10" GSO Dob - Tweaked!

[davewaldo]

I'm selling my beloved Dob as I've been sucked into the world of EQ mounts.

10" GSO dob Deluxe. With standard Crayford and right angled 8x50 finderscope. I've owned this scope for less than 2 years and used it about 30 times. Its never been heavily dewed (as I cover it during sessions) and mirrors are in great condition.

I have made some quality modifications to this scope:

1) I have added Ebony Star laminate to the bottom (Azimuth) bearing surface which has greatly improved feel and motion.

2) I have shortened the scope and moved the mirror further up the tube to allow focus of a DSLR. I have also moved the altitude bearing further back to improve balance.

3) At the same time as shortening the tube, I had the tube sand blasted and powder coated. It was primed in zinc rich powder coat then sanded, then given the blue powder top coat. This makes this scope look and feel a million dollars. Never worry about rust again (many GSO dobs are prone to surface rust). I also coated the interior with darkest available matt black paint on earth (Krylon Ultra Flat Black). Overall this made the scope much nicer to use, look at, and improved the contrast of images.

4) Manual Setting Circles. Using a digital inclinometer and a degree scale around the base I managed to have rather accurate setting circles which I used in conjunction with my PDA or laptop. The base degree circle is getting a little shabby now as it was just printed on photographic paper. I can print fresh circles for the new owner (free ofcourse ).

5) Magnetized red LED lights to illuminate setting circles. No harm done to scope as they just stick in place with magnets.

6) I have also upgraded the collimation springs to much firmer ones. This makes collimation SO much easier and lasts longer. Oh and also centre spotted the primary mirror.


I'm asking $470 which is less than new price plus you receive all these expensive modifications. (Remember postage on a new dob is usually $80 or more)

Included is the Scope, Base, Finder, 3 or 4 Original EPs (GSO) All in great condition.

PLUS you can have my Dob Trolley/seat for FREE!! This trolley is great for transporting the dob around the house/yard and also doubles as a height adjustable observing seat!

I would like to keep the digital inclinometer but could sell it with the scope for extra if you REALLY want it.

I have no packing boxes so I would strongly prefer local pickup. I could deliver around brisbane or Gold Coast.

This would be a great package for anyone looking for a Dob, either beginner or advance user. The tube is photography ready and could be used on an EQ mount. With the modifications this scope is a pleasure to use and does not have the hang-ups and issues of the standard GSO dobs.

Cheers,

David.

[davewaldo]

A Couple of notes to the images....

The trolley also has one of the half round foam pieces that comes with the scope to secure the scope durring transport. The seat is removable and can be placed at various heights.

The image of the scope shows my old method of altitude scale before I purchased the inclinometer. Also this image does not do justice to the powder coat finish. In person the finish on the scope is Top notch, glossy and smooth.

[davewaldo]

Open to reasonable offers and offers of trade against a HEQ5 GOTO mount (part trade ofcourse )

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

Folks I've seen Dave's scope, his various mods are ingenious and well executed, and this really is a great scope for anyone who is after a 10" dob.
I honestly don't think you would do better.

I'd buy it myself if I had the bucks to spare, but the bills are piling up including car rego again shortly (there's irony, 2 years ago I was buying my first scope, and I paid 6 months rego on the car instead of 12 months in order to afford the 10" GSO dob, instead of the 8" I was going to get!)

Please spare me the temptation and pm Dave now!

[AstralTraveller (David)]

It is certainly interesting. A couple of questions

• How far did you move the mirror? Do you know the distance from the secondary to prime focus?
• It is just a standard crayford focusser isn't it? Not the 10:1 micro.
• Do you have any idea on the freight cost to Wollongong of the scope excluding the trolley?

Thanks

[davewaldo]

Hi Astral Traveller, all questions welcome

I moved the mirror approximately 35mm. I did this so that I could simply use a 35mm extension on the focuser when using the scope for visual observing.

The scope can now just come to focus with DSLR cameras (canon atleast but I would assume Nikon also). It should have no trouble focusing with a webcam as they can sit closer to the focuser.

The focuser is the basic crayford, not the 10:1.

I have no way of accurately measuring the distance from secondary to focal plane.
The focal length of this scope is 1250mm. The rough distance is 32cm from center of scope to focal plane.

The focal plane sits approx 50mm outside the focuser at minimum height which leaves enough room for T adapter and SRL body. What sort of imaging gear do you wish to use?

I have no idea of freight costs, possibly around $100. It would be 2 packages.

Package 1 OTA: 1.3m x 50cm x 50cm approx 10KGs.

Package 2 Flat Packed Base: 70cm x 70cm x 20cm 7KGs.

I could deliver to a courier in Brisbane. But all costs are at buyers expense.

Hope this Helps!

Dave.

[davewaldo]

Here are some example images taken with my 20D through this Dob.

The full moon pic was my first ever through this scope to test focus with my DSLR.

The other moon pic is a composite of cresent moon plus an exposure for moon shine.

The saturn and Venus conjunction image is a composite where I imaged both planets seperatly then moved them closer into one image. Each of the planets was only one frame (no stacking).

Enjoy!

[Davros (Lauren)]

Dave, PM sent.

[davewaldo]

SOLD! Thanks for Looking!