Last Sunday my son-in-law, Tim, modified my 16" GSO Dob and reduced its weight by 8kg.
He replaced the two base circles with monopan.
http://www.monopan.ca/about/
It now moves very smoothly too.
Paul came out last night from Lismore and we observed from 9pm to 11pm.
It is rare to have a clear night this time of year and last night was excellent. Paul supplied some great 7mm and 12mm eyepieces.
We looked at Jupiter and its moons first then some DSOs.
Some of the DSO were:
OC: M35, M37, M45, M46, N2516, N2158, N3293
GC: N104, N362, N288, N2808, N3201
Neb: M42/43, M78, eta Car, M346, N1435, N1763, N1977, N2024, N2070, N2071, N2261, N2174, N3199, N3247, N3324, N3581/82, N3603, IC2944
PN: N1360, N1514, N1535, N2392, N2438, N2867, N3132, N3242, N3699
Gxy: SMC, LMC, M77, N253, N1313, N1365, Fornax group, 1549/53/66 and nearby galaxies.