GSO 16" Dob - Your Reaction ?

[gaa_ian]

There has been a lot of talk about the much anticipated 16" GSO Dob.
What has your responce been to this impending release?

[mickoking]

I havent enquired yet but I definatley must have one. Big scope descent price I'm excited ;)

[rmcpb]

I'm waiting on all the second hand 12" scopes coming up :)

[Orion]

Not interested in buying a telescope under 20" as I already have an 18" :)

[mick pinner]

l would be interested in the reaction if someone did try to order one, the grape vine tells me that GS have been approached and asked not to produce this scope as it is someone elses design.

[gaa_ian]

Mick, that is a juicy bit of gossip, I hope that doesn't happen :scared:

[anthony2302749]

While the 16”GSO sound too good to be true I would not even consider purchasing one!!!!!!!!!!!!!x100. While GSO make top quality 8” 10” & 12” scopes, my money (and your money) would be better spent on purchasing either an Obsession or Discovery. If you are serious about owning a large aperture Dobsonian such as me (I am planning to own an 18” Obsession one day) you would be better to save up and buy yourself a scope that will give you a life time of enjoyment such as an Obsession instead of a scope (16” GSO) that will more than likely yield only half decent viewing and give you hours of frustration. And like anything half decent it will end up sitting in the corner of the shed collecting dust and you will be sitting inside, wishing that you had spent a little more on a top quality large aperture Dobsonian.

Please!!!!!!!! :prey: no more talk about this scope until we see real photo of the prototype, until then I have heard enough.

[asimov]

I'm not interested in anything bigger than what I already have (12.5")....Even a 12.5" is a pain to setup. If it was in a permanent observatory then I would change my tune quick smart though.

[mickoking]

But where is the fun in that ?;) Based on GSO's past performance I am quite confident the 16" Dob will be a winner. Saying that we are not mugs If the 16" turns out to be a piece of junk I am sure we will avoid it.

[Starkler]

I have my reservations, but where else can you get a truss dob in that aperture class without importing from the US (at huge costs) or building one yourself?

There was a truss dob builder mentioned in another thread, but he wont touch anything under 18inch. Im looking for something between 14-16 inch.

[Astroman]

I have an interest in this scope as it is twice the apature of what I already have. I would love an obsession scope but I cannot affort such beauty. If I could get a relatively cheap 16" scope I will get a relatively cheap 16" scope, there a quite a few people around who can make the optics better too. I am waiting for some sort of reviews and photographs, until then, I save.

[janoskiss]

Sorry, Anthony, I have to remain skeptical about your advice, as you are a representative of Bintel who sell 8,10,12" GS Dobs and soon the 8-12" Meade Lightbridge, but will not be selling larger Dobs in the forseeable future. I also remain skeptical of the 16" Dob from GSO until I see one for myself. But my inexperienced opinion is that for me, as far as Dobs are concerned, any larger than 10-12" is going to be the ultimate (but still manageable) aperture scope to keep for life, so it will be a long and hard decision, with lots to learn before I spend the big bucks.

[davidpretorius]

i am still happy with what i have got. i will sit back and see what happens. who knows ini a few years time though???

[chunkylad]

That about sums it up for me atm too Davo. The amount of time and money I have to devote to my hobby dictates that I'm probably better off investing in some more quality eps and upgrades for my GSO 12"er, than outlaying bigg(ish) bucks for something that may be better suited to a dedicated observatory - something which is not on the agenda in the foreseeable future. As Asi said, the 12" requires enough set up/pack away time for me.:)

Given the funds, the time and space to use it however, and a large truss dob would be mine!!!!:wink2:

[ving]

gawd... my response doesnt fit the poll. :P

some one buy me one of these? ;)

[slice of heaven]

So who's got one on order....

[netwolf]

Bird's new scope is way cooler... I wonder how it would compare for cost..

[janoskiss]

Bird's scope is something else. If the GS 16" is a Holden SV, then Bird's new scope is a V8 Supercar.

[Starkler]

I think the main voting option missing is:

Im thinking about it , but too chicken to order until others have theirs :whistle:

[mickoking]

I think as a matter of priority when this 16" Dob becomes available some one with experience in these matters test it on behalf of the IIS members.

