Solid DOB vs Collapse DOB

[Marclau (Marcel)]

Apart from size and the ability to transport the Collapse DOB more easily, is there any large differences?

I'm looking possibly at a 12" heading around Xmas time.

As for vehicles, we have a new Grand Cherookee and the smaller Cherokee so vehicle wise, plenty of room.

Does the Collapse DOB bring in more light, distracting light then a solid tube etc etc..........

thanks in advance.......

[astronut (John)]

Marcel,
Since you have plenty of room to transport your equipment, the other differences are this: 1. Price.
2. Physical size, I've seen plenty of people trying to manhandle a 12" solid tube Newt. It looks painful!!
My 12" LB feels like setting up a scope half its size!
Whether you choose the Meade, Skywatcher or G.S.O Truss or strut scopes, they're a better deal than the solid tubes.

[Marclau (Marcel)]

Thanks John,

I'm 6'2 and 100 kilos........so not sure if this makes any difference??

As for the Collapse DOB, is there any light interference between the gaps.....(if that makes sense)......I'm a total newby with regards to these....

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Off axis light can be fixed with a shroud in the collapsible dobs so its not really an issue.

If this scope is going to live in your new observing platform and a solid tube is cheaper then I would go for the solid tube one BUT if you plan on moving it around the collapsible one, with shroud, is the better option.

Cheers

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by Marclau

I'm 6'2 and 100 kilos........so not sure if this makes any difference??

And you seem to have two arms! A 12" solid tube GSO or similar will be no problem for you, except you will move the base and the tube unit separately - together the weight is not impossible, but it's too awkward - you risk damage to scope and back.

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Originally Posted by Marclau

Thanks John,

I'm 6'2 and 100 kilos........so not sure if this makes any difference??

As for the Collapse DOB, is there any light interference between the gaps.....(if that makes sense)......I'm a total newby with regards to these....

Hi Marcel,

I am 6'9 and 120kgs and my 12 inch collapsible Skywatcher dob is even a handful for me when fully assembled. It IS possible to move it around with the tube on the base as long as you retract the secondary cage first (VERY easy to do and convenient, by the way).

When I move it from the backyard up 4 stairs (about a metre in height) to the back yard fully assembled, there is the risk of back injury, but I have done it a few times. The main problem is the 64cm diameter base which bangs on your legs or shins.

Its much easier to handle as the tube by itself and the base by itself (using the handle).

With transport, I have a HIGH roof ute canopy and the tube when collapsed JUST fits under the canopy when I put it on the supplied foam OTA circles that came with it (for protection). I havent tried lying it down in the back of my bouncy leaf sprung ute yet (too scared) so for now it is strapped in with bungy cords to the side of the tray using the foam OTA bits from the box.

Also, because of your height, it may be a good idea for you to make a box for it to sit on when observing like I did as your back gets sore bending down to look at something thats not at zenith (straight up) and when it sits on my dob box, i can stand straight up and look around which is GREAT. Sitting down and swinging the scope around is annoying to have to shift the seat constantly.

As for the light getting in the tube, I havent had this problem at all as its VERY well baffled because of the size of the secondary cage and the height of the main tube stops most of the stray light getting in. A quick knock up light shroud in the gap would fix this anyway if I feel the need later on.

I hope this information helps, in a nutshell, the collapsible design of the Skywatcher is VERY well made, VERY convenient (compared to a Meade or other) and saves on set up time and ultimately makes the whole thing a whole lot more portable to move around and transport.

(FYI - and for anyone else reading, I noticed that Andrews has dropped their prices on collapsibles to $399 for the 8 inch, $799 for the 10 inch (BARGAIN) and $1199 for the 12 inch -GRRRRRR I bought mine for $1499. So they are a STEAL at the moment, especially for the 8 inch!)

Cheers

Chris

[Marclau (Marcel)]

Appreciate the quick feedback..........

O'K seems the 12" Collapse DOB is the way to go........would love to be in a position to buy it now but unfortunately not..........just recently purchased the Jeep.......so probably somewhere between 6 -8 months away

Some good points about the base and my shins.........nothing worse......and I might just be moving it around as I wont have my observatory built just yet.........still thinking about that as well but I suspect this may be 12 months away.

