My new 12" Dob

[Pinwheel]

Well I've done it, In the next week I'll be taking delivery of my forth telescope over my lifetime a Bintel BT-302-B 12" Dobsonian. Yes it's big & heavy but I have 20 acres to build an observatory of sorts without upsetting the neighbors.
I can't express enough how Mike Smith of Bintel went out of his way to help me through my purchase. I'm truly the customer from hell...lol.

Can't wait for first light..:D

[AG Hybrid]

Grats on the new GSO scope. Will serve you well. Hope you got good optics and good bearings on yours.

Also. Go to bunnings and get 3x C702 springs and replace the ones that come with your scope. Collimation will be easier and you can throw out the locking screws. :thumbsup:

[barx1963]

Good to hear Doug!! Congratulations on a nice purchase.;)
My dealings with Mike have always been enjoyable, very knowledgeable and helpful.

Watch out for aperture fever, likely to hit once you have a 12":P

Malcolm

[Pinwheel]

I got aperture fever when I was 10 years old with my first 12" LONG refractor telescope. Then I got a 90mm Tasco refractor, next was the 200mm Newtonian & now the 12" Dob. I'm still going. :D

[Sarge]

Congrats Doug, you will love the 12". It is truely a light bucket.
:astron:
Also a thumbs up for Bintel service as well.
:thumbsup:

Rod
:D:D

[astro_nutt]

Congrats on you new scope! I have been more than impressed with mine, and with the service from Bintel. I did change the primary mirror adjustment springs as mentioned by Adrian and life is a lot easier. Enjoy, enjoy!

[Pinwheel]

Yeah! I'm going to look into that after it arrives. Not sure why the need to change them but I have a Bunnings 70 km up the road so will wait & see.

[barx1963]

The spring as supplied are not particularly strong, at least they were on my old 12". GSO have upgraded the collimation knobs so they may have upgraded the springs, someone who has recently purchased one may be able to advise. Main benefit of stronger springs is you can throw away the locking knobs that they had!

Malcolm

[Pinwheel]

Well it's here & BOY it's big. The 12" BT302-b makes the 8" EQ newt look like a toy. Can't wait for first light but you guess it It's gone cloudy & rain forecast for the next few days.....Typical isn't it.

The collimation was way out, must have had a hard ride to get here, but all is good no dents or scratches. Well till clear sky's then..:D

[barx1963]

Good stuff Doug, we know who to blame for all the clouds in Western Vic!:P

It feels like you have just lobbed a hot water heater into your living room when one of these turns up!!

Malcolm

[Pinwheel]

I know exactly what you mean..:lol: You should have seen the look on my wife's face when she first saw it, it's was priceless.