Some questions regarding Dobsonian reflectors

[richardda1st (Richard)]

All assembled, very easy, very nice. Heavier then I thought, I will not be putting the lower tube up in the space pod on the roof racks of my car as planed. Will fit nicely in its base in the back of the wagon. Robh, it will be OK without rotating tube.
I managed to get my act together last night and observed Saturn. A very thin layer of high clouds spoilt things a bit, and to much light pollution at my place. It was still OK, first with the 26mm than a 10mm plossl and even thought that the 6.5mm was OK also, considering the seeing was not the best. Must say that I miss the fine adjustment I am used to from my small old EQ mount. Will have to get used to the DOB way of doing things. Must also remember to turn the red dot finder of, I left it on all night and most of today. Very easy to use. Must get myself a laser collimator to fine tune the scope. I'm assuming the laser will do a much better job then just eye-balling as per the instruction.
Cloudy at the moment and looks like it will be all night, DAMN!

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

The laser is a great way to colimate, quick and easy. Just check that IT is colimated first, mine was out a tad when I got it. Have fun with the new scope.

Bill

[Robh (Rob)]

Originally Posted by richardda1st

I managed to get my act together last night and observed Saturn. A very thin layer of high clouds spoilt things a bit, and to much light pollution at my place.
Cloudy at the moment and looks like it will be all night, DAMN!

When I bought my scope, I had either cloud or rain in darker skies (no moon) for 3 months. Very frustrating!

Rob

[TheoHE (Theo)]

Hi Richard, it's been a few months since you were last on this thread but wondering what your opinion is now of the 10 inch Lightbridge? I have one on order after spending around a year mulling over my first scope. It had to come from the US first, should be in the eastern states around now then freighted to the West, so it's been a long wait. I am really looking forward to it's arrival. Have you needed to modify anything? Cheers Theo.

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Originally Posted by TheoHE

Hi Richard, it's been a few months since you were last on this thread but wondering what your opinion is now of the 10 inch Lightbridge? I have one on order after spending around a year mulling over my first scope. It had to come from the US first, should be in the eastern states around now then freighted to the West, so it's been a long wait. I am really looking forward to it's arrival. Have you needed to modify anything? Cheers Theo.

Hi Theo.

As you say, I haven't checked this thread for a while.
I am still satisfied with the LB, but I did have some issues. Instead of going over all the details here can I suggest that you check my statistics/threads and posts.

I find the LB very easy to move and setup. Since I fitted the altitude and azimuth scales I am enjoying it even more. Don't know why they're not fitted as standard, it wouldn't add to much to the cost.

I find that you must make sure that all the screws are tight, especially the ones securing the cast tube rings to the tubes. Make sure that the struts are also well seated and tight. I occasionally apply a tiny amount of fine oil to the thread of the strut screws, makes it very easy to tighten with little force.

Let us know how it goes.

Originally Posted by Glenhuon

The laser is a great way to colimate, quick and easy. Just check that IT is colimated first, mine was out a tad when I got it. Have fun with the new scope.

Bill

Hi Bill,

I use an Orion Delux laser to collminate, very easy to use. Had mine checked (thanks EricK), twice, the first one died after a couple of months, Bintel exchanged it for a new. Both were slightly out but OK.


Richard