Advice needed on Saxon Dob's

[Rayw]

I planned to buy the Skywatcher Dobsonian 12" which is the collapsable type, now I have come across a Saxon full tube 12" (which I prefer as portability is not an issue) which is a bit cheaper, $1100 for the SW $899+$89 Delivery for the Saxon, they look the same to me , but I would appreciate anyones advice on the 2 models, below is from the Astronomy Alive web site ,
Thanks, ray

Saxon Dob 12 - 304mm (12 inch) Reflecting telescope system
Regular Price: $ 2,199.00
Special Price: $ 890.00
Add to Cart
Globally recognised Premium Saxon Quality

UPGRADED - "Higher Spec Model"

UPGRADED 304mm (12 inch) aperture Newtonian, 1500mm Focal length, plus ULTRA EASY to USE Dobsonian mount

UPGRADED Ultra smooth Crayford focuser (ultra smooth operation)

UPGRADED Premium Plossl eyepieces (CORRECT SIZE - 25mm & 10mm)

WHY UPGRADED MODEL - This is a QUALITY Deep Space telescope, without the upgrades it's performance is significantly reduced

Australia's favourite Large Aperture Deep Space telescope

Superior Performance on Advanced level Astronomy - Lunar, Planetary, Stars, Star Clusters & Superior Deep Space capability

INCLUDING FACTORY BACKED 3 YEAR WARRANTY

[dannat]

Saxon is just re-badges skywatcher, 899 is a terrific price for 12" dob, it wasn't so long ago you would have paid that for a secondhand model..the collapsible has affected the market prices imo

[dannat]

I had one of chris (astroalive) 12" for a while & it gave good views, the incl plossl ep's weren't junk either, check cloudy nights for sterling plossl which I believe they arevthe same as

[Rayw]

Thanks for the info Daniel :thumbsup:

Ray.

[wavelandscott]

If bulk is no issue, a solid tube Dobsonian mounted reflector is a good scope. I would expect the quality of the mirror to be similar. Solid tube will likely hold collimation pretty well between nights out compared to the other considered scope but its bulk may cool down slower. Enjoy!

[Rayw]

Hi Scott, the telescope will live in a garage (not used for anything else) which is about 20 mtrs to a nice dark viewing area I have picked out in my backyard, so I think me and my wife will manage it ok:) we are looking forward to it as we will be retired soon, so we are looking forward to both events :thumbsup:
Ray.

[wavelandscott]

With that in mind, you might want to consider getting a small handtruck from Bunnings or similar. Coupled with a few bunge straps and you can wheel in and out in a flash. I'd also suggest you look into buying or building a solid adjustable height observing chair. I found my enjoyment went up even more when I got one.

Cheers!

[StarsInMyEyes]

Hi Ray, I have had a solid tube 12" Saxon dob for about 5 years now and have had no problems with it. I find its excellent for finding those deep sky objects and it holds collimation well.
In my opinion, if storage and transportabilty is not part of the equation, then I would go for the solid tube dob and the money saved could be put towards a couple of nice eyepieces or a good laser collimator.
I also think Daniel is correct. Saxon, Skywatcher, Orion, etc - the mirrors are all pretty much the same.

Pete

[Rayw]

Hi Pete, thanks for posting your experience of the Saxon I will go ahead and order it, as you say I can use the money saved towards other accessories , I plan on getting a Telrad and a laser collimator which they have in stock, do you use any software for finding your way around the sky ? I have downloaded the free Stellarium app which seems ok,

Ray.

[StarsInMyEyes]

Hi Ray ,
I use Starry Night, but i have also used stellarium and find it is just as good ( plus its free :thumbsup: ). I have a good set of star charts aswell that I downloaded from here http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1052 , printed them and had them laminated.

There is also a much more detailed set of star charts here http://www.uv.es/jrtorres/ , but you might want to buy a ream of paper and make sure your ink cartridges are full if you want to print this one.

Pete

[Liz]

Hi Ray ... I have the 10" flex dob, which I love dearly, but there are a few issues compared to the solid tube.
They are a bit heavier than the solid, and also its a worry with the exposure to the elements for the primary mirror, and also ... mine is not holding collimation very well - could be my fault there.:rolleyes:
Thats a great price so go for it!!! :thumbsup:

[Rayw]

Thanks Pete for the cloudy nights link, it looks very interesting, I will download that one first first ,
Cheers
Ray.

