Aperture vs Portability

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by Matty P

Rod, how much does the "Mary Rose" weigh fully loaded?

Matty,

In short, I am not sure.

Judging by the weights listed for a comparable scope from Obsession, the mirror box is about 46kg, but weighs only 11 kgs in real terms when being wheeled along with the wheelbarrow handles. The secondary cage weighs about 5kg, and I would judge the truss poles to be about 15 kgs.

I have a locking mechanism that allows me to wheel the scope fully set up. It feels perhaps 50% heavier than when I wheel the mirror box alone, so I would estimate an approximate effective weight of about 15 kgs when wheeling it.

It is not light, but by the same token, surprisingly easy to manoevre after a few goes.

I might also mention that I used to own a 10 inch LX200 SCT, and the Mary Rose is MUCH easier to manovre except when I need to get the Mary Rose in and out of the trailer (in that instance I use ramps when no one is around to help, but prefer to find a lifting buddy and manually lift it out!). The LX200 was awkward to carry out from the house to the tripod, and on a couple of occasions, I nearly stumbled over! Heart-stopping stuff!!

[CoombellKid]

As long as I'm fit enough to move it aperture get's my vote. Although I still
need to get the aperture.

regards,CS

[sejanus (Gavin)]

I bought a 16" with lofty ideas to disassemble it and chuck it in the car. Hasn't happened yet

It is very easy to use though in my backyard, it's on wheels and I leave it permanently assembled. Collimation aside I can have it pointing up in 30secs but the bugger is my backyard has a very limited view of west and a light polluted view of north

[abellhunter]

Hey Astro Heads!

i can't stand the city! So why would i have to move a scope around? BECAUSE MY DARK SITE BECAME THE ~ C I T Y ~!

___________________________________ ______________________
"Astronomers Worst Nightmare!" see post #17
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=28124
___________________________________ ______________________

All that said, it's allways been ~ A P E R T U R E ! The BIGGER THE BETTER!

___________________________________ ___________________
Large Group Scope &/or The new OZ Observatory/Retreat plan [see post #35]
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=27969
___________________________________ _____________________

Aperture Rules! Lance aka "abellhunter"

http://www.anzaobservatory.com
...is Moving to the Southern Hemisphere any ideas, suggestions or comments?

humphreys@greencafe.com

[citivolus (Ric)]

I must say that after getting the C9.25 on a GEM, the OTA is 10x as portable as my 10" LX200 was. I suspect that I could get a C14 and it would still be about the same level of portability as my other scope was.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by abellhunter

Hey Astro Heads!

i can't stand the city! So why would i have to move a scope around? BECAUSE MY DARK SITE BECAME THE ~ C I T Y ~!

___________________________________ ______________________
"Astronomers Worst Nightmare!" see post #17
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=28124
___________________________________ ______________________

All that said, it's allways been ~ A P E R T U R E ! The BIGGER THE BETTER!

___________________________________ ___________________
Large Group Scope &/or The new OZ Observatory/Retreat plan [see post #35]
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=27969
___________________________________ _____________________

Aperture Rules! Lance aka "abellhunter"

http://www.anzaobservatory.com
...is Moving to the Southern Hemisphere any ideas, suggestions or comments?

humphreys@greencafe.com

I know where I am off to for my next holiday.......WOW and WOW again.


___________________________________ __________________________


Back to the question at hand.

I had the need for aperture and went from an 8 inch Newt. to a 10 inch SCT.

I love it, but if I want anything bigger in a go-to SCT I will need to eat more "weet-bix" for energy.

My 10 inch is manageable for me, and can be transported very easily in its JMI case. But I can imagine the 12 inch being very heavy indeed and less portable.

Another difficulty is that I dont have a good viewing horizon from my home. Too many darn trees....So I have to take the scope to more remote sites.

I also may opt for a second scope to grab and set up for a quick fix at home, and then take " my baby" for a drive when we meet on the mountain.

fifty fifty for me....maybe aperture wins by a smidgen....

[JimmyH155]

I had to vote for portability. My Meade LX100 (8") with steel tripod is heavy enough even when all I do is lug it out of the shed. I carry the tripod out first then have to grab the OTA and lift really high to put it on the mount.
As some of youses have said, my little grab 'n go 90mm Celestron refractor gets lots of use - I can carry the lot out with one shoulder, plonk it anywhere to dodge the tree / street light / dog mess, and hey presto, ready for action. Even M42 looks good in it.

[skies2clear]

I want the largest aperture I can manage, so that means both in my book.

So, what's the largest aperture that is portable?

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by skies2clear

So, what's the largest aperture that is portable?

It really depends on how much weight you can carry or pull.

I'd say that a 12" SCT would be fairly easy to move around.

[Domol (Domenic)]

I think a celestron 11 inch on a CG5 (EQ Setup), breaks down well and fits into my wagon boot ok (room for luggage too). Only takes 15 min to assemble, and heaviest component is 13kg tube. You want to drive the car to where you set up, otherwise it's a chore. I'm lazy at the best of times, but it's acceptable to me. I had a 6inch Newton before that was almost grab and go, but i'd prefer the extra work on set up for the better view!

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by skies2clear

I want the largest aperture I can manage, so that means both in my book.

So, what's the largest aperture that is portable?

Depends on your definition of portable.

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

portability in my case coz my budget only stretches so far and because the neighbours always seem to turn on their porchlights at 4am ;((

Chris