I read, with interest, Les Dalrymple's review of the 12" Sky-Watcher Dobsonian in the latest AS&T. He gave it very good marks and said it "represents excellent bang for buck". Looking at the price that was listed there ($1,339), I was trying to figure out why one would spend a premium of hundreds of dollars over the other brands of 12" one can buy in Australia.
I've just checked myAstroShop and they list the Sky-Watcher (SW980) at $1,050 ("Short time only manufacturer special"). For comparison, Andrews Communications lists the "Super Deluxe" GS-980 (GSO) at $749 and Bintel lists the BT 302 "Premium" at $799.
(Back in May, we had a thread on a special price at Andrews of $599 on Sky-Watcher 12"
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=31502 Looks like it didn't last long (stock clearance?) and Andrews are now selling the "collapsible" Sky-Watchers at $999 for the 12".)
Ignoring the various bundled eyepieces etc. if I can, is the premium for:-
* the pyrex primary (hence no fan provided on the Sky-Watcher?),
* better quality paintwork and finish,
* better quality base (Les says "appears well-sealed against the ingress of dew and moisture"),
* or ??
I am often asked to recommend a dobsonian when people see mine. The question is when should I recommend a Sky-Watcher over a GSO or branded GSO?
