Dobsonian telescopes...

[Craig.a.c]

I was wondering if anyone here has or does use a 12" Dobsonian from Yorkoptical? I am looking to upgrade to one of them in the next few weeks hopefully and do away with my 4.5". As good as the 4.5" is for looking at bright nebula and clusters, (I can't even get a decent view of the big cluster in centauri, all I get is a fuzzy patch :mad2:) I would like something that is going to give me better views for deep sky object and good size views of Saturn.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Cheers - Craig.

[erick]

It looks like York are selling the GSO dob. Lots of happy customers around for those scopes.

Yes you'll see buckets more than with your 4.5". HOWEVER - it is HUGE relative to my original 8" let alone your 4.5". If you have to travel with your scope, you'll need a trailer, big wagon, 4WD etc. Maybe you can fit it in a regular big family sedan, but maybe not. The 12" tube would not fit between the moulded armrests in the back seat of an EL Ford! If you can spend most of your viewing time from your back yard - go for it. I'm not sure that price includes eyepieces? There website isn't clear. Check also Andrews Communications and Bintel - other suppliers of the GSO dobs (perhaps rebadged.)

[Kokatha man]

Hi Craig - I may be wrong, but Yorkoptical have allways seemed far from competitive to me (mildly put) in their pricing compared to Bintel, Andrews, etc, etc, etc.......

Cheers, Darryl.

[Craig.a.c]

Thanks guys. The reason I am looking at Yorkoptical at the moment is because I have baught through them before and found them to be very helpful.
Erik, I too am unsure as to wether or night any eyepieces come with the scope or not, like you said, they aren't real clear about that. I was looking for an email address for them but can't find any. Not sure if I should just jump in and get the 12" or just go for an 8" or 10".
Any ideas on what the cost of freight would be to Wagga Wagga?

[Stephen65]

Craig

You definitely want to shop around before you buy, even if you've decided you want a 12" dob because there are considerable variations in pricing. I'd recommend checking out:

www.bintelshop.com.au

and

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/

Make sure you inquire about shipping costs because that can also vary dramatically.

As others have said, a 12" solid tube dob is a BIG scope, if you plan to transport it make sure it will fit in your vehicle.

regards

Stephen

[Craig.a.c]

I don't know what do. I am looking on www.andrewscom.com.au (http://www.andrewscom.com.au) at the dobsonians. I came across the Guan Sheng dobsonians with many extras and have been left wondering why they are so cheap :shrug:. I love this hobby but it can be very frustrating at times.

[iceman]

The GSO's are all the same scope.

Just make sure you take into account freight, eyepieces, and make sure it is a deluxe model with a 10:1 crayford focuser. It's worth it.

I have a 12" GSO newt, and love it.

[Rodstar]

They seem to have a very good price on the 12 inch dob at the moment, judging by the advertisement to the right of screen.

[madtuna]

Andrews has the deluxe (with 5 EP's) $749.00
thier freight costs are usually pretty good too

[CoombellKid]

Andrews are doing a pretty good deal on their GSO 12" Deluxe Crayford
version @ $649.00 you cant buy a 12" GSO mirror for that price.

could be worth a look

regards,CS

[mrsnipey]

I have a GSO from Andrews Communication and it's fantastic.
It's a bit heavy, but I don't use my 4.5" newtonian any more
because I'm always disappointed at the views compared to my 12".
Takes me 5 minutes to setup from opening the back door to
plugging in the fan and taking the lid off. And that includes dodging
kids toys, over active dogs and clothes lines that become mysteriously
invisible in the dark. (gotta watch that finder scope, makes a fantastic
hook)

The first time I looked through mine I couldn't believe how many
stars were up there. Even after scanning the skies with my
4.5" newt.


Go the 12" dob. :thumbsup:

[skies2clear]

Craig, you shouldn't get frustrated really. Just means you have a few choices, which is a good thing! There's nothing wrong with any of the suppliers, regardless of price, and you'll find they all provide good service...they want their customers to come back and/or recommend them to others too. So if you are happy with York, that is fine, but nothing wrong with the other scopes from the other suppliers. Some suppliers have lower overheads and will even sell with lower markup, or perhaps get better deals direct from the manufacturer, depending on quantities purchased, etc, etc.

By the way, you should think about keeping a smaller scope anyway, whether that is your old 4.5" or something else. Some nights you won't feel like lugging the 12" around, believe me!

Clear skies
Nick

[rmcpb]

Couldn't agree more. Last night I was out with my binos as I did not have time to set up either scope. A small scope/binos are worth their weight in gold.

[erick]

Yes, my 8" has to stay, even though I now have the 12".

[Kokatha man]

madtuna




Sorry, I thought I was on CN
Andrews has the deluxe (with 5 EP's) $749.00
thier freight costs are usually pretty good too

[Kokatha man]

And is Andrews still offering free freight Australia wide?

[erick]

From site it seems to be on some products, not all.

[Craig.a.c]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I am definatly leaning towards a dobsonian, just need to make up my mind from whom. I like the deals from Andrews on the Dobs with all the eye pieces included, just need to give them a call and find out how much it will cost me in freight.

Thanks heaps again guys.

[Craig.a.c]

Just got off the phone with staff at Andrews to find out how much freight would be, I almost fell of my seat when they told me. $80, I was expecting it to cost alot more then that.

[erick]

My man, you are in business! :thumbsup:

See what collimating aids they will throw in for a small extra price?

[Jim McAloon]

Hi Craig

I wouldn't be suspicious of Guan Sheng telescopes just because they are cheap (well, reasonable!). They have an excellent reputation. I've had a ten inch for five and a half years and it's great, not only for deep sky but also as a visual planetary instrument. I find a University Optics Orthoscopic 5mm eyepiece giving 250x is very good for Jupiter and Saturn, although somtimes I can go higher on Saturn (Jupiter being less receptive to magnification above that). For widefield views I love the GSO 30mm widefield and I have just bought a 15mm too (and so it's been cloudy since it arrived).

I am mentioning my ten inch because it is somewhat shorter than the 12 inch and I have to say I find it eminently portable, both in terms of taking out of the shed and setting up for a quick look, and in terms of putting in a car. It's significantly shorter than the 12 inch, but no shorter than the six inch f/8 or the eight inch f/6 - because, at f/5 its the same focal length, roughly, as the two smaller ones.

Don't let me put you off a 12 inch, but a ten might be the right compromise in terms of power and portability. As I say it's fantastic for deepsky objects, even in the suburbs here in Christchurch.

best,
Jim