Quote:
Originally Posted by glend
even now, in my late sixties, i would not want to be up on the ladder on a damp cold night when the ladder is soaked in dew. The reality is that big dobs are a younger man's thing. Sure there are some exceptions, but as in my case, once your over 65 the big dob usually has to go for many reasons.
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Most of the 40 plus people who attend OZSKY every year and have done for the past 12 years are aged between 55 and 75. The reason is that this is generally the age demographic with the time and money and able to make the trip. There are a couple of exceptions who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, but most of them have no issues climbing the ladders to observe and its something they expect to happen knowing they are going to be using large aperture dobs.
I am almost 60 and still use my 14" and 18" dobs on a very regular basis and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Just for the record, Larry Mitchell is 70 and still uses his 36"/F5 Obsession on a very regular basis and being of older design and construction it is a behemoth that takes some handling.
Cheers,
John B