Welcome to Slice of Heaven

[rumples riot]

Hey welcome to the site, I hope you enjoy visiting us.

[mojo (Terry)]

great. now i can't get that Dave Dobbyn song out of my head.

[iceman (Mike)]

haha footrot flats, what a cool comic series that was.. I had a few books of it when I was younger.

to the forum!

[Howzat (Phil)]

[Jonathan]

to the forum

[ving (David)]

http://www.mosaic-tabletops.com/Imag...come_large.jpg

[slice of heaven]

Thanks for the welcome.
Found the link in Sky&Space and had to check you out. (YES, people do read it ,incl. the ads.Have to get full value for the money.)
Spent the last couple of days touring the site and its great to see an aussie astronomy site thats independent from a commercial site.This allows for more honest and open discussions on equipment selections and purchases, especially when someone new is wondering what to buy.An uninformed purchase could mean missing out on the joy of a great lifelong hobby/pasttime.
I have 4 kids at home aged 3-10 and if every ooh aah or wow was worth 50cents(let alone my enjoyment) then my equipment has cost me nothing.Being able to post threads about the specials available on equipment can only be a benefit to everyone,except for the blatant ripoffs,which we could all do without.The best example of this (benefits) seems to be the GSO fever that has hit.A 12" dob for under a grand?.And decent optics? Ive noticed a few newbies being pointed this way,big aperture on an easy to use mount,TOP advice.Add a Telrad and a 6 year old under instruction can tour the skies.
This leads me to a question.Hows the review on the GSO coming along? As ive stated I have too many eyes on the sky for 1 telescope to handle and another large dob would be handy.Have seen them advertised but passed them over as I thought they would be of inferior quality after seeing the price.This could be the opening for us to buy that second scope without blowing the budget or taking a step backwards in aperture.Seems those with them here are happy with theirs after a few small mods ,but I would like to see a full review (with pros & cons) before I make a decision.(Im about 90% there just need to be pushed over the edge).
OK thats about it .Im not much of a poster but Ill be back here often checking out whats happening and keeping in touch.
KEEP YOUR EYES TO THE SKIES.

One last thing, if anyone hasnt centre spotted their mirror, do it now or youll only have to do it later.Seeya.

[ving (David)]

the 8" doesnt come center spotted.. might do it one day.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Howdy Slice, and welcome.

Yeah, 12" Dobber is the way to go!!!

Don't listen to anyone else (unless they say get a 12" dobber).

<i>(Im about 90% there just need to be pushed over the edge)</i>

<b>PUSH, PUSH, PUSH.</b>

Am I pushing you over the edge to get one yet???

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

SOH

[RAJAH235]

A warm Welcome, SOH, and family. Enjoy.

[jackenau]

Welcome slice, 12" dob sure is a nice piece of equipment and affordable equipment without going to extremes.

I am sure the 8" and 10" offer very good views.

and I suppose that portability is another thing to be considered.

Can't complain about my 12" dob and I am sure that if you know where to aim it at, you would be extremely pleased. (Have telrad which makes it even easier).

Have 7 grandkids ages from 4 - 11, all love to look through it, once you aim it for them. The older two kids can relatively easy find planets, once you show them where to look.

My opinion 12" at todays prices is the way to go, particulalry if you have had previous experience and am on a limited budget.

Good ep's will obviously enhance the viewing.

Welcome

Ken M