Bucking the apparent trend these days towards acquiring wide field instruments, I've just taken the plunge and ordered an Officina Stellare RC 360 Pro (through Cris at Astronomy Alive). Among other requirements, my need for a truss scope (to minimise tube currents, cool down and ease of access for light cleaning) and for it to be no larger than about 14” (to fit in my 2.3m Obs) ruled out quite a few other brands. It’s no surprise then that my decision came down to RCOS and Officina Stellare.
Surprisingly, for 3 weeks, my price inquiry to RCOS went unanswered in spite of Peter Ward’s best efforts . This speaks to the reliability of ongoing support – a key decision point! RCOS would also have been the most expensive choice. OS’ service and responsiveness on the other hand was remarkable, thanks to Cris at Astronomy Alive and Gino at OS. Also, the optioned up OS spec matches the RCOS reasonably closely (without the ion milling) and their prices are very reasonable. You can get a base model or a bells and whistles model depending on your needs & budget.
Here are the specs:
Officina Stellare RC 360 Pro ST
Clear Aperture: 360 mm (14")
Carbon truss / CNC aluminium
Primary & Secondary heaters
Focal length: 2880 mm
Focal Ratio: f8
Spot size (@26 mm from axis, w/flattener): maximum 5 microns
Usual quality after full reflection at final focus is 1/5 wave P-V and 1/30 wave RMS
Strehl ratio of the mirror pair: Always better than 0.95
Secondary obstruction 42%
Back focus distance 230mm
Standard Interferometric report
Included Options (I went for the bells & whistles version ):
Astro-Sitall premium optics
Secondary mirror motorized focusser / actuator
ATC-02 electronic controller (control of fans, heaters, secondary actuator etc)
FLI Atlas focuser (Ie you can set the mirror spacing / backfocus accurately at the secondary and then focus with the FLI)
Optec Pyxis rotator
Astrodon MMOAG off axis guider
Custom adapters (in my case for STL11000 CCD / AOL combination)
Fabric elasticised shroud
3 inch Field Flattener
I have about 5 to 6 months of waiting ahead but I’m hoping for end of July-ish. Weather forecast for Sydney during August, September and October ... night time rain punctuated by cloud.
My TOA will remain my wider field system and deliver at FLs of 860 and 1100mm. The bonus is I can also use the Atlas, rotator and OAG on my Tak as required.
Cheers, Marcus
Last edited by marc4darkskies; 18-02-2013 at 08:39 AM.
Reason: Added backfocus and secondary obstruction details
Surprisingly, for 3 weeks, my price inquiry to RCOS went unanswered in spite of Peter Ward’s best efforts . This speaks to the reliability of ongoing support – a key decision point
Cheers, Marcus
Have to say I am very disappointed with RCOS who simply didn't respond to calls (voicemail) and numerous e-mails.
Looking forward to seeing what the OS360 will produce
Well done Marcus! The specs look great; looking forward to seeing some high-res images from you! ... and I understand that you will be the first OS owner in Australia - on the leading edge again, I wish I had your courage!!
In reference to your reasons for preferring a truss tube, tube currents and cool-down time are not necessarily an issue for closed tubes provided that they have a good (filtered) air flow system. My "Bunyip" OTA tube is 1625mm long and does not suffer at all from these two issues, having three fans and a large filter to draw the air through. It would, however, be quite nice to have ready access for light cleaning as with a truss tube.
Thanks guys - very excited! I do confess to being a little nervous though - it's a big expense in any language! One thing about OS though - they appear to have passion for their products, and that instills confidence.
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Fitz-Henr
Well done Marcus! The specs look great; ... It would, however, be quite nice to have ready access for light cleaning as with a truss tube.
Thanks David, Yes, imagine the scenario of the hapless spider deciding to build it's web deep down inside a 1.6m tube.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Octane
Congratulations on the new (pending) addition to your family.
It sounds like an amazing scope.
Question, would it ride atop a G-11 or would one have to upgrade to a Paramount MX/ME II?
H
Thanks H. Yep an MX would do an RC 320 easily. The RC 360 might be tight with a heavy load. Just get an ME II - so you have some room to grow!
Yay Marcus! And so glad to hear old faithful TOA still has its place in the starting lineup
Thanks Logan - there's no way I'd part with or relegate such a fantastic scope as the TOA! My challenge will be to dual mount both so I can use either scope as the mood strikes!
