Which 16 inch dobsonian?

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by robz

Ron, the BINTEL 16inch F4.5 mirrors claim 1/16 wave accuracy or better..................if that's true, it MUST have a very good optical performance if mounted and supported correctly.

With the Kriegie mirror cell design there is no tension on the mirror

I have noticed that it is very hard to find a ready made 18 point flotation cell for such a large mirror(or any cell for that matter). Same goes for the secondary?????

What gives here?..............do I have to make these ?.............if so, any links?

B.T.W...............how much is Mark's 16'' mirror?

Rob, The Dave Kriegie book on how to make a Truss Dobsonion can be bought at Bintel.
I made my own Mirror cell using that book, if you cannot do the metal work yourself take the design to a metal fabrication shop and get them to make it.
I don't know how much Mark charges, Ask him he is Satchimo on this site.
The only way it seems to me for you to be really happy with a scope that you want is for you to build one yourself or get someone like Peter Ried (SDM) to build it for you, but then it will cost you
You could try putting Amateur Telescope Making into Google and see what you get, there are lots of sites
Cheers

[NorthernLight (Max)]

Hello Ron,

I like both beasts its just that I whish I had a scope to grap and enjoy without all the other arrangements involved in eq set up and the 6" has become too small though you are absolutely right about the comparison between pictures and views. I ve looked through a few very large f4 dobs (I think the biggest was about half a metre) but they were self made or custom build by a pro.

the 16" lightbridge is the max amount of money I would spend on a dob and only because its 16". but if the mechanical quality of the truss design ends up being a shaky construction that shifts focus while watching and cant hold collimation during the viewing session than I d rather go for a 12" non-truss with a lighter mirror in a proably similar cell design.

I am happy to get my coll. laser out every now and then as I do for my (very stable) 6" newton

have you or anybode else been able to compare the rigidity of a 12" GSO dob and 16" Meade(GSO) dob?

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by NorthernLight

Hello Ron,

I like both beasts its just that I whish I had a scope to grap and enjoy without all the other arrangements involved in eq set up and the 6" has become too small though you are absolutely right about the comparison between pictures and views. I ve looked through a few very large f4 dobs (I think the biggest was about half a metre) but they were self made or custom build by a pro.

the 16" lightbridge is the max amount of money I would spend on a dob and only because its 16". but if the mechanical quality of the truss design ends up being a shaky construction that shifts focus while watching and cant hold collimation during the viewing session than I d rather go for a 12" non-truss with a lighter mirror in a proably similar cell design.

I am happy to get my coll. laser out every now and then as I do for my (very stable) 6" newton

have you or anybode else been able to compare the rigidity of a 12" GSO dob and 16" Meade(GSO) dob?

Hi Max, I think there was a 16" lightbridge at Astrofest 2009, but non this year , unless they came and went before I arrived
From what I heard the owners of the 16" in 2009 were quite happy with the telescope
In my opinion you can improve the scope with a little bit of imagination
The Lightbridge is lighter than my 16" scope and as you say just put some wheels on it and move it to where you want it.
cheers

[Davekyn (David)]

Still no comparisons that I can find between a 12" and 16" In fact I still can't find much of a first light that wows over the views ... other than it need this or that mod before expecting to get any kind of useable performance at all. Bit of a shame really as I don't regard $1800.00 as Cheap and after reading this and every other post on the latest 16" Dob designs ... they really are starting to sound like nothing more than parts jumbled together and sent off willy nilly.

I have taken note on the mirror damage that has taken place during transit with regard to the following review ... as well as all the other typical issues:
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1817

I'm not happy with the quality of service I have been receiving over the phone with regard to insuring the safest packaging possible. I have had issues with collimation problems on other fronts regarding other instruments...I am glad TNT is out of the picture with one supplier, however given the rate at which people are moved on these days...I don't trust nor believe that much care is considered when freighting these scopes. Its alright to double box...but more importance is who takes responsibility when it arrives broken??? (No assurances there) Warning people not to put fragile on it, as this will most likely result in damage says it all!!!!!!.............

Its definitely a risk factor and if if it's a big ask to get someone to check it over ... then I would take up another hobby...

The idea of building your own is sounding like a much better idea ... scary for some...and myself included ... this whole 16" dob thing has turned out to be such a disappointment to those of us less experienced folk.

So for me ... I'm sticking with a solid tube GSO ... Just have to work out whom will accept responsibility if it arrives damaged. Last time it was such a Drama with no apologies at all... "It's just a Dent mate!"

[overlord (Charles)]

Originally Posted by astroron

You cannot get a Rolls Royce for a Holden price
cheers

Yes you can. Monaro = 40k
80s Roller = 40k.

It just depends who you buy from and how much you decide to open your wallet.