12" dob - Skywatcher or Meade?

[andrew2008]

I'm looking to pick one of these up with my tax return

Is one better than the other or is it just personal preference? Is one truss design more stable? Hold better collimation? Smoother motions? I was also hoping the Lightbridge had the dual speed focuser but it doesn't yet.

[icytailmark (Mark)]

ive had a 12" skywatcher collapsible dob for a year now and i would highly recommend it for backyard observing. Its not too hard to move around u just take the base outside first then the tube. The tube is about 24 kg. Excellent views on planets and star clusters. Id recommend u buy an argo Navis for it so its alot easier to find stuff.

[Sarge (Rod)]

One vote for the SW. Great scope.

Rod

[Eric48]

See in depth review in latest BBC Sky at Night mag - on sale in Australia - where there is a shootout between 10" GSO solid v Meade flex v Skywatcher flex - the Meade won narrowly with Skywatcher second and GSO a close third.

[astronut (John)]

I've had my 12" LB for 4 years.........it's a great scope, it gets my vote.
ALL new LB's have a dual speed focuser.

[andrew2008]

Thanks everyone. I went with the skywatcher and after setting it up am very happy.

One thing though. There isn't enough room to put the telrad close to the finder. Should i remove the finder and just use the telrad or swap themand put the finder further away from the focuser and the telrad inbetween??

[Sarge (Rod)]

Andrew,
I've put my telrad on the other side of the finder. I find it only a minor inconvenience.

Rod

[Darth Wader (Wade)]

Rod,

Out of curiosity, do you have the truss dob? I'm looking at getting a Telrad but thought it might be too long to fit on the primary cage.

Cheers
Wade

Edit: I've just seen your signature. Obviously there is enough room!

[andrew2008]

Solved the telrad problem. Will buy a riser to lift it above the truss housing. Does anyone know any stores that keep them in stock?