12 Inch SkyWatcher Dobson Black Diamond

seanliddelow (Sean) · #1 14-06-2009, 09:05 PM

Can anyone give me a quick review on how bad or good the above telescope is?

ngcles · #2 14-06-2009, 09:37 PM

Hi Sean,

Not quite the exact same 'scope, but the 12" solid-tube counterpart was reviewed in July/Aug 2008 Australian Sky & Telescope. It may provide some guidance.

Back issues are available -- see the web-site:

http://www.austskyandtel.com.au/TheM...U/Default.aspx

Best,

Les D

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #3 15-06-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanliddelow

Can anyone give me a quick review on how bad or good the above telescope is?

look in the reviews of IIS ?

beefking (Nathan) · #4 15-06-2009, 08:54 AM

imho,
easy to assemble,
holds collimation well (it needed only minor adjustment after a 50km drive to a dark site)
smooth bearings,
good optics (as far as I can tell),
strut system works very well,
scope is well balanced for heavy eyepieces and the tension control handle makes changing eyepiece weights easy to manage.
heavy, but moving it around is manageable if done in two trips.
supplied eyepieces are ok.

I noticed it was reviewed in the latest aussie sky & telescope too.

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #5 15-06-2009, 11:16 AM

Hi Sean,

I have one of these (white one, but essentially the same thing) and as Nathan suggested, the latest AS&T magazine has a comprehensive review done on this scope.

Other things to note are:

VERY heavy when fully assembled, I recommend taking the tube off the base when moving it from inside the house to the backyard as it weighs about 40KG assembled.

Collimation is easier to do with a laser collimator as you can see the secondary and visually line up the laser dots quite quickly. I have noticed that it needs regular collimation because the primary moves around a lot during transit, even with the lock up screws locked.

Very good quality and stiction on the movement and the views through the scope are EXCELLENT.

All in all, a highly recommended 12 inch scope, the collapsible design means it isnt as cumbersome to move around than a solid tube.

Regards

Chris

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #6 15-06-2009, 11:38 AM

For transporting I made a trolley as shown in http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-12-0-0-1-0.html Slightly different though for collapsable

Need pump up the tyres first.

seanliddelow (Sean) · #7 15-06-2009, 07:43 PM

thanks

rider · #8 17-06-2009, 08:08 AM

Good scope, but there is a small problem with the new SW focuser on all the black diamond reflectors.

For some reason Skywatcher have restricted the inside of the EP shaft so that you cannot fully insert 2 inch barlows or some 2 inch EP's that have filters screwed on them. (- it was possible with the older focusser)

It's not a big problem, but it is annoying. The focuser is very smooth to operate though.

rider

gb_astro · #9 18-06-2009, 07:53 PM

According to the AS&T magazine review a bigger problem with the focuser is that the restricted depth does not allow eyepieces to come to focus when using a Paracorr.
Can anyone confirm this?

gb.

TJD (Trevor) · #10 23-06-2009, 08:06 PM

sean as i have said to you as i use mine i cant find any problems for what you and i do its perfect just need to try and get that laser thing i showed you on sunday

good scope and the focuser any thing 2'' is to many $$$ for me i dont need to worry about that good luck see you next observing session hope it clear

seanliddelow (Sean) · #11 05-08-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rider

Good scope, but there is a small problem with the new SW focuser on all the black diamond reflectors.

For some reason Skywatcher have restricted the inside of the EP shaft so that you cannot fully insert 2 inch barlows or some 2 inch EP's that have filters screwed on them. (- it was possible with the older focusser)

It's not a big problem, but it is annoying. The focuser is very smooth to operate though.

rider

MIne came with a 2 inch adapter

rider · #12 05-08-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanliddelow

MIne came with a 2 inch adapter

So did mine, but when you put a 2 inch Barlow in, or put 2 inch polariser filters on, they extend past the adapter and are then stopped by the restricted inside diameter of the focus tube.

This has been documented in a number of articles in industry magazines.

seanliddelow (Sean) · #13 05-08-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rider

So did mine, but when you put a 2 inch Barlow in, or put 2 inch polariser filters on, they extend past the adapter and are then stopped by the restricted inside diameter of the focus tube.

This has been documented in a number of articles in industry magazines.

I dont have any 2 inch barlows or eyepices so i should be okay.