Skywatcher 10" Collapsible Dobsonian vs Skywatcher 10" Dobsonian

[h45e]

Hi guys,
Just wondering which one is better and why?

[toryglen-boy]

probably both the same optically, but my 12" arrived 20 mins ago, so i will post some pics and stuff to show you. What i can tell you is, its looks killer.

For me, space was a premium, so i went with the collapsible.

will catch up with this thread later


:thumbsup:

[Starkler]

A 10" OTA will fit across the back seat of almost any car, so I see little value in getting the collapsible version at the 10" size.

At the 12" size its another kettle of fish.

[toryglen-boy]

if you have a back seat that is, i dont, thats why i went with the 12" collapsible.

having said that, you have missed out a word from your post, better amend it, or Ron will come down on you like a tonne of bricks

:D

[Lyinxz]

I have the SW10"-Collp, and loving it :)

Without the collapsible feature I think i would probably never use it!

It really does make it allot more friendly and easier when it comes to transporting.
I put the OTA in my little 2 door cope comfortably and the mount in the front seat.

The Alt is a bit hardy but I am currently working on replacing the rubbers with ball bearings as per forum below:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=39892

I am also going to build a light shroud.

The collimation is very easy to do on these scopes and seem to hold okay.
I would recommend it to anyone who needs a scope that will be transported around :)

[h45e]

I like the idea of collapsible but i dont like the idea of using a shroud

[Starkler]

Phew! I do that accidentally all the time. Btw I was too scared to post in that other thread :scared:

[h45e]

Before I forget does the Collapsible Dobsonian come with a shroud or do I have to buy one?

[toryglen-boy]

no, it doesnt come with a shroud, but the primary sits quite far down in the OTA, so its not that much of a problem, although i will build a shroud for mine.

I have the 12" and after building it, and using it last night, i can confirm a few things.

1. The size when its collapsed really helps, although its still bigger than i thought.

2. Its heavy, and i mean a 2 person lift and not over an obstacle course either!

3. Its absolutely beautiful to move, and glides about with a light swishing noise.

4. Optically its really very good, there is some coma, with it being so fast, but its excellent, as is the finderscope, its as good optically (or better) than any other similar sized dob i have seen.

5. it looks fantastic.

;)

[PeterM]

Astrozap (USA) have now made a shroud to fit the the SW collapsible dobs. Sirius Optics will have the 12 inch next week and 8 & 10s within a fortnight.
PeterM.

[toryglen-boy]

Thanks for the heads up Peter, i gotta get me one of them


:thumbsup:

[rmcpb]

The short answer to your question is to save space and that is what the collapsible one does but at the expense of:
It is more expensive
You will have to collimate more often
You will need a shroud, especially if you use it at public nights to stop coffee and keys falling on your mirror
They are more prone to dewing
They cannot be mounted on a GEM later if astrophotography becomes a passion


BUT they save room when you have to transport it. After saying that I would not consider a collapsable below 12" but I have a normal and roomy car for transport to dark sites.

Pick your poison....................

[toryglen-boy]

My collapsible dob was $200 less than the solid tube version from Andrews. it was $1150.
Mine arrived in perfect collimation, and after testing it again collapsing it over and over ... its holds collimation perfectly.
A shroud would be handy, but the mirror is covered right around by over half a metre, i never noticed any loss of contrast from stray light when observing from a suburban position.
True about the mount, but that said, the collapsible part is less than halfway down, so theoretically it could be mounted ... although it would look kinda wierd !:P

[Starkler]

What a shroud will do is reduce illumination of the upper inside tube opposite the focuser and behind the secondary if you get my drift. Less important at dark sites.

[toryglen-boy]

yeah, i was aware of this

;)

[csb]

Thanks all.

This is a great thread for the opinions about the pros & cons of these dobs.

[h45e]

Yep, this is a great thread. The only things im worried about is.
1. Stray light coming into the retractable when in use (the open part).
2. Being able to mount to a EQ mount when/if I upgrade to take photos.

Edit: Plus I can get a removable for $800 inc del
http://camerahousewa.com.au/skywatcher-collapsible-dobsonian-telescope-10-inch-swflexdob10-p-797.html

So that is sort of making my decision harder.

Edit #2: Normal Sky watcher dobson is $650...

decisions, decisions...

[Starkler]

If you are sure you want to get a scope to use for photography then you dont want the collapsible.

What is it about the collapsible that appeals to you? Cramped for room? Small micro car?

[h45e]

The thing that appeals to me is able to move it, ppl been telling me that the normal 10" dob is a b**tc to put into a car (even a sedan) expesh the base.

[toryglen-boy]

true enough, but the one thing that doesnt change, is the weight. and they are quite heavy, the base for the collapsible is a fair size, but then again the OTA is a fair size when extracted, so i wouldnt want it any other way.

Starkler is right though, if you wanna do imaging get the solid tube.

TBH mate, there are pros and cons for each, i dont intend on taking pics, and space was at a premium, and thats the cheapest price in Oz by a country mile, Optically they are both much of a muchness.

so, to recap, if you want slightly better portablility, and using less space, and dont want to image, get the collapsible

if not, get the solid tube

/close thread

:P

[toryglen-boy]

tell you what, PM me ... add me to Skype or MSN, i can show you it on webcam, give you a tour, and i will try to answer as much as i can

sound ok?


;)

[JethroB76]

Generally people fit the solid tube 10" across the back seat of most cars reasonably easily - they're around 1.25m long
If you want to EQ mount later, you really need a solid tube

Whether you get solid tube or collapsible, the base will be pretty much the same size and is normally the main problem in cars.

[h45e]

How would ppl fit the base in the sedan?
dis-assemble the base?

