Meade 16” Lightbridge dobsonian

[fisherm1098]

There is a 16” Meade Lightbridge Dobsonian for sale over on Australia Astronomy Buy and Sell for $1450 and they immediately accepted $1200 from me. I chickened out because it seems too good to be true but I never went to look as it’s a fair way away. It says it’s in good shape with optics in excellent condition. It’s been on the market since the 1st of December and that’s way too long if it’s as advertised. Did someone replace the mirror with a spherical one? Did they put a “makeup mirror” in there. I don’t see why someone hasn’t bought this if it’s for real. We’ve got the same scope on this site going for $2800. Anyone know the history of this scope? It’s from the Shoalhaven astronomy club supposedly.

Also, there does not appear to be a center dot on the mirror.

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Some of the mass produced large dobs can have very ordinary mirrors meaning you never really get the performance promised.
Neither of those advertised have GoTo, which is getting more and more important to buyers. Not many learn the skill of sky hopping and reading charts.
I had an 18" SDM and regretfully sold it recently. It had the works, a superb mirror and a beautiful smooth motion. That is the joy of a big Dob.

[Hijynx (Benn)]

That scope looks like it has been looked after very well and the mirrors look physically fine. The ad says "the scope works as it should" and since it is being sold by an astronomical club the comment should be valid.

16" scopes all tend to sit for quite a while before selling. I have a 16"and a 20" custom dob and while I love big dobs and the ritual of managing them, they are not for everyone. I wouldn't worry about how long it has been advertised, 6 weeks is nothing. Last year there was a 20" dob with Hubble optics sandwich that sat online for ages even when the price was dropped to $5000.
There are enough second hand 16"ërs (usually Skywatcher collapsible) that hit the market to keep those that want them in supply. Pick-up only usually makes them stay put for a while too (although I drove 3700km for each of mine).

The Lighbridge dobs are a great option for push-to. I have a 12" one as my grab and go. They are unique in the market now as they break down into manageable parts. That one has some of the basic mods done by the look of it with Bob's Knobs and probably upgraded mirror cell springs. It also looks very clean. If the deceased owner went to the trouble of buying upgrades and has kept it that clean it must provide acceptable views. The GSO mirrors can be excellent. My 12"has a excellent mirror. I have read that 60% are good, 30% are average and 10% are excellent. The missing center dot is a little odd but maybe the mirror has been recoated and he didn't have a chance to do it. The mirror cell in a lightbridge is a chinch to remove to put one on.

If you want to own a 16" dob then $1200 is awesome. Being a deceased estate, they probably just want it to sell. Ask them if you can actually use it before buying it and see if you can split Sirius. It is up nice and high at the moment and will tell you something about the mirror.

I'd go for it, when will you see another 16"er in the condition for that price. But if you are looking for a reason not to then that may tell you something too.

Good luck.

[Matthieu (Matt)]

Thanks for the tip re splitting Sirius Hijynx. I haven't focused too much on double stars yet so haven't tried that one out with my 16''.

[gunsworth (Geoff)]

Sadly I need to sell my Lightbridge 16".
Would appreciate any tips on selling.
There are a truckload of accessories - Nagler eyepieces and Glatter collimation tools,etc.
Best to sell as a complete system or break it up?

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Originally Posted by gunsworth

Sadly I need to sell my Lightbridge 16".
Would appreciate any tips on selling.
There are a truckload of accessories - Nagler eyepieces and Glatter collimation tools,etc.
Best to sell as a complete system or break it up?

Anything that is particular to the scope should go with it. e.g. Paracorr. collimation tools.
Eyepieces should be sold separately, or dealt with at the time of sale.
Here is a good example of how NOT to sell a scope (ebay) https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/404360280313
It has been up for some months with no buyer.