Obsession dob? Or something more modest?

llm726 (Anthony) · #1 29-03-2011, 10:09 PM

Hi,

Long time lurked, first time poster... Currently a beginner who is enjoying learning the night sky with a pair of 15x70 celestron binos and some star map program on the iPad. I'm enjoying the views and learning how to star hop from well known stars to the faint fuzzies.

However, it's is getting to that time that I would like to see things closer up and a lot more brighter.... I.e early signs of aperture fever...

Considering a 12, 14, 16, or larger dob. I can prob afford something up to $2000 with a month or two of diligent saving, include a good ep. Alternatively I might just save up for 10-12 months for an obsession dob - maybe the 18 or 20 inch version that will cost up to $8-9k. If that were the case I would continue using the bins to self educate. Also hoping to get out and about to see some scopes in action.

Facts for consideration is that I live in Canberra and the night viewing is generally pretty good. Most viewing will be from the backyard but am prepared to dismantle the beast to take further afield.

So, id appreciate any thoughts, views and comments...

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #2 29-03-2011, 10:18 PM

$2000 will get you a great scope, 12"solid tube, collapsible, with or without GoTo or a 12" Lightbridge with change for EPs and other bits. A bit more and you can move into the 14" to 16" range.
These will all show you 1000s more objects than you can currently see in your binos.
An Obsession style dob or and SDM is a big beast, certainly worth the money, but you probably need to see one to truly appreciate what you are getting.

llm726 (Anthony) · #3 29-03-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barx1963

$2000 will get you a great scope, 12"solid tube, collapsible, with or without GoTo or a 12" Lightbridge with change for EPs and other bits. A bit more and you can move into the 14" to 16" range.
These will all show you 1000s more objects than you can currently see in your binos.
An Obsession style dob or and SDM is a big beast, certainly worth the money, but you probably need to see one to truly appreciate what you are getting.

Agreed. I've been eagerly reading all the reviews lately on sky watcher, Meade and GSO dobs, and regularly check the Andrews communications website to see when that 16" dob becomes available.

I'm thinking that with some further scrimping on lifestyle (I.e bringing sandwiches for lunch, forgoing house heating etc) I might start getting some ethos eyepieces. But then again, I should get out there in the field and see these items in action!

I'm cusing the day I received that free DVD from obsession telescopes!

rmcconachy · #4 29-03-2011, 10:59 PM

Anthony, without wanting to rain on your parade may I suggest a different strategy? Buy a 10" Dob, better yet a second hand one, and three or four reasonable but not mega expensive eyepieces (e.g., plossls). Observe with this scope while saving money. Attend as many star parties as you can and look through other people's scopes and eyepieces. Hopefully by the time you've accumulated lots of cash you will have spent many nights observing and have a better idea of what kinds of objects you like looking at (e.g., do you like planets? The Moon? Deep sky objects?) and what kind of equipment is best suited for that kind of observing. A 10" Dob also fits into a car easily in two pieces (e.g., tube across the back seat and Dob mount in the boot) and can be picked up and moved around without too much hassle. Finally, after you've done some learning with the 10" and bought the huge scope of your dreams (or whatever it turns out that you really want) you can likely sell the 10" and recoup most of your money.

Happy observing whatever you decide to do!

floyd_2 (Dean) · #5 29-03-2011, 11:00 PM

I owned an Obsession 15" for quite a while and loved it. They're very well made and a joy to use. Having said that, I must admit that the current price tag of about AU$10,000 for a kitted out Obsession 15", compared to the price tag of about $3,000 for an Orion XX14i makes the decision easy. I have owned both, and in your shoes, would snap up an xx14i toot sweet. They're an excellent scope for the money. You might need to put some TLC into the azimuth bearing (turtle wax and armourall about does it, and perhaps slightly larger virgin teflon bearings) but apart from that - mine collimates to perfection and is an excellent scope. I love using it!

Dean

erick (Eric) · #6 30-03-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llm726

I'm cusing the day I received that free DVD from obsession telescopes!

Amazing instruments. Did you notice the lady collimating her big dob, with the help of a friend, with the primary mirror cover still in place - like magic!

Go on, do it!

Go here:-

www.sdmtelescopes.com.au

llm726 (Anthony) · #7 30-03-2011, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Amazing instruments. Did you notice the lady collimating her big dob, with the help of a friend, with the primary mirror cover still in place - like magic!

Go on, do it!

Go here:-

www.sdmtelescopes.com.au

Yep, I have drooled over the sdm telescopes, and a bunch oh other niche manufacturers.

I've come up with a plan.... Will stick with the bins for the next 6 months and during this time I hope to get out and about to check out as many telescopes as possible. After that I'll take the plunge. Most prob a 12" but well see.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #8 31-03-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floyd_2

I owned an Obsession 15" for quite a while and loved it. They're very well made and a joy to use. Having said that, I must admit that the current price tag of about AU$10,000 for a kitted out Obsession 15", compared to the price tag of about $3,000 for an Orion XX14i makes the decision easy. I have owned both, and in your shoes, would snap up an xx14i toot sweet.

