Skywatcher 14" Dob

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #1 09-04-2009, 09:43 AM

Howdy

Been looking for more information on the Goto Dobs coming out, Sirius Optics now has them on there home page, but they have no price, and My Astro Shop has mention of them, but no more info. Anyway, after doing some digging, i found some info on the imminent 14" dob. This sounds like a good option, as its probably the last size where you can stand, and comfortably view!!

http://www.skywatcher-india.com/dob_...llapssible.htm

Optical Design Newtonian (Parabolic)
Lens Material Pyrex
Diameter 356mm
Focal Length 1700mm
Scondary Mirror Diameter 70mm
F/ratio F/4.7
Highest Practical Power 610x
Faintest Steller Magnitude 21
Resoving Power 0.38
Finderscope 9X50 right angle
Focuser diameter 2" with 1.25" adapter
Diagonal Eyepiece(s) 1.25" Super 25 and 10*
Mount Type Dobsonian
Slow-motion Control n/a
Counterweight(s) n/a
Piggyback Bracket
Accessory Tray n/a
Ground Board Diameter 632×740
Ground Board Weight(s) 18.5Kgs
Motor Drive n/a
Go-to n/a
Tube Weight 26Kgs
Tube Dimension(dia. x length) 450×(920-1400)
Tripod Height Shipping
Weight Shipping
Carton Dimensions 106x56x55(cm3) / 78x74x15(cm3)

EDIT : Just called Skywatcher Distribution, the 14" will have the GoTo mount, and be available at the end of June. and us mere mortals with ordinary dob will be able to buy the base to upgrade to full goto

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #2 09-04-2009, 11:58 AM

More info ... Those nice people at Sirius Optics are the only people in the country who where able to give me ANY info on this at all .. and with thier kind permission i have some prices. Note : The 12" will be available some time after the 10" and 8"

8" Goto Dob $1659
10" Goto Dob $2069
12" Goto Dob $3175

I did point out it was over $2000 more than what i paid for the ordinary version, but then again as was correctly pointed out to me, its kinda cheap for an instrument of this aperture that can track goto, and do photography.

am i the only person interested in these?

Please Note : I have no affiliation with Sirius Optics at all, i only post info from them, as they where the only place that had any!!

Starkler (Geoff) · #3 09-04-2009, 12:50 PM

I think the price premium on the 12" is a bit high, compared to buying a vanilla one, adding an argonavis and pushing it yourself.

If it turns out to be a solid performer without any bugs or nagging irritations it could be a good buy, but I wouldnt want to be first to try it.

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #4 09-04-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

I think the price premium on the 12" is a bit high, compared to buying a vanilla one, adding an argonavis and pushing it yourself.

yeah, its kinda steep, and adding an Argo would be cheaper ...

But this has drives, has no "push to" comes with Camera adaptor, drive has all the fruit needed for photography to. etc. I would rather get the Argo, as

1. Its an Aussie product.
2. Gary is a gentleman and a real stand up guy

so if i could get an Argo something to drive it, i would go with that.

but when you think about how much you would pay for a 12" SCT on a tracking fork mount, which is kinda the same thing, then i dont think the price is too "Astronomical"

beefking (Nathan) · #5 09-04-2009, 01:06 PM

I think it's great idea for a scope, but I have a 12" that's only 8 weeks old. I need to get to know what I've got before I go looking too deeply at the new improved models.

The camera adapter is an interesting option - how long an exposure can you take through a tracking dob before field rotation is an issue?

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #6 09-04-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beefking

I think it's great idea for a scope, but I have a 12" that's only 8 weeks old. I need to get to know what I've got before I go looking too deeply at the new improved models.

The camera adapter is an interesting option - how long an exposure can you take through a tracking dob before field rotation is an issue?

TBH, i have no idea, maybe one of the photography gurus can take this up for us. I was under the impression that as long as it tracked it, and the PEC was ok, then it didnt matter !!

shows you what i know about taking pics.

Starkler (Geoff) · #7 09-04-2009, 01:11 PM

Photography use is limited to lunar/planetary unless you keep to the meridian otherwise rotation is an issue.

If AP of dso's is your thing you would be advised to buy a tube ota and an eq mount. You wouldnt be mounting guide scopes on this dob or hanging heavy cameras off this focuser lest you cause flexure issues in the collapsible poles.

Like I said, it could be good value if the mechanicals and software are solid and serviceable (replacement parts available). I would need to be convinced of that first.

beefking (Nathan) · #8 09-04-2009, 01:14 PM

I wonder, then, if there's field de-rotaters available suitable for a dob? I know meade make them for their fork mounted SCTs.

Still, the number of motors involved is getting a bit silly. I can understand the attraction of an equatorial.

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #9 09-04-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

Photography use is limited to lunar/planetary unless you keep to the meridian otherwise rotation is an issue.
If AP of dso's is your thing you would be advised to buy a tube ota and an eq mount.

like i said ... i know very little about AP.

how about if you sat it on a wedge that was in line with your lattitude?

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #10 09-04-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beefking

I wonder, then, if there's field de-rotaters available suitable for a dob? I know meade make them for their fork mounted SCTs.

