[Scorpius (Dave)]

Originally Posted by PeteMo

Hi Scorpius



I have heard good things about SkyWatcher eyepieces, basically being advised that they are made at the same Guan Sheng factory as the Orion lenses. I know nothing about SkyWatcher scopes except that this seems to be the main brand flogged by Perth's BTOW in Malaga and Camera House in Midland.

When I contacted BTOW I was advised they do not carry GSO as they had "problems" with the optics. I am not sure what that actually was about...

The Skywatcher is made in mainland China not Taiwan where GSO is located The EPs that came with the SW880 are not GSO,(as far as I can ascertain) the design is different and the glass coating is colored violet as opposed to green for GSO

My only concern about the Skywatcher scopes is that they are significantly more than Bintel/Andrews, yet don't come with the Crayford 2" focuser and mirror fan as standard. If allowing an extra $119 - $149 for a Crayford 2", that takes the true cost to over $1000 for the Skywatcher, in which case the Andrews 10" Delux wins at $649 + $250. Even the Standard GSO 12" from Andrews comes in close at $799+$250, so if postage is the decider the GSO 12" looks good.

Although Andrews is currently advertising GSO 12" dobs, I was advised a couple of weeks ago they were not available until the new year. SW advise they do not plan a 12" dob at this stage. As for the focuser, I took the one off my 8". Fans are not an issue, a fan from an old computer power supply fits perfectly (the mirror mount is drilled and tapped) and any computer repair store will virtually give you one for a few cents. Being a Pyrex mirror, the temp variations are not the same as for plate glass, overall in Australia temperature extremes are not an issue, especially here in the west.

I'd still be curious to learn about your SkyWatcher, Where abouts in Perth are NVT please?

So far I am very impressed with the SW880, I phoned Greg at NVT at the Myaree Business Center and it was delivered the following morning. Go to my web page for a direct link to NVT or look up their current advert in this months Sky & telescope.
It went on "display" the following day at a local club meeting at the Murdoch University Observatory and had some very good viewing, without exception everyone was impressed.
However I agree, Its about time they stopped making R&P focusers. Once you have used a 10-1 Crayford reduction gear you would never use an R&P again. If you want a "real" crayford and have $250 US go to this site :- http://www.focuser.com/cgi-bin/dman....gi&product=CR1

Once skies clear I will be trying it out with the EOS 350D and will publish some photos on my web and here. Been lousy seeing over here since I bought the beast, either light pollution or cloudy