New Guan Sheng Trusses

[astronut]

Courtesy of Mathew Lovell at Telescopes and Astronomy.
First images of the 16" G.S.O Truss, for $2450.
Let the Games begin!!!

[rmcpb]

Are there supposed to be images attached to this post??

[astronut]

Sorry Rob,
I can't seem to extract the images from the PDF files that Mathew sent me.
Go to his site he will send you the images:thumbsup:

[Omaroo]

Here you are John

(Image quality not brilliant, but there you go)

[JethroB76]

Can you adjust those alt bearings to alter the balance of the OTA?

[koputai]

So essentially the same price as the Lightbridge 16", for essentially the same item. Or does it have features that the Meade doesn't?
Surely the triangular trusses of the LB would give superior stiffness to the three straight posts of the GSO.

Cheers,
Jason.

[Starkler]

Hey hey! :clap:

Looks like it. Lets hope the designers foresaw a desired adjustment range that might include non gso made eyepieces and other kit that people might want to hang off the uta.

On the downside, how on earth do you fit an alt encoder for dsc to that bearing?

I also notice a better looking 18 point design floatation for the primary.

[astronut]

Thanks Chris,
It's good to have someone that knows what they're doing.:lol:

[h0ughy]

that isnt a pretty design!! be a bugger to get a shroud to fit as well. though the mirror box does look more compact - might get that one through the door?

[DaveM]

I think its great they thought about the balance issues, which I have found to be the weakest aspect of the 16LB. It will be interesting to see how the parallel tripod leg struts go in terms of stability, but I can't imagine that it would be released if unstable, given that they have obviously thought about the setup in some detail.

Perhaps a pity that the rings and struts weren't painted black, given that this is one mod many people make for the 16LB.

[rmcpb]

Can just echo others concerns about the three struts for stability. However, the mirror cell actually looks like it is truely floating which is a big improvement on the Lightbridge's and the bearing adjustment is a great move in the right direction.

[Satchmo]

The `truss' seems an unusual choice. It came about because ( and this is hearsay ) Meade put a legal stop to GS's plans to release their own LightBridge clone, even though GS are the manufacturers of the Lightbridge..

[Kokatha man]

Just an opinion, but I'd have to (personally) consign that to real "hearsay": trusses aren't copyright; if memory serves me the fella that came up with them's bin daid along time (centuries and centuries I think!)

In today's world not much more than a different coloured paint dodges patent!

[Satchmo]

Doubtless Meade order 1000's of these scopes at a time from GS and no doubt looked dimly at the manufacturer of the Lightbridge, releasing their own model a little cheaper clearly using most of the same components that were probably developed for Meades own instrument.

The three pole tube makes the gesture that at least on the surface this is not just a rebadged Meade, though on closer examination it shares most of the same components, with a few minor changes.

Perhaps they could have used the this lead time to evaluate public perception and user feedback from the Meade to improve their instrument. I'm sure feedback from the IIS Forum alone would have pointed them in the right direction :).

[Starkler]

Looks like they heard your comments Mark about the poor mirror cell design on the LB ;)

[CoombellKid]

Looks like a strut designed LB alright. Cant really call it a truss design. I
dont like the look of the altitude bearings either too small in my opinion.

Still another 16"er under $3000.00 it's all good in the end I guess.

regards,CS

[iceman]

Poor Gary, has to create new encoder mounts for another alt base design. :lol:

[gary]

Hi Mike,

Thanks. What would life be like without a few challenges? :thumbsup:

Best Regards

Gary

[acropolite]

Along with the others I'm concerned with the rigidity of the parallel struts, only the stiffness of the struts and mounting will prevent twisting of the upper secondary/viewfinder, although some descretely placed bracing (wires perhaps) to give some triangulation would fix that.

[CoombellKid]

It looks if you were to do that, strut to strut. It would or could possibly cross
the light path. I think stiffness will come with how deep and snug the struts
sit in there seats.

just my opinion

regards,CS

[circumpolar]

I think there are some good points and bad.

Good
* Tool-less collimation knobs :thumbsup:
* Alt bearing adjust for balance :thumbsup:

Bad
* No right angle view finder :mad2:
* White rings at each end of tube (like the LB) :mad2:

Maybe
* Stiffness issues :shrug:
* Poor paint finish :shrug:

I don't consider cost as you always get what you pay for.

[norm]

I'm just glad we finally got pics :lol::D. That would have to be one of the longest anticipated events......!

