Question regarding 10" Dobs

[FrostyXIII]

Originally Posted by Solanum

Heh, I think this thread has taught Frosty one thing, there is never a "correct" answer in astronomy!

You can say that again!!

[Kokatha man]

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

BTW, the quality of the GSO Optics are at least as good if not better than the Synta (Skywatcher) Optics.

Cheers,
John B

Hi Frosty - Solanum's comments are spot on: "correct" answers are a dime a dozen for us mob: I try to eschew absolutes (as I hope my comments in this thread affirm) because of that little motto we should all constantly remind ourselves of, about amateur astronomy - "I thought that it was a science, but I realize now that it's a religion!"

There's allways some with a definitive opinion on anything or everything: we're a bunch of self-professed experts, particularly on those matters we hold the strongest opinions over - the best advice anyone can give you is to go out to a few AA open nights and make up your own mind by trying different set-ups, and asking questions: we're an obliging mob, and you'll soon sort out if some of the opinions given suit your own criteria.

Forgive me if my presumption of you being a bright fella are incorrect - but if you aren't, perhaps I could interest you in this little package.....at this price it's a steal........you won't regret buying it..........!

Cheers, Darryl.

[omnivorr]

Hey Frosty, .. just remember to 'live a lil' and enjoy learnin by experience too.. otherwise you'd just watch it on tv..

....it's a bit like sex too, in that regard.. heed the advice to "be careful", ..but don't succumb to the thrall of either pontificators nor the pornographers..

you've had sound and sage advice from varied viewpoints now, and p'raps more to follow.. ..ya gotta jump on the merry-go-round sometime, if ya wanna try the ride.. the Dob'll do yer ... 'til ya wanna try the scare-ier rides further down sideshow-alley : D

and then there's yer "budget".. limiting factor #1. ....but to counter that, comes your "nerdiness" factor, your "I'll find a way"-it-ive-ness, ...yer "I don't care what 'the neighbours'/'mom&pop'/'star-makers'(PR-MEDIA) think"...

If there'd been no "Nah, thanx.. but I'll suck-it-n-see f'meself, mate".. we'd still all be "werkin'fo'da PHAROAH". livin on onions bread n beer.. (hang-on!! - I do!!) now where was I ?

...yeah, .. .. "GO-FRIT!!!" expect a few knee's scraped.. pride's bruised..
(gramma/spelling pedants please retire to your anal abode- you/your input speciously irrelephant ear! ..so "Stick it!"-back were you got it from, and it belongs,..the glare is rooning da dark-adapt for the rest of us!! ) ...

Frosty, it all comes down to who you are, why are you doin' it ???????

..ifya younger you have more hope of gaining some valid answers via the process.. or being lead further astray.. but if yer older.. mebe there's hope yet!! .. .. .. itsa big sky up there.. many ways to reach it...........

you'll never know, ifya never never go.. (now where'ave I 'ear'd dat before??)

Cheers
Russ

[FrostyXIII]

Looks like im gonna go with the 10" Dob and just take it from there. It's gonna b a great learning experience.

Frosty

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Great thread.

I went for the 10" GSO and I can see quite a few differences compared to the Skywatcher - have a look at how the secondary mirror is mounted for one.

I swapped the plossl's for Orion Expanse eyepieces and still use them today 2 yrs later. I would avoid a Barlow and get another eyepiece instead - say a 6mm, 9mm and 20mm.

Whatever you decide the 10" dob is a great way to get started.

[mark3d]

im pretty sure theres 2 manufacturers of these dobs under many badges. GSO (Guan Sheng Optical) in Taiwan and Sinta in China. my lightbridge is made by GSO and the optics are very good i'd buy a GSO without hesitation. they both make refractors too i believe.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by FrostyXIII

Looks like im gonna go with the 10" Dob and just take it from there. It's gonna b a great learning experience.

Frosty

The 10" Meade Lightbridge uses 90% of the same components as the 10" GSO dob, including the optics and focuser. The added bonus of the 10" Meade Lightbridge is that it is infinitely more portable/transportable than the solid tube GSO dob, while being the optical equivalent. FYI the Meade Lightbridge is manufactured by GSO in Taiwan and rebadged by Meade. It's one of the few things Meade have got right in recent years IMO. Add the Argo Navis DTC package and you have a mighty fine telescope package that will give you years of enjoyment without breaking the bank or your back.

Cheers,
John B

[taminga16 (Greg)]

Frosty,
The purchase of a Telrad finder is good advice, as for the balance of your budget, just hang onto it until you work out what you need, better a bottom draw full of cash than a pile of astro gear that you dont use.

Regards Greg.

P.S. you will really enjoy the 10" dob.

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by Solanum

Heh, I think this thread has taught Frosty one thing, there is never a "correct" answer in astronomy!

Originally Posted by Kokatha man

As for the Andrews chesire, I gave that to erick and he seems to think it's great: I won't describe what I thought of it!

With the Orion combo tool I possess, there seems to be some sort of expectation that the sight-tube cross-hairs will come into sharp focus as seen visually (not the reflection) - this is really rarely true and some (like Erick) find this incredibly disconcerting - however it is of absolutely zip/zero/ nada consequence with regards to achieving excellent collimation!

I still think the Andrews Cheshire is fine, still go cross-eyed looking at those Orion crosshairs I've bought an AstroSystems autocollimator to play with as well.

