A new SDM arrival in about 9 months

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Having taken a break from the hobby since last Christmas due to family and health issues, I have slowly returned to the hobby which has been a part of my life since the early 1980's (including a new username). With no astro gear to my name for a while, I contemplated my next move and decided to jump in the deep end and buy my next scope. Being primarily a visual observer over the years, there was only one choice for me. S.. D... M...

After a drive to the secluded and remote SDM workshops a few weekends ago (honestly, International Rescue are easier to locate ), overshooting the turnoff twice and nearly hitting a wombat I finally arrived in the pouring rain. The discussions with Peter were very productive and by the end of the afternoon preliminary plans were coming together for a new Dob. Originally I was aiming for a 16" but when it became clear that it was not going to fit into the boot of our new car without some serious panelbeating, it was looking like the new scope - whatever size - wouldn't fit in the current family car, so any transporting of said scope would have to be in the back of my ute. So an 18-incher was looking realistic.

A few days later after some more emails it was official: SDM#059 is now officially on order!
It will be a Classic 18" f4.5 with Galaxy Optics primary mirror, the usual Astrosystems secondary, Feathertouch focuser etc. No AN or Servo fitted at this stage, but I may retrofit an AN system down the track. Expected delivery 9-12 months, so all fingers and toes crossed for a completion by SVAA camp in March

I have a nice raised part of our newly completed garden set aside for a small timber deck.

Regards,
Stephen

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hi there Stephen

Welcome to the SDM club. Im #13.

Cheers Petra d.

[Louwai (Bryan)]

Good choice Stephen. You won't be disapointed.

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by stephenb

It will be a Classic 18" f4.5 with Galaxy Optics primary mirror, the usual Astrosystems secondary, Feathertouch focuser etc.

Second time lucky, Steven ?

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Thanks Petra and Bryan! Looking forward to owning another SDM. (Bryan how's my 350D travelling?)

Thanks Mark. Yep, more prepared this time, in regards to actually having a backyard that doesn't resemble a lunar landing site. However the 16" did go to a very good home. We almost have the whole block landscaped with two levels and I now have a ramp and with landscaped steps and nice expanses of lawn to utilise.

Looking forward to the nice mirror also (I will refrain from any masking tape tests on it, however: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=76681 )

Heading down to BinTel next week to pickup a nice 27mm Panoptic, and if all goes well, a 13mm Nagler. I don't see the need for any more ep's.

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by stephenb

However the 16" did go to a very good home.

Re my `second time lucky' comment :

Actually I was referring to the Deep sky Optics 18" F4.5 mirror and SDM mirror cell you bought that never actually became your 'scope ...( actually became SDM 034 )

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Re my `second time lucky' comment :

Actually I was referring to the Deep sky Optics 18" F4.5 mirror and SDM mirror cell you bought that never actually became your 'scope ...( actually became SDM 034 )

I was pretty sure they went into #34. FYI I will never attempt another ATM build again.

[erick (Eric)]

I hope all goes to plan Stephen and we see another SDM at SVAA Camp!

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by erick

I hope all goes to plan Stephen and we see another SDM at SVAA Camp!

Everything on track thus far. Peter had a few builds to complete prior to mine.

[Louwai (Bryan)]

Originally Posted by stephenb

Thanks Petra and Bryan! Looking forward to owning another SDM. (Bryan how's my 350D travelling?)

It's actually "travelled" a fair bit since I've had it Stephen. . It's been to New Guinea, Dubai, China & Perth.........
Still haven't had it attached to a scope yet. But I have just bought a new ADM side-by-side bar for the C8 & the AT80 & while I was at it I got a camera mount as well. So who knows, I might take a few photos of the sky yet...

[AstroJunk (Jonathan)]

Sounds great and welcome to the club! The 18" will be a fantastic scope, although I would recomend getting at least AN and a powered ground board now rather than later - both for the tremendous utility of AN, plus it will be a much easier job now than later.

On SDM 006, AN was pre-installed, but I put sevocat on as an afterthought and it was a total B!7ch (for Peter!). The reality is that a tracking scope allows you to see more detail at high power - I know its a lot of $$$, but boy does it pay off in terms of views

Whatever you decide, you will certainly get incredible value for your money with an SDM. The workmanship is just sublime

[pgc hunter]

Great Choice Stephan. I sold my 10" GSO because of my SDM. I was going to keep the 10 incher for shorter sessions but always found myself reaching for the SDM. All the luxuries and conveniences that are part of the package are worth the cost and more!

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Cheers Astrojunk and Sab. Re: the AN, Peter and I discussed this at length and I wanted to fit the AN myself. The scope, will be "AN ready" with minimal work needed to actually fit the encoders and wiring. It seems that every man and his dog can fit them to the most basic off the shelf Dob, I cannot see myself having a problem with this.

ServoCat is a luxury at this point. Nice to have, but I can't justify it at present.

(Oh, and she already has a name).

[mbaddah (Mo)]

Hi Stephen, awesome news to hear I think you've made the right choice purchasing an 18" f4.5 scope. If you're going 16" and have the cash, may as well go the 18" as it's probably the largest aperture scope that can be handled easily. The 20" is beastly territory

I too was going to hold off purchasing the ServoCat, but after speaking with many people and realised how much of a pain it can be to install after the scope is assembled, I thought bugger it and just cough up the dough. I don't know how people track planets at 500x+ mag, I can barely keep the scope in the fov at 400x!

The one big downfall to attaching the servocat which I found out later is that to separate the rocker box from the ground board is an extremely fiddly task, one that is not recommended by Peter as you risk damaging the scope, hence the whole bottom half must be carried as one piece unit in and out of the car

Perhaps you can get Peter to fit the argo encoders in so that you can attach the Argo unit at a later point?

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Hey, thanks mbaddah,

Yes, you're right. If I can afford the 16" with a GSO mirror, why not go the extra step and get a Galaxy Optics 18"! I shudder at the thought of anything over 20" at this stage of the game. I'm sure most of us would all like something of this size, as we all know, the best scope is the one you use the most. 18" sits real comfy with me.

I have not included the Servo Cat most due to my budget, but I will have a powered ground board, and Peter is including some small features in the construction to allow a more easier installation of AN and servos when the time arises.

One concept Peter is now including is using a "hammer finish" powdercoat surface on the side bearings in place of the Ebony Star Laminate (I think Eric's SDM#039 was the first to have this?). Apart from the fact that is still functions as equal as the Ebony Star, it looks pretty snazzy.

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Congratulations Stephen good to hear that you're back into it.

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Congratulations Stephen good to hear that you're back into it.

Thanks Patrick

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Only a small update, I placed an order for a TV 27mm Panoptic from the good lads at BinTel today. I plan only to have two ep's at the most, and by all account this will compliment the optics well.