New dob arrives

[MarkN]

The TNT man brought a 'present' from Bintel yesterday; a 10" Dob.

Seeing conditions promptly went down the toilet (goes without saying, doesn't it). Tonight seemed clear but the wind came with upper atmosphere turbulence.

Oh well, at least I had a good yarn with the TNT bloke who turned out to be someone I hadn't seen for over 20 years.

How many of you use Telrads, Rigels etc in preference to finder scopes on dobs? I'm nearly breaking my neck.

Mark.

[Miaplacidus]

Hi Mark, congratulations on the new scope. What sort of focuser does it have?

My dob had a Telrad until recently, when I replaced it with a green laser pointer. Both are excellent. GLPs are cool, but Telrads are pretty good still and perhaps better for some objects. I also have a RACI (Right angle correct image) 8x50 finder, which I got a while ago with the intention of saving my neck. I think most scopes still need a finder, even if you have a Telrad or GLP. (The exception is my 80mm refractor, which some insensitve people would say IS a finder.) Next on the list is digital encoders so I can use my Argo Navis. Obviously I'm not one of those who loves the hunt. Life's short, Hobart's cold.

Anyway, good luck!

Brian.

[OneOfOne]

I mounted a green laser on my scope next to the finder using a Lumicon bracket and my neck and back have never been happier. When I got the bracket I had to get it direct from the US but I think some companies now sell them in Australia.

People let out the occassional "wow", and that is just when I turn the laser on!

[rmcpb]

Congrats on the new scope, it will keep you going for a very long time.

As for the perennial question about finders. I simply use a Telrad on my scope, I removed the finder scope eventually and use the Telrad and a wide angle eyepiece. Printing out a Telrad chart from Starry Night is a good idea for the targets you wish to observe, from there its easy.

One thing to consider is light pollution, telrads are not too good in light polluted areas, there you would need a combination of Telrad and finder scope.

[wavelandscott]

I am a big fan of the Telrad...I too removed my finderscope and use the Telrad only (with a widefield eyepeice) on both of my Dobs...

[MarkN]

Miaplacidus:
The focuser is a Crayford according to the spec. The scope is a Bintel 10" premium. And just what excuse do you offer for still being up at 1:26 am, sir?

There seems to be an unusual degree of unanimity (well, unusual for astronomers anyway) in the response to my enquiry. Many thanks to all.

Mark.

[Miaplacidus]

About time to buy shares in Bintel, me thinks. That is one popular telescope. What persuaded you to get it, though, since you already have an LX90 (which BTW, I also consider a terrific scope)?

1:26 am? Alas, not astronomy I'm afraid, cos the weather is shockin'. Just insomnomiacal I'm afraid.

[mickoking]

One of my previous 'scopes (350mm truss Dob) had a telrad and personally I didn't like it. I much prefer the traditional finder scope, Guess I am used to viewing at awkward angles :P

[MarkN]

Miaplacidus:

The LX90 will be staying. Mine has performed extremely well in the fifteen months I have had it. I decided on it after originally looking at a 12" Dob and decided that the Meade would open up more of the night sky to begin with.

I still wanted a "light bucket" for DSOs and better planetary contrast, not too big and which could just be plonked down and start looking. Considered the Lightbridge but in the end Bintel's own scope was just too good to ignore . For me, the 10" is right whereas the 12" is just too big.

Even though the skies have been clear for the last two nights there is much upper atmosphere turbulence. The moon is "boiling" and Jupiter can't be resolved to any satisfactory degree so any objective assessment is out of the question. However, all this will pass.

Mick:
How are you managing with the physiotherapist's bills?

Mark.