Still, the number of motors involved is getting a bit silly. I can understand the attraction of an equatorial.

i hear ya, but at any rate, a 12" F5 dob, that could track, and had goto, slew etc. would be a nice little toy

mozzie (Peter) · #11 09-04-2009, 08:37 PM

duncan sounds like a new 14"dob for you with goto

mozzie
ps thats right youve just a new one oh how the astronomy bug bites

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #12 10-04-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mozzie

duncan sounds like a new 14"dob for you with goto

mozzie
ps thats right youve just a new one oh how the astronomy bug bites

yeah, too much is never enough !!

although the more i think about it ... $3100 for a 12 dob with tracking?

$3100 would get a nice 12" OTA on a proper Goto EQ mount, and while not as immediate as the dob, it would be far more versatile. it would cost even less than that without the Goto (the dobs have it, but are goto capable)

no, the more i think about it, i think the retailers are gonna have to rethink thier prices on this.

I called Andrews about these yesterday, and all they could say was "we are looking into ordering this, rest assured, we will have the cheapest price for them by far in Australia"

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #13 10-04-2009, 01:36 PM

oh dear ...

http://stargazerslounge.com/astro-lo...ml#post1203572

This from First Light Optics, who already have them in stock in the UK and are selling them

"We have just been advised by Sky-Watcher that a GOTO Upgrade will NOT now be made available for the Skyliner FlexTube AUTO Motorised Dobsonians. "

now i am sure the retailers here had better rethink thier prices. $1800 over the top of the price of the ordinary version just for tracking? no thanks.

Buy youself an Argo navis and pocket the $1000 change ....

That 12" on a GEM is looking better all the time.

Starkler (Geoff) · #14 10-04-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toryglen-boy

That 12" on a GEM is looking better all the time.

They really are different beasts for different jobs.

An eq mounted newt is a logical choice for AP but a horrible, heavy and frustrating one for a visual observer. You need to mechanically polar align and balance counterweights every time you set it up, not to mention spinning the ota everytime you change objects so you dont suffer chiropractic issues trying to look into the focuser.

A tracking dob is way more convenient and portable for the visual observer. Polar alignment for tracking is a 2-3 star alignment handled by software (which you need to do anyway with an eq goto).

If it works well I see a 14" one of these being a great club scope for public viewing sessions etc.

The deletion of a goto option is a big loss here. I read speculation on another forum that this was driven by Orion who screamed that this would kill sales of their intelliscope range and they used their pull with Synta.

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #15 10-04-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

They really are different beasts for different jobs.

An eq mounted newt is a logical choice for AP but a horrible, heavy and frustrating one for a visual observer. You need to mechanically polar align and balance counterweights every time you set it up, not to mention spinning the ota everytime you change objects so you dont suffer chiropractic issues trying to look into the focuser.

A tracking dob is way more convenient and portable for the visual observer. Polar alignment for tracking is a 2-3 star alignment handled by software (which you need to do anyway with an eq goto).

yes, i am well aware of this. Thats why i was so excited about this auto-flextube in the first instance

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

The deletion of a goto option is a big loss here. I read speculation on another forum that this was driven by Orion who screamed that this would kill sales of their intelliscope range and they used their pull with Synta

linkage?

if thats the case, then thats shocking, pull a product so if we want a goto, slewing scope, there is only one product available?

Starkler (Geoff) · #16 10-04-2009, 02:15 PM

No the intelliscope doesnt have motors. Its a dob complete with a cheap dsc that you still have to push. Orion have the US market for Synta products stitched up and would have a lot of pull with them.

I read it over on CN.

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #17 10-04-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

No the intelliscope doesnt have motors. Its a dob complete with a cheap dsc that you still have to push. Orion have the US market for Synta products stitched up and would have a lot of pull with them.

I read it over on CN.

yeah mate, reading about it now over there.

i agree with your point, although Orion would only really be effective in the USA, they might release it everywhere else though.

I suppose with tracking, you could add an Argo Navis, although then that would be $4000 for a 12" and there is NO way i am paying that, for that price i could have 3 ordinary 12" dobs and about $500 change ...

i guess its wait and see

xnomad · #18 10-04-2009, 02:39 PM

Didn't you just get a 12" dob recently? Is this aperture fever or is a promised stimulus package got you thinking?

I have to admit with the stimulus package check, supposedly on it's way, I'm tempted with an upgrade too. I only wanted a small scope for the occasional glance but now I am tempted to get something bigger as I'm really hooked.

Still I can't justify it, I've only seen a few things in the sky so far and there is tons I've still got to look at. I'm going to spend it on a few accessories and that. So is the 12" not doing the job for you? I saw one in a shop and it's a fairly hefty piece of kit I can't imagine my finance' letting me have a 14" in the living room.

Calibos (Keith) · #19 10-04-2009, 03:17 PM

That may have been my post you guys are talking about over on CN. it was pure speculation on my part not insider info.

Calibos (Keith) · #20 10-04-2009, 11:31 PM

Hey Duncan, did you see the post by Kai over on Stargazerslounge.

One word

EQMOD !!