Dean

Hi Dean,

That's a matter of personal opinion. It depends on many things. How much money you have, how discerning an observer you are and what you expect from your observing equipment. Importantly, it also depends on how much time you want to spend frigging around with your equipment to get it to work properly, instead of observing. It also depends on how long you expect it to last and how long you plan to keep it. At about 3 times the price I would take my 14" SDM with Zambuto mirror, Argo Navis and Servo Cat each and every day over an XXi14. Having an 18" Obsession and a 14" SDM in the stable, I can also say the SDM takes things to the next level again, notwithstanding the Obsession is an outstanding scope. Because SDM only produce about 10 to 15 scopes a year and Obsession produce 200 plus, Peter Read has a lot more time to individualise every SDM scope and make sure it's perfect in every way. The Obsessions are excellent and everything on them works exactly as it should. Wait time on delivery for an Obsession is minimal (3 mths), conmpared to 12 mths plus for an SDM.

The other thing to remember is you see people upgrading each and every day from a mass produced Asian made scope to a premium truss dob. The only time you ever see people going from a premium truss scope to a mass produced scope is when they need the money for something else. That having been said, a premium truss scope is a big investment and a 15" Obsession or SDM sitting unloved in the garage in 2 years time is a lot of coin going to waste. I think Anthony should "dip his toes in the water" with a 10" GSO or similar to see if his interest is going to hold before shelling out large coin. As a matter of fact I know of a really excellent 10"/F5 GSO dob with Argo Navis and every conceivable mod, that's for sale at a very good price

Cheers,
John B

acropolite (Phil) · #9 31-03-2011, 11:46 AM

Anthony there is a large don for sale here on IIS, William has his 25 inch SDM for sale in the icetrade section.

William was kind enough to let us view though this instrument at Astrofest, it's an amazing piece of gear, well equipped with Argonavis and Servocat, if you're really serious about a big dob, you need look no further.

Paddy (Patrick) · #10 31-03-2011, 12:28 PM

I agree with John about the quality of the scope and the reasons for upgrading from a mass produced dob to an SDM or obsession and that there is a very good reason for going Chinese dob first. An obsession or SDM is a big commitment and this forum is littered with telescopes for sale after one year because they don't get used or because the owner is disappointed with what can be seen visually, having not been sure what to expect.

I'd second rmconachy's post - get a cheaper scope, find out how much you'll use it, get an idea of what you like observing and how and save for eps and a different scope at the same time. Also go to star parties and look through scopes. Doubling aperture leads to significant but not mind blowing improvement in views, but as you get bigger requires significant investment. You need to see this to understand and ideally after you have some experience observing.

gary · #11 31-03-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llm726

However, it's is getting to that time that I would like to see things closer up and a lot more brighter.... I.e early signs of aperture fever...

....

Facts for consideration is that I live in Canberra and the night viewing is generally pretty good.

Hi Anthony,

Gary Kopff here from Wildcard Innovations.

As a disclaimer, both Obsession Telescopes and SDM are customers of ours.

Good to hear you have aperture fever.

If you are able to get out of town for the weekend, I wholeheartedly recommend
you consider attending the South Pacific Star Party which is being held at the
Astronomical Society of New South Wales dark sky site near Ilford, NSW this
very weekend, 1st April to 3rd April 2011.
See http://www.asnsw.com/spsp/
My guess is that from Canberra it would probably be about a 5 hour drive.
You can register on arrival.

It is the largest star party in the southern hemisphere and it is not uncommon to
see 300 attendees. There are a plethora of scopes including some large aperture
Obsessions and SDM's which, weather permitting, you will be more than
welcome to have a look at and look through. There will also be lots of
generic commercial scopes out of the Fat East on the field as well which I am sure
many owners will only be too happy to invite you to look through as well.

I can't think of a better and more timely opportunity to "try before you buy"
and it is a great opportunity to chat to owners.

I am sure that by the time the weekend is over, if you have not totally
made up your mind as to what type of scope you would like to purchase,
you will have at least come away more informed and confident about your
purchase decision making process.

Hopefully you might be able to make it and that we get to meet you there.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

stringscope (Ian) · #12 31-03-2011, 01:23 PM

Hi Anthony,

Seeing you live in Canberra, if you haven't already, why don't you join the Canberra Astronomical Society (CAS) : http://msowww.anu.edu.au/cas/

CAS holds monthly meetings at the Mt Stromlo Observatory (MSO) 8Pm-11PM with introductory sessions held on the same night from 7-8PM. In addition we hold 2 monthly observing sessions, one at one of our dark sky sites on private property and the other at MSO using the CAS 14" Meade LX200 and a number of private scopes up to 20" aperture.

