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Hi all, an interesting discussion, since I am looking at a 12" portable Dob, either Skywatcher or Lightbridge. The big plus for me is that the LB breaks down into smaller components, but this may mean more collimation and longer set-up time. Are these two points valid? On the otherhand I think the SW has a pyrex primary, whereas the LB doesn't. Am I correct, and do pyrex mirrors perform better than non-pyrex ones, all other factors being equal? Both scopes look like they come from the same factory, so I assume there is little to distinguish them, bar some peripheral components. As for their mounts, the SW (black diamond model) blurb says:
"The bearing system has been redesigned as well. The new Sky-Watcher collapsible Dobsonians feature buttery smooth azimuth bearings. Even the twelve-inch model can be rotated with just the push of a finger. Like our traditional Dobsonians, the collapsible Dobsonians feature Sky-Watcher’s patented tension adjustment control on the altitude bearings. This eliminates the need and added cost of clumsy counterweight systems to balance the telescope.
The secret of the design is to correctly balance the optical tube with special designed handles on the base. The design adds enough friction and tension to allow the tube to move easily when nudged but to stay in position when not. Users can easily add or reduce tension by turning on the handle. This feature solves the common balance problem found on many Dobsonians."
Is this the issue Satchmo is referring to with these scopes?Does the redesigned SW Blackdiamond address the problem?
Eenee meenee miney moh,
what is the best way to go?
Cheers
Bern
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