Quote:
Originally Posted by rrussell1962
Hi Matt, my experience with my truss tube dob is that the single difficulty with portability relates to the weight of the mirror box including the primary mirror. All the other parts break down to a few kg each. Most of the weight in a large dob will be in the mirror. I bought a couple of cheap ramps to avoid having to lift the mirror box. Set up time, including collimation, is less than 10 minutes.
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I have noticed the weight can be an issue with the mirror box. Thanks for the comments and confirming about the weight break down which really helps. Certainly on the orion skyquest XX16g I found some specs on the weight of different components (not sure how reliable the figures are as I cannot find too many places that give weights and dimensions). this is what I have on the weights and dimensions (sorry in pounds and inches but can convert in google easily enough):
Assembled weight (including accessories): 195 lbs. Assembled optical tube, 68" long, 69 lbs., including six counterweights, 1.25" eyepiece, and EZ Finder II. Bottom tube section without counterweights: 49.7 lbs. Upper tube section without accessories: 11.4 lbs. Truss pole assemblies: 7.9 lbs. Counterweights (9 x 2.2 lbs): 19.8 lbs. Base groundplate assembly: 61.4 lbs. Base left side panel: 26.4 lbs. Base right side panel: 12.3 lbs. Base front panel: 4.8 lbs. Assembled base dimensions: diameter 33.25", height 32.5". EZ finder and 2" DeepView 28mm eyepiece: 1.0 lbs.
I saw a video from the rep here -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHqSN3uMjvg and found some others by people that own them and one even showed how quickly they can assemble the dob - a little over 11 minutes while talking to people as well. I am leaning towards a dob by the looks of it.