[GrahamL]

An ugly duck alright :thumbsup:..mold a couple inserts for those mounting blocks
for a 6 tube truss and it could be changed very easily..it has that look of "this ain't finished yet".:)

[circumpolar]

I do think it's a little sad that they have even copied the colour, right down to the black end grain on the mount. :screwy:

[AstralTraveller]

Interesting.

The parallel rod design is unusual but not unprecedented. I note that the truss rods are profiled, which may help, and that the rods are secured by two bolts at each end. The rigidity may be governed by the way the rods attach to the body (eg straight bolt holes vs tapered sleeves).

I agree the colour scheme could be better. Certainly everything near the eyepiece must be matt black. The rest seems to have arguments each way. For aesthetics perhaps the best is deep red; dark under normal light but visible under red light.

I prefer straight-through finder so I think they have that right.

I'm also wondering about the focuser. Is it a dual speed crayford?

If they put a push-to system on it (a la Intelliscope) for less than an Argo Navis they would have a winner. I reckon they could do it for <$3000. That would be attractive!

[skies2clear]

Just my thoughts, but like others here, obviously a much better mirror cell than the poorly thought out Lightbridge version. It would be a pity though if the tube design isn't rigid enough. Could be quicker to assemble this than a Lightbridge too. I guess we'll find out in due time,

Clear skies

[astronut]

Here are the latest images from Guan Sheng on its Truss scopes.
Notice that they've listened to the Lightbridge owners and made the end rings black.
Images in the earlier part of this thread had the G.S Truss scopes with white rings.
Common sense prevailed.:thumbsup:

[iceman]

GSO RC discussion moved here:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=30133

[Argonavis]

I wouldn't be concerned.

Many years ago I built a 13.1inch dob with 4 struts - I was rubbished by the "experts" from one particularily large southern astro club who will remain nameless.

I did not have any problems with moving collimation. The scope was fine all all positions.

It is all about how robust the design, as has been amply discovered by these people:

http://www.ultralightscopes.com/Products.htm

based on this article:

http://www.ultralightscopes.com/atmj_article.htm

The design is simple, it is easy, and it appears to work without bracing.

[csa/montana]

New member here! Any more updates on the GSO 16"?

Thanks!

Carol

[iceman]

Hi Carol, :welcome: to IceInSpace.

Nice to see you here.

[csa/montana]

Thank you kindly! I've lurked around your great site, & decided it was high time to join in!

Carol

[erick]

Hi Carol

Welcome! Please start a thread in the General Chat area and tell us about yourself and your surroundings! :thumbsup:

Cheers
Eric :)

[davidpretorius]

Based on these pictures, I am still seriously thinking that you could dob drive this......attach a bigger alt bearing and peltier cool its bum.

More light................more frames per second.

I must get to see the GS 16" in the flesh or the LB

[AstroJunk]

You could probably drive it by attaching whatever it is that is designed to be fixed to those two pre-drilled holes in picture 1 !

[csa/montana]

Anyone have any ideas what to use as a shroud, so that it doesn't get in the lightpath?

Thanks!

Carol

[astronut]

:welcome: Carol, to this side of the world.
I'm sure someone will come up with a shroud for it.
Otherwise you could adapt the Astrozap shroud for it.
A homemade rememdy is always on the cards.:thumbsup:

[csa/montana]

A shroud will have to have some rigidness, so that it doesn't fall into the lightpath; have been trying to come up with an idea, no luck yet.

Carol

[iceman]

Wouldn't it just need some elasticity in the part that secures it to itself? If pulled tight, it's unlikely any part of the shroud would dip into the light path :shrug:

[acropolite]

A shroud with some (or maybe one circular) battens (as used in sails) to keep the fabric out of the light path wouldn't be that hard to make.

[JethroB76]

The GSO 16" has shown up as an Astro-Tech branded scope (in black) as seen at the annual US show NEAF.

I'd heard of a new 16" mentioned on Cloudy nights the other day; a picture finally surface today and there it was

as seen here
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2356516/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

[Glenhuon]

Nice looking piece of equipment. Might I suggest a couple of 13mm diam. black poly "hoops" of the garden irrigation variety placed around the trusses would keep a shroud well clear of the light path.

Bill

[JethroB76]

Has worked for me for 12 months or so ;)

[AlexN]

Thats what I was going to suggest in the previous thread where these trusses were mentioned... Everyone was wondering how to shroud them, I figured just cutting 2 rings from plywood that locked together with latches or some such (for easy removal) and then wrap a sheet around it...

Seemed simple enough to me..

