Guan Sheng 8" Dob

Nortilus (Josh) · #1 16-01-2005, 07:54 PM

Hi all,

I was wondering if there are any people out there who have one of these that can tell me much about them. I am looking at buying one of these for my first reflector telescope and I am also a bit of a beginner at astronomy, so any advice would be great.

iceman (Mike) · #2 16-01-2005, 08:10 PM

haha well you've come to the right place.. We've had 3 or 4 members in the last 4 weeks who have bought the 8" GSO Dob.

They all give great reports of it, look for posts by Frosty and MintSauce for starters.. Ving also has one and has owned it for a while.

I have the 10".

They are great scopes for the price - read this thread where Jimmy is pondering the 8" GSO dob and there's a lot of good arguments why the 8" is a great scope.

If you're unsure of anything, just post again and there'll be plenty of people willing to help.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #3 16-01-2005, 08:17 PM

Hi Nortilus,

Welcome.

The Guan Sheng GS680 Dobber is one of the best Dobbers made.

The optics are made in Taiwan, not China, and are of very high quality. The focuser is also far better than the Chinese (Synta)version. There are several members in here that own one and a couple more getting one.

They are very cheap for their size and give crisp, clear images.

Avoid 6mm and under eyepieces as the GS680 is f6 which makes it perfect for Deep Space Objects (DSO's) as well as Planets etc.

There are some simple modifications you can make to the GS680 to make it even better.

Much has been covered in these forums on the GS680 Dobber. Have a look back through the 'Equipment Discussions' threads.

Celestron use Guan Sheng mirrors, Orion is GS (some are Synta), and lots of other makes are GS.

Feel safe buying GS as the quality is up there.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #4 16-01-2005, 08:25 PM

Hey Mike,

You might have to add a 'Scope Reviews by Owners' section on this site.

iceman (Mike) · #5 16-01-2005, 08:37 PM

There already is a reviews section, I just need the owners to write the reviews and I'll put 'em up there!

wavelandscott (Scott) · #6 16-01-2005, 11:23 PM

I have the 8" Bintel / GSO and have enjoyed it...

As mentioned here in other threads, there are a few modifications that make it even better (milk jug washers etc.)

While not perfect, it is a good beginners scope...for night time viewing...in particular visual viewing...in my opinion!

There are few "moving parts" it won't need batteries...in point of fact, even I understand how/why it works...it is fairly easy to move around too.

I let me 2 boys 7 and 3 1/2 push it around and peek at the mirror...they even occassionally look in the eyepiece too!

The moon looks spectacular as do many DSO's...I've not had a chance to take a peek at Saturn yet but, I understand it does a decent job on planets too. In short, I would call it a good all arounder for a new/ moderate user.

If you are going to buy a Dob, it is a good scope to start with...this opens up a whole series of questions...what do you want to do with your scope?

If your dream is to get into astrophotography, I would probably make a different scope choice, likewise if you also wanted to birdwatch or do other terrestial viewing I would choose differently...While others might disagree, I would also say if you wanted to hook it up to lots of electronics and wire it through a computer I would make a different choice...

Having said all of that, if you are looking for what I believe is good value for money in a respectable visual viewing package...I would buy an 8" GSO Dob...remember, the folks who started the science of astronomy were using gear much smaller in aperture and much lower in quality than this rig...several years and lots of nights will pass before I will have the capability and knowledge to need better base equipment than it is.

Good Luck in your selection!

Nortilus (Josh) · #7 17-01-2005, 01:53 AM

I think you may have me sold on that wavelandscott. are you a sales man, cause ya should be...

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 17-01-2005, 05:18 PM

Hey Nort,

8" Dobbers can be purchased at Bintel (Sydney)for $599 plus delivery or
Andrews Communication (Sydney) for $399 plus delivery.

Not 100% sure if Bintel is Guan Sheng or Synta.

Also keep an eye out for a bargain price on Orion as they are Guan Sheng too.

If you buy in Queensland do not pay over $650 as you can get them up from Sydney for under that including delivery.

MintSauce (Gordon) · #9 17-01-2005, 06:12 PM

I paid $750 for the 8"er and a GSO superview 20mm an Andrews 80degree 30mm 2" eyepiece and a x2 2" barlow, all are very nice and that included delivery to Kalgoorlie in WA. andrews also chuck in free Binos (not very good) and a moon filter (alot better than none). I would recommend andrews to anyone.

Starkler (Geoff) · #10 17-01-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ballaratdragons

Not 100% sure if Bintel is Guan Sheng or Synta.

Also keep an eye out for a bargain price on Orion as they are Guan Sheng too.

The Bintel dobs are Guan Sheng.

Orion used to be Guan Sheng, but currently use Synta for their dobs and have for maybe 2 years.

Celestron dobs now also use GS optics on a mount that looks like a skywatcher !

wavelandscott (Scott) · #11 17-01-2005, 09:10 PM

Nortilus,

Yes, in a previous life I was a sales representative but not for telescopes...

Seriously, the GSO is a good scope...just make sure a Dob is what you want/need...

gaa_ian (Ian) · #12 18-01-2005, 08:02 AM

Has anyone experienced the difference between the 8" with a plate glass mirror vs the 8" with a full pyrex mirror.
There is quite a difference in price.
I am often asked for recommendations for a first scope & usually recommend an 8" GSO Dob, as most are looking to spend $500.
*If I was buying my first scope I would go straight to the 12" :-)*
Indications are that there is really not a great difference in a Tropical/subtropical environment where you do not experience the issue of mirror cooling, of more temperate localities.
Anyone ?

MintSauce (Gordon) · #13 18-01-2005, 10:24 AM

I think that the pyrex cools quicker but apart from that there's little difference. there has been arguments about this previously.

ving (David) · #14 18-01-2005, 03:43 PM

as minty said... if you live up in the snow you might want to consider pyrex, otherwise it makes no difference...

back to the topic at hand:
just 1 word: buy it!

well ok that was 2 words

iceman (Mike) · #15 18-01-2005, 03:52 PM

but it?

Starkler (Geoff) · #16 18-01-2005, 06:20 PM

Pyrex vs glass :

Pyrex reaches thermal equilibrium a little faster than glass.
This allows the mirror grinder to make a better mirror faster, however this only becomes a significant advantage for large mirror sizes.

For the size scopes most of us own, it makes little or no difference. I would buy GS over Synta anyday, pyrex or no pyrex as it just doesnt matter.

Nortilus (Josh) · #17 19-01-2005, 05:00 PM

I am so happy now....
Paid for an waiting.
GSO 8" Dob...

I can;t wait till it gets here...because Saturn is tauting me...

Mick (Michael) · #18 19-01-2005, 08:39 PM

You won't be disappointed Nortilus. Now all we need is to lose the clouds.

iceman (Mike) · #19 20-01-2005, 06:13 AM

Congrats Nortilus.. hey I reckon we should start getting commission from Andrews.. how many referrals have we sent his way for the 8" dob now!?

MintSauce (Gordon) · #20 20-01-2005, 10:22 AM

mike I think it's about time to ring him and ask for a couple eye pieces to review