I'm fortunatate that I have 120 hectare of parkland and bushland right across from where I live so should my backyard not be dark enough, i could simply walk it across the road. The idea now of portability is starting to make more sense now and since my son (age 10) and daughter (age 6) are very much interested, this might be the better choice.

I have finally dug up my old Tasco 4.5" Newt (made in Japan) and will set this up after 20 years in hiding (and 4 house moves).......hope it still o'k....

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Marcel,

One more point, if you are getting an observatory and want to make the most of your money, it MAY be better to get a solid tube 10" or 12" dob as you can then install the tube onto a Equatorial mount like an EQ6 pro and have tracking for planetary or Deep Sky Pics later on. I dont think the collapsible ones will ever be able to be mounted like this (until some smartypants designs tube rings to handle a collapsible tube), so if this is the way you feel you might head when the funds come around after the observatory is built, then a solid tube is better value in the long run.

Something to consider.

Cheers

Chris

[Marclau (Marcel)]

One final question..........is a 12" worth more then double the cost of a 10"?? and can you really see further/more dimly lit object etc etc

This will be my main telescope and one I will be using for some significant time until I win Tattslotto........so I need something that will get me the power if you like to observe, stars, planets, moon, comets, deep sky nabula etc.......

After speaking with the misses.......I mean financial controller again today she asked the question would I really like to leave the scope outside or in the observatory??

Smartypants she is, cause the thought of leaving it their permanently did not cross my mind........as we go camping a lot I would kinda like to bring it along. So Chris, the point you made early is really coming home.......I think I would like the flexibility to be able to move it even in 2 parts stages wont be an issue......

What do you think?

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Marcel,

OK, then with this in mind, my recommendations are;

If COST is the main issue, buy the 10inch collapsible for $799. You would notice the difference (resolution on planets, or brightness of some DSO objects like galaxies) BUT it wouldnt be enough to justify the extra $400 (I am quoting what Andrews Comms prices are as of right now)
Also, the 10 inch is slightly less bulky which means more room in the back of the car when camping.

I was all set on buying the 10 inch collapsible as the best bang for buck / performance / portability / light gathering scope after 6 months of research. The ONLY real reasons why I went with the 12 inch scope were;

1) I was ALWAYS going to be thinking...."should I have bought the 12 inch version?" and having aperture envy everytime someone with a 12" turned up next to me.
2) This is probably the killer; When I asked my wife of her opinion as to whether I should buy the 10" for $800 or the 12" for $1500, she said, (and I quote) " what is going to shut you up once and for all about this freakin' telescope?"

So I bought the 12" version....

For $1199 for a 12", you can't really go wrong, but again, if times are tight, $799 for a 10" is $400 saving for NOT TWICE the performance hit.

I suppose I could also say that by buying the 12", I will get better value for money in the long run as I will be able to see FAR more with better clarity than the 10" for a LONG LONG time..... I could have seen myself upgrading in less than 12 months the longer I think about it.

By the time I run out of stuff to look at with the 12", I probably will have enough money to buy a FLT132 Refractor on an EQ6, so it really wont matter by then.

Sorry if this muddies the water somewhat.

Cheers

Chris

[Marclau (Marcel)]

Damn..........I think along your lines and must admit.........I wont settle for anything less then 12"......knowing that longevity will be much more then a 10" in the long run........

So know it's back to a solid tube or collapse...........I do wonder just how portable the tube is even in 2 parts as opposed to a collapse one......

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

I think its fine to carry the tube in a big bear hug up against your body, the advantage the collapsible has here is that when its off the base, you can still carry it by the black hand grips you use to turn the scope around which means you dont have to hug it.

FYI;

The OTA for a 12" solid is around 1400mm long and the OTA for the 12" collapsible is listed at the same length but goes down to 920mm when collapsed.

Cheers

Chris

[erick (Eric)]

I used to carry an 8" solid tube in my Lancer, easy. I upgraded to 12" and could not fit either the tube or the base in the Lancer. (In fact, I couldn't fit the 12" tube on the back seat between the door handles of an EL Falcon!)

I now pull a covered 6'x4' trailer to take my scope away from home!

[astronut (John)]

I can fit my 12" LB, 2 cases with e/p's, batt etc.
Observing chair, fold up chair, food, drink in another couple of bags + extra clothing, chart table & charts and still have a little room to spare in my 89" Ford Laser.
If the scope was a solid tube, this would not be possible.