Frosty, you'll work out what suits you in the collimation chase and finderscope challenges! Keep reading and trying things - borrow and experiment at star parties.

[rhisaac]

Thanks to Frosty and to the responses from this thread I have just ordered a GSO 10" dob .... so thanks to all!!!

Wish me luck with the collminator

[mark3d]

i know everyone has an opinion and preference especially for things like this but for me a laser collimator and a barlow lens makes collimation easy. look for a sky & telescope article on it ... free on the web.. by some danish or norwegian guy

[FrostyXIII]

Originally Posted by rhisaac

Thanks to Frosty and to the responses from this thread I have just ordered a GSO 10" dob .... so thanks to all!!!

Wish me luck with the collminator

Lol! Yep. I havn't even bought my scope yet.

Frosty

[FrostyXIII]

Just a general question regarding light pollution. If you live in a light polluted area, is it best to go for larger aperture for better results?

For example, Johnny lives in a suburban light polluted area. If he wants to get good views with a telescope would it be worth his while to buy a large dobsonian? Or is the problem, it just doesn't matter what apperture size has?

Is it true that because Johnny lives in a light polluted area, he is basically screwed unless he goes to dark locations.

This is another question that will help me and my fellow n00bies.

Frosty

[Kokatha man]

Originally Posted by FrostyXIII

Just a general question regarding light pollution. If you live in a light polluted area, is it best to go for larger aperture for better results?

For example, Johnny lives in a suburban light polluted area. If he wants to get good views with a telescope would it be worth his while to buy a large dobsonian? Or is the problem, it just doesn't matter what apperture size has?

Is it true that because Johnny lives in a light polluted area, he is basically screwed unless he goes to dark locations.

This is another question that will help me and my fellow n00bies.

Frosty

It's obvious that Frosty is a frontman for various characters: it became evident in the preceding posts that he "fitted up" rhisaac with a new scope; and now he's doing the negotiating for someone he refers to as "Johnny."

What sort of percentage "take" do you make on these transactions Frosty? - and unless I get a piece of the action you're not picking my brain anymore!

Next you'll be trying to rent/sell this poor "Johnny" character a house in a darker neighbourhood!

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by FrostyXIII

Just a general question regarding light pollution. If you live in a light polluted area, is it best to go for larger aperture for better results?

For example, Johnny lives in a suburban light polluted area. If he wants to get good views with a telescope would it be worth his while to buy a large dobsonian? Or is the problem, it just doesn't matter what apperture size has?

Is it true that because Johnny lives in a light polluted area, he is basically screwed unless he goes to dark locations.

This is another question that will help me and my fellow n00bies.

Frosty

Unless it's the Moon and/or planets on which you want to concentrate, nothing beats getting to darker skies, for visual in particular.

But everything is possible. There are great DSO images on this site from the middle of Melbourne and Sydney! And I've read of a guy who has nabbed all Messier objects visually from his place beside a floodlit carpark!

Here is one view of aperture versus light pollution:-

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze55p46/id1.html

[FrostyXIII]

Originally Posted by Kokatha man

It's obvious that Frosty is a frontman for various characters: it became evident in the preceding posts that he "fitted up" rhisaac with a new scope; and now he's doing the negotiating for someone he refers to as "Johnny."

What sort of percentage "take" do you make on these transactions Frosty? - and unless I get a piece of the action you're not picking my brain anymore!

Next you'll be trying to rent/sell this poor "Johnny" character a house in a darker neighbourhood!

Lol!

I was asking for myself, but I am sure quite a few n00bs (first time telescope buyers) will take the information into account too.

Frosty

[Kokatha man]

Originally Posted by FrostyXIII

Lol!

I was asking for myself, but I am sure quite a few n00bs (first time telescope buyers) will take the information into account too.

Frosty

Jist so longs as you aint takin any of dere moola from deez sales inta yer own bank account Frosty - an if yer is, I wants some o' it!

ps - have yer sold dat lil ol dump - err, I means "country residence", the one wif the purrfect dark skies to "Johnny" yet, you know, that one out in the boondocks that was condemned by the council?!?

[Solanum]

Originally Posted by Kokatha man

It's obvious that Frosty is a frontman for various characters: it became evident in the preceding posts that he "fitted up" rhisaac with a new scope; and now he's doing the negotiating for someone he refers to as "Johnny."

What sort of percentage "take" do you make on these transactions Frosty? - and unless I get a piece of the action you're not picking my brain anymore!

Next you'll be trying to rent/sell this poor "Johnny" character a house in a darker neighbourhood!

Hmmm, I think that actually Frosty is thinking he might be able to afford a 12" instead of a 10" and wants some evidence for the need in order to get the cash from 'she who must be obeyed'......

[FrostyXIII]

Originally Posted by Solanum

Hmmm, I think that actually Frosty is thinking he might be able to afford a 12" instead of a 10" and wants some evidence for the need in order to get the cash from 'she who must be obeyed'......

I dont know about going up to a 12" but yes the gf is paying for part of the scope as my bday is coming up very very soon.

[rhisaac]

Hey Frosty - just got my GSO 10" - absolutely incredible!!!!

I'm still trying to work out a few things - but got some speccy views last night which was the first time out of the box!!

I'm not sure its a very transportable scope but will find a way :-)))

Hope you're birthday is soon - although worth the wait