First light GSO 16"

[Kevnool (Kev)]

This scope arrived in 3 large boxes delivered by TNT express and a i am thrilled about the quick service and no damage to the boxes.
First of all the rocker box was assembled,This is a two person job as the chipboard pieces are awkward to join together by yourself.
So in the mid`st of joining the base i tapped the staples down on the teflon pads as they were higher than the pad itself and i had 3 extra material pads into the base as well.

So with a two person lift we put the bottom end of the OTA into the rocker box, This is where the new alt bearings immediatly worked as i had to give it a swing,it was so smooth.

The stuts were straight forward with all the screw holes lining up.

Even the the top section of the OTA fitted neatly to the struts, with it now all together i pulled it down to attach finder scope(changed later to red dot finder) and i,ll say again the ease and control of these alt bearings is fantastic.

Now i,m at the 9 mile road dark site reassembling the scope, the sun is getting low now but ive got plent of time to colimate,I was back and forth 5 times between the laser and the cheshire before i had colimation.

First light was Alpha Centaurus with a meade 26mm series 5000 in the barlow and it was like 2 diamonds blazing at me clearly split giving a wow factor of 8,then as it got dark we observed all the usual suspects, omega centaurus (stunning), the keyhole and the homunculas,and loads more,

I didnt use the eyepieces that came with it because i ,m happy with the 26mm and the barlow.

So as i said in the previous post the rocker box will be remade with ply to sturdy it up and make it lighter, the struts will be modified to help take out the little movement that is there.

But i am happy i purchased the BT-402 and i cant wait for the encoders to become available for the argo navis

till next time cheers Kev.

[AlexN]

Good to hear the alt bearing are smooth.. its been the question on most peoples mind...

How were the views in comparison to your 10" LB?

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Absolutlly stunning the optics in my opinion are spot on (but thats me) Alpha centaurus allways get the wow factor, but i prefer tuc 47 and it didnt dissapoint looking into the heart of it.

Jupiter looks better in the 16 than the 10 with far more detail even i gave that a wow,but the dobs aint designed for planetary observations its the DSO,S they hunt , but i was in so much of a hurry that i left my star altas,s and every thing except for the eyepieces , i miss the laser sights on it but that will change with the arrival of the new encoders when they become available , but ive been asked already about the sale of the 10" but that wont be sold off as if i need to go observing on the spur of the moment i can go.

But now ive had a look in its original condition the next time will be when its all modified with this list

1-New ply rocker box.
2-Handle on the rocker box as not to swing the scope with the upper OTA and also to incorporate the Argo-Navis.
3-Dual compression springs on the primary.
4-Struts with 3 more at 1800mm to reach from the bottom of the OTA to the top of the OTA (to minimse movement more).

*one note before i go ....with the laser in the focuser in the dark we tested the movement by swinging the scope by the top of the OTA and there was movement there but this was in the millimetres ( not half inch as ive read elsewhere ) but i had the alt bearings and the azmith at my desired smooth setting ,not tight but not loose.

All this information is my opinion based on my observations and not designed to sway people either way.......Cheers Kev.

[Quark (Trevor)]

Hi Kev,
What an honor to be there for first light of your 16".
The heart of Omega Cent was simply stunning and the Homunculus looked great.

As with any mass produced scope there is room for improvement but you must be very pleased with the decision to go with the Bintel. Both the altitude and azimuth bearings were much smoother than I expected.

Kev also made up an excellent fitted light shroud, looked great.

The optics performed very nicely and your suggested mods will stiffen the whole structure significantly.

Congratulations
Trevor

[asterisk (Geoff)]

Hey Kev

Good to hear that everything lived up to your expectations. Have many hours of good viewing with your new scope.

All the best

[Chippy (Nick)]

Great first light - nicely done!!! Sounds very good indeed. Good luck with the mods!

Nick.

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Congratulations Kev, sounds like a great first night. I'm curious about your choice of the GSO vs Meade - what shifted your preference for one over the other?

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Congratulations Kev, sounds like a great first night. I'm curious about your choice of the GSO vs Meade - what shifted your preference for one over the other?

Hi Paddy the Meade has its trusses crossed making it hard for mods where the GSO has straight struts that are vertical making it easy to add 3 more between the upper and lower OTA. Price was not an option.....cheers Kev

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Originally Posted by Kevnool

Hi Paddy the Meade has its trusses crossed making it hard for mods where the GSO has straight struts that are vertical making it easy to add 3 more between the upper and lower OTA. Price was not an option.....cheers Kev

So you based your decision purely on which one was easiest to add more strut/trusses to?

[Kevnool (Kev)]

The ALT bearings swayed my decision because its sooooo smooth, the struts just make it easier to modify and how i want it to perform...cheers Kev.

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Thanks Kev.