I have a giant telescope that I have never effectively used

[nooboscope]

I suppose 'giant' is a relative term, maybe it's not even all that large compared to what you guys use, but it's HEAVY!

I have a scope I bought from a guy who sells telescopes here in Victoria, at the time it seemed like a great idea, after all it was taller than I am and about a foot or so diameter.. I thought I'd be counting the teepees on Europa in no time.

Unfortunately it didn't come with a mount, and trying to line it up with anything is like trying to manually aim a galleon cannon. I have to put a big load of wadded up towels on the ground so that it doesn't roll around, then brace it against a stone table we have in our garden, and then get someone to hold it very still for me while I try to incrementally get it to line up to something that looks encouragingly bright in the night sky.

I like to think that I'm a positive person, but I must admit that sometimes, on a particularly crisp and starry night, when the heavens are clear and the air is still, and I am screaming in fury at my hapless assistant to put his goddam back into it and stop jiggling the blasted thing, I catch myself wondering if this is truly the way that this noble pursuit should be conducted.

So far (about 2 years), I have managed to see the moon quite a bit, although it is difficult and burns my eyes, and Jupiter once, which was the literally the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

I'd love to see it again, but honestly I'm running out of patience (and towels).

I have called telescope shops, but they don't build or sell mounts for this scope. I know I need a dob mount. I got the book 'making and enjoying telescopes' but honestly.. it's just beyond me. I know that many people around here would be agog that I could be so technically ignorant, but.. well I can't do it. I am still on an RSPCA watchlist due to a rabbit hutch that I attempted to construct as a child.

I am in Victoria. I will drive a long way if I have to. Does anyone here have a mount they will sell, or know where to get one?

My telescope is about 6 feet tall and a foot across. I really wish I had bought a smaller one, I was so so excited to get it, I have watched so many lectures on astronomy and cosmology and I have hundreds and hundreds of high def space photos.. but so far the ultimate enjoyment of seeing it for myself has largely eluded me.. it's really just been a massive headache and I am getting really discouraged. I had such big plans, and now I don't even have any clean towels.

ANY advice would be great.. except for 'build a mount!' :P

Anyway.. peace!

[Allan_L]

Depending on what size diameter your scope is, there is a 10inch DOB mount for sale, NOW, on this site, in the Mounts section of the classifieds?
oh, and :welcome: to IIS

[RCOS1]

If the scope is 14 inches or less, the NASA MOTS MOUNT
in the classifieds Telescopes and Mounts Section would
allow mounting and tracking and its in Victoria :)

[ballaratdragons]

Noobo, where in Victoria are you? :shrug:
We have a lot of members spread right across Victoria and you may live near one of us.
One or more of us may be able to help out in some way. :thumbsup:

We may be able to get your scope mounted somehow, or wash your towels for you at least :P

[OICURMT]

1) If the "guy" really sells scopes, he would have sold you a mount. considering the number of people on this forum who deal with "guys who sell scopes", if you could share the name, someone here could probably give you more solid advice.
2) R'we trolling?


Anyway.. bait! :lol:

[mikerr]

" If the "guy" really sells scopes, he would have sold you a mount."

Must be the same mongrel that sold me a GIANT mount without a scope!!!
I still haven't been able to see anything with that stupid mount.

Michael

[nooboscope]

Hi, thanks for the replies.

His name was Chris Ellis, if memory serves. He sells telescopes. However it's not his fault I didn't get a mount, it didn't come with one. He was quite helpful and even used a device with a laser to calibrate it for me.

I just didn't realise how unwieldy the thing would be.

I live in Ivanhoe in Melbourne.

I'll measure the telescope precisely as soon as I get home (it is about 10-12 inches diameter), I just wanted to post to say thanks very much for the replies.

I am definately not trolling, I am however a noob.

Thanks again, more info coming asap. :)

[traveller]

If you are handy with power tools, you might give these plans a try
http://www.sidewalkastronomers.us/id5.html
Cheers, Bo:welcome:

[Visionoz]

If it's Chris Ellis you bought from then you're in luck because he can be contacted here: http://www.astronomyalive.com.au/about-us

You can PM him here in IIS as Astromelb

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[jenchris]

You sound like my brother - he's as daft as a brush too.
Though his name isn't Basil, Mr Derek!
Mikerr.
That mount of yours - would it be St Michaels Mount? - I have a picture of it somewhere.

[erick]

How about a couple of photos of the scope noob?

[ballaratdragons]

I'm still trying to get my head around the point of: why would anyone buy a Telescope without a mount?

I can understand someone who already owns a mount buying just the OTA.

Didn't this Cris Ellis (spelling of 'Cris' from his own website) ask if you want or need a mount? :shrug:
Strange service if he didn't. :screwy:

He is the same fellow who claims to be the Founder of the 'Astronomical Society of Melbourne', which doesn't really seem to exist :question:
Too much fishy stuff methinks.

[nooboscope]

Hi, sorry it took so long to get back, quite a busy day.

