12" dob mount - why no handles on the side?

[vanwonky (Dave)]

Finally bought the 12" Skywatcher Collapsible yesterday. Put it together this afternoon (in the lounge room) and I am now staring at it... in my lounge room. The weather in Perth is dodgy at the moment so it may be a few days before I can get my first look.

Now I knew the 12" was at the limits of portability and I will use a trolley to get it outside and back. My question is however, why doesn't the base / mount not come with some sturdy handles at the sides similar to the one at the front under the eyepiece rest. I would imagine 2 reasonably strong people could comfortably move it if there was.

So I am thinking at some stage later I may add some myself. Any thought out there? Done properly I am fairly sure the chipboard could take the stress. Am I missing some crucial element here? Stress on the tube or something like that? BTW - what the hell is that handle at the front actually for?
Cheers
Dave

[Mliss (Mel)]

Hi Dave, nice to finally see someone close by... The weather isn't all that flash down here either. I can't help you with your question but i'm sure before long you'll get a load of responses. sounds like they thought of everything but the handle

[vanwonky (Dave)]

Yes they are good like that on this forum Mel. I think I will have many "dumb" questions to ask now I actually have the scope.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

The tension handles can also be used for carrying as well. They are generally strong enough.
Do you have tension handles like mine do?

Handle at the front is the carry the base only when you remove the tube for transportation.

I have mine for sale at the moment so there are picture to get a comparison on the Classified "Telescope and Mount" section.

[asimov (John)]

None of the SW (non GOTO) dobs have side handles except the 16".

All GOTO versions (starting with the 8") have the side handles however. Pretty easy to add some of your own handles though.

[vanwonky (Dave)]

Originally Posted by mswhin63

The tension handles can also be used for carrying as well. They are generally strong enough.
Do you have tension handles like mine do?

Yes I do have the tension handles Malcolm and I was wondering about using those.

Originally Posted by asimov

None of the SW (non GOTO) dobs have side handles except the 16".

All GOTO versions (starting with the 8") have the side handles however. Pretty easy to add some of your own handles though.

Asimov, now I feel stupid for not seeing that considering I have been staring at images of these things for quite a while before I bought one!

I imagine they will handle the weight of the OTA and base unless there is a specific warning in the instructions against it for those. Looks like I might have the answer then.

[Mliss (Mel)]

Originally Posted by vanwonky

Yes they are good like that on this forum Mel. I think I will have many "dumb" questions to ask now I actually have the scope.

lol Dave, I can't wait to be at that stage!! I'm still looking at all the pictures, but hopefully i'll get to see a real telescope this weekend

oooo classifieds. I'm just not getting anything done this morning

[scagman (John)]

Originally Posted by Mliss

lol Dave, I can't wait to be at that stage!! I'm still looking at all the pictures, but hopefully i'll get to see a real telescope this weekend

oooo classifieds. I'm just not getting anything done this morning

Yes you are, its called research.

[Sarge (Rod)]

Dave,
I've had my 12" SW dob for about 2 years and never had an issue with only the one handle. Then you mention two side handles and I thought - why didn't I think of that?

Would certainly make handling the base a lot easier.

Will now investigate attaching two handles, thanks mate.

Rod

[Mliss (Mel)]

you should be my conscience

[vanwonky (Dave)]

Originally Posted by Sarge

Will now investigate attaching two handles, thanks mate.

No worries Rod. Fix problems - that's just what I do.