Dave’s 12” GSO DOB in His Hatchback!!!

[Davekyn]

Hi guys,
Just a quick note to let you all know, I had no problems fitting the 12” Dob in my little Hatchback. I even have room for a chair and some camping gear. Mind you though...you don’t want to be 6 feet tall in my passenger seat J

Here are some pics:

My Car
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300488.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300488.jpg)
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300487.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300487.jpg)

The Scope
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300495.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300495.jpg)

The Box...At the moment I am using the box it came in...but I am going to make a special case for the scope out of Plywood!
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300489.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300489.jpg)

Heres all the Basics I will be taking for first light
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300490.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300490.jpg)

Getting the scope in the car
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300493.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300493.jpg)
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300491.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300491.jpg)
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300494.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/S7300494.jpg)

ALSO here is my first Mod...red dot finder...had to drill into the scope!
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/RedDotFinder.jpg (http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x30/davekyn/RedDotFinder.jpg)

So...Basically...It was very windy that night...blowing a gale actually. I still headed out of town simply to practise going through the procedure of getting the scope in & out. I must say, that if you get a system going, it is quite easy to do. I am not a big guy...only 170cm, BUT...I’ve pretty much live a life of labour & am use to lifting heavy weights. I can see how some office workers may find the scope tiresome to heft around...I however was quite surprised to find how easy it feels to carry with the tube held up against my gut with arms on either side of the scopes tensions knobs. I can pretty much lift the base one handed like a 25killo dumbbell in one hand as if doing tricep curls. No doubt as I get older I may feel the need for a trolley...but I feel pretty happy over all about this scopes portability, considering I have no trouble with its weight and also that it fits in my little hatch back.

As for a first light report...that is yet to come! I really have not yet had a chance to test the thing to its full potential due to extreme gales, moonlight & time off work.

I hope others out there may see that a 12’ Dob not always need be restricted to home only. I can definitely say that you will however become proficient at collimating. I was really worried about this...but guarantee that once you start lugging around a 12” Dob...you will soon become an expert on collimation...LOL...It really is not as bad as it all seems...I find the biggest thing is making sure the focuser & adapters are all secure before collimating once you setup as they are just as susceptible to movement when travelling.
At the moment it’s still all about getting to know my scope. Later all...Time for me to do a post on 15X70 Binos J
Dave

[Kevnool]

Theres not much room for much more in there , but the main thing is it fits and fits well .....happy observing....cheers Kev.

[stephenb]

Hi Dave, you bring back memories. In the early 80's I would drive all over country Victoria in my first car - a Daihatsu Charade with a 6" Newt., the front seat down just like you!

[rmcpb]

Well, I never would have thought it possible!!

[GeoffW1]

Now wait, wait, it isn't as loony as it sounds............think about the advantages:

- motorised scope

- power azimuth

- grab it and go up to 24" aperture (well, approximately)

- heated viewing position

Sort of like this

http://pegasus.phast.umass.edu/hopkins_installation/truck1.jpg

but on a Ford Laser scale

Cheers

[Davekyn]

LOL, I would do that if I had the same gear!
Dave

[Matty P]

I'm amazed you got it all to fit Dave.

:thumbsup:

[discovery]

I am currently looking at the possibilities of converting a box trailer into a mobile observatory. Early days!

[Davekyn]

Would that be like some kind of, fold out concept? I have been thinking of doing somthing similar.

Great Idea!
Dave