8" dob portability

johnno · #1 06-04-2005, 01:54 AM

Hi All,
I am considering buying a GSO 8" dob.I have a few questions which I am sure, some of the far more experienced members than I would be able to answer.
1.I am a little mobility limited,due to Arthritus etc,so just how portable is an 8" dob,ie are they light enough to be picked up and carried outside,I live in Greta N.S.W,and dont need to carry my gear by car,Just outside,and moved around the yard.I also have a Tasco/Vixen 5" catadioptric newtonian on a Vixen Polaris mount,which is about my weight limit for easy pick up and move around.
2.I own a Tasco 4.5 inch reflector which is light and portable,BUT due to the short f/r 4.4 is hopeless on planets,and without really good eyepieces,(which I dont have, except for the Vixen .965 18,and 5mm Orthos), not a lot better on DSOs,so would the 8" dob be a great deal better on both DSOs and Planets at f/r of 6.I like both Planets and DSOs,and cannot afford now, to buy a scope for each,so would the F6 Dob be a good compromise.
3.who is best to buy from,(I know who is the cheapest)
Many Thanks for any advice.
Regards.John

rmcpb (Rob) · #2 06-04-2005, 08:14 AM

Johnno, In your case I think the 8" would be OK if you add a trolley with blow up wheels to your list of accessories. This will let you carry it outside easily without shaking it up too much. You are lucky not to have to go outside your backyard for a dark site

As for the planets and DSOs, yes the 8" f6 GS scope is a great general purpose scope for all of these objects. I use mine most clear nights on everything from the moon to galaxies with great results.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #3 06-04-2005, 02:15 PM

Johnno,

Is it possible for you to house a large (8" or bigger) scope in the back yard. Possibly a small shed with the scope on wheels for example. Then you would not be restricted to carrying the scope anywhere. There are probably lots of ideas to keep the scope outside in some sort of protective cover.

Worth a thought.

atalas · #4 06-04-2005, 02:25 PM

Hi John

I second Rob's and Ken's thoughts ! go with the 8 in Dob in your case
and as Ken has said a shed with a slide off roof and your loughing and using your scope every clear night!

Louie

ving (David) · #5 06-04-2005, 07:50 PM

I have a 8" dob. if your back is bad or as you state arthritis is a problem then you will find it a tad difficult ot carry. but if you get it and a trolly to carry it around then you will really enjoy it. its great for, as rob stated, anythig from the moon to galaxies. and in the hunter your skies will be plenty dark to get great sights

welcome aboard by the way

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #6 06-04-2005, 09:57 PM

As far as who to buy from, probably either Bintel or Andrews. You sound like you already know Andrews are cheaper but Bintel will set the scope up a bit better. It's 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other. Save money and do the prelim collimation yourself, or pay a bit more and have it pre-collimated. I think Bintel will also centre spot for you.

If you have to carry it, don't go over 8". If you house it outside, go for the 10" or 12".

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #7 06-04-2005, 11:09 PM

A relative thread for me as I'm buying soon as well.

If Bintel collimate the scope b4 shipping, isn't there a chance you'll have to do it again anyway?
Are the ep's supplied with the Andrews scopes any better than Bintels?
Is there much difference in the quality of the mounts?

Jeanette

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #8 06-04-2005, 11:24 PM

Jeanette,

If you want a cheap box buy it from Andrews. Lee Andrews is a nice guy but has limited telescope knowledge compared to the guys at Bintel. You pay a little more at Bintel but years of free advice is worth that little bit extra IMO when you do buy.

Most importantly however the guys at Bintel not only collimate the scope but properly align the secondary under the focuser and square the focuser. This way if the scope gets knocked a little out of collimation during shipping you will only have minor adjustments to make and not start from scratch without really knowing what your doing. In addition to that Bintel physically inspect the components of each scope and the optics to make sure they pass visual inspection.

