Scope Choice and Freight

[mo76]

Hi All,

I'm all set to upgrade my scope from a Celestron Nexstar 4.5" short tube reflector purchased a year ago (and which has been great fun) to a bigger scope, i've been lurking on IIS for a few years now on and off and going on the advice thats given out to newbies by the forum regulars i'm 99% sure that i'm going to go for a 10'' DOB.

I'd just like some advice about who to actually purchase it from and what type of freight charges I might expect to pay? I'm in Brisbane.

Also, I purchased the Celestron eyepiece and filter kit last year. Are these eyepieces going to be suitable for a 10'' DOB or will it be worth buying a new eyepiece or 2 at the same time. I could probably push my budget to 1k tops for scope and a couple of extra bits.

Is there a big difference between the GSO scopes and the SKywatcher version?

Appreciate any advice you can provide. I've looked at Bintel, Andrews, Ozscopes, York and a couple of other sites but cant find any real info about shipping charges??

Cheers,

Mick

[gbeal]

Hi Mick,
welcome.
I have a 10" dob/newt, have had it for ages, it is a sweet size, not too big, but big enough, good choice.
The eyepieces will do the trick, there is plenty of time to go better if and when you feel you need to.
I can't help with the difference between the two brands you list, but others will be able to help here. Is there not a scope dealer locally, in Brisbane?
Another option is to get along to any of the star parties in your area, a great way to soak up information on what others have got and are using.
Failing that, and better still, keep an eye on the For Sales right here, there are often very good bargains where people have elected to sell.
Gary

[mo76]

Thanks Gary,

There is a local dealer to me but they only have one 10'' motorised Dob at the moment and i'm not interested in paying the extra $700 or so that they quoted me for that. I'm just going to go for the solid tube non motorized. They did not know when they might get these in so i'm resigned to looking interstate and just trying to gague what to expect to pay for freight when i make phone enquiries tomorrow.

I'm looking to buy straight away, i've been doing stupid amounts of research instead of just buying one and i'm now ready to bite the bullet, i just thought i'd ask the experts before i make the purchase.

Hopefully i'll get to a star party in QLD in the near future too.

Cheers,
Mick

[mozzie]

hi mick
try sirius optics at underwood in brissy ron the owner he can help you or staroptics on the gold coast lex is the owner there both are very knowledgable in the shops and can help.astrofest is in august west of brissy a big star party you should try and come to it.

[bmitchell82]

If it was me, i would gett the skywatcher, if all your doing is visual work. the overall build quality is a lot better than some other brands not the best but good, i have had one now for a year and a half. The mirror coatings seem to be better than the GSO's and i have even been told that by a GSO 10" owner, my mirror looks brand new and its had a lot O sky time and harsh conditions.

Your eye pieces will be fine for what your doing, you will feel your way around when it comes to that decision to buy more, but for now what you have is fine.

The things that i would definitely look into is the Cheshire, laser collimator, and a Barlow. using these to collimate your scope. the laser to get an approximate angle of the secondary to primary alignment. then using the Barlow and laser to get a reflection of the primary mirror spot. and finally the Cheshire to confirm everything. its important to get it as good as you can. makes life easy and the views spectacular.!:thumbsup:

[that_guy]

I've gotten my 8" dob form star optics in Maermaid Beach Gold Coast and I'm loving it!! Right now, they are having a Dobsonian Dynamic Sale!! I think its $50 off everything (dobs ofcourse)...!! better get it now before it finishes!! Very, informative crew as well!!

[DavidTrap]

Hi Mick,

Don't be too frightened about freight within Australia. Remember most of the big retailers from Mexico (Sydney and beyond) would have bulk deals with their freight companies. As an example, I bought an LX-90 (including tripod) and a Stellar Chair from Bintel - total freight was $40!!!

Freight from the USA is different, over 500 US dollars for my Astro-Physics mount...

DT

[mo76]

Thanks for all the advice, i'll be checking out Sirius and StarOptics too today then. Hopefully i'll have something sorted out this week. Cheers, Mick.

[mo76]

And done...one new GSO Super Deluxe arriving later this week, seemed the best value after weighing up a few options. Cant wait to get my hands on it, just hope the clouds play the game and stay away for the weekend!

Mick

[mozzie]

which store did you order from mick???

[mo76]

I got it from Andrews Communications after reading lots of good things about them, plus they were cheaper than the others which is always a good way to make a decision! Hopeful of delivery tomorrow but the thunder clouds are rolling over Brisbane this afternoon...hopefully they clear off! Mick.

[mozzie]

good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we had a beauty of a thunderstorm this arvo pleanty of rain

[mo76]

Awesome looking clear skies over Brisbane, perfect weather for getting first light into my brand spanking new 10" dob...that would be nice wouldnt it? But not to be tonight...one of the two packages that TNT were entrusted to deliver to me today 'has not arrived'' in Brisbane, but its ok they are 'looking into it'. I was told by the lady who delivered this news that it happens ''all the time''. Oh, well thats alright then isnt it? Quite funny that a business who's primary function is to move items from A to B on time can lose things all the time. I'm sure it will be fine and they'll find it eventually but i was quite looking forward to setting up and having a mini session on it tonight. Very frustrating to say the least. And breathe...rant over.

[mo76]

Phew. TNT found it and delivered today. All intact and looking good. Had an interesting 45mins putting the base together with no instructions but very happy with it. Looking forward to giving it a good test run soon. Judging by a lot of the threads i've read on here i'd better start getting familiar with the art of collimation then.

Mick

[bmitchell82]

amen to that :) good luck its a bit of a learning curve, but one that is easily scalable.