Which size Doby

[Jooster]

I have a Celestron C8 with electric micro focuser Dec motor and a stalight xpress ccd that I use for Photography. I am considering buying a 12 inch Bintel Doby. I live near the Dandy ranges and have good dark site in my back yard. What I need to know is how easy it would be to move around, and is the 12 inch the way to go?? Jooster

[mickoking]

G'day and welcome Jooster

If you have a nice dark back yard a 300mm Dob would be fantastic. They are on the big side but if by moving around you mean setting it up for a nights viewing the size wouldn't be too much of a concern. :)

[Wombat_In_Space]

You can have a look here to see the size of a GSO 12" same as the Bintel 12" these are the pics from the snakevally star party in november last year posts 11&16 in this thread are the ones that show the size of the scopes, hope this helps.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=5075

[janoskiss]

Considering you already have an 8" Newt (I assume that's what the C8 is), I'd say you'd have to go with 12" (or bigger! :D) for your next scope. Why not drop into Bintel to have a look at the size of the beast first hand? They always have the three Dobs, 8,10 & 12", on display.

[RAJAH235]

Why not go 16" or 18" truss tube? Easy to assemble etc..:D L.

[Jooster]

No. A C8 is a Schmid Cass

[asimov]

If your looking for some cost effective serious aperture the 16" might be the answer for you.

[xrekcor]

Yup! I have decided to by-pass the 12" gso and looking to the 16" since I
already have an 8" newt the 12" isn't a huge step like the 16 will be.
Aperture rules and will be nice out here in the bush!!!

But from what I have seen, not owned. They all look pretty easy to move
around. Unless you have a back problem. Even then some folks use trollys to
move them. Something to consider if your storing it in the garage.

regards,CS

[janoskiss]

I have the 8" Dob, and having looked through 10 & 12" scopes, I will not be buying either. The 8" is sweet. For me it's the best compromise between aperture and portability. Soon I will be getting a smaller scope for even more portability, and eventually, a much bigger Dob; I donno how big; as big as I'm comfortable handling and transporting. But I have to do a lot more saving and looking thru other people's big dobs before then.

[mickoking]

I once owned a 350mm truss Dob and it was an absolute pain to set up every time I wanted to observe and I eventually traded it in. But that was in the days where that was my only 'scope. On hindsight it would have been better to own a smaller scope as well as the 350mm Dob so If I wanted a short session I could have dragged out say a 150mm Dob and just use the big Dob for all nighters.

[janoskiss]

Mick, that is why I will hang onto my 8" Dob even after getting a much bigger scope. Big truss dob will be for nights and weekends away dedicated for observing under dark skies.

[BerzerkerNerd]

Hi, for what it is worth, to help move my 10" dob about the back yard and elsewhere i kept the square cardboard box the base came in, cut it off about 6" above the box base and sat the telescope in that, you then attach a small rope or occy strap to the handle on the front of the dob base (bintel scope) and then drag it around the yard behind you ( therefore not risking your back by bending over and dragging, or being jumped by yowie's), good if you must clear trees or other obstacles for viewing. After a couple of months the cardboard gets ratty- so have built a simple but slightly smaller box out of ply and pine: magic.

It helps to sand the ply base smooooth on the bottom, corners and edges as well, but if you have obstacles about, this may work to quickly relocate especially if the scope is a 12" to 16" beast. it should slide easily especially if a truss tube number is in it. The sliding base box moves easier than expected. Terrain it has conqoured thus far ; Grass long and short, dry sand, beach, gravel, dirt, leaves, insects, cane toads etc.. for the 10" GSO, base box dimensions are 60x60x16 cm high.
;)
Steve M

[ving]

i vote hang out till late feb-march and get a 16" truss from andrews communications :)

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, the GS 16" would certainly be nice!

But to answer your question Jooster, I have the GS 12" cannon and have no trouble with it. It takes under 2 minutes to set up and under 2 minutes to put away. I don't move mine around the yard so I don't have a problem with that side of it.
As for transporting, I have a Ford EB Falcon 'S' sedan and the OTA fits across the back seat with the base on the front seat. I don't find the 12" heavy at all, but someone else might.

[cjmarsh81]

Hey Berzerkernerd,

Wouldn't dragging around your dob in a box with no wheels vibrate it out of collimation?

[RAJAH235]

I wouldn't think so. :D L.

[BerzerkerNerd]

Hi cjmarsh81, not yet anyhow, and i am always onto collimation ( you dont really need the laser guided thingy's) whats more the scope has survivied over a 2Km pull on its hand trolley/viewing seat transporter to the local site of choice with no mirror misalignment- honestly as long as locking screws are sensibly taught then it takes an awfull lot of abuse to decollimate any half decent scope.
heres to being intrepid and going where you have to locally go!
Steve M

[mickoking]

Now that the 16" GSO is on the horizon I will practice what I preach. Have the 16" for all night sessions and keep the 250mm Dob for quickies. All I've got to do now is make my darling wife see the need for another scope and Save, Save, Save ;)

[BerzerkerNerd]

16" Sounds like a worthy goal mickoking:) : envy. Good luck in convincing the
missus!
:prey: .