To Dob or not to Dob

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Hi all

I am wondering if I should continue with my plans to repair my 10" Dob's mirror next year or to buy something smaller that is good for viewing and astrophotography with a Meade LPI. I will explain why I am asking this question as I am having trouble with getting the Dob out because my spinal problems are rapidly getting worse and I am finding myself saying that the sky is clear but abit too windy and being glad but I am missing the viewing and spending nights outdoors and with friends locally. I am not after sympathy nor complaining as I have accepted the way my spine is degenerating I just wanted to clarify the problems so I can get informed input from all my friends in IIS. Now can anyone help me decide if I should pay the approximate of $500ish to repair the mirror or if there is something smaller and more versatile for a mix of viewing and astrophotography nothing serious just for interest sake not for making money just for fun. That would suit someone who has problems with lugging gear around I understand that I may have to compromise on views with something smaller but reality is forcing the issue it is either get some viewing or get none at all.

Thanks in advance

supernova1965

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Hi Warren,

Many of us have some trouble carrying gear outside. I have a GSO 12" dob and have to get it out 2 doors and down several steps. I do it in 2 trips, but it's a struggle. Perhaps some sort of trolley or wheels which can be fitted to tripod legs or dob bases might alleviate the pressure on your spine, so you don't have to lift and carry, just roll it out. Ramps can help also, but it depends on the layout of your house.

Whether to keep the 10" depends on whether you want to do imaging or visual. A 10" on an EQ6 is a big beast to set up compared to an ED80. For visual use, nothing beats aperture. Good luck, Paul.

[gary]

Hi Warren,

Sorry to hear about the back.

As they say, the best scope is the one you use most often.

Three questions that may assist forum members to provide advice are -
* Do you observe just from the backyard or do you load the scope in the car
now and then as well?
* If you are loading into the car at the moment, may I ask what type of
vehicle are you using?
* If you do transport it to a dark sky site, do you always observe with mates that
can assist you with unloading and loading the scope at the destination?

For example, whilst recently visiting another forum member here in Sydney,
I noted he had fitted three castors to the bottom of the ground board of his 12"
Dob and he would simply wheel it out onto the patio.

With the really big Dobs, like the Obsessions in the 18" to 25" class, lifting them
is quite a feat and most owners have removable wheel barrow handles installed
that allow them to move the scope around in the garage and then push them
up a couple of planks into the back of a station wagon or ute. So a lateral
approach to the problem could be, if you transport the scope and irrespective of
what style of scope it might end up being, might there be some way to assist
you in loading it and unloading it out of the vehicle that minimizes back strain and
contortions? Loading a scope into the back seat of a sedan can often be
challenging just to get the scope through the door then secured for the journey.

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

While the majority of the time I do observe from the backyard I do travel to dark sites quite often (I drive a Toyota Camry Sedan) and I am usually the first on site so end up setting up myself. I am really interested in getting into astrophotography I like viewing so I would like to be able to do a little of that but I think the photography is the main thing I want to be able to do. So I think I have answered the question of whether to keep the Dob or not as it just doesn't achieve focus with the LPI and I am using it less and less as I physically can't use it most of the time. Is there a system that will allow for some viewing while being good for astrophotography that is guided via Meade autostar as I already have the camera and software but I am not wedded to it having to be that I just thought it would be easier on the budget that is smallish I am not interested in really distant objects just DSO's that are not so deep space that you need a really big mirror. Basically I am looking for a grab and go with some functionally it may not be something that exists but I hope it is for around $500 secondhand.