Quote:
Originally Posted by Solanum
Actually, the Skywatcher ones aren't the same as the GSO/Bintel ones. They probably are slightly better in terms of the mount mechanics and I think the mirror is pyrex (?). However, I doubt that the quality of the mirror shape is any better and I think they only come with a straight through finder by default.
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Hi again all - I think you'll find that there really is no difference whatsoever between GSO and Skywatcher other than what I commented below. Both use BK7 glass (borosilicate) which is a good quality lens/mirror material.
Andrews do make the claim that their GSO 's are figured to 1/12 wave accuracy, although Don at Bintel has said that Bintel don't make that claim for their GSO's because this may not be substantiated.
I own instruments of both badging and as I said, almost identical with most accessories, and I would be skeptical about one having any appreciably difference re quality control superiority over the other; or other claims to being "better."
That said, the Andrews 10" are the cheapest scopes around, especially if they're still offering free freight.
As for ep's, I believe barlows are a valuable addition to your ep armoury to extend your magnification range: my ep selection is for multiple instrument useage but suits the GSO 10" dob very well - the core useage ones being a 26mm GSO 2" "widey" that is more than adequate for low power wide field "gazing" and Vixen LVW 17mm and Nagler T6 11mm's complimented by a TeleVue 2x barlow. These are "top-flight" ep's but you could do just (almost) as well by getting Baader Hyperions and an ED barlow to have a good power range - others will have far more experiential knowledge of these alternatives.
I'd agree with most of Solanum's recommendations except to say that for me (and many others) the combo sight tube/chesire collimator is the way to go - but I'm not going to be drawn into any arguements there; you'll find plenty of them in the IIS threads....!
Cheers, Darryl.