Okay - the reason I haven't contacted Cris Ellis is because he didn't have a mount for the scope in the first place, when I bought it. Honestly I think he was glad to offload it and yes, perhaps he saw me coming but I made the decision to buy it. He made it clear I would need a mount at some point, perhaps (to my mind) understated what is involved in constructing one, but then again maybe not, everyone except me seems to think it's very easy! If I contact him now demanding that he help me.. I don't know it doesn't seem right, I bought the thing off him, it's not his responsibility to help me.

Anway, the diameter of the scope (ie the outside tube,measured from the outside rim) is 48cm / 18". So.. er, quite a bit bigger than previously stated :mad2:

I will attach pictures of the scope. Please excuse the bad focus and the mangy hound in the pink jacket.

So.. am I up the creek, or do I have options?? Heres hoping!!

Thanks again everyone I really am grateful for the help and friendliness.

[ballaratdragons]

That's a Meade 16" Sonotube Reflector. Looks like an early 80's model.

Strangely, if you Google them you will see that people are giving them away in the USA.

You can build a Dobsonian base for it easy enough. Probably cost about $50 and about 2 - 3 hours work to make one.
But you will be pushing your luck to find a cheap EQ mount to carry it.

[nooboscope]

I had to google 'EQ mount'.. I didn't realise that there was yet another compenent that I will need.

I have a real sinking feeling that I'm going to end up having to take this thing to the tip, which wll be a real defeat I must say.

I guess I should start checking out the other forums for advice on a good first telescope on a budget. The really galling thing is the time I've wasted trying to use this thing when I could have been having a blast with a smaller telescope.

Just to make it clear, this guy Cris repeatedly told me that I would need a mount for this thing, he had a big photo book of telescopes that he showed me with mounts in them and explained what they are. I don't want to disparage him at all, as far as I'm concerned he runs a 100% reputable business and did everything he could to keep me informed. I wanted the big scope, I got what I wanted at the time.

[ballaratdragons]

Don't throw it to the tip!

A Dobsonian mount is fairly easy to make for it.

But if you really want to dump it, give it to an Astro Club who can probably turn it into a great usable scope for members to use.

An EQ mount is a different type of mount to a Dobsonian. Harder to set up and use, and very hard to see anything when the eyepiece is in the wrong place.

Whereas a dobsonian mount is easy to set up (takes a minute or so), easy to use (just move it to anywhere you want to look), and the Eyepiece is almost always reachable.

Personally if I were you, I'd be making a Dob mount for it, or getting together with an Astro club that can help you make one.
If you wanted to make the 2 hour drive up here to our Clubroom I'm sure we could construct something for you.
Or try a closer Astro club to you.

It seems a waste for you not to get to use it.

P.S. I hope the mirrors are still in good condition.

[mikerr]

noobscope. have a look at the Dobsonian telescopes about a third to half way down this page.

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm

"IIncredible GSO 16" (400mm) Dobsonian telescope!"

You have 95% of the complete unit, just need to make the boxlike base out of MDF or similar.

Michael

[bojan]

Yep, build a dobsonian mount.. 16" is worth the effort - which is not a big one for basic mount. It may be more involved if/when you will need tracking but even this can be handled relatively easy and inexpensively - if you have handyman skills.
There is a lot of websites that describe how to do it..
a good start is here:
http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/tm.html
and here:
http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/BBAstroDesigns.html#Computer_Operat ed_Telescopes
(you can omit motors and computer controls for the start)

[spudrick]

Here are the links to the Meade Scope with Mounts user manuals
1: Equatorial mount with the 16"
http://www.astronomics.com/main/documents/16starfinder.pdf

2: Dobsonian mount with the 16"
http://www.astronomics.com/main/documents/16dob.pdf

You will see what the scope should look like complete

[jjjnettie]

Hey ho. Nice scope. :)
Maybe someone here on the forum would be willing to do a swap, your 16" for a ready to use rig.
16" is great, but not if it's just sitting under your house.

[fuso]

Sorry but I don't get it.
What kind of person would sell a newbie a 16in dob without a mount?

I've dealt with chris before once...........and only once.

[torana68]

[QUOTE=ballaratdragons;765829]I'm still trying to get my head around the point of: why would anyone buy a Telescope without a mount?

Ive done it (cause I like old stuff that doenst pop up much), Ive also balanced an OTA on things to see what the optics were like but its not viable to "see" things, DOB mount is a good idea, depending on weight a GEM may turn up second hand at a reasonable cost.
It is an older scops and Im wondering two things
1. why sell to someone who is new to this a BIG scope without a mount at all?
2. What condition are the coatings on the mirror like

Check 2. before you do much else, this can be done by looking from the bottom of the mirror and see if you can see light , which would indicate thinning or dead coatings
this is a good add on astromart, go down till you see the photos of the mirror coatings
http://www.astromart.com/articles/article.asp?article_id=816

swapping may be a goer if its all good but maybe consider a new 8" DOB
it will be cheaper than the mount for that (10"probbaly cheaper too :D )
Roger
EDIT 1.25 or .96 sized eyepieces???

