Bintel DOBs

Robert9 (Robert) · #1 20-06-2009, 02:05 PM

In at Bintel this morning and had a peep at their latest DOB range. Very impressed with the braking/balance system. Smooth, no jerky starts and stops. Likewise, azimuth rotation - now ball bearing, very smooth.
Hmmm! A 10" would be nice.

Robert

mozzie (Peter) · #2 20-06-2009, 05:11 PM

they will only put you on the right advice there at bintel there backup sevice unreal
mozzie

Spanrz (Brett) · #3 22-06-2009, 12:08 AM

Rob, if you can afford the 12", do it.

Yeah, brake mechanism is great. One little tiny issue, that if you move the scope around a lot (like me), you seem to wear the felt in the holder, that helps guide in handle.
When you use the scope with more of a brake, the whole handle rotates a couple of degree's, making it jerky.

Have to invent a clamp or holddown a bit better.

Robert9 (Robert) · #4 22-06-2009, 10:02 AM

Brett,
I looked at the 12" but feel its just a bit too awkward for me to handle ie, take in and out of the house. For sure though, bigger would be better.
Don't understand what you mean regarding felt in handle. As I don't have the scope, I'll have to go to Bintel again for another look. (Yes, Peter, I agree - Bintel give excellent service.) However, I'm not getting one just yet, just thinking about it and starting to prime the finance manager for it.

Robert

stephenb (Stephen) · #5 22-06-2009, 10:17 AM

Robert, I can vouch 100% for the customer service at BinTel. In my opinion, far better peace of mind than shopping interstate. And the 12" is a beauty.

Regarding the 12", It looks big in the showroom, but it can be deceiving in a vehicle if you plan to transport. I owned one and it just fitted snuggly across the back seat of a VT Commodore - that's with the OTA resting on each door handle. I understand you may have a different car than mine, but looks can be deceiving from showroom to vehicle.

astronut (John) · #6 22-06-2009, 10:29 AM

Robert,
I agree completely. Bintel offer 1st class service.
I've dealt with them many times, and will continue to do so.
I bought my 12"LB from them.
But...............if you're dismissing a12" because of physical size, think again.
Andrews Communication
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm
have just reduced their price of the Skywatcher collapsible 12" from $1599 to $1199.
This is the same price as the Bintel solid tube.
The collapsible scope will make it a lot easier to transport and setup.

My two cents.

Robert9 (Robert) · #7 22-06-2009, 04:51 PM

Thanks guys, all this pushing! Ouch.
Stephen, I have my Nexstar 6SE for travels. Its really great. The GOTO is very useful as I don't need to carry too much in the way of star-maps. The DOB, when I finally get one, will be just for home. I'm only a little guy, and standing alongside the 12" DOB I felt that it would be too awkward for me to manage.
However, John, a 12" collapsible has me thinking - yet again! The 12" L.B. collapsible is $1399 at Bintel. Transport costs from Sydney would probably almost account for the extra. No, no, no - not yet!!!

Robert

stephenb (Stephen) · #8 22-06-2009, 07:50 PM

Robert I agree with your theory re: discounted price vs. transport costs interstate. Oooh, a 6SE for a traveller? very nice! Good luck with the pending purchase. I know what you mean, I'm not the biggest person either, and the 12" hot water service nearly dwarfed me also.

Robert9 (Robert) · #9 23-06-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenluceskies

I know what you mean, I'm not the biggest person either, and the 12" hot water service nearly dwarfed me also.

Stephen, how's your 12" DOB coming along? Any details? Maybe I should build rather than buy. What are the advantages, if any, of building, beyond the experience?
My wife commented only this morning "Are you buying another telescope?" "No," I replied, "Just thinking about the different designs."

Robert

Marclau (Marcel) · #10 27-06-2009, 07:10 PM

Robert,

I too just came back this afternoon from meeting Roger at bintel and totally agree about the service.

I mentioned I was not ready to buy yet Roger spend the better part of 45 minutes explaining everything regarding options of both the 10" & 12" DOB's & even discussing my old Japanese made Tasco........

Awesome service and local so my mind is basically now made up both size and seller.......

stephenb (Stephen) · #11 27-06-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marclau

Robert,

I too just came back this afternoon from meeting Roger at bintel and totally agree about the service.

I mentioned I was not ready to buy yet Roger spend the better part of 45 minutes explaining everything regarding options of both the 10" & 12" DOB's & even discussing my old Japanese made Tasco........

Awesome service and local so my mind is basically now made up both size and seller.......

only 45 minutes?

That store is like wormhole or something, I once looked at the time and realise we'd been chin wagging for nearly 2 hours

Robert, you won't regret giving them your business, let me tell you.

The 12" Dob is in limbo at present, while I rebuild an old 8" Newtonian. This puts the number of unfinished projects around the home to, oh 25-odd!

Marclau (Marcel) · #12 28-06-2009, 12:53 AM

hahahah yeah only about 45 minutes.

I had my son with me and he has the full on flu but still wanted to come along otherwise I would have gotten sucked through the time wormhole as well......

This hobby is fast becoming my newest hobby and has now overtaking my remote control nitro cars and helicopters.......ummmm and my world, the were like a Bermuda Triangle. Suddenly I just went missing for a day with the wife almost ready to call in a search patrol only for me to suddenly walk inside still with an adrenalin rush on my face.

gazza83 (Gary) · #13 28-06-2009, 06:26 PM

Funny about that. My other hobby is RC cars and helis. About to buy a reflector of some type as my first scope. And got caught in the Bintel wormhole yesterday!

Cheers

Marclau (Marcel) · #14 28-06-2009, 09:33 PM

Yep, not hard to fall into that wormhole........you will never be able to come back out, and even if you do, you get sucked right back in even after 20 years.....

Robert9 (Robert) · #15 29-06-2009, 09:44 AM

Yes, they're a very friendly and knowledgeable mob at Bintel.

But please, don't mention unfinished jobs around the house to my wife!

If I were to start on them, I reckon it would be a year before I had enough strength left at the end of the day to do any sky-watching.

Getting back to the subject of DOBs, how much of a problem is coma? Should one have coma correction or is that just being perfectionist?

Robert