New dob

Irish stargazer (John) · #1 07-11-2011, 06:57 AM

Hi

I'm on the market for a 12 Dob. I have been looking at the lightbridge. Does anyone have any experience transporting one of these things. My main concern is fitting the scope into a Camry for transport to a dark site and not breaking my back. Would you recommend a different manufacturer? I don't want to spend too much money.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #2 07-11-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish stargazer

Hi

I'm on the market for a 12 Dob. I have been looking at the lightbridge. Does anyone have any experience transporting one of these things. My main concern is fitting the scope into a Camry for transport to a dark site and not breaking my back. Would you recommend a different manufacturer? I don't want to spend too much money.

Hi John,

The 12" Lightbridge will easily fit into a Camry. These scopes are made by GSO and generally the 12" version seems to be very good optically and mechanically.

Cheers,
John B

Robh (Rob) · #3 07-11-2011, 04:15 PM

Hi John,

I have the 12 inch LightBridge and it is a great scope.
The base wouldn't fit into my car boot as the opening is too narrow. The bottom tube was also too high to stand up in the boot. Both had to be transported on the back seat of the car. Still, it is much easier than transporting a full tube 12 inch.

Regards, Rob

Irish stargazer (John) · #4 07-11-2011, 07:43 PM

Thanks for the replies.
Would a 16 inch be a bit much for a Camry and my back?

It is within my finances.

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #5 07-11-2011, 07:57 PM

Hmmm,

Hi John,

I am 6 foot 9 and my 12" (which I sold) was a bit of a struggle even for me and I dont have a bad back.....its more the bulk rather than the weight, although my 12" weighed 40kg when assembled.

For "not much money", you can pick up a collapsible Skywatcher 10" push to for $749 from Andrews Comms (not goto, but they are still a reasonable $1499 for the goto version) and get close to 12" performance for a smaller size (ish) and it will definitely fit in a Camry.

16" lightbridge completely disassembled would be easier to carry in bits, but I would recommend the collapsible skywatcher design as its up and running about 10 minutes faster than the Meade.

Bintel in Sydney (Glebe, near the fish markets) I think stock both the meade and the Skywatchers, drop in and heft one and see how hard it is for you.....I think Bintel will price match, not sure....

That's my 2 cents...

(recap - if you are not fussed with goto and like pushing/nudge nudge at high mags, then go for the 10" collapsible skywatcher for size/price/convenience/performance. If goto is your thing, then the 10" goto is the same price as the 12" push to....)

Why not ask Jen how much she loves her goto 12" collapsible dob, she will no doubt tell you how big it is to move around.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Chris

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #6 07-11-2011, 08:05 PM

Hey John,

Just noticed the 12" Meade Lightbridge at Bintel is only $1099 for a non goto 12 incher, this is a steal!

I've changed my mind

If you want a non-goto path, and you think 12" is enough, go for the Meade from Bintel.

Cheers

Chris

Irish stargazer (John) · #7 07-11-2011, 08:24 PM

Thanks Chris

There is also a Meade 4000 eyepiece kit with it which I could sell later as I already have a few Televues which would reduce the cost a bit.
I have a C11 and CGE mount which I use for imaging but it's a pain to set up for visual observing. I wanted a quick set up scope for those last minute trips to a dark site when I don't want to image or the weather is a bit iffy.

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #8 07-11-2011, 08:40 PM

Hi John

Well if quick set up is your thing, then Skywatcher reigns over the Meade.

I beat a Meade user (who had their scope next to the boot of the car and mine was 50m away) by 10 minutes in the tear down process.

Unscrewing the trusses, storing them etc is a "bit" fiddly, especially when the Skywatcher is 3 grub screws, slide, take out the tension handles and carry the tube separately to the base.....done.

Although, if space is a premium, the Meade front cage is separated from the main tube allowing for storage separately to the main tube, whereas the Skywatcher is retracted to about 75% of its extended length (about 1m for a 12" version) meaning it can be a squeeze to store it in the car.

Like I said, drop into Bintel and see what you think of both. Certainly the Skywatcher is one sexy looking thing, but as its normally dark when you use it, not so important.

Good luck with the decision, if you see a 16" one there, you will see just how big it is compared to a 12"

Again, if its grab and go to a dark site, then a $749 SW 10" collapsible is a steal from Andrews and will be able to see many a galaxy and sets up/tears down in no time....save the $350 (compared to a Meade 12") and put it towards a light shroud for extra contrast and dew protection or something else...

Cheers

Chris

Stu Ward · #9 07-11-2011, 10:17 PM

12" Goto Dob. 10 mins to setup and align. Including Collimation.
See 30 objects in a 2 hour session
10 mins to pack away

Perfect

Irish stargazer (John) · #10 08-11-2011, 08:27 PM

The goto dobs are a brilliant idea and great value. I'm not on the market for electronics though. I have that already with the CGE mount. Great mount though.
Something simple that can't burn out, run out of batteries and takes me back to basics for visual observing. A scope that can be thrown in the car at a moments notice when I see a break in the clouds. The use of star charts, red lights, notebook and pencil and a good knowledge of the sky. Ah....the good old days.

