Unless you want to fit your own fan and/or focuser go the Deluxe and ask for upgrade to the 10:1 Crayford over the standard one (if not already included). Focuser makes a lot of difference. Crayford gives you much better control over focus without disturbing the view (bumping scope causing vibrations or image "shift"), and the 10:1 Crayford gives you even better, finer control over focus. 10:1 refers to gearing and means you turn the knob 1 turn the shaft only turns 1/10th turn. Very useful at high powers.
these gadgets that come with the more expensive one will make the scope better for you... that said, the chances are that you wont be disappionted with the lesser model as they are good scopes
Being the aperature hog that I am I went the 12". From looking at the LB manual, the differences for standard as opposed to the Deluxe are that you dont get the 26mm QX Wide angle eyepiece, the roller bearing plate, or the red dot finder.
I ended up loosing the red dot finder and went 8x50 Right Angled Correct Image Finder, replaced the focuser to a Moonlite Focuser and kept the 26mm. But I do think that you get a 26mm (not the QX) with the scope.
Either way is still a great scope with or without the add ons. But have a look through the forum and search all the lightbridge posts - astronut has made some excellent, and cost effective mods which I hope to adopt one day.
No doubt more lightbridge owners will post soon.
Cheers Petra
Last edited by spacezebra; 15-08-2006 at 10:16 PM.
Hi Jazz, Firstly you have excellent taste in wanting to purchase a LB.
As Petra has said the extra's are 1.More elaborate red dot finder 2. 2" 26mm E/P. 3.Roller Bearing in Azimuth, with tension knob.
Personally I don't like any of the red dot finders, so I fitted a 8X50mm straight through finder. The E/P,I love the wiiiiddddeeee views so I kept it.
The roller bearing is smooth and easy, I would recommend it.
So go with the deluxe
There are a couple of changes I would make as soon as practicable.
1. The primary springs are too soft, this will make collimation tedious. I have the product code for these.
2. Change both the secondary and primary collimation knobs, this makes collimation toolless, a big improvement. Once you try to collimate withe originals you'll know what I mean.
3. Have the end rings powder coated black, as all four are WHITE on the INSIDE not good.
A shroud is another essential addition.
One last thing, a dew shield extending about 1.5x the aperture from the front of the tube will eliminate dew on the secondary.
Jazz, I don't wish to scare you with all these changes but I know that once carried out it will make a good scope into a great scope.
The optics give great views, oooppps!!! One last thing a Orion or similar brand collimator.
The springs are $30
Collimation Knobs, both sets $50.
Powder coat X4 $40.
Shroud $90.
Dew shield $20 High Impact Polystyrene Sheet, H.I.P.S.
Collimator $70 absolutely necessary.
For the absolute essentials it will cost about $120.
Cheers, John
Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzodict
Hello,
I have (after ruminating for weeks) finally decided to purchase a 10" LB !!!
Any comments on whether I should go in for a Standard or Deluxe model ... do the add-ons make a significant difference?
astronut,
Did you make the dew shield yourself or is it a bought one?
Also, how have you attached it to the top of your scope? I need one for my 12" GS.
Sorry, I may gave given the wrong info here as I was thinking of the differences between Deluxe and Standard/Limited solid tube Dobs. But in any case do ask for the 10:1 focuser.
Hi Matt, The Material is High Imact Polystyrene Sheet or H.I.P.S.
I purchased it in a sheet about 1.37m x 73cm x 0.75mm. This then had to be cut to size. I left a overlap of about 3cm.
It's highly flexible and easy to cut with scissors.
I placed a strip of adhesive backed velcro the length of the sheet ( see photo) To secure the two ends I again used the adhesive velcro (see photo)
To mount the shield to the scope, I first wrapped a length of the one-wrap velcro, (it's double sided and sticks to itself) around the upper tube (see photo, pulled up so you can see it) and then wrap the shield around the scope with the velcro on the shield sticking to the one on the scope.
I hope I've made it clear enough. Cheers, John.
Quote:
Originally Posted by circumpolar
astronut,
Did you make the dew shield yourself or is it a bought one?
Also, how have you attached it to the top of your scope? I need one for my 12" GS.
I have (after ruminating for weeks) finally decided to purchase a 10" LB !!!
Any comments on whether I should go in for a Standard or Deluxe model ... do the add-ons make a significant difference?
Cheers,
Jazzodict.
Recommend you go to a store and push the standard in Az and then push the
Deluxe in Az. It will take you 5 seconds to decide that you will want the
smoother Deluxe.
Guys, finally .........I am now officially a 10" LB owner!!
