Quote:
Originally Posted by glend
I really hope they are going to address some of the lingering quality issues of their smaller RCs. The need to have a focuser collimation ring, and they don't ship with one. Scope delivered badly out of collimation , just no point claiming they setup in the factory if few seem to get one that doesn't take time to get sorted. Etc etc.
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Actually the collimation ring has been addressed some time ago. All scopes 12" and up have a rear collimation ring as part of the scope now. I had a bit to do with that development as the rig I am using is so heavy the old mirror assembly was not up to holding that sort of weight. Part of the solution was to develop a centring ring for the rear assembly.
I agree about the collimation being out but if you own a folding scope of any type you should know how to collimate it front and rear. I have never known a either a Newtonian, SCT or RC to never fall out of collimation when being moved by road transport. So being shipped overseas might just prove to disturb the collimation.
A long focal length will need a wide sensor I suspect if you are going to use it at native. As an example Martin Pugh is using a STXL11002 on his CDK17 and that does not produce really wide looking images. There is a nice even fit with that combination.
The 20" will need a big mount to carry it. An EQ8 could theoretically work but whether it will guide correctly or not is another matter.
Even if there is some teething problems with these big scopes they will still be a 1/4 of the price of their more prestigious cousins, so worth considering if you are on a limited budget.
I had considered the 16" but at present I am trying to eliminate other equipment problems. Cash is a little short too, so that kind of kills the idea for now.