GSO 16" Dob - Your Reaction ? - Page 2

Dobman (Simon) · #21 23-01-2006, 10:28 PM

Who would'nt love a 16"? Lets face it, SIZE DOES matter!! but how do you move such a beast? My 12" is a hand ful ( no rude innuendo intended!) A 16" is really heading towards a dedicated observatory, & how many people have a spare mountain & dome in their backyard??

Will be interested to hear reviews when someone is brave enough to buy one

Simon
Ps Hope everyone going to IISac has a great time

gaa_ian (Ian) · #22 23-01-2006, 10:33 PM

OK ... Its me, I have our clubs name down for one

I for one would like to be able to show people Galaxies, that look like something other than a fuzzy smudge

Lots of Em ....
You know the feeling, surfing throught the Virgo, Leo, Sculptor groups etc.
So many galaxys in the field of view that you have to stop to count them

iceman (Mike) · #23 24-01-2006, 08:02 AM

I'll ask Lee Andrews for a loan of one when they come onshore, for the purposes of a review. Whether he agrees or not, I dunno.

I'm not experienced in truss designs, but i'll invite Andrew Murrell to come observing with me to get his input, as he owns "hector", the 20" truss dob.

Harlequin · #24 24-01-2006, 01:14 PM

My reaction is to wait until the scope details are available, and take into consideration the comments/reviews from the early users from this community.

Best Regards

Daniel

Starkler (Geoff) · #25 24-01-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harlequin

My reaction is to wait until the scope details are available, and take into consideration the comments/reviews from the early users from this community.

Me too

wavelandscott (Scott) · #26 26-01-2006, 06:29 PM

I reckon my Discovery is enough for me for now...besides, I would not want to be one of the first to own one anyway...the "bleeding edge" is not a place I like to be...I am much more of a laggard when it comes to new "new things"...but good luck to those that jump in early!

gaa_ian (Ian) · #27 26-01-2006, 06:54 PM

Here at the "Bleeding Edge" we are hoping to be able to give a good review !
Perhaps those of us who want one should put our orders in "Subject to supply of test scope to Iceman @ IIS, and a good review"

bytor666 · #28 29-01-2006, 05:21 AM

I don't know who it was that said GSO's are not any good, but I myself used a 12" GSO and the images it produced, (for what it was INTENDED for , Deep space objects), were very satisfying.
I also had some seriously great images of the planets with this telescope and it was not made specifically for planets !!!....The 16" GSO is obviously a DEEP SPACE telescope, and I bet that it will perform just fine on deep sky, and prob just fine on the planets too.

-----------------------
Mark

Argonavis (William) · #29 29-01-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

I have my reservations, but where else can you get a truss dob in that aperture class without importing from the US (at huge costs) or building one yourself? There was a truss dob builder mentioned in another thread, but he wont touch anything under 18inch. Im looking for something between 14-16 inch.

It may be a bit far to freight or travel and pick up, but John Connelly on the Gold Coast has built quite a few 16inchers. Astroron has one.

go to

http://www.sdmtelescopes.com.au/john...tomscopes.html

gaa_ian (Ian) · #30 29-01-2006, 05:48 PM

Thanks Argo ...that gives me a plan B !

Stu · #31 29-01-2006, 07:24 PM

I'd bet that the John Connelly scope would have a much better mirror too!

I was talking to Mick the other day and we both agreed that if the 16" GSO dob mirrors were any good, you'd by the scope, pull out the mirror and put it in something a lot better.

IMO the standard teflon bearings that GSO use would have no chance with a 16" mirror on them.

I am slowly begining to think that the GSO truss dobs may be different to the Meade ones. But the proof is in the pudding! If they are different the mirror will certaintly give it away.

Starkler (Geoff) · #32 29-01-2006, 07:52 PM

Thanks argo

Making enquiries.

Argonavis (William) · #33 29-01-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

I'd bet that the John Connelly scope would have a much better mirror too!

I don't think John supplies the mirror (I could be wrong on that point). Most of his scopes have had Meade optics in them. Meade did sell the optics separately some years ago. Now you have to buy the whole scope, cardboard, chipboard and all. One comment at an ATM afternoon we used to run was "its a Meade and we're turning it in to a telescope..." Mind, some of the Meade 16 inch mirrors were great. Astroron has one, and his mirror is good. Very good. Superlative actually. Loads of detail on Jupiter. I could not say that about the 16 inch mirror I got from Meade. After looking through Astroron's I feel sorry for the bloke I sold mine to, although I don't think he uses it much.

So perhaps you need to buy the optics from Zambuto, OMI, Torus or Galaxy, or Mark Sutching in Sydney.

Starkler (Geoff) · #34 31-01-2006, 11:49 PM

I have Pm'd Astrorun a few days ago to ask about his scope and he hasnt responded yet.

gaa_ian (Ian) · #35 31-01-2006, 11:52 PM

I spoke to Andrews Comms. today
They told me the scopes are still planned to ship from GSO in March & be on sale here in April !

janoskiss (Steve H) · #36 31-01-2006, 11:56 PM

GSO will be in a rush to get those scopes out on time. Wonder how that's going to impact on the quality of the final product.

iceman (Mike) · #37 01-02-2006, 05:49 AM

Astroron has been on a roadtrip around Australia.. he stopped in at Lostock on Saturday, after driving from Perth!

I'm sure he'll respond when he's back in QLD.

Was great to meet him, a very nice guy and a wealth of knowledge.