[Dobman]

Who would'nt love a 16"? Lets face it, SIZE DOES matter!! but how do you move such a beast? My 12" is a hand ful ( no rude innuendo intended!) A 16" is really heading towards a dedicated observatory, & how many people have a spare mountain & dome in their backyard??

Will be interested to hear reviews when someone is brave enough to buy one:prey2:
Simon
Ps Hope everyone going to IISac has a great time

[gaa_ian]

OK ... Its me, I have our clubs name down for one :wink2:
I for one would like to be able to show people Galaxies, that look like something other than a fuzzy smudge :nerd:
Lots of Em ....
You know the feeling, surfing throught the Virgo, Leo, Sculptor groups etc.
So many galaxys in the field of view that you have to stop to count them :drink:

[iceman]

I'll ask Lee Andrews for a loan of one when they come onshore, for the purposes of a review. Whether he agrees or not, I dunno.

I'm not experienced in truss designs, but i'll invite Andrew Murrell to come observing with me to get his input, as he owns "hector", the 20" truss dob.

[Harlequin]

My reaction is to wait until the scope details are available, and take into consideration the comments/reviews from the early users from this community.


Best Regards


Daniel

[Starkler]

Me too :whistle:

[wavelandscott]

I reckon my Discovery is enough for me for now...besides, I would not want to be one of the first to own one anyway...the "bleeding edge" is not a place I like to be...I am much more of a laggard when it comes to new "new things"...but good luck to those that jump in early!

[gaa_ian]

Here at the "Bleeding Edge" we are hoping to be able to give a good review !
Perhaps those of us who want one should put our orders in "Subject to supply of test scope to Iceman @ IIS, and a good review" ;)

[bytor666]

I don't know who it was that said GSO's are not any good, but I myself used a 12" GSO and the images it produced, (for what it was INTENDED for , Deep space objects), were very satisfying.
I also had some seriously great images of the planets with this telescope and it was not made specifically for planets !!!....The 16" GSO is obviously a DEEP SPACE telescope, and I bet that it will perform just fine on deep sky, and prob just fine on the planets too. ;)
-----------------------
Mark

[Argonavis]

It may be a bit far to freight or travel and pick up, but John Connelly on the Gold Coast has built quite a few 16inchers. Astroron has one.

go to

http://www.sdmtelescopes.com.au/johnconnellycustomscopes.html

[gaa_ian]

Thanks Argo ...that gives me a plan B !

[Stu]

I'd bet that the John Connelly scope would have a much better mirror too!

I was talking to Mick the other day and we both agreed that if the 16" GSO dob mirrors were any good, you'd by the scope, pull out the mirror and put it in something a lot better.

IMO the standard teflon bearings that GSO use would have no chance with a 16" mirror on them.

I am slowly begining to think that the GSO truss dobs may be different to the Meade ones. But the proof is in the pudding! If they are different the mirror will certaintly give it away.

[Starkler]

Thanks argo :thumbsup:
Making enquiries.

[Argonavis]

I don't think John supplies the mirror (I could be wrong on that point). Most of his scopes have had Meade optics in them. Meade did sell the optics separately some years ago. Now you have to buy the whole scope, cardboard, chipboard and all. One comment at an ATM afternoon we used to run was "its a Meade and we're turning it in to a telescope..." Mind, some of the Meade 16 inch mirrors were great. Astroron has one, and his mirror is good. Very good. Superlative actually. Loads of detail on Jupiter. I could not say that about the 16 inch mirror I got from Meade. After looking through Astroron's I feel sorry for the bloke I sold mine to, although I don't think he uses it much.

So perhaps you need to buy the optics from Zambuto, OMI, Torus or Galaxy, or Mark Sutching in Sydney.

[Starkler]

I have Pm'd Astrorun a few days ago to ask about his scope and he hasnt responded yet.
:(

[gaa_ian]

I spoke to Andrews Comms. today
They told me the scopes are still planned to ship from GSO in March & be on sale here in April !

[janoskiss]

GSO will be in a rush to get those scopes out on time. Wonder how that's going to impact on the quality of the final product. :confuse3:

[iceman]

Astroron has been on a roadtrip around Australia.. he stopped in at Lostock on Saturday, after driving from Perth!

I'm sure he'll respond when he's back in QLD.

Was great to meet him, a very nice guy and a wealth of knowledge.