Got it from Bintel in Sydney. Mike Smith was an abs delight to deal with - he answered all my persistent (& sometime silly maybe) questions very patiently ... thanks Mike.
As suggested by some of the learned members of this forun, I upgraded the Crayford focuser to 1:10 & also got a Telrad & a Orion Collimator eyepiece. Yet to open the boxes, hope to put it all together soon.
I have borrowed a few books on astronomy ... any ideas/suggestions on what objects should be the first on my list for observing?
Congratulations Uday, I hope you enjoy the unpacking. There's nothing like the feeling of a new telescope in the family
Yes Mike, and all the gang at Bintel are a great bunch to deal with
I would start with something simple to get a hand on how everything works, The moon, Jupiter.
For something more spectacular Omega Centauri, Eta Carinae and just a general view along the central milky way will give you jaw dropping views.
Enjoy your new scope and ask all the questions you want Cheers, John.
quote=jazzodict]Guys, finally .........I am now officially a 10" LB owner!!
Got it from Bintel in Sydney. Mike Smith was an abs delight to deal with - he answered all my persistent (& sometime silly maybe) questions very patiently ... thanks Mike.
As suggested by some of the learned members of this forun, I upgraded the Crayford focuser to 1:10 & also got a Telrad & a Orion Collimator eyepiece. Yet to open the boxes, hope to put it all together soon.
I have borrowed a few books on astronomy ... any ideas/suggestions on what objects should be the first on my list for observing?
Has a lot of really great looking and easy objects to find, and a few not so easy ones to give you a good start in dso hunting, I think it's perfect for someone starting out wondering where to point their scope, i'm still printing them out every month, I have 5 now
There are a couple of changes I would make as soon as practicable.
1. The primary springs are too soft, this will make collimation tedious. I have the product code for these.
2. Change both the secondary and primary collimation knobs, this makes collimation toolless, a big improvement. Once you try to collimate withe originals you'll know what I mean.
3. Have the end rings powder coated black, as all four are WHITE on the INSIDE not good.
A shroud is another essential addition.
One last thing, a dew shield extending about 1.5x the aperture from the front of the tube will eliminate dew on the secondary.
...
The springs are $30
Collimation Knobs, both sets $50.
Powder coat X4 $40.
Shroud $90.
Dew shield $20 High Impact Polystyrene Sheet, H.I.P.S.
Collimator $70 absolutely necessary.
Cheers, John
John,
Having also just bought an LB12 d/l, your list of mods is most welcome. Where did you get the shroud from? Astrozap in the US? How about the collimation knobs and springs?
What other mods have you made? (I notice the lead/acid battery which I plan to use too.)
One thing that could be worth a look is black felt inside the tube. I used this to great effect in a homebrew 6" f/4 years ago. It's a lot better than matt black paint and more robust than black flocking paper. And for the LB it looks quite easy to install because of the short tubes. (Completely impossible in a full tube 12" GSO dob). Cut the felt to size (or a few mm over for the circumference) and pre-spray the "outside" thoroughly with spray glue. "Dry" runs are important before the gluing! The only trick is to find really black felt. Velvet isn't as good as it frays at the edge.
Hi DN, The shroud is a Astrozap $104AUS. The secondary & primary knobs were purchased through www.Astronomy-Shoppe.com and go to the Links box, Bobs Knobs are also suppliers of replacement knobs, the prices are about the same. Delievery from the States is about 1 week. The springs I purchased here, they are century spring branded. They are brought into the Australia by the Mayo group. Let me know if you want their details.
Or the two knob suppliers offer springs in their catalogue, this cuts down all the leg work for you
I have replaced the red dot finder with an optical 8X50mm.
I have a heater for the main E/P and both ends of the finder, it's all sent through a switched and fused box, I've also carried this out for the fan.
It all runs well on the 12v 7a/h battery in the photo.
I've found good quality black felt at Spotlight and it's not too expensive
I hope this info helps, if you need to know more please ask! John.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcnicholls
John,
Having also just bought an LB12 d/l, your list of mods is most welcome. Where did you get the shroud from? Astrozap in the US? How about the collimation knobs and springs?
What other mods have you made? (I notice the lead/acid battery which I plan to use too.)
One thing that could be worth a look is black felt inside the tube. I used this to great effect in a homebrew 6" f/4 years ago. It's a lot better than matt black paint and more robust than black flocking paper. And for the LB it looks quite easy to install because of the short tubes. (Completely impossible in a full tube 12" GSO dob). Cut the felt to size (or a few mm over for the circumference) and pre-spray the "outside" thoroughly with spray glue. "Dry" runs are important before the gluing! The only trick is to find really black felt. Velvet isn't as good as it frays at the edge.
Cheers, John.
!
.
