Quote:
Originally Posted by rayman888
Can I confirm that these telescopes are the Guan Sheng 6" and 8" dob?
Is that brand better than Skywatcher or Celestron in terms of quality, both of the OTA, glass used, EPs and mount construction when comparing equatorial mounted reflector (5" and above) rather than dob? Or would you suggest another brand? ATM I have a 127mm Celestron short tube reflector which I'm thinking of returning.
Thanks.
|
Think you'll find the mass produced small scopers (dobs , scts and achros and apos) are pretty much of a muchness quality wize and put side by side with compeditor scopes same size and type are pretty much indistinquishable optically - it's the mounts (rockers and bases, and tube hardware where the biggest differences will be) where the biggest differences are to be found - buying a brandname is not a guarantee of better quality - plenty of big brand small scopes are lemons.. The bigger companies take advantage of the fact that most beginners do not know what to expect and know bugger all about telescopes when that buy these telescopes.
I would suggest that it may be well worth your trouble to join a club first and get along to viewing nights (this way you can :
1) talk with experienced amateurs
2) get to look through a range of scopes
3) maybe befriend someone who will come with you and help you select the right scope for you rather than being led astray by a salesperson who is interested in quick sale.
4) visit the shops a few times without your wollet or credit card and give the scopes you are considering a thorough examination and ask LOTS of questions (if you aren't sure or don't know something - ASK the staff.
and
5) read reviews of scopes under consideration.
6) NEVER EVER BUY ON IMPULSE. (plenty of people have bought scopes on an impulse and regretted their choice at their leisure).
Problem with mass produced scopes is that compromises are made with the figure ( you are probably looking at not much better than 1/4 wave ??? precision - takes a lot of effort and time to get the optics to premium quality figures = $ , and cheaper materials are used in the tube , the rocker box and base , and some even try to pass off cheap and nasty focusors).
In my opinion it pays to source the components of your desired telescope (and build your own OTA and dob mount) .... you'll wind up the perfect telescope for you rather than a compromise that you may be dissatisfied with.
Plenty of places who supply top quality primary and secondary mirrors, mirror cells (made of metal with multiple points of flotation) , spiders and secondary holders, and focusors.
The tune can be made from a range of materials (I originally used formatube for my 10" newt ( after a few years of exposure to damp nights and being used" it became pretty daggy looking ) - and am now moving to a PVC stormwater pipe 316mm OD which is pretty rigid and most importantly moisture proof , and if you are handy with carpentry tools you can make a first class dob mount from marine grade ply that will look great and will be an object of pride for many years.