Guan Sheng 8" Dob

[Nortilus]

Hi all,

I was wondering if there are any people out there who have one of these that can tell me much about them. I am looking at buying one of these for my first reflector telescope and I am also a bit of a beginner at astronomy, so any advice would be great.

[iceman]

haha well you've come to the right place.. We've had 3 or 4 members in the last 4 weeks who have bought the 8" GSO Dob.

They all give great reports of it, look for posts by Frosty and MintSauce for starters.. Ving also has one and has owned it for a while.

I have the 10".

They are great scopes for the price - read this thread (http://www.iceinspace.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=470) where Jimmy is pondering the 8" GSO dob and there's a lot of good arguments why the 8" is a great scope.

If you're unsure of anything, just post again and there'll be plenty of people willing to help.

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Nortilus,

Welcome.

The Guan Sheng GS680 Dobber is one of the best Dobbers made.

The optics are made in Taiwan, not China, and are of very high quality. The focuser is also far better than the Chinese (Synta)version. There are several members in here that own one and a couple more getting one.

They are very cheap for their size and give crisp, clear images.

Avoid 6mm and under eyepieces as the GS680 is f6 which makes it perfect for Deep Space Objects (DSO's) as well as Planets etc.

There are some simple modifications you can make to the GS680 to make it even better.

Much has been covered in these forums on the GS680 Dobber. Have a look back through the 'Equipment Discussions' threads.

Celestron use Guan Sheng mirrors, Orion is GS (some are Synta), and lots of other makes are GS.

Feel safe buying GS as the quality is up there.

[ballaratdragons]

Hey Mike,

You might have to add a 'Scope Reviews by Owners' section on this site.:P

[iceman]

There already is a reviews section, I just need the owners to write the reviews and I'll put 'em up there!

[wavelandscott]

I have the 8" Bintel / GSO and have enjoyed it...

As mentioned here in other threads, there are a few modifications that make it even better (milk jug washers etc.)

While not perfect, it is a good beginners scope...for night time viewing...in particular visual viewing...in my opinion!

There are few "moving parts" it won't need batteries...in point of fact, even I understand how/why it works...it is fairly easy to move around too.

I let me 2 boys 7 and 3 1/2 push it around and peek at the mirror...they even occassionally look in the eyepiece too!

The moon looks spectacular as do many DSO's...I've not had a chance to take a peek at Saturn yet but, I understand it does a decent job on planets too. In short, I would call it a good all arounder for a new/ moderate user.

If you are going to buy a Dob, it is a good scope to start with...this opens up a whole series of questions...what do you want to do with your scope?

If your dream is to get into astrophotography, I would probably make a different scope choice, likewise if you also wanted to birdwatch or do other terrestial viewing I would choose differently...While others might disagree, I would also say if you wanted to hook it up to lots of electronics and wire it through a computer I would make a different choice...

Having said all of that, if you are looking for what I believe is good value for money in a respectable visual viewing package...I would buy an 8" GSO Dob...remember, the folks who started the science of astronomy were using gear much smaller in aperture and much lower in quality than this rig...several years and lots of nights will pass before I will have the capability and knowledge to need better base equipment than it is.

Good Luck in your selection!

[Nortilus]

I think you may have me sold on that wavelandscott. are you a sales man, cause ya should be...
:)

[ballaratdragons]

Hey Nort,

8" Dobbers can be purchased at Bintel (Sydney)for $599 plus delivery or
Andrews Communication (Sydney) for $399 plus delivery.

Not 100% sure if Bintel is Guan Sheng or Synta.

Also keep an eye out for a bargain price on Orion as they are Guan Sheng too.

If you buy in Queensland do not pay over $650 as you can get them up from Sydney for under that including delivery.

[MintSauce]

I paid $750 for the 8"er and a GSO superview 20mm an Andrews 80degree 30mm 2" eyepiece and a x2 2" barlow, all are very nice and that included delivery to Kalgoorlie in WA. andrews also chuck in free Binos (not very good) and a moon filter (alot better than none). I would recommend andrews to anyone.