[alistairsam]

Hi,
As everyone's mentioned, making a dob mount would be fairly simple, just a few pieces of wood, cut to size, few screws, and a bolt.
you won't need anything more than just basic tools.

other option would be to sell the primary and secondary mirrors and buy an 8" or 10" dob or a collapsible dob as its a lot easier to handle for a beginner.
that's if the mirrors are in decent condition.

there are a lot of us here to help, as Ken mentioned, your closest astronomical society would be ideal for advise and options.
where are you based, there's bound to be someone from this community nearby.
good luck.

[alistairsam]

hi,

just noticed you mentioned you're in ivanhoe. i live in box hill, 15 mins away.
I'd be happy to help build you a mount on a weekend as i've got all the tools and bunnings is close by.
send me a PM if you're interested and we'll get that scope back in action.

[richardda1st]

Good one Alistair.:thumbsup:

Nooboscope, why not join us at the Snake Valley astro camp?
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=80301&page=2

If that's okay Ken? :question:

[nooboscope]

Hi again everyone. Wow that was a lot of reading!

Thanks a lot for all the info.. I am definately attempting to swim out out of my depth assimilating it all but really I'm honestly just blown away by how helpful everyone is, you have a really nice community here and I'm very grateful that you're helping me, especially with stuff that is clearly pretty elementary!

Going on the advice of ken, bojan and everyone else, I've decided to go ahead and attempt to build the mount, sans motors and electronics. All the reading has got me enthused about it again. Based on the links that you guys have set me up with I believe that I can probably do it. Alastair, thanks very much for the offer, I will attempt construction myself at least initially, as I would love to do it if I can - but if it's okay with you I will PM you once I get stuck in the thing head-first!

Roger I will check the mirror coating tomorrow, I suppose it needs to be done in daylight? Or with good ambient light? Because where it is stored at the moment it is a bit dark. I will check the eyepieces at the same time.

Alright, wish me luck! I hope to get started in the next few days. I'll keep you posted and really I hope that soon I am posting a photograph of my scope on a completed dob mount.. if it goes awry I'll post any xrays/police reports/newpaper editorials that my attempt generates.

cheers all! ben

[traveller]

Good luck Ben. I live near Ivanhoe, so if you need some power tools, clamps etc, just PM me.
Bo

[ballaratdragons]

Yes, of course it's alright :thumbsup:

Ben, see HERE (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=80301)
It is a great place to learn stuff from a lot of people at the same time :)

Oh, and it's fun too :lol:

[torana68]

anything really bright should do it, outside but not directly at the sun, flood light.....reason is its expensive to have the coatings redone properly

[jenchris]

Darn, I wish you lived up here, I'm dying to trundle up some woodwork.
I've even got an old Bike I could make a EQ mount from

[BEVAN5433]

Ben I want a good home for it. If you want a Dobsonian mount for 16-18" mirror I have one which will need little work to rebuild I can assist you and I am in Ivanhoe/Eaglemont Bevan

[stephenb]

:rolleyes: Yes, Ken. My opinion from first and second hand dealings? steer weeeell clear.

Ben, I'm guessing a weekend arvo, some timber, screws, glue, a few tools and some help from some IIS helper elves and you'll have a beauty of a telescope. Keep us posted on your progress.

Stephen

[Dieselten]

An alternative is to give the scope a makeover by getting a kit from Dobstuff and converting it into a very aesthetic and usable Dobsonian. The website is www.dobstuff.com (http://www.dobstuff.com) and it's well worth a look.

If the existing mirror is good you may well end up with a very fine telescope for a very reasonable outlay. Also keep in mind everything in a Dobsonian is upgradeable.

In any event, festina lente or "hasten slowly". Do the research before spending your hard-earned.

[nooboscope]

okay.. the mirror seems fine as far as i can tell. By the way, my eyepieces (about which I know precisely zilch) say PLOSSL 25mm Multi-Coated and PLOSSL 10mm multi-coated.

I hope these are correct for this scope?

Also I have a kind of sniper scope looking thing that attaches to the side of the scope, which I imagine is for lining the scope up - unfortunately it actually seems to attach upside down at the moment, but that should be a simple fix ;>

[nooboscope]

Bevan, I will try to build my own first - I kind of feel like it's a right of passage that I should at least attempt.

Sorry my reply takes a while I have been very busy, and thankyou kindly for the offer!

[traveller]

Hi Ben just google Dobsonian mount plans and maybe sidewalk astronomers and you will have plenty of plans to work with. Re the sniper scope, it's called a finderscope, as the name implies, it helps you to find things so the main scope can then bring out the details. You will need to align the finderscope with the main scope once you built the mount and secured the scope onto it. Don't worry about the image being upside down, it's meant to be like that. And you main scope image will also be upside down and mirror reversed. Anyway, Bunnings must be calling you by now. :lol:
Bo

[torana68]

they will do fine for the moment, after its all sorted there are more things you can get to play with but you need a mount first.