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #11 08-11-2011, 09:29 PM

Funny you should say that John,

I was using the HEQ5 the other night and when the power pack went dead (and I forgot I could simply plug the mount into the power point 10m away....DOH!), I thought - HANG ON!?

So, I released the clutches on the mount and manually swung the scope to the object I wanted, tightened them up slightly and then finderscoped my way to the 47 Tuc.....aaaaahhhhhh the simplicity!

It wasnt as convenient as my old 12" dob, but the refrain from the technology kept me entertained for about 10-15 mins before I clicked that I could repower the mount from AC, so I rushed off to grab the extension cord and that was that.....

Oh well, slumming it was fun for a brief interlude at least.....

Cheers

Chris

Irish stargazer (John) · #12 12-11-2011, 07:29 PM

Dropped into the Bintel store today and ordered the 12 inch Lightbridge. It seems quite manageable . I will also receive a free full set of 4000 sp eyepieces worth about $350 which I can sell on. Bargain for $1100.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #13 12-11-2011, 07:38 PM

Nice buy. Well done, that scope will give you years of pleasure.

Malcolm

Keltik (Trevor) · #14 12-11-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish stargazer

Dropped into the Bintel store today and ordered the 12 inch Lightbridge. It seems quite manageable . I will also receive a free full set of 4000 sp eyepieces worth about $350 which I can sell on. Bargain for $1100.

I was there today too, picked up a 16" LightBridge, that's a pretty good deal they're doing...but damn, it's one heavy scope. They should sell a hernia belt to go with it!

Irish stargazer (John) · #15 13-11-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keltik

I was there today too, picked up a 16" LightBridge, that's a pretty good deal they're doing...but damn, it's one heavy scope. They should sell a hernia belt to go with it!

That's why I stuck with the 12 inch. I reckoned the 16 inch would be too big for me handle on a regular basis.
Now for a month of bad weather

Jen · #16 13-11-2011, 03:56 PM

yes jen loves her 12 inch skywatcher dobbie its soooo sexayyyyy
I have a hyundai elantra which i can JUST... (and when i say just i mean no fingers can be in the way of the door and the mount) fit the mount in the back seat of my car by putting it in sideways only i was going to be a piggy and go the 14" but the 12" is heavy enough, not just that its the bulk of it that makes it hard to manouvre i cant carry it out by myself jens next investment a trolly
Apart from that it is very quick and easy to set up i will have plenty years of entertainment with this baby i tell ya

Irish stargazer (John) · #17 16-11-2011, 06:46 AM

Lightbridge arrived yesterday. It took about 30 minutes to assemble. I still can't get over the size of it. A 12" scope for the price of a budget laptop. I have to pick up a laser collimator this weekend as they were out of stock. I did manage to get a quick look at Jupiter right out of the box. Even without any adjustments I could see decent detail on the surface. It should be much better after collimation and with a decent eyepiece in it.

Keltik (Trevor) · #18 16-11-2011, 07:17 AM

Great, John, I had a quick peek at Jupiter too, lots of detail even with the low-power EP supplied, can't wait for the new eyepieces to arrive.
I have one big issue with the 16"....I won't be able to fit the base in the car without dis-assembling it, which is going to be a royal pain in the Harris. I sat and stared at it last night, which is my "planning phase" for making modifications. I reckon if I fix four small pine blocks to the upper surface of the turntable, inside the uprights and tight against them, I can run bolts through the sides and attach them that way. This will also do away with the issue of the factory bolts through the base being set into chipboard, which is a recipe for future misery, when they have chewed the holes away.
Otherwise, the friction on the altitude bearings seems a bit jumpy, but this may be due to the weight of the 16. Anyone else have any tips on improving the altitude motion?

cjpops (Craig) · #19 22-11-2011, 11:08 PM

Heya John, Also a proud owner of 12" Lightbridge - I recommend grabbing some bobs knobs - makes collinmating so much easier.

Did you get the Meade 4000 eyepieces straight away from Bintel or do you have to wait for them to arrive from Meade?

blackpearl · #20 29-11-2011, 03:57 PM

Hello all, These comments bought back memories! I fitted my 12", solid body dob into a Toyaota Corolla by laying the passenger seat right back and feeding the dob into the front via the rear drivers side door, then strapping it in. My daughter had to travel in the back seat (drivers side) because the 12" dob was in pride of place taking up the front and back passenger seats!
Actually I am here to see if Dobs are still used an I am pleased to see the old Dobsonian telescope is still a good beginners scope and someone may be interested in a 6 year old 12" dobsonian. I am about to join the grey nomads and need a lighter, more portable telescope.