[alexch (Alex)]

Hi Marcel,

I started with 8" solid tube then upgraded to 12" solid tube. I chose solid tube because my car is a people mover and space was never an issue. I just couldn't justify the extra cost for something I don't need.

Moving it around in one piece is a challenge, so only do that when I want to move it short distance. I am not small by any standard (6ft 6 and 120kg) but the base size is tne most awkward part. It's very easy to move in two pieces though.


I see that you are in Mornington Pen. so if you want to see it in action then I can bring it along to MPAS public viewing night in Briars. It is held every first Friday of the month. Here is more info: http://www.mpas.asn.au/PVN.htm. Just let me know (PM) if you are going there and I will take the telescope with me.

Cheers,
Alex

[bobson (Bob)]

Hi

I have 12" solid tube Dob. You can not put the tube on the back seat of Falcon but if you lower down front seat than put it there and seat belt around it, base at the back seat and ready to go It is a bit hard to put it in and take it out, so I got station wagon and problem solved.

There is less collimation issues with solid tube. No need for covering in between like with collapsible.

Less prone to dew problems as well.

Less chance to go out of collimation when observing things low on horizon.

Generally speaking if you have less moving parts there is less chance for problems.

At the same time I can see how it must be easy to clean main mirror if you have to with collapsible I had to take mine out to do so.

My personal opinion is still for solid tube, price is on its side as well. In my opinion only 16" and up should be collapsible, but thats my opinion, and you know what they say: "Opinion is like an asshole, everyone got one"

cheers

bob

[Marclau (Marcel)]

hahahaha thanks Bob...........true in every way including opinions and ass_ole...........hahaha

Yeah, I'm starting to be persuaded for a solid tube especially since I have the Jeeps but also the thought that if I do end up with a observatory, it might be better........also the extras worries of dew blah blah blah......besides, to help carry it, thats what my slaves, I mean, kids are for right??

[Batfink (Peter)]

I got the collapsible 8" dob from Andrews, and am very pleased with it, when collapsed it's easy to carry, especially through door ways, sets up in seconds and so far the collimation has been spot on even with numerous folding and unfolding.

I really don't think you need to worry about stray light entering the tube, I set mine up behind a caravan to block a street light, it's a dead end street no cars, and there a few house's arouind with lights on and I have no problems at all.

Peter

[Marclau (Marcel)]

damn it...........than I think I'm finally persuaded and then another post pulls me in the next direction....................arghhh hhh

Me know starting to think going back to a 10" and saving some money....ARGHHHHH my brain is starting to hurt..........and my wife (financial controller) is getting sick of my indecision and mind changing..........

Got a question............would a 12" be a scope for life and could the same be said about a 10"?? I'm talking solid tube now too.........

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

OK let me make your mind up for you Marcel.

1) I dont think a 12" or 10" solid will be for "life". From what I have seen and heard here in the last 18 months, one telescope is never enough and the first one either stays with you and gets added to, or "upgraded" by selling it to IIS members and buying the next best thing in your life at the time.
2) For $599 for a 10 inch collapsible (not $799 like I thought), the price of the 10 inch is A STEAL!, saves you $600!!!!!! over a 12 inch scope and as I said, its more portable, takes up slightly less space in the car and isn't too far behind the gathering capacity of the 12" version.
3) You mentioned an observatory perhaps in the future. When that is built you will probably want an EQ mount that stays set up, aligned and ready to go instantly when the need arises. A 10" or 12" dob taking pride of place in an observatory (to me) seems a bit silly.

In summary: Save some money now while the prices are rock bottom on the 10" collapsible at $599. Buy one, take it camping, use it as often as you want, chuck it in the car, let the kids use it (IF THEY CAN GET YOU OFF IT) and keep the $600 difference for the 12-24 months away when you decide to UPGRADE.

Seriously, by the time you get sick of it, or run out of things to look at, you will have been secretly putting aside savings to purchase the "next best thing" on the horizon to slot into the observatory.

One thing I have learnt here is: There is always something else that you want to buy.

After all, we are "only" talking about $600! Nifty Kev hopefully should be funding it?

Cheers for now

Chris