Lost Newbie

[Robert9 (Robert)]

From Andrews I see that a new DOB8 is due out in January.

I'd be very interested in any thoughts on truss designs and anything else relevant here.

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/images/...cher_flex8.jpg
DOB 8" 200mm x 1200mm

$599.00 AUD
This model is due in January, 2009
New truss tube design requires no assembly or disassembly each time it's used!
New extra-smooth azimuth bearings and patented tension adjustment control for the altitude bearings.
New Collapsible Dobs. feature smooth Crayford style focusers and 8 x 50 finderscopes.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Its a pity you aren't in Adelaide; there is a 8" Skywatcher Dob in the classifieds for $400, pick up only..

I don't really understand why they'd make an 8" truss They're already a small scope. I think at 8" I'd save my money and get a solid tube.

The main problem I could see with that design (assuming the trusses/struts are rigid) is stopping a shroud from drooping into the light path..

[Robert9 (Robert)]

Yes, Adelaide is just a bit far to trot over to collect a telescope. The cost of petrol to travel the 1000Km return trip would only be about $150. Hmm! 150 + 400 = $550. Might as well stay and buy a new one.
Thanks for your comments on the open truss. I'm learning a lot here. Great forum.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

At worse with the skywatchers focuser is not too bad on my 10" the only weird thing is the 2" addaptor, you need a adaptor to fit the 2" ep in... odd, the overall build quality is great, i have found.

I have a old Dicksmith special that i was given a year or so ago and my plans are to install the SW focuser into it so all is not lost with the SW focuser Then upgrade the SW OT to something that will support imaging later on so either a Moonlite or something of the sort and preferably a low profile so i don't have to start slicing and dicing the OT. but its yet to be seen if i still have to .

Remember though even the bintel option normally gives a few ep's to start off with you will generally go and buy yourself some good quality ones soon after.

[Robert9 (Robert)]

Ok Brendan, thanks. Interested that you have a DSE scope. I have been warned away from them by virtually everyone. I have been offered a Saxon 8"Dob for $515 which is very tempting. It has Crayford focussing and comes with 2 Plossl eyepieces. The Bintel seems to have an advantage in the mount which is reportedly more stable and easier to control, but I haven't heard anything really negative about other scopes. There are also additional bits included, but the price is also higher. I guess I could always buy additional bits a later date when my piggy-bank has recovered somewhat.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

hahaha, im not a silly man DSE scopes are the pits! Ill let you in on a secret.!!! I was given it from my mate that obviously didn't understand what was going on. It was so poor on collmination it wasn't funny, but the problem was that he tried to clean the mirror with spray and wipe.! there wen a 1/4 of the already shotty mirror.

So i suffered this for a good 7 months, still looked at Omega cent, jewel box and the like, though views where less than "acceptable". So i will be retro fitting it all with some decent gear and a new mirror and passing the scope along to my uncle.

Saxon is virtially a Sky watcher, or should i say it the other way around, if you can get a Saxon with a Crayford focuser do it. because the Skywatcher only has a R&P. all right but not great. though to get a Crayford style focuser only set you back 130ish

[Robert9 (Robert)]

I guessed you weren't a silly man! http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/..../winking70.gif An 8" Skywatcher lists at the same price as an 8" Saxon, so I think it a good deal. Added to that, I think the extras are better witht eh Saxon. On the point of maintenance, how do you clean the optics?
Seems like I'm honing in on a scope doesnt it?http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/....s/thumbsup.gif

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Robert,

An 8" dob will be a beauty. If you can come up with the crayford focuser its worth a few dollars extra. As for cleaning the optics have a look at Mike's article on the subject.

Cheers

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

you beat me to the punch line!

Just remember when cleaning your optics they have to be reasonably dirty before you need to worry about it. Some will say that it can be really covered badly and still be useable, others say to get rid of it all! Im somewhere inbetween

[Robert9 (Robert)]

Hi Brendan and Rob. Many thanks for all your help over the past few days. Tell me, Brendan, when do you sleep? I've found your posts everywhere! Certainly an interesting 5 pager on helping a guy who started off with junk. Glad I didn't follow his path, just hope he gets his money back.
The Crayford focussing is going to cost me an extra $100 - the difference between an 8" Skywatcher and Saxon, but I have the feeling it will be money well spent. The Skywatcher is available with a 15% discount from York Optical, which brought down below $400. The Saxon will be $515. Now to convince the "Other Half" - bless her! I'm not expecting too much flak.
Final question (for now) - collimation???AHh haa - don't bother, I've just found an excellent article posted on the site.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

hahaha

Well where i work im basically on all day, though sometimes i jump online to do things and well i have to "check the mail".

Collmination its a lovely beast. The trick is to actually understand the light path and what is happening when you make adjustments. if you try to learn the way of just getting the circles concentric unless your one smart mofo itll take you a bit to get the hang of.

the sky watcher and saxon like i said are both the same. though look at it this way is the saxon craford style focuser a 10:1 or just a craford. if it is just a craford, go with the skywatcher and whack a bintel 10:1 on it for 130 from bintel (they are a GSO manufactured item just rebranded). The 10:1 will give you really fine focus, its only after you have played with telescopes for a while that you will appriciate that fine adjustment.!

