Commercial truss dobs

Starkler (Geoff) · #1 27-08-2006, 12:55 PM

This is a last ditch call to see if anyone in Australia makes truss dobs commercially

I know of SDM telescopes who I have heard make very nice obsession clones, but they wont touch anything smaller than 18".

I'm looking for something in the 14 to 16 inch class for reasons that its a size that can be easily transported and set up single handedly, and can be used without a ladder.

Right now I'm looking at getting a 14" Tscope as it seems to be pretty much ideal for my needs http://www.tscopes.com

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 27-08-2006, 02:12 PM

Make sure you post how you go Geoff. I think you are not the only one around here that might be interested in a 16" range of truss dobs.

mick pinner · #3 27-08-2006, 03:53 PM

the problem lies in the cost of the primaries (good ones), many people would like a 16" dob but they want to pay in quality telescope terms next to nothing for them.

Starkler (Geoff) · #4 27-08-2006, 04:05 PM

Mick money isnt the issue here , but lack of choices available locally ....read none!

xstream (John) · #5 27-08-2006, 04:20 PM

Try here Geoff.
This is off Peter Reads website, apparently this guy specializes in 16" truss dobs.

Starkler (Geoff) · #6 28-08-2006, 07:37 PM

Thanks John, I emailed John Connelly some time ago about his scopes and never got a response .

I got a reply from Ed at Tscopes, and the shipping will be a killer

Last shipping quote he gave for Aus was $850US

Of course the customs duty and gst payable after landing here will be on the total price, including shipping

janoskiss (Steve H) · #7 28-08-2006, 08:20 PM

Just use the $$$ to buy a shed and a bunch of tools and the optics instead and DIY!

Satchmo · #8 29-08-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Just use the $$$ to buy a shed and a bunch of tools and the optics instead and DIY!

Yes, or just park your car out of the garage while you build your scope

You can buy a Chinese router for under $100 , to cut top rings and side bearings. The rest can be cut at a plywood supplier. With the great diversity of ready to go components from Truss connecters to mirror holders to focusers available these days, its not too arduous a job to build a dob and a lot of fun. Plenty of people scattered all over Australia are doing it and you have the pleasure of building something that is unique to you .

Mark

Orion · #9 29-08-2006, 04:39 PM

I agree, build your own Geoff.
It's very rewarding.

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #10 29-08-2006, 05:24 PM

Guys, I've built my own scopes and whilst I'm reasonably practical, I've never been good enough to build anything near the pleasure that I get out of one bought which does the job properly!

More so, I have spent endless hours stuffing around replacing things and ending up spending far more than I would have on a propper scope.

I know some people derive great pleasure from ATMing, and some to the extent that the design is much more important than the view itself. And good luck to them - the design of my own scope came from the ATM community not the pros, so I owe a massive debt of gratitude to all those that stuffed up before me, who wasted time and money by having a go.

Be selfish, go buy one!

Starkler (Geoff) · #11 29-08-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroJunk

More so, I have spent endless hours stuffing around replacing things and ending up spending far more than I would have on a propper scope.

This is what concerns me. My woodworking skills are rather basic and I have never driven a router in my life. There are basic skills like squaring up wood on a table saw (which I dont have), knowing which side to make your cuts from etc etc.
There would be much to learn before I had the confidence to take a router to an expensive sheet of ply

Perhaps a kit with precut pieces might be the way to go.

norm · #12 30-08-2006, 10:31 PM

Hi Geoff,

I feel like I'm in the same predicament as you are in. Although I don't have a scope as yet. My plan is to get a dob, namely a truss type. The 12" lightbridge is still on my agenda, but that said if I have the opportunity to get an Obsession, T/scope deluxe or SDM in the 15-16" range that would be my preference. I don't mind paying for quality.

The damn thing is as you know is the shipping cost, not to mention the GST/taxes makes the whole exercise prohibitive. I don't mind paying for the scope itself but when you add those other charges it takes the whole 'bang for your bucks/dream' away.

If only SDM would come to the party and consider a 15" I'm sure there would be a niche market for them!!!

gaa_ian (Ian) · #13 30-08-2006, 11:17 PM

Good luck guys, I tried & in the end I was lucky enough to get the 18" beast we have. But I must say it is not a single handed exersize !
The effort is worth it though

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #14 31-08-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norm

If only SDM would come to the party and consider a 15" I'm sure there would be a niche market for them!!!

Hi Norm,

I've just been talking to Peter about the possibility of building a smaller SDM, and he tells me he can get optics from OMI (http://www.opticalmechanics.com/) to make a 15". He's quite up for the challenge or making a 'reasonably priced' smaller scope as it turns out - even though he's pretty busy with his larger projects. He says to give him a ring on or drop him an e-mail http://www.sdmtelescopes.com.au/contact.html for a chat.

I think it will be very interesting to see how much one would cost in the end, as I'd rather like one myself as a travel scope!

janoskiss (Steve H) · #15 03-09-2006, 09:09 PM

Geoff, I know it might go against every fibre of your being, but how about something like 14" LX200R OTA + beefy EQ mount? Probably costs no more than a custom made ~15" Dobs.

Rodstar (Rod) · #16 04-09-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Geoff, I know it might go against every fibre of your being, but how about something like 14" LX200R OTA + beefy EQ mount? Probably costs no more than a custom made ~15" Dobs.

I am not sure that the maths quite add up there. For the 14" LX200R OTA alone, you are looking at $6849 (Bintel's current price). Add an EQ mount to carry that sort of weight, plus freight costs, and you'd have to be pushing $10K. That's what I am getting my 20" truss dob for with OMI Torus mirror from SDM, delivered to my door (interstate).

Starkler (Geoff) · #17 04-09-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

I'm looking for something in the 14 to 16 inch class for reasons that its a size that can be easily transported and set up single handedly

Steve, because of the above reason. Large sct's are somewhat cumbersome to transport and set up.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #18 04-09-2006, 09:09 PM

but they look so compact in photos!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #19 04-09-2006, 09:22 PM

Geoff,

Just an idea mate, but what if you contacted Peter Read or someone who has made nice Truss Dobs before and got a quote to make all of it if you sourced your own mirror.

Mark Suchting or someone else could make you an excellent mirror for your needs.

Just a thought.

Darkplague · #20 04-09-2006, 09:54 PM

I am currently building a 16" , with a Mark Suching mirror, and all up it ended up costing about $4000. But that is including the cost of router, various wood tools, sandpaper, finishes.

I would consider the difficulty as 7/10 to construct the Dob.

I don't want to put you off but if you dont know your way around routers and drills and have the basic knowledge to get edges square and such, then I would not attempt a project like this.

Having said that, I am very fussy and had it in my mind that I wanted something of the quality of an Obsession or Starmaster.

If you are half decent with tools you could still build a "good" scope that perhaps wont look as perfect as an Obsession, but still gets the job done.

Another option is an Astrosystems telekit. There is a store in Adelaide that actually gets them in occassionaly. Pm me if you want more details.