just thought i'd toss this info in here to see what others think
I was planning on getting a 16" LB about 6 months ago but got busy with the building of the business so put it off. I figure I'll get a big scope in dec/jan, or at least order one then.
It doesn't need a computer but I will chuck a navis on later down the track.
The options seem to be - from cheapest to big bucks ;
- GSO 16" , $2400
- Lightbridge 16" , $2700
- Discovery 17.5"
I have been emailing them, they seem very professional and have a very good reputation from what I see. The 17.5" f/4.1 is $3999 usd. Shipping/insurance is $525 usd.
I calculate that after customs (biggest ripoff ever
) it'll end up costing $5700 AUD to my door.
it is this guy, scroll to the 17.5
http://www.discovery-telescopes.com/discovery/td.html
The 15" version is $1000 usd cheaper, though they reckon the 17.5"
is manageable by one person. I have a nice backyard for this, it'll stay in my garage which is like 3 metres from the observing point. I'll try and put her on wheels if I did it.
Now I reckon that $5700 would be about the limit of my budget and even that is a fair whack. I'd love to support a local aussie, meaning SDM - but he is a fair bit more expensive so I think that rules him out unless someone happens to sell one 2nd hand which i think is fairly unlikely.
So, any thoughts on these choices? I'd really like this scope to last a good few years - any consensus yet on if the lightbridge is built well enough for that, or is it worth the extra dollars for the discovery?
I think the question might also be what is better to use for the buck?
A $2700 16" with a couple of k of nice eyepieces or the discovery 17.5" with my existing televue/hyperion eyepieces.
this is just floating ideas, nothing will be done until late this year but I'm very keen to have a mega scope
I wish I'd pursued that avenue when I first bought all the electronic kit.