We have also started participating in monthly public outreach sessions at MSO in partnership with the ANU.

Also CAS hires out telescopes to members at very reasonable $ rates.

May be we can catch up at our next meeting.

Cheers,

llm726 (Anthony) · #13 31-03-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acropolite

Anthony there is a large don for sale here on IIS, William has his 25 inch SDM for sale in the icetrade section.

William was kind enough to let us view though this instrument at Astrofest, it's an amazing piece of gear, well equipped with Argonavis and Servocat, if you're really serious about a big dob, you need look no further.

Sensational scope, but well beyond my budget!

llm726 (Anthony) · #14 31-03-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stringscope

Hi Anthony,

Seeing you live in Canberra, if you haven't already, why don't you join the Canberra Astronomical Society (CAS) : http://msowww.anu.edu.au/cas/

CAS holds monthly meetings at the Mt Stromlo Observatory (MSO) 8Pm-11PM with introductory sessions held on the same night from 7-8PM. In addition we hold 2 monthly observing sessions, one at one of our dark sky sites on private property and the other at MSO using the CAS 14" Meade LX200 and a number of private scopes up to 20" aperture.

We have also started participating in monthly public outreach sessions at MSO in partnership with the ANU.

Also CAS hires out telescopes to members at very reasonable $ rates.

May be we can catch up at our next meeting.

Cheers,

Joining up is on my short term list of things to do. Very keen to check out the scopes, and have my binos handy as a point of comparison.

I'll check the website to find out when the next meeting is.

llm726 (Anthony) · #15 31-03-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Anthony,

Gary Kopff here from Wildcard Innovations.

As a disclaimer, both Obsession Telescopes and SDM are customers of ours.

Good to hear you have aperture fever.

If you are able to get out of town for the weekend, I wholeheartedly recommend you consider attending the South Pacific Star Party which is being held at the Astronomical Society of New South Wales dark sky....

.......I am sure that by the time the weekend is over, if you have not totally
made up your mind as to what type of scope you would

Hi Gary,

I'll give some thought to the star party... As you say it's probably the best opportunity to check out very scope under the sun in the one go... Fingers crossed for good weather.

By the way I enjoyed your promotion of the Argo Navis on the obsession DVD. While I am enjoying using the 'go skywatch' app on the iPad when observing with binoculars, there are simply too many stars and other things out there in trying to get an accurate idea on what exactly Im looking at!

Cheers
A

llm726 (Anthony) · #16 31-03-2011, 10:28 PM

Hi all,

Thanks to everyone for their input. It was all very good. My timeframe for further research will be at least another 6-8 months in which tome I'll continue to use the binocs to learn the night sky and use every opportunity to check out scopes of every shape and size.

However, in the event that I or a close relative wins the lottery, I intend to immediately buy a 30" SDM on impulse and will make it available for viewing by any interested party,

Cheers

Anthony

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #17 01-04-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llm726

Hi all,

However, in the event that I or a close relative wins the lottery, I intend to immediately buy a 30" SDM on impulse and will make it available for viewing by any interested party,

Cheers

Anthony

Hi Anthony,

Having a 30" SDM in our 3RF telescope arsenal I can tell you the views are outstanding. However, it is physically an extremely demanding piece of equipment. If you are not < 40 years of age, 6'2" plus tall and 100kg plus you might need to rethink your dream scope. 15 minutes ago it took 4 of us to lift the mirror box out of the rocker box. The scope weighs 800 pounds plus.

Cheers,
John B

terrynz (Terence) · #18 01-04-2011, 06:54 PM

Get a nice sky-watcher 12in collapsible dob. They produce wonderful views of the night sky and are easy to operate. A guy at the astronomy club has one and man it is nice. You can even make out light pink colours in Eta Carina nebula. Money well spent.
cheers
Terry

madbadgalaxyman (Robert) · #19 02-04-2011, 09:11 AM

See my post in the "Goto Dob 12 Vs 14" discussion for an informed view on the "telescope size vs. usability" debate.

cheers, madbadgalaxyman

Brian W (Brian) · #20 02-04-2011, 08:01 PM

Hi Gary this is just how it worked for me... I started with binos and Stellarium. Got a short tube 4.5" reflector and took about 10 months to start to consistently push it to its limits. Moved up to an 8" LightBridge and figured that as soon as I was pushing the limits of the 8" I would be moving up the food chain.

Two years later and I am no where near pushing the 8 to its limits. This is not to say that eventually a bigger scope is not a possibility. I am a DSO hunter and more aperture means more DSOs. But the reality is that there are at least 10,000 more out there that my 8 can spot and all more aperture would give me is further away dimmer cotton balls.

Don't get me wrong, Saturn's rings are beautiful and the Witch Head Nebula sans filter is a treat I just happen to really enjoy the faint fuzzies.

My suggestion is for you to put in a little more time and find out what lights your rockets and then find the right scope for your particular passion.
Brian