10 inch RCs what's the verdict?

[gregbradley]

Now the 10 inch Astrotech RCs have been around for a bit what is the verdict? Are they worth going for?

I have been impressed with the image quality of the 8 inch RCs. So much for the harsh Russian critic who said stars would be blobs.

So what are you looking at with theses - a new feathertouch focuser and something to help with collimation to get them workable?

What about the reflection issues some had. Do they need flocking and a
mask around the secondary?

Greg.

[Moon]

Greg
From what I understand, no one has reported any major negatives so far. The primary adjustment looks like a better design than the 8". Others may disagree, but I believe the linear focuser is fine.
Probably the biggest issue is the lack of hard info about a suitable flattener, but this should change soon.
Why don't you wait for the 12" or 16" after NEAF??
James

[gregbradley]

Hi James,

Wow, there is going to be a 16 inch one?

That sounds serious.

Where did you hear that?

Greg.

[Moon]

Initial news was posted here http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3564103/Main/3557169 (scroll down a bit for the 16)
and Jim has subsequently confirmed. Hopefully both will be on display at NEAF this year.
James

[renormalised]

What will the price be for the 16"...in any case, you can get any number of manufacturers that make 16" RC's or larger. You may have to pay more than you would for an Astrotech scope, but then again you pay for the quality of the scope.

[telecasterguru]

Greg,

I have one of the 10" RCs and am very happy with it.

The stock focuser is OK but I see that in the US they are available with the Feathertouch. I assume that this is because they are marketed as a purely imaging scope.

Unfortunately I am still working on getting my new imaging rig up and running. Hopefully I will have some proper images at the end of the weekend. You can see some of the images made with this scope on cloudy nights. They aren't too shabby. There is a guy from Melbourne that uses one. Do a search for qhy9 review. He is way past me in having his system working.

I have not done a collimation on my scope yet but I think that it is pretty good out of the box. Still, can only get better. Will have a try with CCD inspector when I have some decent images.

I posted my first image last week for comment as I was testing out my new camera so it was more to do with the camera than the scope. The ATIK320E camera that I was using is not really suited to this scope though.

The field flatteners are supposed to be available next month. I was also thinking of using an APO FF as they are supposed to do a fairly good job with RCs but will probably wait for the correct one from GSO.

Thanks

Frank

[gregbradley]

Thanks Frank. Good luck with your setup.

Greg.