Has anyone used the 16 inch Meade Dodsonian?

[ozskywatcher]

Just wondering if anyone could comment on the 16 inch Meade Dobsonian. I would like to buy a larger dobsonian telescope and I am wondering if it is worthwhile getting.

I would be using it for casual observing and for use with school students at nights run by my local astronomical society.

Thanks in advance,

Paul Floyd.
www.nightskyonline.info

[qld]

go for it...great value for money

[mbaddah]

Hi Paul,

I have used a 16" Lightbridge and owned a 10". Personally I would not purchase a 16" LB due to it's sheer size and weight. I'm a fairly large bloke and the thing is a mammoth! Might want to test one out if possible before taking the plunge.

[ozskywatcher]

I will have to find out if anyone in Canberra owns one so I can see how big it is.

The other (smaller) alternative is one of the Skywatcher collapsable telescopes.

Thanks,

Paul Floyd.

[Archy]

Good value for money.
You will also need to get one top quality eyepiece (forget the one that comes with the scope).
Then over time: shroud, top quality laser collimator, paracor and other eyepieces.

[sheeny]

Yep. Great scope for the money. And yes it is big, but that's not a problem at all on a scope-buggy;).

Al.

[Barrykgerdes]

I have had one for 18 months and only used it once as it is too big to be really called portable. Otherwise it is a good performer. No it is not for sale! I intend to add an Argo Narvis and locate it at a place where it can be set up easily.

Barry

[ozskywatcher]

Thanks for everyones comments.

It sounds like I can rule out it being suitable for putting in the car easily.

Regards,

Paul Floyd.

[DaveM]

I have a 16" Lightbridge (now sadly in storage in Canberra as I am living overseas at the moment). I found it to be reasonably portable, and quick to set up and break down. The primary mirror box is heavy and the shape is awkward, but I managed to pick it up and carry it short distances from the car. I put lockable wheels on the base to make moving on a hard surface easier. It fit into the back of my station wagon easily and I think it is a great option for the aperture. I understand that the quality of the primary mirror is a bit variable with these scopes as they are not top of the range, but the one I got seemed to be one of the better ones, based on the opinion of another more experienced amateur astronomer.

David

[sasup]

I have a 12" light bridge and its great fun and on the larger size one would call portable. I am still building my new 16 and it will stay in the back yard mostly i think