CS-John Bambury

wavelandscott (Scott) · #9 06-04-2005, 11:48 PM

I find the 8 inch DOB and trolley (with big tyres) makes a fairly portable package around the house and yard...the different pieces (base and scope) are not too heavy themselves...bulkier more than heavy...but the trolley makes for a quick set up for me.

Do give some thought to how you are going to view...standing or sitting...I find that it does not take long doing the "Dob Stoop" to get a bit uncomfortable to view so I got a cheap stool to sit on while I view...

I would encourage you to find someone nearby who has one and go check the scope out before ou buy...

astro_nutt · #10 07-04-2005, 12:25 AM

Hi everyone,
I too found by being seated on a stool whilst using my 8 inch Dob makes viewing much more comfortable. Since then, I have made a mount in which the optical tube can rotate in a box, on a modified alt-az base, so that the focuser can be turned towards the viewer. You can be seated, and still move the scope from horizontal to vertical with the eyepiece in easy reach. Also , for a while I built a simple plywood shed, which housed the scope, mounted on a set of wheels. Prior to a nights viewing, I simply wheeled the shed away.
I hope this info is useful.
Regards, astro_nutt.

johnno · #11 07-04-2005, 01:02 AM

Hi All,
Many thanks for the very helpful advice from everybody.
I think a trolley is a great idea,I also do have a shed I could keep it in,I would still have to use the trolley to move it around,but thats ok,too.
I have dealt with Lee Andrews in the past,buying a 4.5 inch f8 reflector,eyepieces,filters etc,etc.and I also have found Lee a nice person,But I do agree with John,its better to pay a little more and get Equipement, that has been CHECKED before shipping.AND get helpful advice if necessary.
I can understand the need for a chair,but I might need a stepladder as I am Height challenged at a whopping 5 feet 2 inches.
I am not yet in a financial position to buy yet,have to sell the other scopes first.All except the Tasco/Vixen 8v.
Thanks again to everybody,I do believe the 8 inch dob is the best all round scope for me.
Regards.John

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #12 07-04-2005, 01:13 AM

John, Thanks for the Thanks, but John Bambury(ausastronomer) was the one who said to go to Bintel for the Pre-Collimation, check over etc. I agree with him, but I got a good deal from Andrews at the time I was buying and couldn't refuse.

Sounds like you will have the best of both worlds: a Trolley and a shed to keep it in.

Good luck with your choice of dealers.

johnno · #13 07-04-2005, 02:02 AM

Hi Ken,
Yes, I realised my mistake,and edited my post,I had everyones names down,and stuffed up.My apologies to John.
Must admit I had been sipping on my home made bourbon at the time,and getting a little tired.
Cheers Ken.John

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #14 07-04-2005, 02:25 AM

John, you could place your scopes for sale in the 'Buy, Sell, Trade' section in this site. Someone may want what you have got.

johnno · #15 07-04-2005, 02:39 AM

Good Idea Ken,
I just have to work out what I want to part with and do some photos,pricing etc.
One of the biggest problems is working out what eyepieces I want to sell with them,the Tasco 114mm f4,only came with 2 eyepieces,a 20mm huygens,and a 4mm sr.
The 114mm f8 from Andrews came with a 20mm and 10mm Kellner,so I guess I could just sell the origionals with each scope.
They are not good eyepieces though.
Must admit the Kellners aren't that bad on the f8.
Thanks for the good advice Ken.
Regards.John

iceman (Mike) · #16 07-04-2005, 06:05 AM

Sounds like you've got all the advice you need already. Top stuff.

For your trolley and chair needs, there's an idea or two on the IceInSpace site that you may find useful..

Trolley

Observing chair

Good luck!

johnno · #17 07-04-2005, 12:09 PM

Hi Mike,
Your right,a lot of good advice and I will get an 8" when finances permit.
Thanks for the links,but I have already been to see them,again some great Ideas.
As I have said before,without doubt,this is the best forum for Australian Amateur Astronomers there is inmho.
Thanks Mike.Regards.John