Below are images of what I expect to see. Note that the standard focusser in the first image will be replaced by the Atlas, Pyxis and the MMOAG in the third image.
...
Wow....now all you need is the right site for this beauty!
Thanks Mike and yes a new observatory site is a must ... at about 700-800m altitude perhaps?!
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
Bob Fera has been doing great images for a long time with his 14 inch OS RC.
Greg.
Thanks Greg. Yes, he's done some really nice work - I looked at his images closely. There are a couple of others with 400s as well with some nice results. When I get mine I'll be doing as complete a review as possible - including raw star images - to help those who might follow.
Thanks Logan - there's no way I'd part with or relegate such a fantastic scope as the TOA! My challenge will be to dual mount both so I can use either scope as the mood strikes!
The challenge to dual mount? Dual mounts! ME2 for this!
The challenge to dual mount? Dual mounts! ME2 for this!
I imagine the PME should cope with both. PMX is supposed to be able to cope with up to 14 inch Cassegrain. It probably would but I'd find out from someone who is using a similar scope on a PMX before I'd go that route.
Side by side dual mounts seem to introduce flex and balance issues. So piggyback or you just have to swap when you want to change gears? Or get a smaller portable mount and take the TOA to a dark site occassionally?
If I tried to put my AP140 next to my CDK17 or on top of it I think the PME could manage but it would be maxed out. I'd also need to get several more counterweights and do the balancing very very carefully so I did not burn out the motors.
I just put my TEC110 (fairly light) back on top of my CDK and it only needed another counterweight and the PME laughed it off, no worries.
Wowser, there is some serious imaging firepower appearing on the shores of Aus lately. Will be exciting to see where this beast will take you Marcus. I feel for you though having to wait that long for the boxes to arrive
The challenge to dual mount? Dual mounts! ME2 for this!
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
I imagine the PME should cope with both. PMX is supposed to be able to cope with up to 14 inch Cassegrain. It probably would but I'd find out from someone who is using a similar scope on a PMX before I'd go that route.
Side by side dual mounts seem to introduce flex and balance issues. So piggyback or you just have to swap when you want to change gears? Or get a smaller portable mount and take the TOA to a dark site occassionally?
If I tried to put my AP140 next to my CDK17 or on top of it I think the PME could manage but it would be maxed out. I'd also need to get several more counterweights and do the balancing very very carefully so I did not burn out the motors.
I just put my TEC110 (fairly light) back on top of my CDK and it only needed another counterweight and the PME laughed it off, no worries.
Greg.
I edited my old Obs drawing - rough but reasonably to scale (done in Powerpoint ) - see below, it's a snug fit. Without shortening the pier my only options would be to either hang the TOA off a side losmandy plate on the OSRC or side by side on the ME's versaplate. I think that 16kg hanging off the side of the OSRC may stretch the friendship a bit though!! I will have space to piggyback if I shorten the pier but still wonder if the TOA is too heavy for that
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobF
Wowser, there is some serious imaging firepower appearing on the shores of Aus lately. Will be exciting to see where this beast will take you Marcus. I feel for you though having to wait that long for the boxes to arrive
Thanks for the sympathy Rob - I'm already noticing that time .. i..s ......s..t..a...r...t....i....n.... g ........ t.....o ......... s.....l.....o.....w .................... d........o............w............ ......n
PS: I've decided to shorten the pier by 6"
Last edited by marc4darkskies; 17-02-2013 at 09:15 AM.
. This speaks to the reliability of ongoing support – a key decision point! RCOS would also have been the most expensive choice. OS’ service and responsiveness on the other hand was remarkable, thanks to Cris at Astronomy Alive and Gino at OS. Also, the optioned up OS spec matches the RCOS reasonably closely (without the ion milling) and their prices are very reasonable. You can get a base model or a bells and whistles model depending on your needs & budget. 
):
but AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGG 
) - see below, it's a snug fit. Without shortening the pier my only options would be to either hang the TOA off a side losmandy plate on the OSRC or side by side on the ME's versaplate. I think that 16kg hanging off the side of the OSRC may stretch the friendship a bit though!! I will have space to piggyback if I shorten the pier but still wonder if the TOA is too heavy for that 