[Robert9 (Robert)]

You've got to me just in time, I think. As best as I can gather, the Crayford doesn't have the reduction drive. The one I'm considering is from Astronomy Alive http://astronomyalive.com.au/Saxon%20Dob%208.html . I can get the Skywatcher for considerably less from York. They (York) don't say what brand of eye-pieces they use, but I give them a call and find out a few more detaisl on what they have on offer. The differnece between the prices for the 2 scopes is $137 and if everything else between them is equal, then paying the $130 for the 10:1 reduction drive focussing is very worth while.
I have been trying to figure out how I can transport the scope when we go off with our 12' caravan. The packing box seems excessively large for its contents. What would you say are the minimum dimensions I could construct a travel box?
My wife has agreed to the scope, but we have to fit it in the Subi wagon with a bit of other gear, the van is too small.

[norm]

Hi Robert,

For an intro into collimation check out:

http://www.andysshotglass.com/Collimating.html

Good luck with the purchase!!!

Cheers, Norm

[Robert9 (Robert)]

I went out today with the intention of having a good look at the Saxon Dob8 and probably buying same. However, on inspection and anlaysis of handling and size, it really was to large and awkward to consider taking away on holidays. Our caravan and car could just not accommodate the bulk, and it would have been a real inconvenience - Damn it! Had more discussions with Astronomy Alive and he suggested a Saxon 90mm x 900mm Sazxon refractor on an EQ2 mount. Included are 2 x 1.25" super Plossel eyepieces (25x and 10x), prism and upgraded finder scope.
Be interested in any comments please. (Only $10 more than the Dob).

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

A 90mm scope will be disappointing on anything other than the moon IMO, will be reasonably portable though.
Are you purchasing soley with the holiday trip in mind or for future use?

[garyp]

Hi Robert,

One thing I learnt pretty early on it there is no perfect scope. The big ones are great but not very transportable and the smaller ones are more portable but not so great with the views etc..... It's hard to make the decision at times.

As jethro said you need to get a scope with the thought of where you will use it most in mind.

If it's mostly in the back yard the dob is the best bet and maybe you could get a smaller one sometime in the future for your travels, or vice versa.

just a thought

I know there is a budget to keep to etc..

By the way I have an 8" skywatcher dob and I'm loving it.

Cheers

Gary

[Robert9 (Robert)]

Thanks Jethro and Gary for your inputs to help with my dilemma.
I must admit I was highly disappointed when I realised that lugging the Dob while on holidays would be too much of a chore. When you're out bush under clear velvet black skies and the stars are so bright the allure of star-gazing is enormous. We are going to Harrieteville (our alpine region nestled at the foot of Mt. Hotham) in a couple of weeks. The skies there are incredible. We will be located in a valley far away and totally shielded from city lights. So I guess, in the first instance, it is a scope for travelling that I want. I was told by the guy at "Astronomy Alive" (and I believe he does know his stuff) that the refractor he offered should be good for planets, and constellation, but would have difficulty resolving things like galaxies. For deep-space the Dob would far out-perform. I have the feeling that I may eventually end up with both scopes. The Dob for home and the refractor for out bush/travels. I only wonder at the efficiency of the Dob in a suburban environment. Any commnets please?

[garyp]

Hi robert. I am only a beginner into astronomy and don't have experience with other scopes. I can only speak on the experience of using my dob. To your question about a dob in the back yard I can say that I have been pleased with the views I've experienced. Some nights are better and clearer than others so don't be put off if your first few nights aren't what you expect. I found through practice I could find what I was looking for and work out the best ways to handle the dob.

From what I've read about on sites like this that in a back yard situation bigger aperture is usually better.

Having said that dark skys are the best option with any scope so it's a matter of making the best of a less than ideal situation

hope it helps

cheers
Gary

[Robert9 (Robert)]

Hi Gary,
Thanks yet again for your comments. I have had a look outside at the skies the past few nights and have been extremely disappointed at the poor visibility, even after 11pm, and in spite of the moon's absence. I have made a decision (finally!) to get an SCT. Decided I particularly wanted the portability which unfortunately an 8" Dob doesn't have when sharing space in a small caravan and all the other junk that goes camping with us. Since to have the scope "out bush" is what I really want, I've upped my budget and am going to get a Celstron Nexstar 6SE. My wife has agreed! Sure, at f10 the aperture's not as good but all things considered, I think its a reasonable compromise.
Appropos of Dobs though, having looked at a few now, I think the Bintel is by far the best equipped and best value for money, inspite of being more expensive. (26mm (2") Fully Multi Coated Eyepiece, 15mm and 9mm Fully Multi Coated Plossl Eyepieces, smooth 2" Crayford focuser featuring extra smooth 10:1 fine control, Moon filter, 8x50 90° Correct Image Finderscope, Base carry handle, eyepiece rack for 2" and 1.25" eyepieces ). Maybe in another year - or two!
Robert

[garyp]

Hi Robert. Looks like the hardest part is done (deciding on a scope to buy)

Now all that's left is to use and enjoy.

All the best with your new scope

Cheers

Gary