Lightbridge 12" It's Here!!!! - Page 2

xstream (John) · #21 22-03-2006, 01:01 PM

Hey, Petra it looks magic!
I think I better come and check it out on the weekend.
I don't think I can wait till Wiruna.

ving (David) · #22 22-03-2006, 01:03 PM

thats a beautiful scope!!!!

spacezebra (Petra) · #23 22-03-2006, 01:04 PM

Hi there more pics - hey I will even take requests, scope with scenic view - scope with pets, scope with plants.

Got too excited putting it together and forgot to take many during the construction phase, but will post a few soon

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Cheers Petra

vespine · #24 22-03-2006, 01:12 PM

Dang that's a HOT looking scope!

I'm still thinking of getting the solid tube GSO, I drive a station wagon so portability isn't THAT much of an issue and the extra $400 (plus a couple of EPs) is a limiting factor at the moment. Plus, this scope looks a LOT more "finished"

I actually kinda like the idea that I'll be able to mod the GSO considerably..

How sterdy are those struts? Can you pick up the OTA by them without anything "flexing" or shifting?

Also does it look like DSCs may be slightly more difficult to attach to those bearings then to the screws on the GSO?

spacezebra (Petra) · #25 22-03-2006, 01:30 PM

Hi Vespine

The struts are very sturdy - I was able to pick up - take outside and reposition on base with ease, colimation which took sometime, was retained - images were very, very clear considering it was my back garden.

Yes, I agree about the finished look - but I have seen a lot of mods on line which have been done by guys in the US.

DSC's? excuse my novice like question

Cheers Petra

Quote:

Originally Posted by vespine

Dang that's a HOT looking scope!

I'm still thinking of getting the solid tube GSO, I drive a station wagon so portability isn't THAT much of an issue and the extra $400 (plus a couple of EPs) is a limiting factor at the moment. Plus, this scope looks a LOT more "finished"

I actually kinda like the idea that I'll be able to mod the GSO considerably..

How sterdy are those struts? Can you pick up the OTA by them without anything "flexing" or shifting?

Also does it look like DSCs may be slightly more difficult to attach to those bearings then to the screws on the GSO?

vespine · #26 22-03-2006, 01:39 PM

Hehe, yeah my comment about the "finished" look wasn't meant as a criticism

Actually, I just said it to try to make myself feel better for not being able to afford it

Except, I probably could if I settled for the 10" instead of the 12"... Still undecided.. This would be my 1st scope purchase, so I'm sure I would still be happy with the 10", but since portability isn't really an issue for me that leaves "looks" as the ain motivator, since everyone says aperture, aperture and aperture should be the primary consideration, I'd be crazy to change my mind based on looks

DSCs are digital setting circles, I'm a newb too

I've only just started learning about these things but already seems like something worth upgrading too after a while. They look dead easy to install on the GSO, the bearings on the LB don't have centre screws which may or may not make installation harder, I'm sure the agro navis people will work out a good solution anyway...

astronut (John) · #27 22-03-2006, 01:43 PM

Sorry guys I don't have a digital camera. I'm sure Petra and her scope are more pleasing to the eye than I am.

I will borrow a camera and post some piccies soon.
Don Whiteman has told me that an Argo Navis is on the drawing board, out later this year.
Petra I just had a very experienced astronomer collimate the scope ( my collimator will arrive next week ) and look at the collimating springs and like some of the U.S. reviewers, he suggests putting in stiffer springs.
This will make the turning of the knobs a little stiffer, but will allow for better collimation.
Ving, I have a few mods I'm carrying out on the scope so it may not venture away from home for a couple of weeks.

ving (David) · #28 22-03-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astronut

Ving, I have a few mods I'm carrying out on the scope so it may not venture away from home for a couple of weeks.

gah! say it isnt so!

oh well, i can wait

spacezebra (Petra) · #29 22-03-2006, 01:51 PM

Hi again

Not taken as such lol

. I have been saving for over a year for "a" scope and watched with interest the IIS forums & read mountains of info for any and all advice on which type of scope I would buy - so I was really careful about the final decision.

Portability was my prime concern, aperature came second.

DSC's okay now I know - I have seen setting circles attached to the LB but not digital? I have joined the LB forum on yahoo and found this another very useful resource which discusses setting circles - modifications etc. So if you get a chance have a look.

Cheers Petra

Quote:

Originally Posted by vespine

Hehe, yeah my comment about the "finished" look wasn't meant as a criticism

Actually, I just said it to try to make myself feel better for not being able to afford it

Except, I probably could if I settled for the 10" instead of the 12"... Still undecided.. This would be my 1st scope purchase, so I'm sure I would still be happy with the 10", but since portability isn't really an issue for me that leaves "looks" as the ain motivator, since everyone says aperture, aperture and aperture should be the primary consideration, I'd be crazy to change my mind based on looks

DSCs are digital setting circles, I'm a newb too

I've only just started learning about these things but already seems like something worth upgrading too after a while. They look dead easy to install on the GSO, the bearings on the LB don't have centre screws which may or may not make installation harder, I'm sure the agro navis people will work out a good solution anyway...

spacezebra (Petra) · #30 22-03-2006, 01:54 PM

Hi John

I also brought in the big guns when it came to collimation. I had a go on my own but still too inexperienced.

