Purchasing Dob this week - need your advice! - Page 2

Spanrz (Brett) · #21 30-12-2008, 06:20 PM

Well I just picked up a new Bintel 12" Dob today. (yay)
Didn't take too much to setup. Though the instructions differed from the mount slightly (newer mount desgin - older book)

Pretty happy with, just now the weather (broken clouds, slight rain). Always the way (murphy's) when you buy something like this, it's cloudy.
Even if the tube does look daunting to put together, it is easier than I thought.

I picked up a laser colimator and a 2 x barlow. I watched a youtube vid of the laser collimator working. To see how it worked, so I wasn't to concerned wit the laser part.
With the barlow, I picked one up, because I had one a long time and know what difference it can make, but I thought it was a correcting one (view correct way up), but it wasn't...Oh well.
That's next time.

I'll have to wait till tonight for a break in the clouds for it's maiden voyage!

Now the best thing for me, is that I have one eye, so I dont have to squint or shut an eye to view.

Unless the made a binocular focuser, then I would be in trouble. Haha

Happy viewing.

darkskybondi · #22 30-12-2008, 07:57 PM

Glad you picked yours up, spanrz! Looks like clear skies (at least in Sydney) for tonight!

I'm actually a little concerned that I took the demo model (because they said they didn't have any others in stock). I was so anxious to have my scope that I took the floor model but the mirrors aren't exactly clean and I'm not sure what else could be wrong with it... anyone care to weigh in?

Worried,
- DSB

p.s. tackling collimation with the laser now - I've been reading and I hear that laser collimation is totally inaccurate. Is this true?

Spanrz (Brett) · #23 30-12-2008, 09:44 PM

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ME-CBtemo7Q
Have a look there, seen that yesterday.

I had a choice of the display model, but said I was happy to pay for new. It was one thing I was worried about (dust) on a display model.

I just watched on Foxtel this arvo, they were doing a thing on the Keck Obs. They clean the mirrors with CO2. Interesting.

Dam weather, it's cloudy here, but still broken, going to try and get some looking, but this Melbourne weather is so predictable. Hahaha.
It's like everytime I look for the Nasa - Shuttle Re-entry on the last pass before landing (seen it before), it "always" is cloudy right at that dam time...Argh!
(crosses fingers, but I got good vibes the wind will clear the clouds, but in no time, they'll roll in again)

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #24 31-12-2008, 02:06 AM

Dont forget DSB, there is a FIVE YEAR Warranty on that baby, so if there is any mirror issues, I would be notifying them toot sweet.

Chris

darkskybondi · #25 31-12-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwdriverone

Dont forget DSB, there is a FIVE YEAR Warranty on that baby, so if there is any mirror issues, I would be notifying them toot sweet.

Chris

Yep. I think it's a question of collimation more than anything right now. I don't really want the hassle of swapping the unit if it will basically work fine with some tweaks. I'm hoping to have an experienced amateur have a look at it sometime soon. In the meanwhile I posted the ordeals of tonight in another thread "Disappointed..." in this equipment discussion section - worth checking out as I went from despair to locating Orion neb, a globular cluster (! I think!) and SATURN. I am dying to see Saturn at 300 or 400x magnification with this scope.

Cheers mate!
- DSB

Vartigy · #26 19-01-2009, 05:19 PM

How've you found the mechanics behind the collapsible dob?
I haven't the luxery to walk into a shop and view one as yet (location issues), but how sturdy are they with regards to the azi/alti settings?
I take it the tube extends to a locked out position?

You solve your collimation issues?

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #27 19-01-2009, 11:56 PM

Hi Aaron,

I had a look at the 12 inch version of the SWcollapsible dob in York Optical just after Christmas and it is VERY sturdy. Basically the three struts that hold the secondary up have some tension T bars that screw in to hold the secondary still. When released or loosened, the whole secondary cage slides down snugly onto the main tube with no wobbles and is buttery smooth.

Tell you what, if my wife wouldnt have killed me, I was going to buy that 12" on the spot. It looked and moved fantasic!

Best truss design I have seen.

When I can afford one, I am getting one (unless I get a 12" solid tube first and save some cash)

Cheers

Chris

darkskybondi · #28 22-01-2009, 04:22 AM

Yeah Chris - sorry I couldn't make it out to the Mountains last weekend - ended up having family up from Melbourne and it ended up being a big weekend, two family birthdays.

Getting to the mountains may require me to crash in Katoomba overnight at a motel. There's a decent place just off the main strip so I may do it soon. Is there another scheduled observe this weekend, or shall we arrange a private one soon? Is the site you use private property?

Let me know and be in touch! Be great to meet up.

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #29 23-01-2009, 01:24 PM

HI DSB,

Yes there is an obs night on this weekend on Saturday, you are welcome to come along. I hope to be there, but if its clear, there will be plenty of members along as well.

Its a $5 donation for the Trust for non members to attend, payable to a WSAAG member like me who can pass it on to the Trust.

There is a closer motel at Faulconbridge (5 mins away) called Pioneer Motel which may suit you if you dont want the extra trek to Katoomba.

Drop me a PM, it would be good to catch up and I cna give you my mobile number for a chat (and so you dont get lost ya city slicker!)

Cheers

Chris