first scope - Page 2

luka · #21 22-05-2007, 09:36 PM

Bintel 8" dob costs $100 more than the nvt one but it comes with much better range of eyepieces and a Crayford focuser. Not sure about postage though...

And please post here what you have ended up buying, I will be getting a dob soon as well (in Perth).

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #22 22-05-2007, 10:55 PM

Sounds like a hint to one of the stores in Perth to sell GS's might be in order

TV John · #23 23-05-2007, 12:25 AM

Hi James

Cant go wrong with an 8" Dob, as someone said plenty of bang for your buck. I'm the new owner of PeteMo's Optex 8" Dob which now has a Crayford focusser and a couple of wide angle 2" eyepieces to go with the 1.25" ones that came with it. Owes me less than $600 and on a dark night I've seen the Cassini division.

Once there's a few more bucks around the HEQ5 will complete the picture allowing photography through it (although have had some success with CCD and dobson turret mount).

Cheers

John

James Kirk · #24 23-05-2007, 09:50 AM

Hi

I have another question.

If I purchased the skywatcher sw 680 can I change the rack and pinion focuser to the crayford style?

I ask this as I can get the sw680 in Perth but I do like the gs680 focuser.

Cheers

janoskiss (Steve H) · #25 23-05-2007, 10:01 AM

You can change anything you like.

The most recent SW/Saxon models you should be able to get with Crayford focuser, or an R&P that has a base with bolt-on Synta crayford replacement. If you get an older model, (most likely unless your shop orders a fresh one for you) you will need to do a little more work to fit a crayford focuser. (e.g. drill a few holes)

James Kirk · #26 25-05-2007, 04:58 PM

just an update for anyone in Perth looking for an 8" Dob

BTOW SW680 with crayford focuser - $499
NVT SW680 (I think without crayford focuse) $439 +$18 Delivery
Andrews comm GS680 with free binos and crayford focuser - $399 plus $96 delivery.

Let me know if anyone has anything better or other ideas.

cheers

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #27 25-05-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Kirk

just an update for anyone in Perth looking for an 8" Dob

BTOW SW680 with crayford focuser - $499
NVT SW680 (I think without crayford focuse) $439 +$18 Delivery
Andrews comm GS680 with free binos and crayford focuser - $399 plus $96 delivery.

Let me know if anyone has anything better or other ideas.

cheers

Sounds like your on a winner with the Andrews price with the Crayford. I thought several hundred delivery to Perth sounded wrong. $96 is fair considering the distance.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #28 25-05-2007, 05:42 PM

yes but is it a 10:1 crayford?

James Kirk · #29 25-05-2007, 06:08 PM

hmmmm more info to learn about.

I was not sure there was a difference in crayfords.

I guess 10:1 is a ratio of sorts.

Are there other crayfords?

Cheers

mill (Martin) · #30 25-05-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

yes but is it a 10:1 crayford?

I haven't seen an scope straight out of a normal scope shop with an 10:1 focusser unless you order it with the scope.
The good thing is that 10:1 focussers getting cheaper so maybe very maybe these might become the standard on scopes.

erick (Eric) · #31 25-05-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Kirk

hmmmm more info to learn about.

I was not sure there was a difference in crayfords.

I guess 10:1 is a ratio of sorts.

Are there other crayfords?

Cheers

James, a 10:1 is a Crayford that has a finer focus knob - I guess ten rotations of it equals one rotation of main focus knob. It won't come standard on these scopes. I haven't played with one yet. My regular Crayford works well, but very sensitive at highest magnification - just needs some practice.

I'm thinking of buying one from Bintel to replace mine - after I get some webcam photography happening!

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=7207

Down to $119 - very tempting.

mill (Martin) · #32 25-05-2007, 06:59 PM

I have the 10:1 focusser on my 10" dob and it is soooooo smooth and easy, highly recommended for every scope owner.
For photography it is just as good because you can do some really good fine focussing.

luka · #33 25-05-2007, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Kirk

just an update for anyone in Perth looking for an 8" Dob

BTOW SW680 with crayford focuser - $499
NVT SW680 (I think without crayford focuse) $439 +$18 Delivery
Andrews comm GS680 with free binos and crayford focuser - $399 plus $96 delivery.

What about included eyepieces?

James Kirk · #34 25-05-2007, 11:26 PM

Hi Luka

From reading the web pages and speaking to BTOW who supply the skywatcher these are the eyepieces supplied with each scope.

SW680 comes with a 10 and 20mm (from speaking to BTOW in Perth)

GS680 comes with 1 x premium possl 9mm and oremium widefield sp26mm. (Reading GS website)

Cheers

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #35 25-05-2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Kirk

Hi Luka

From reading the web pages and speaking to BTOW who supply the skywatcher these are the eyepieces supplied with each scope.

SW680 comes with a 10 and 20mm (from speaking to BTOW in Perth)

GS680 comes with 1 x premium possl 9mm and oremium widefield sp26mm. (Reading GS website)

Cheers

Not to sound like I am plugging Andrews, but he usually supplies 3 EP's with his scopes.

You will find that the EP's that come with Dobs (from any supplier) that they are fairly reasonable. They aren't the bottom of the barrel, but they aren't super-fantastic either. I still use my GS EP's. Over time you may want to step up to better ones, but they are quite OK.

Shaun · #36 02-06-2007, 09:13 PM

I just bought an 8" Dob from BTOW it cost me $100 to get it here i am in coolgardie about 550km east of perth, it has a focal length of 1000 with a rack and pinion focus.

I got two eyepieces with this unit a super 10 and super 25 i had some trrouble with the frieght people they damaged the first one before it left perth and stuffed around getting it back to the shop so the owner sent two extra eyepieces as a sweetener a 2x barlows and a 17mm flossel.

The original cost was $399 + $100 del plus i bought a set of filters $75 so for under $600 i have a good set to start with.

This unit has the springs for balance and i think a 9x50 finder have not measured it yet.

I was going to bet the unit from Andrews but was quoted $235 for delivery so it might have been a better idea getting it from andrews $130 more but would have got the Crayford Focus system.

joe_smith · #37 03-06-2007, 12:39 AM

http://www.gs-telescope.com/content.asp?id=82

from the Gaun Sheng web site "The deluxe model comes with 2" Micro 10:1 Crayford style focuser and 1.25" adapter."

Starkler (Geoff) · #38 03-06-2007, 01:50 PM

The 10:1 fine focuser is definitely worth it. I paid $120 to buy mine and I regard it as money well spent. If you specify that at time of buying it should be cheaper.

eqcradle · #39 28-06-2007, 03:39 PM

For the record: I just received one of the 8" SkyWatcher dobs (from MyAstroShop). It's only my first scope, so I'm no expert, but it would appear to be a Crayford focuser on it (no R&P; flat on one side of the tube; smooth action). This was one of the things i had considered before buying - I wasn't actually expecting it to have one.

CL

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteMo

As for the SkyWatchers, some ARE now coming with Crayford Type focusers instead of Rack & Pinion. I'm holding out for a 10" SkyWatcher dob as the ones arriving at BTOW do have crayfords. You may need to check that Crayfords are on the SW680.

You may want to confirm this, but I heard that the new SkyWatcher 6" and 8" dobs now have a focal length of 1000mm instead of 1200mm. Even so the view will be great.