An ugly duck alright ..mold a couple inserts for those mounting blocks
for a 6 tube truss and it could be changed very easily..it has that look of "this ain't finished yet".
The parallel rod design is unusual but not unprecedented. I note that the truss rods are profiled, which may help, and that the rods are secured by two bolts at each end. The rigidity may be governed by the way the rods attach to the body (eg straight bolt holes vs tapered sleeves).
I agree the colour scheme could be better. Certainly everything near the eyepiece must be matt black. The rest seems to have arguments each way. For aesthetics perhaps the best is deep red; dark under normal light but visible under red light.
I prefer straight-through finder so I think they have that right.
I'm also wondering about the focuser. Is it a dual speed crayford?
If they put a push-to system on it (a la Intelliscope) for less than an Argo Navis they would have a winner. I reckon they could do it for <$3000. That would be attractive!
Just my thoughts, but like others here, obviously a much better mirror cell than the poorly thought out Lightbridge version. It would be a pity though if the tube design isn't rigid enough. Could be quicker to assemble this than a Lightbridge too. I guess we'll find out in due time,
Here are the latest images from Guan Sheng on its Truss scopes.
Notice that they've listened to the Lightbridge owners and made the end rings black.
Images in the earlier part of this thread had the G.S Truss scopes with white rings.
Common sense prevailed.
Along with the others I'm concerned with the rigidity of the parallel struts, only the stiffness of the struts and mounting will prevent twisting of the upper secondary/viewfinder, although some descretely placed bracing (wires perhaps) to give some triangulation would fix that.
I wouldn't be concerned.
Many years ago I built a 13.1inch dob with 4 struts - I was rubbished by the "experts" from one particularily large southern astro club who will remain nameless.
I did not have any problems with moving collimation. The scope was fine all all positions.
It is all about how robust the design, as has been amply discovered by these people:
Carol, to this side of the world.
I'm sure someone will come up with a shroud for it.
Otherwise you could adapt the Astrozap shroud for it.
A homemade rememdy is always on the cards.
Wouldn't it just need some elasticity in the part that secures it to itself? If pulled tight, it's unlikely any part of the shroud would dip into the light path
. That would have to be one of the longest anticipated events......!
to IceInSpace.
