which scope to buy

[fuso]

I've got just enough funds to buy my first big? scope(I sold a ETX-90 last year) and I cant decied between GSO(bintel) or SW 8in collaps Dob.
I like GSO's Idea of having a fan and adjustable bearings but does SW
give better views due to higher quality mirrors and 0.5mm sec mirror supports ?
I'm not intending to do any dob mods, just want a scope thats easy to handle straight of of the box.

[wavelandscott]

I'd most likely buy on price and extra features...I don't think you will see any difference in the quality of the mirrors, I'd expect either of them to be pretty good.

Either of these scopes will most likely need a little "tweaking" over time...I've never met a Dob owner that didn't "improve" things with their scope over time...Nothing serious and either should work out of the box.

Clear Dark Skies to you!

[barx1963]

The GSO is an excellent unit and from what I have seen the optics between the 2 are virtually the same despite being different glass. The SW I think has slightly better build quality and the collapsible feature is a winner, its really aquestion of are you willing to pay a bit more for it? Going the GSO or Bintel route may enable you to go bigger

[Starkler]

The very desirable option of a dual speed focuser being available on the gso makes that one a clear winner imo.

[bobson]

I am with Geoff regarding fine focuser against rack and pinion. Plus GSO has right angle focuser.
I had 8" Skywatcher Dob as my first scope, very good scope and very easy to use.
If you want 8" I would go with solid tube since its not going to be big and its easy to put it in the car.
Also, i never had to collimate my 8", once collimated it stays like that even after long and rough trips.
With collapsible that might not be the case.

cheers

bob

[barx1963]

I think he means right angle finder. And I am with Geoff on the dual speed focuser in the GSO, I was forgetting that he SW doesn't have one. While it is not the greatest focuser around, and the imaging guys would probably turn up their noses at it, the dual speed on the GSO is very nice for visual work.

Malcolm

[bobson]

Yes Malcolm, you are right, its right angle finder. My mistake :)

[fuso]

And the winner is..............GSO

Thanks guys

money is for scope
money is for scope
money is for fishing reel..............no
money is for scope