dew from the Pony Club) but, I still love it.
Compact enough to fit across the back seat of a Corolla. Holds its collimation well.
I think with these mass produced newts, its a bit of a lottery on how good the optics are but, it doesn't seem to be an issue with the 10" and smaller scopes.

Cheers
Deeno

Oh...ditch the finder scope and get a telrad....

[raymo]

I fitted a lazy susan bearing [30cm diam.] immediately I bought my Sky 10" dob.
It cost $24 from a bearing retailer. I also bought a $5 thrust bearing
at the same time. With the thrust bearing fitted at the upper end of
the centre through bolt I can quickly and easily make small adjustments
to the tightness of the bolt and get the rolling resistance just how I like it. If you are not good with tools, you might have to get a mate to
install it for you, although it's not that hard to do.
Hope this helps
raymo

[raymo]

Absolutely Deeno, the field of view is too small in the
supplied 9x50 finder.
raymo

[Draco (Draco)]

I love this forum. so many people to help me pick a telescope. Its simply awesome. Thank you guys.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by raymo

Absolutely Deeno, the field of view is too small in the
supplied 9x50 finder.
raymo

How big do you want it? The True Field of View of that finderscope is over 5 degrees. They don't come much bigger. The problem is that a RACI finderscope as opposed to a straight through, does not allow you to get behind the finderscope and sight along its barrel and get it pretty close, before you look into the eye lens. On smaller scopes of this size class (ie ones you don't have to climb a ladder to use) I find a straight through finder to be a way better option than a RACI.

I have an 8 x 50 Antares RACI finder on my 18" Obsession in combination with a Telrad. I have an 8 x50 Stellarvue straight through in combination with a red dot reflex sight on my 14" SDM. I have a 6 x30 Williams Optics straight through on my 10" SDM.

All of these work very well for me. I would be equally happy with a straight through on the 18", but I wouldn't be happy with a RACI on the smaller scopes.

A TELRAD on its own can work well. However, if you don't have a DSC system a Telrad on its own can be a bit difficult for some as you then need to star hop in the main scope as opposed to starhopping in the finder. Some people on the other hand are happy with a TELRAD to get them close and then just star hop in the main scope.

Cheers,
John B