[Starkler]

The Bintel dobs are Guan Sheng.

Orion used to be Guan Sheng, but currently use Synta for their dobs and have for maybe 2 years.

Celestron dobs now also use GS optics on a mount that looks like a skywatcher !

[wavelandscott]

Nortilus,

Yes, in a previous life I was a sales representative but not for telescopes...

Seriously, the GSO is a good scope...just make sure a Dob is what you want/need...

[gaa_ian]

Has anyone experienced the difference between the 8" with a plate glass mirror vs the 8" with a full pyrex mirror.
There is quite a difference in price.
I am often asked for recommendations for a first scope & usually recommend an 8" GSO Dob, as most are looking to spend $500.
*If I was buying my first scope I would go straight to the 12" :-)*
Indications are that there is really not a great difference in a Tropical/subtropical environment where you do not experience the issue of mirror cooling, of more temperate localities.
Anyone ?

[MintSauce]

I think that the pyrex cools quicker but apart from that there's little difference. there has been arguments about this previously.

[ving]

as minty said... if you live up in the snow you might want to consider pyrex, otherwise it makes no difference...

back to the topic at hand:
just 1 word: buy it!


well ok that was 2 words :P

[iceman]

but it? :lol:

[Starkler]

Pyrex vs glass :

Pyrex reaches thermal equilibrium a little faster than glass.
This allows the mirror grinder to make a better mirror faster, however this only becomes a significant advantage for large mirror sizes.

For the size scopes most of us own, it makes little or no difference. I would buy GS over Synta anyday, pyrex or no pyrex as it just doesnt matter.

[Nortilus]

I am so happy now....
Paid for an waiting.
GSO 8" Dob...

I can;t wait till it gets here...because Saturn is tauting me...

[Mick]

You won't be disappointed Nortilus. Now all we need is to lose the clouds. :D :astron:

[iceman]

Congrats Nortilus.. hey I reckon we should start getting commission from Andrews.. how many referrals have we sent his way for the 8" dob now!? :D

[MintSauce]

mike I think it's about time to ring him and ask for a couple eye pieces to review :P

[iceman]

I think you're right Gordon :confuse3: :whistle:

[Nortilus]

Yeah, Nice fellow Lee is. I'm sure he would let ya even lend a few lenses for review.

[ving]

no idea what you are talking bout sir!:whistle:
;)
:P

[Swane]

:tasdevil: :tasdevil: G,day Mike,
I would have bought my scope through Andrews but when I rang them ,they said that they where busy and would ring me back. They never rang back and in the meanwhile I got a good deal in Brisbane (I think)so I went for it.
I didn't buy a Dob as I also wanted to do bird viewing so I got a 150X 1200 reflector . It should arrive tomorrow.
Derek

[stinky]

I'm shopping around too - not too far from Brissy where did you find your good deal?

[BerzerkerNerd]

The difficult bintel/andrews GSO decision. Most people seem happy dealing with either shop. Personally i was happy to spend the extra hundred dollars on a bintel dob; simply because for that extra money you get good back up, unbiased advice and a lot of knowledge in aftersales service, these people know their stuff, and may match andrews prices on accesories afterwards. Lee from andrews is a nice bloke and good to deal with and buy from, but the knowledge on tech specks and item performance is sometimes lacking. Guess its a matter of priorites. Bintel delivery cost for 10" dob. to hervey bay area- $130.

[ausastronomer]

Geoff,

The 12" Orion scope uses GS Optics as Synta's largest mirrors are only 10" at present. The other Orion dobs use Synta optics as you point out.

CS-John B

[ausastronomer]

If you want a cheap cardboard box containing a telescope buy it from Andrews.

If you want to establish a relationship with a dealer, who will offer free high quality advice, bend over backwards to help you, now and 20 years into the future, buy it from Bintel. Quality advice is only a phone call away with Bintel, all the staff are experienced observers and optical technicians. Sometimes theres more to a long term purchase than just the base price. Consider what you are after on a long term basis, then decide where to buy it.

