Meade or Skywatcher , what and why would you do ?

[Blakout]

Need help in deciding which one , Ive been Looking at buying the skywatcher GOTO 14" Dob or the Meade Lightbridge Deluxe 16" .

The skywatcher GOTO is currently on special for $2500 while the lightbridge is $2000 , how do these scopes compare in quality ?

Would I be better off buying the Meade and fitting a Quality goto of my choice , or do the goto systems on the skywatcher work well ?

Ive also heard that the GSO mirror on the 16" Lightbridge can be hit and miss as far as quality goes , if this is the case would I be better off with the 14 " Skywatcher ? :question:

So basically Im after a large dob with a goto that actually works well , any other suggestions on other brands would be appreciated .

THX in advance for any help :thumbsup:

[PeterM]

Goto is very handy to have. The extra light gathering of the Meade 16 inch would be ideal also with an Argo Navis fitted (push to not goto).

[mozzie]

hi neil'
i bought a second hand 16" lightbridge for star parties and to take to other locations away from home...i have a digital inclimator for alt and i use manual setting circle for az.i is very accurate easy to use.i can easy find 15 mag galaxies which are just faint whisps all for under $100.so for me the 16" was all about apeture the bigger the better...with a cheap setting circle.

[Blakout]

that sounds like a good cost effective option Mozzie , cheers for the info , gives me something to think about . on a side note have you compared your scope with a skywatcher ?

[mozzie]

i have a little 8" skywatcher and it's a great scope...but if you went the 16" you'll be glad you did...
also the skywatcher is heavier with both parts primary & secondary and the truss all joined together just slide apart..the meade is lighter and takes 5 mins to setup...

[brian nordstrom]

:) Hi I dont have either but I have looked thru both , and helped set them up , so ,,,,, Apature RULES !!! go the 16 inch , you wont be dissapionted .
The 16LB's are easy to set up and take down and Mozzies idea is a good one .:thumbsup: .
Brian.

[Blakout]

Yep 16" it is :)

Thx for the replys guys , Ive made my mind up to go 16" , now just to work out what one , :shrug::shrug::shrug: . GSO/lightbridge or skywatcher :shrug::shrug::shrug:

[mozzie]

great choice neil... you will be happy with the 16"..know which one!!!! the one that you can afford and manage by yourself even look at a good second hand..

[Blakout]

Hit the button on a 16" GSO from Andrews today :D a new shipment arriving in the next two weeks , now for the Argo Navis :thumbsup: can anyone recommend an aftermarket tracking mod for the GSO ?
:thanx:

[mozzie]

well done!!!!!!! gary from wildcard sells these argo navis...he is regular here on iis can give you the best advise as what to get.....

[Blakout]

Cheers Peter , Gary does looks like the guy to see , can't wait to get this sucker pointing at the sky :D

[mozzie]

yer' i had a look at it on the andrews site.... sweet.....