[Starkler]

My answer to that is ..... not really. I have a 10" gso dob that I have been transporting for years in the car. The tube lays on the back seat and the base sits on the front seat. No great dramas.

Now with a collapsible it may be possible to put both in the back seat and keep the front seat clear for a passenger.

So it all comes down to the photography bit.

[h45e]

Just like to inform everyone, just bought my 10" dob. Now what would complement the dob?

[Starkler]

What dob? You didn't mention after two pages of discussion WHAT dob you finally decided on . :doh:

[h45e]

Soz, a Sky Watcher 10" dob

[toryglen-boy]

well done, good choice !!

:thumbsup:

i bought the 12" :P

although i do have exceptionally small genitalia


:lol:

[h45e]

Well I still have to allow my gf to sit in the front when we go away, so the telescope will be at the back seat. just hoping the base will fit

[h45e]

Just like to report that I just got my 10" dob from gerry gibbs camera house... just fit into the car (the box that is). Will prolly open it this weekend when I have some time up my sleave.

[Lyinxz]

LOL :P:lol:
at least your honest mate :thumbsup:

[Screwdriverone]

Sooooo, Duncan, welcome to the club!

Oh, the 12inch SW Dob club, not the small genitalia one. I'm not a member (pun intended) of that particular club :lol:

Am I right to assume from your posts that you got the
12" collapsible for only $1150???? If so, from where?

If so, I am not happy considering I bought mine for $1495.....

Typical! (U#*@)(*##)!@#@@^%#

GRRRR

Cheers

Chris

[toryglen-boy]

Gerry Gibbs camera house in Perth

it was actaully $999, but when i called up to order it, all of a sudden price jumped up to $1150, and when he queried it, they told me to look again, and the web site had been amended.

i wasnt happy at being played for a fool, but $1150 is still an excellent price

:)

[h45e]

The good thing is that they deliver to anywhere in australia for $15. (something) he told me this when I went to pick up the scope.

[toryglen-boy]

actually that was how they justified adding the $150 on to it, was by telling me that delivery wasnt free.

i dont like calling up to order it, them seeing how cheap it is, so they change the price right in front of me. They said the extra $150 they added on, right infront of my eyes was for delivery. Although it was delivered to Canberra from South Sydney, and yet thats the price it now is, even if you pick it up.

:screwy:

[Calibos]

Skywatcher are bringing out a 14in Collapsible in a while and there is word of a souped up version too with DSC and Tracking motors as standard. The advert mentions Push-to and Goto. However word is they are stretching the accepted meaning of Goto. That most likely by goto they mean slew-to with direction arrows using the tracking motor, not what we all understand as goto

[toryglen-boy]

they must think we are all eejits !!

you got a link with any info?


;)

[Calibos]

http://www.mts.net/~ducharm1/dob/dobproad.jpg

[Calibos]

Hot off the press!!

http://stargazerslounge.com/showthread.php?t=76892

[toryglen-boy]

thanks mate

and a very good St.Paddys day to yourself

:thumbsup:

[h45e]

I took out my dob on saturday.. bloody clouds but I did see the Ori nebular. Im in love with a big 10" .......

Edit: I wonder if you could buy that base separate

[toryglen-boy]

As stated, the kit will be available seperately to fit to your ordinary base, i have every intention of getting one as well, although a 14" has been announced also.

a bit off topic, but anyone reading your post couldnt help but laugh, its kinda sensual in nature.

"took out my dob on Saturday" , and the one that had me rocking

"Im in love with a big 10" ....... "

and i will have to look for the Ori Nebular, sounds like a spectacular new object !!

j/k

:rofl:

[h45e]

It was in that stellarium program. Basically, me and my mate installed it on my lappy and we set it to say perth, and we used that as a star chart. The program said it was a Ori so, thats what I think it was. will get more details soon (im at work).

Edit: it is 45 Ori - HP26268 (Thats what it says in the stellarium program.)

[toryglen-boy]

i guessed it was the Orion Nebula mate, that was just me being an eejit, and messing around with ya


:thumbsup:

[Calibos]

Think you may have mis-interpreted that j/k

For the GBP300 over the price of the standard Flextube you get the motor system that will power slew and track. It has the encoders already built in but as standard you only get the Power slew and tracking functionality with the simple handset pictured. To get DSC/GOTO functionality you then have to purchase the Syscan controller that brings the encoders into play.

So when they say the word 'upgrade', they don't mean you can buy the motor system and upgrade your standard Skywatcher/Flextube. They mean you can buy this power slewing and tracking FLEXTUBE AUTO and then 'Upgrade' this to full GOTO for extra $$$ if you want.

That said, assuming its the same motor system used on all the sizes in the range, ie the motor is exactly the same unit on the 8in as the 14in, well then I can see a scenario where you could still save a lot of money over an argo/servocat combo by purchasing the smallest cheapest in the range, the 8incher, adapting the motors to fit your 12in and then flogging the 8in sans motor system as a standard Flewtube and re-couping some of your cash.

Not unlike what people did with the Orions intelliscope system. Wasn't done much in OZ because you guys had the benefit of the argo being a local product and somewhat cheaper than the rest of the world while at the same time Intelliscopes were much more expensive in OZ than the rest of the world. Elsewhere though people would purchase the smallest cheapest 6in Intelliscope. Strip out the encoders and handset for fitting to their dobs and then flogging the Intelliscopeless 6in Orion scope. ie paying 300 USD for the 6in and recouping 100 USD upon selling the scope meaning they got a DSC system for 200 USD somewhat less then a 600-700 USD Argo.

Me, I went a step further and purchased the 80 USD Intelliscope for GEM mounts and modded it to work with a dob!! Full DSC for 50 euros!! :D