GSO 12" Dob...

[Craig.a.c]

If all goes to plan I should have my 12" dob by next weekend. I am not going to know what to do with myself after looking through a 4.5" reflector for so many years. I feel like a kid the night before christmas.

Craig.

[Tilt]

Grats! Going from a 4.5" newt to a 12", you are going to love it. And those GSO dobs are great value.

[Matty P]

Congrats Craig, you are going to be blown away with the views through the 12" compared to your 4.5".

Let us know how you go when your get it. :thumbsup:

[Dog Star]

Onya, Craig :thumbsup:
Bought one myself about 2 months ago and the initial excitement and pleasure still hasn't faded! I'm out every chance I get.
If I can give a little personal advice.....don't try to collimate it unless you're absolutely certain that it needs it. Mine performed great straight out of the box.
I'll perform that secret collimation business when it's necessary.

[AlexN]

your eyes will bust out of your head!!

[Craig.a.c]

All the bills I have at the moment can be paid in 2 weeks time, almost have all the money (just have to find out how much freight will cost). Even though my 4.5" has given me many nights of great views, I finally got bitten by the "arperture bug".

As for the collimation, I wouldn't know where to start. I have never adjusted my 4.5" and she still gives crisp clear views, when the clouds permit it.

[JethroB76]

With an f5 dob, you're going to need to learn.
It really isn't that scary

[AlexN]

yeah.. with a 12" you can expect to need to preform collimation atleast every second or third time you use it. more often if you have moved it around a lot...

[Craig.a.c]

I have been meaning to learn and give it a go on my 4.5". Like all newbies it seems a little scary.

[koputai]

And the GSO 12 inch seems to be a lot harder to collimate than the 8 inch.
It also goes out of collimation a lot easier, the springs are awfully weak on the 12, and the cell seems to flex when you snug up the three holding screws (finger tight only).

Cheers,
Jason.