Great choice. I have been watching these CDKs with some interest for some time as well. I think you made a great choice.Roland Christen of AstroPhysics was very impressed with these so there's a hell of a recommendation.
I think you'll be extremely happy with that scope.
What a fantastic set up, Theo! I suppose that you will probably have a great deal of fun with it - green as others have said is an appropriate response. Look forward to seeing some of the images!
Great choice. I have been watching these CDKs with some interest for some time as well. I think you made a great choice.Roland Christen of AstroPhysics was very impressed with these so there's a hell of a recommendation.
I think you'll be extremely happy with that scope.
How much does it weigh?
Would a Paramount ME handle it?
Greg.
Hi Greg, i think i seen your questions on the Planewave user group.
As i mentioned numerous times, i had first got wind of this design nearly 3 years ago, and made some comments about it here on this form and also at cloudy nights. The specs looked really good, and i looked into this design and potential. After seeing a couple of them in action, i decided to get one, so i started to put away a little at a time.
As yourself, i looked into the optical performance and comparisons with other designs, but none were at the same cost level vs performace.
My second choice was a RC from OGS, but as i said, to match the performace of the CDK, i would have had to also purchase the Flat field corrector option, and its just way too much. It would have also provided a smaller imaging circle too, so i opted for the CDK.
Even Dr Clay (Meade Expert) has ordered one, which says something as he also is an expert in optical and mechanical fields.
I really recommend you look at one of these close up if your serious. I did this and was sold to the idea of having one in my observatory.
If you speak to Rick Hedrick again, tell him you spoke to me about the scope.
The scope weighs about 140 lbs, and the paramount can hold it, but you need a couple of extra bits, like a bar extender for the couter balance weights, and also a couple of extra weights.
Its on their website.
Well, spent 3 hours drift aligning my mount, then spent a another hour playing around with the CCD camera on the scope getting used to focusing etc.. Totally buggered, but had fun.
I took a picture, although not too clear, again taken during the night, of the size of the whole thing. I will take a clearer shot guys once i have some time during the day..
Anyway, as you can see its freakin huge.... I stand 5 foot 5", and it towers me.
Operation is as smooth as silk. Anyone with the Astrophysics GTO3 control gear knows. Poetry in motion !.
Theo, now you have this spec' scope, you're going to have to do something about the decor of your dome!!!!. Can't have a flash looking scope next to a "park bench" with a "50 year old silicon moron" running the show!!!
Needs a new table and some decent storage...and a new computer by the looks of it!!!
i'd sacrifice near on everything else I own for that setup, park bench and old pc included.. I honestly would not care if I was sitting on a pile of rusty nails instead of a chair when in command of that monster!
i'd sacrifice near on everything else I own for that setup, park bench and old pc included.. I honestly would not care if I was sitting on a pile of rusty nails instead of a chair when in command of that monster!
Crikey Alex - close your wallet and cover your eyes. You don't know the power of the dark side.......
(either that or you'll have a lot of new Brisbane friends wanting to come around every weekend if you ever buy one of these!)
As i mentioned numerous times, i had first got wind of this design nearly 3 years ago, and made some comments about it here on this form and also at cloudy nights. The specs looked really good, and i looked into this design and potential. After seeing a couple of them in action, i decided to get one, so i started to put away a little at a time.
As yourself, i looked into the optical performance and comparisons with other designs, but none were at the same cost level vs performace.
My second choice was a RC from OGS, but as i said, to match the performace of the CDK, i would have had to also purchase the Flat field corrector option, and its just way too much. It would have also provided a smaller imaging circle too, so i opted for the CDK.
Even Dr Clay (Meade Expert) has ordered one, which says something as he also is an expert in optical and mechanical fields.
I really recommend you look at one of these close up if your serious. I did this and was sold to the idea of having one in my observatory.
If you speak to Rick Hedrick again, tell him you spoke to me about the scope.
The scope weighs about 140 lbs, and the paramount can hold it, but you need a couple of extra bits, like a bar extender for the couter balance weights, and also a couple of extra weights.
Its on their website.
Theo.[/quote]
Hi Theo,
Good luck with your setup. I look forward to seeing your images as there aren't a lot posted on the Planewave site. There are a couple of 20 inch images and a number of 12 inch images.
I was looking at the feasibility of the 17 inch on a Paramount.
Perhaps next year as I have a setup I am happy with now.
(and obviously first light pics 
)
