New Telescope

[Moonman (Michael)]

Dear All,

I am soon to take delivery. Here are some preliminary pictures sent to me from a fellow Ast. Soc. of Tas. member who has actually imported three of these to Tassy, one of which is mine.

[IMG]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55...dscope-941.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55.../Scope-942.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55.../Scope-934.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55...ntents-940.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55...ntents-927.jpg[/IMG]

Anyway I have been assured that this unit is excellent value for money (cost to Tassy incll. frieght $499).

It looks impressive all I have to do now is work out how to use it.

Regards to all

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Well done on the new family member

I am sure you will get many hours of pleasure looking through it.

[iceman (Mike)]

Nice Michael, is that the 8"?

It's a great scope, and you'll have many wonderful years of use with it. And the good thing about dobs like that, is there's so many mods you can make to it, if you choose to. And it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money.

[rmcpb (Rob)]

I can guarantee you will love that scope

Enjoy

[ving (David)]

excellent!
I have had that scope for about a year now. you are going to really enjoy it
congrats!

[Mark Elkington]

Hi Michael,

Is that the 8 inch from Andrews (I got bonus binos and moon filter from them)? Anyway, I have a GS 8 inch, nice and light but with decent aperture and good mirror.

It works fine without mods, but some relatively simple additions I've found really help:

- steering knob on front of tube just under focuser

- "milk jug" cut out washers on centre bolt, pack up with just enough to free up az rotation

- back off the focuser box screws for easier movement

- screw a carry handle to the tube as well as the base

- red dot finder (I now have a Telrad with right-angle mirror on mine, but I think the Rigel Quickfinder would mount in a more comfortable position)

- centre-spot the primary for collimation

- key rings on the tension springs (hook rings over screws, you generally don't need full tension)

- aperture fever immunisation (e.g. help someone with 12 inch version pack and unpack :-)

Clear skies!
Mark

[Moonman (Michael)]

Yes Mike and Mark it is the 8 inch.

Some good tips on improvements there looks like I'll have some enjoyable tinkering to contemplate in the next few months.

Here's an excerpt of comments made by my Southern Tasmanian Astronomy colleague regards his assessment of the GS.

"The quality is excellent and I would find it difficult to improve on it at the price. Metal tube, good mirror mount and diagonal mount & spider support. Focuser is 2" & 1.25" with copper compression ring locking rather than a metal screw onto the side of the eyepiece. Comes with free binoculars (excellent) and a Moon Filter.

Overall construction is tops. The finder is better than I see on many much higher priced scopes it is a 50 mm diameter objective, very rare in a low cost scope. At $499 you will be delighted.

Shevill Mathers

Ta for now, it will be a few weeks before I am up and running with the telescope as I have to drive down to Hobart to get it and I am working weekends untill then. Ah the vagueries of Shift Work!

[slice of heaven]

You'll be looking past the moon from now on Moonman.

Enjoy it.

Anyone keeping tally on the number of dobs on the site?