Anyone with a Skywatcher 14 Inch NON Goto Dob

[DJ N]

Hi there,

Going back to visual and was thinking of going with the Skywatcher 14" dob without the Sysnscan Goto and adding Argo Navis as a means of locating objects ("back to basics" push to).

Just looking for feedback to how much the base weighs. From doing some on-line research it seems the tube/OTA comes in at 23.5kg, but there does not seem to be any details regarding the base. The 14 inch appeals to me as I can dismantle the base for transportation in a car, whereas at home, it can sit fully assembled on a cart/trolley....... as well as the advantage of a 1.36x light gain over the 12.

Thanks,

Daniel

[gary]

Hi Daniel,

According to this web site -

OTA – secondary mirror cage, truss tubes, and primary mirror tub – 24.1 kg.
Rocker box - 36.4 kg.
Total weight - 60.5 kg.

The same web site goes on to say -

The Sky-Watcher easily collapses in minutes into two reasonably small components that fit into many car trunks or into the back seat of most cars. Competitive truss-tube Dobs break down into four or more components – a secondary mirror cage, primary mirror tub, altazimuth rocker box base, and truss tubes (as many as six to be carried separately or packed into an optional carrying bag). It’s easy to see how the two-part Sky-Watcher has a definite convenience advantage over the four or more parts of a conventional truss-tube Dob. And, unlike bulky competitive solid-tube Sonotube or metal tube Dobs with an unwieldy 58” or 60” long optical tube, you don’t need a big car or SUV to transport this 14” Sky-Watcher.


Assembly and disassembly take only 10 minutes or so, with no tools needed. After you set up, particularly after traveling over bumpy roads to a dark sky site, take a few moments to check the collimation of the optics to assure peak performance and you are ready for an evening of fascinating viewing at your favorite dark sky location. If observing from your back yard, you can leave scope assembled and simply roll it outside using a hand truck or a JMI Wheeley Bar.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[DJ N]

Thanks Gary.... pretty heavy base, more than I thought actually.

Cheers,

Daniel

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

50% more weight for 2" more aperture....damn!