[Scooter]

Hi Ya Folks,

Been a lurker on the site for a while now and thinks it’s a great site with a wealth of information (sometimes so much it can do your head in). It has been probably 20 years since I owned a scope but I will occasionally head out with the camping binoculars and over that 20 odd years I have often considered getting into the hobby properly. Until I got the hardware I have messed around virtually (using things like Starry Nights etc. On that score everyone know the free space sim orbiter? Can spend ages messing around with the views etc. Worth checking out if you haven’t http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/ ) and keeping my hand in with mags from the library (drooling over expensive equipment) and sites such as this.

To be honest for the last few years I have been in a position to throw some money at it but the wealth of options and considerations (did I say it could do your head in) coupled with justifying the spend has just been a barrier so over the last few weeks I have thought “just do it”, set a relatively low cost entry point ($1000) and then sought to get the best value for that spend. Following the maxim “more aperture is better” this has seen me purchasing a 12” GSO Dob from Andrews. To round out my $1k I also got a laser collimator, 2x EP Barlow and moon filter.

SO…………

Got the package this morning, put it together this afternoon and had first light tonight J

Here are my observations and questions (you knew they were coming right?):-

Very much the newbie but had fun with the new toy. Had a play with all the lenses etc. and viewing was mostly of the moon and Saturn. Looking forward to learning to use the scope properly so question after the first viewing below:-

Assembly:-Hmm not much to the mount is there. Easy enough to put together

Instructions:- Or lack of – Would have been good for things like the collimator etc. to have some basic instructions (so I know how to change the battery etc.)

Laser collimator:- likewise with what has been mentioned on the site it’s a slit. Not huge over a several meters. Doing the roll test (using stable platform and crossed nails etc. over say 3 meters) given that it is a slit how accurate do you need to be? Should it be a centered cross or is it staying within say a 10ml box (over 3 meters) be close enough? Just read that I could do the roll test in the focuser so will try that (how accurate is turning it on nails anyway?)

Collimation:- Well provided I did the secondary OK seemed easy enough with the laser and didn’t take long at all. Used a old film canister to line secondary up then inserted laser, centered beam into middle of primary with collimation screws on secondary then centered beam onto the laser using the collimation screws on the primary. Am I right in thinking loosen off the lock screws, collimate, then gently tighten lock screws on the primary?

Finder scope – big issues with this. There is no focus (that I can see) so stuff in the foreground is in focus (maybe 10 – 20 meters) stars on the other hand are just hazy smudges. Makes it bloody had to actually use as a finder scope so am I missing something? As I don’t have an eyepiece with cross hairs I have basically been centering an object in view than adjusting the view accordingly in the finder scope. Then I just use my hazy light to try an center on the cross hair (which is hard cause it is out of focus) the adjust main.

The mount:- Tracking stuff is gonna take me some learning methinks. Stuff that was low in the sky (like Saturn) with the Barlow (or without it as well) was an issue as the scope would drift down. I have read that magnets make a good counter balance so I will look at that. Assume it’s not such a big deal as you go more vertical. Any tips on how to track with this thing or indeed locking it in place if you wanted to?

Tracking:- Damn Saturn drifted across the view pretty damn quick (see above for some of the cause been even when I thought the scope didn’t move it was damn quick). What’s the secret to high power planetary viewing with a dob? Is the slewing less as you get more vertical? It was hard work for only a few seconds view J

Saturn tonight:- Anyone in Brissy see Saturn before 11.00pm tonight? Very bright, see the rings etc. but not no color or real detail. It was hot on the heals of the full moon so wondered it that was factor as well or is it because it is still reasonably low in the sky?

Moon filter - damn its green! Is that really a moon fileter?

Anyone want to thro some must check out objects in the 12”

Transport:- Yet to look at the logistics of getting it in the car but everyone talks about it being a big scope, hard to transport etc. Now I got no issues lugging the separate parts around but wondered what would be the issue of having 1/3 (so like 50cm’s) hanging out of the boot (properly padded etc.) I am being too rough to think I can just whack the OTA in the boot?

Clubs:- I was going to join a club to facilitate learning and there are a few in Brisvegas so rather than me just picking one at random would anyone care to make some recommendations (by PM or in the thread)?

Well that’s about it and apologies for so many questions. The crew next door turned the carport light on at about 11.00 (and it’s still on) which really killed it for me as I was on the back deck so all in all I was happy to be finally able to play with a scope. Now I just need to make myself a level patch in the back yard (just built 2 decks and regretting putting roofs on them) and then starts the learning .

Have fun