CS-John B

[Rastis]

I have just ordered a 8 inch premium Dob from Bintel. $550 for the scope, $85 for freight to Hervey Bay, and a Orion collimation tool for $75. This scope has the Crawford focusser and mirror fan. It also comes with 3 eyepieces- 9mm, 15mm and 26mm. The andrews 8inch was $50 less but with only 2 eyepieces.

[matt]

John B is right.

Don't base your decision solely on saving a couple of $$$,

There's an enormous amount to be said for product knowledge and after sales service.

It's only a personal thing but I try to avoid purchasing from non astro folk. Suppliers who are passionate astronomers themselves will be the best to deal with, IMO.

I won't name names but I can recall trying to buy a $2000+ scope and getting bundled off the phone by the owner four times before I gave up. He was always "too busy to talk at the moment"!!!!:confuse2:

There was also an occasion where I had my credit card in my hand and tried to buy a collection of items and was hurried off the phone and told he'd call back. He didn't. Twice!:mad2:

You know who I'm talking about.

[mickoking]

I disagree. I have delt with both companies and I have never had a problem with Andrews and would recomend them to anybody. Bintel on the otherhand have been a mixed blessing for me. Sometimes the service has been good but other times particually when asking questions they don't seem that interested. And all this talk of after sales service, that makes no difference on this side of the country.

[Miaplacidus]

Hi,

Not long ago I rang a shop that sells astronomy gear. (Soon they'll be selling very large truss dobs.) The guy sounded OK, but he was obviously in a rush. Now, I'm a pretty efficient guy when I'm on the phone, and I don't believe I was being particularly slow, obtuse, or wasting his time. I knew what I wanted, and we both knew that I was prepared to spend a reasonably large amount of money to get it. Nonetheless, I received the impression that this guy had bigger fish to fry. Not only that, but during the course of our very brief conversation he called me variously Ian, Graham, Tony, Michael, and Steve. My name is Brian.

A few minutes later I rang Bintel.

[matt]

Service includes making the time to speak to people.:)

[mickoking]

I totally agree Matt. The staff at Andrews are always ready for a good yarn with out wanting to know your credit card number first. Hopefully I will be dealing with them soon about the 16" GSO (goody goody) :)

[matt]

Sorry Mick, but that's not been my experience with that particular vendor.

I am, however, happy that you're happy:)

[ausastronomer]

It makes a lot on this side.

CS-John B

[ausastronomer]

That's Lee to a tee :) I have called him for the last time and I don't care how cheap he sells the stuff. I am sick of him saying he will, "call me back and let me know if he can get it !!!", he just never does.

CS-John B

[mickoking]

I don't think I explained that point too well, After sales service does matter even over here in Australia's economic powerhouse ;) But as Andrews and Bintel are in Sydney we can't exactly walk into the stores and talk face to face with the merchants.

Also some people have had a few problems with Andrews, I must say I have had a few with another sydney store who didn't seem interested when I wanted to buy a $4000+ 200mm SCT. That was when I was living in Newcastle and was in the store.

I guess many of us fall into either the Andrews camp or the Bintel camp. I have and will continue to use both stores for my Astronomy supplies. I just think Andrews has the better service based on my experience :)

[ausastronomer]

I can appreciate that you can only go on your own dealings Mick. At one time in the distant past I thought the same thing and bought a number of products off him, including my current scope. Subsequent continued dealings and phone calls and particularly "non returned" phone calls only served to erode the relationship.

CS-John B

[matt]

We're not all from Sydney either.

And I think it's a mistake assuming any of us fall into a camp by reducing the equation to just 2 vendors.

My last few purchases have been through MyAstroshop and were very pleasant experiences.

But I've also bought from Bintel and Andrews.

And others.:)

[mickoking]

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. But it doen't matter coz we have the best hobby in the world :) I'm going outside to soak up some photons now ;)


Clear skies to ya all.

[matt]

And to you too Mick.

Hope you have a great night;)

[BerzerkerNerd]

Star optics in queensland is an alternative for some items, They are very prompt with advice and information as well, seem to be really trying - my experience only.
Steve M