[Rayw]

Hi Liz, yes I have ordered the solid tube one already :) ,

I like the way you have given some comments on your equipment ..I will stay away from the 100' 2" :D

Ray

[Rayw]

Well my 12" Dob arrived on Wednesday and to my great surprise it was a collapsable Dob :eyepop: I emailed Cris at Astronomy Alive to say that they had sent the wrong Telescope ! Cris explained that he had emailed to say that they had upgraded my purchase at no extra cost, I had not seen the email, for some reason I had missed it :shrug: so I decided to keep it and tonight I gave it a little work out, anyone in Perth will know it was not the best time to do this :rolleyes: but hey the moon was out,But I was blown away with what I could actually see even with the clouds and even THROUGH the clouds!! So I pointed it at the moon not expecting too much just wanted to see something, well I could see everything craters ridges valleys Wow, then I remembered that Saturn was prominent at the moment so looked on the Stellarium app and yep just below the moon, it was popping in and out of the clouds, but managed to find it in the finder scope and when I saw it ...well I will never forget it !! slowly drifting through the 25mm eyepiece I watched it for ages going back and forth with the scope, I put on the 10mm for a little while which was amazing but a little too quick ,
Ok better shut up now before you all start snoring :rofl:

Thanks all

Ray

Ps, Collomation :confused2: took me an hour and still couldn't get the laser beam in the centre !! I will be back with more ??'s :rolleyes:

[barx1963]

Ray
Congratulations on the Scope and on the upgrade. You will pribably find the 10mm plossl will get very little use. If I may make a suggestion when you are looking at a higher power eyepiece give the 13mm T6 Nagler a try, works like a dream in my 12". Collimation is practice. Try to get along to a club night or other observing night and ask someone to walk you through the procedure. Once you have done a few times, it only take a couple of minutes.

Malcolm

[PCH]

Hi Ray,

congrats on the new scope. Re the collimation, you'll find the process much easier if you get a set of Bob's Knobs for the primary and secondary, - (if it doesn't already have them or something similar).

Cheers :thumbsup:

[Rayw]

Thanks Malcolm, I will look into the 13mm once I am more familiar with the scope,

Ray.

[Rayw]

Hi paul,

I have heard about Bobs Knobs and will have to check them out, the Primary is ok as they have quite big Knobs I can turn easily with my fingers but the secondary is a bit fiddley with a 2mm hex key,

Ray.... originally from Preston :thumbsup:

[vanwonky]

Hi Ray, very exciting to hear the 12" Dob is giving you such good viewing straight out of the box. I have been very reserved about getting mine but will jump soon. Meanwhile a bit of naked eye and binocular stuff has kept me going. Are you going to keep the collapsible? And if you don't mind me asking, which collimator have you purchased as that is something I will need to buy with the scope as well. Plus Bob's Knobs!
Cheers
Dave

[Rayw]

Hi Dave, yes I decided to keep the collapsable , I think I will buy or make a shroud for it though, I am nervous about the opening !! , the Collimator was from Saxon ..Saxon Premium quality Laser collimator... it is easy to use but fiddley adjusting the secondary, I had another try with it this afternoon and I managed it much better than the first go, Bobs Knobs would be a good investment I think,
I say go for it Dave because the view is great even on cloudy nights :eyepop:

Ray :thumbsup:

[StarsInMyEyes]

Hi Ray,
Congats on the purchase - I'm sure you will get hours of enjoyment from it. Collapsables and Truss-tubes need a bit more attention in the collimating department than the solid tubes, but Malcolm is right, get someone to show you a couple of times, then all you need is a little practice.

Clear skies :thumbsup:
Pete

[Rayw]

Thanks Peter,
a friend of my daughter who has the same telescope has offered to show me the ropes on collimating this w/end :) so hopefully we will have clear sky, last night was good and managed to find the Jewel Box , I bought a Telrad and I must say it is way better than the finder scope that came with the telescope, I know now were to look for Saturn and last night I just put the bullseye on it and presto it was right there in the eyepiece :thumbsup:

Ray