GS or Saxon 10' DOB - Page 3

davidpretorius · #41 16-09-2005, 11:05 AM

thanks eardrum, you were my 1000th post, i feel very happy!

Eardrum73 · #42 16-09-2005, 11:21 AM

hell yeah! Congradulations on your 1000th post Davidpretorius!

but no, thank you... for all the input and photos.... it sure helped me alot.

Here is the checklist so far:

Springs - check (relatively easy to latch on and off)
Ease of setup - check (just point and look)
Collimation issues - Check (seems ok with bumby/sloping terrain)
Visuals of a 10' v 12' - check (from comparison website)
Cooling down period - check (Probably just leave it outside for 45 min?)
Delivery - check - (will probably get it delivered if going for the 12')
Price - check - (A Dob is the best value for money around)

Mobility & weight - ??? (Still an issue with this one.... lol)

So I think the only real barrier for my decision now is the mobility and weight issue....

davidpretorius · #43 16-09-2005, 11:38 AM

yup 1/2 an hour ish, take your scope and ep's out and let them cool espscially your 2" ep's. i do not have a fan on my 10", so it would be even quicker!

also not sure if in the video you saw the cardboard dew shield. i would recommend making one for the finder so the lens does not fog up.

Eardrum73 · #44 16-09-2005, 11:45 AM

ya, I saw the cardboard dewshield.... so for the finderscope only right? there is no real need for the actual 10' or 12' tube itself?

davidpretorius · #45 16-09-2005, 11:56 AM

just the finder as the lens is very exposed. In tassie weather , where the moisture was forming ice on the outside of the scope from an all night session, i am yet to need a dew shield for the main tube.

the sct's etc need them due to there being an exposed surface that can fog up.

asimov (John) · #46 16-09-2005, 05:44 PM

Hi, mind if I cut in? hehehe! Great video David! Love the finder dew-shield man! I've noticed those GS scopes don't have much over-hang of the main tube past the 45 deg diagonal mirror....ever had your diagonal fog/dew up yet Dave? BTW the whole tube acts as a dew shield for the primary mirror....or so I've read? (logical I guess?) BYE!

davidpretorius · #47 16-09-2005, 06:20 PM

no fog on the secondary!

asimov (John) · #48 16-09-2005, 06:31 PM

Oh..BTW congrats on the 1000 posts mate!

davidpretorius · #49 16-09-2005, 06:35 PM

woo hoo!!!

Starkler (Geoff) · #50 16-09-2005, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

thanks eardrum, you were my 1000th post, i feel very happy!

1000 posts in 2 and a half months????

It took me about 10 months to reach that milestone

davidpretorius · #51 16-09-2005, 08:29 PM

yes, my programming work is sooooo far behind!!!!

acropolite (Phil) · #52 16-09-2005, 10:24 PM

I've got an 8 inch LX90 and they're not exactly light either, not that I'm recommending a dob...

davidpretorius · #53 16-09-2005, 10:29 PM

your setup time was pretty good though phil!!

Eardrum73 · #54 17-09-2005, 05:16 PM

Hi everyone!

I finally got my scope!

I want to say a big thank you to all of you who contributed your ideas, advice and feedback on helping me make my decision. From springs, to star hopping, trolleys and so on - thank you all.

I went to Andrews today to check out for myself how heavy the 8' and 10' dob could be and the 8 inch seemed ok, while the 10' looked a little heavy but still manageble.... maybe.

However after speaking to Lee and his very helpful assistant - Maggie, I ended up with a 12' GS dob!!!!
I just couldn't resist the and the deal that were offering me!

I have just finished assembling it, and now I think its really abit of a monster to move around, especially given my situation.... it really needs two people to move the thing around - but I am still quite happy with the purchase.

The only thing I am able to use so far are the eyepeices, just remove and put them on easy enough.... but the filters and barlows are something else... where do they go????

Now the challenge for me is to find out how to use the eyepeices, barlows, and filters that came with it.....

But hey, its all in the learning process and I feel great about the "anti artilery canon" I got today!

P.S I did manage to fit the 12' into a Corrolla hatchback!!!!! (with a little gap opening at the boot, tied it up with rope and it was all cool!)

#55 17-09-2005, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

4. Only near zenith. A right-angle finder would help a lot here.

If your going to being star hopping, a right angled finder would be rather annoying and almost useless. As you would be facing the tube instead of the sky. With a straight through finder you can easily align the scope without having to turn your head repeatedly. Beside you usually keep both eyes open one eye looking through the finder and the other looking pass the finder directly at the sky.

Regards, CS

janoskiss (Steve H) · #56 17-09-2005, 06:07 PM

Well done Eardrum!

It's hard to resist the lure of a BIG scope, isn't it. I'm amazed you squeezed it into the rolla!

Barlow inserts in your focuser, just like normal eyepieces, and then you insert your eyepiece in the Barlow. It increases the magnification (usually by factor of 2) of the eyepiece.

Filters can be screwed onto the back of the eyepieces, but usually you're better off without them.

Good point Rob, about the straight thru finder. I agree, but near zenith the pain in the neck is just too much for me. Ideally I'd like to have both right-angle and straight-thru.

#57 17-09-2005, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Good point Rob, about the straight thru finder. I agree, but near zenith the pain in the neck is just too much for me. Ideally I'd like to have both right-angle and straight-thru.

You should try an EQ mounted Newt sometime, But seriously you would still find the striaght through variety would be the one you use more often even when viewing the zenith. Just give one a try on a scope with no goto and see how long your prepared to put up with it

Just didn't want Eardrum (being new to the hobby) thinking it was a better way to go, as it is more frastrating. Besides I was too late anways. Congrats on your purchase Eardrum, you should have allot of fun with a 12"

regards

davidpretorius · #58 17-09-2005, 09:24 PM

well done eardrum, top stuff, did you get the premium with the crayford, what size eyepieces and what type of barlow

you will love it so much you will find a way to sort out the mobility issues

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #59 17-09-2005, 09:28 PM

Cool, another GS 12" Dobbie owner. Congrats brother!

I just posted in your other thread about 1 hour ago suggesting a GS dob, then I found this thread. LOL!

chunkylad (David) · #60 17-09-2005, 10:58 PM

Yes, congratulations eardrum!!!! Well done.

Did you get a right angled finderscope, or a straight through? I have a right angled finder, and using it with the Rigel Quickfinder(or a Telrad will do the same job), I have a ball starhopping. imho, it's the best of both worlds.

If you get a trolley to move your 'scope, you may want to check out Iceman's trolley setup. It's a bit simpler than mine.http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...f84c5530c8d7f2

Good luck, and have fun learning and using your new baby.

Cheers