Wouldn't mind some 16" aperture action in my back yard I tell you what! Anyone care to venture a guess as to how much we'll be expecting to pay for one of these bad boys??

[Starkler]

Considering the lightbridge now goes for $2499 , I would expect somewhere around $2200-$2300

[wavelandscott]

I had heard/read that they may be at a slight premium to the Lightbridge ($100-$200)...not sure if there is any validity to that or not.

The limited understanding/rationale that I heard is that this is related to manufacturing agreements/license and ownership of the basic design by Meade...

Again, I can not vouch for this as fact just a recollection...

[AlexN]

I can see one of those in my back yard within the year... :)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Rather tempting indeed!!!

Especially the black version as seen on the CN link, looks very sexy.

Of course it would be a bugger in the dark, you'd ALWAYS be running into it!

;)

[CoombellKid]

You could use some heavy duty Velco dots and some of that plastic yellow
tounge and groove you can get (it's quite flexible) from a hardware store.
You could use that to make battens, maybe only need one. Plus about $6
worth of rip-stop nylon (Spotlight) would have enough to make a good
light shroud.

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Yup! that would be Meade for you, I wonder if they ever thought about a
similar payment to Ritchie Chretien

regards,CS

[csa/montana]

Well folks, I'm the proud new owner of this scope that has caused such an uproar! Mine is the Astro Technology from Astronomics.

I've not had first light yet, the weather has been terrible (new equip Curse); but here she is, in my Observatory!

Carol

[CoombellKid]

Carol,

Thanks for posting a pic, although it is hard to see just how big it is.

Congrat on your new purchase and look forward to hearing what you
think of it.

regards,CS

[csa/montana]

This telescope is huge! It lacks 4" of touching the peak of the roof of the Observatory.

Until I can open the roof, I cannot get better photos to show the size.

Carol

[astronut]

Hi Carol,
I saw your "curse" hopefully it will stop snowing soon.
Unfortunately the Moon will continue to be a curse for a couple of weeks.
Enjoy your new baby and make sure that you share with your astronomical family.:thumbsup:

John.

[erick]

OK, saw one today on the floor at Bintel, Melbourne. Like this, but all black (the colour a telescope should be!)

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Images/Stock/7976X.jpg

16", three strut. Listed at A$2,750 - several hundred more than people were expecting? (cf 16" Lightbridge listed at $2,495 at Bintel) Roger tells me the bundled eyepieces add to the cost relative to the Lightbridge.

Roger told me that fitting the secondary cage is a one person job and quite easy to do. The three struts, connected to the mirrorbox, bend slightly inwards so the secondary can be placed safely on them while the screws are fitted.

While Roger wasn't watching (;)), I gave the secondary a good twist and I didn't feel any "give" at all. A very crude test, but the struts seem to be doing a good job.

Yes, the base is huge, like the 16" lightbridge. I cannot see that fitting into a back seat!

The bearings are adjustable to move the centre of gravity back and forwards, some centimetres along the OTA axis, relative to the pivot point. It doesn't look like a task one would attempt in the field - probably a setup one does at home to suit most commonly used eyepiece/paracorr/barlow whatever setup on the focusser (plus telrad etc.)

Only took a brief look at the mirror mount. Sorry, I didn't count the mounting points. I'm not an ATM'er, obviously.

It'll be interesting to see how popular these become.

Eric :)

[Tannehill]

Look at those itty-bitty altitude trunnions...are they proposing springs again, like in the other GSO dobs? If not, that thing better be balanced perfectly...Mighty heavy assembly for those small trunnions, I'd say [insert old man grumpy sounds from back of throat - harrumph]

Thanks for the man-on-the-scene report, Eric...

Scott
Currently in Tucson, AZ, within spitting distance of the U of Arizona Mirror Lab...

[erick]

Yes, Scott, they are on the small side. Friction control - tighten up the knurled knob.

[astronut]

Here's one taken at the recent N.E.A.F.:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

at $2795 I cant see them selling the GSO over the LB at $2495... I know where I'd spend my money.

[erick]

Yes, I would have thought that anyone buying a 16" scope will already have a collection of eyepieces, probably better than the bundled ones - so I'd sell the scope without eyepieces. Does anyone really enter the hobby with a 16" reflector purchase?

[AlexN]

precisely.

[JethroB76]

so there is $300 worth of GSO eyepieces in the package?

[AlexN]

heh... My guess would be a 10mm or 9mm, a 25mm or 30mm and maybe a barlow... so $30 - $60 worth of eyepieces for the low low price of $300...

Sounds sweet....

[JethroB76]

Bargain!:lol: