GSO versus Meade Lightbridge 16" Dobsonians

[Lismore Bloke]

This question may have been asked before, but, I would like to ask for opinions or personal experiences of the GSO and Meade 16" Dobsonians. After looking through glenc's new GSO 16" I am seriously considering one of that size, if I can handle it. Any replies or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Paul.

[mozzie]

hi paul,
don't know about the gso setup but i have a lightbridge 16"..easy to setup and collimate alt/az move nicely in both directions and the mirror gives me fantastic views !!!!!!!!! knowing there a cheap scope for there size i am so happy with it...are you going to astrofest this year?? i will be there last 3 nights if you want to have a look through it.....

my thoughs are both types are similar and probably made at same factory and bang for buck says it all !!!!!!!!!!

[Stardrifter_WA]

I have the 16" Lightbridge, however, I found that it was difficult to accurately position, as the scope always drops slightly in the rocker box when positioning it. I wasn't at all happy with it.....UNTIL....I got the JMI Track-N-Train fitted to it. Now it moves very smoothly, on roller bearings, mon both alt/az, and it will also track nicely. For a relatively cheap scope it produces very nice images. It is a good value scope, but you should consider adding the JMI T-N-T to it to make it much more enjoyable to use.

Cheers Peter

[Lismore Bloke]

Thanks for the replies Peter and ... er ... Peter!! I was pretty blown away with the view through Glen's GSO 16", so not much convincing needed. I haven't heard about the JMI Train and Track - some sort of motor drive or go-to? I'm not really looking for motor drives or photography setups. I'm not sure if anyone sells Train and Track here. I already have the Argo on the 12" (great gear) and if I went for the 16" would fit it to that. Perhaps a bit of strengthening and bracing around the base might stiffen the structure up if needed. Unfortunately I won't be at Astrofest. Any thoughts on transport problems of a scope that size - are they too much of a pain to move? Paul.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Paul, the JMI T-N-T isn't goto, it is just a drive for the dob. It works really well and saves having to continuously move it manully, however, the primary advantage is the roller bearing on both axis that provide a much smoother movement that can generally be expected from a dob.

JMI has to be obtained directly and I have many JMI products, they are great to deal with. I am just about to get their collimation motors for my 16" as it will be set up permanently in an observatory and there isn't much room for easy collimation.

I am sure you will be happy with whatever you decide to get.

Clear skies and keep lookin' up!

Peter :)

[mozzie]

yes paul i stiffened mine with some added supports on the base.has made a big difference...portability is easy you will have no prob,s lifting it around..only the base size 800mm round can be a bit painful lifting into vehicles,but thats the same on all of these types of scopes...