Did yours come with the base nut?

Cheers Petra

Quote:

Originally Posted by astronut

Sorry guys I don't have a digital camera. I'm sure Petra and her scope are more pleasing to the eye than I am.

I will borrow a camera and post some piccies soon.
Don Whiteman has told me that an Argo Navis is on the drawing board, out later this year.
Petra I just had a very experienced astronomer collimate the scope ( my collimator will arrive next week ) and look at the collimating springs and like some of the U.S. reviewers, he suggests putting in stiffer springs.
This will make the turning of the knobs a little stiffer, but will allow for better collimation.
Ving, I have a few mods I'm carrying out on the scope so it may not venture away from home for a couple of weeks.

astronut (John) · #31 22-03-2006, 02:33 PM

Petra,Yes It did, no missing parts. Now that the altitude brake has been installed, you will find that the eyepiece holder can't be put where the predrilled holes have been made. The knob for the brake will foul the eyepieces.
You will need to repostion the holes further down just above the Lightbridge sign. Oh well it's always fun when tinkering

davidpretorius · #32 22-03-2006, 03:01 PM

Great stuff, guys, thanks for the feeback,

I do believe that the az bearing being chipboard will be simple to attach the motors either stepper or servo cat and that a decent alt bearing can be attached easier to this design than the std gso dob!!

Mike, if the 16" is like this, then I can't see it being any harder to install a dob driver etc on a normal gs dob.

Very very promising!

davidpretorius · #33 22-03-2006, 03:07 PM

is the alt bearing (up/down) made of aluminium???? ie is it really light.

If it is then a dob driver / mel bartels system will suit to a tee if using a stainless steel knurl to cut a track into the softer aluminium.

How big is that lip on this bearing?

astronut (John) · #34 22-03-2006, 03:34 PM

Dave, Yes made of aluminium. The lip is about 12mm high

davidpretorius · #35 22-03-2006, 03:55 PM

thanks,

would this lip be very wide, ie if i have a stainless steel knurled wheel of 10mm wide, would the lip be 10mm wide.

Otherwise I would have to get at the non lip section to drive this with a motor. I could always cut away a section of the lip.

spacezebra (Petra) · #36 22-03-2006, 04:11 PM

John

I cannot wait to see your mods. Also let me how you resolved the transport issue.

When I read page 5 of the Assembly, and I quote.. " On the adjustment knob bolt, place two washers on either side of the roller bearing washer."

I found this a little confusing - considering I had only two plain washers and one roller bearing washer. Regardless - placing only one washer on either side - still gave me very little thread to place "a nut" if I had one on the base.

How did you get around this?

Cheers Petra

Quote:

Originally Posted by astronut

Petra,Yes It did, no missing parts. Now that the altitude brake has been installed, you will find that the eyepiece holder can't be put where the predrilled holes have been made. The knob for the brake will foul the eyepieces.
You will need to repostion the holes further down just above the Lightbridge sign. Oh well it's always fun when tinkering

spacezebra (Petra) · #37 22-03-2006, 04:16 PM

Hi again John

Many thanks for the advice. I was also given the advice - re my EPs, not to put them there anyway and keep them in a foam case/toolbox.

Might keep other do dads in there instead small torch. Might attach a cup holder

Thanks John

Quote:

Originally Posted by astronut

Petra,Yes It did, no missing parts. Now that the altitude brake has been installed, you will find that the eyepiece holder can't be put where the predrilled holes have been made. The knob for the brake will foul the eyepieces.
You will need to repostion the holes further down just above the Lightbridge sign. Oh well it's always fun when tinkering

davidpretorius · #38 22-03-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacezebra

Hi again John

Many thanks for the advice. I was also given the advice - re my EPs, not to put them there anyway and keep them in a foam case/toolbox.

Might keep other do dads in there instead small torch. Might attach a cup holder

Thanks John

and your toothbrush!!!

Starkler (Geoff) · #39 22-03-2006, 10:14 PM

Looks great! Better than the pics in the ads even

I had to chuckle to myself that you took a photo of the delivery man unloading the new scope, now thats excitement

First mod has to be painting black the inside of the end rings of the upper tube. I bet they are visible from the focuser.

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

If it is then a dob driver / mel bartels system will suit to a tee if using a stainless steel knurl to cut a track into the softer aluminium.

Agh you want to mangle the smooth aluminium bearing surface??

astronut (John) · #40 22-03-2006, 10:25 PM

Hi Geoff, I was going to cover the internal white bits with black felt. I've now decided to paint the inner part of the white rings flat black, this will be done tomorrow. The trusses look great in silver/grey but are impractical for the light path. These will be covered in black felt.
I'm also placing a 12v battery on the base and running wiring through a switch box and up through the truss tubes, so that I can have a eyepiece heater and possibly heaters for a future optical finder. Whew I think that will do for now!! I will post pictures when I can.