So, big scope guys, where do you keep them? How do you use them?[/B]
I have figured out that I can fit a 14" Orion XXL14I or G on a cart in my garage and just clear the garage door to roll it out to my sidewalk observation location. So, for now, that would be as big as I would go.
If I had a 20+ inch beauty I would want to use it as often as possible.
I presume you have some kind of observatory where your big scopes lives, all set-up and ready to go.
I understand that a truss design can be taken apart and moved but I am sure you are not taking 20+ inch scopes out, building them, observing for an hour or two then taking them apart to put away.
Do you keep them set-up and use them often? Or do you have a 10" Skywatcher sitting in the garage, hidden so no one will know, that you use every day and these are just for national holiday celebrations?
I just leave mine set up and roll 'em in and out as needed. A 20" with wheelbarrow handles will fit fine under a garage doorway. I even bring my 28 to the backyard in and out of a double door patio area
My tiny twenty isn't even much of a challenge for an 80 year old...
I am happy there are so many enthusiastic big dob fans, but there is a difference between being an enthusiast and the realities of living with one, or more, of them.
Most 80 year olds would not be able to do that on their own, and not to rubbish the achievement, even now, in my late sixties, i would not want to be up on the ladder on a damp cold night when the ladder is soaked in dew. The reality is that big dobs are a younger man's thing. Sure there are some exceptions, but as in my case, once your over 65 the big dob usually has to go for many reasons. Enjoy it while your young, and you won't really miss it later on when your dodgy knees and arthirisis won't permit you to use ladders, and your eyesite has diminished to the point where you can't use its reach, and you have had to switch to imaging to stay in the game. When you do finally try and sell it you will find few buyers and all will expect to pick it up for next to nothing, so they are usually a bad return on the investmant - yes even SDMs. Thats the facts.
@Glen, I agree that there will come a time when the big scope is no longer a viable option due to mobility....
As for the perceived investment value..... The views and the pleasure that even my little 18"F5.6 has given me in just one year of ownership are worth the price of admission. I couldn't care less about depreciation. By the time I am no longer able to use this scope, I expect I will have had many more hours at the eyepiece and if I cannot use it I will happily give it away to someone who cannot afford one.
I timed my set up a few days ago.... From the time I opened the back door of the van, rolled out the scope, set up my trusses and UTA and collimated the scope a total of only 8 minutes had elapsed. Then it was a matter of switching on the fans and boiling the billy while waiting for some stars to appear for DSC alignment.....
So, big scope guys, where do you keep them? How do you use them?
I have figured out that I can fit a 14" Orion XXL14I or G on a cart in my garage and just clear the garage door to roll it out to my sidewalk observation location. So, for now, that would be as big as I would go.
If I had a 20+ inch beauty I would want to use it as often as possible.
I presume you have some kind of observatory where your big scopes lives, all set-up and ready to go.
Keep my 25"f3.8 (only needs two steps at zenith), and 33"f4.1 (11 feet at zenith-still working on an idea for viewing platform for, 45deg Alt and above), in my 110m2 "Total span" garage/workshop.
Picture of 33" ready to roll out. Base board is wheeled. At age 71 "deployment" in and out of shed is not an issue, (easier to move than my "wheel barrowed" 25").
even now, in my late sixties, i would not want to be up on the ladder on a damp cold night when the ladder is soaked in dew. The reality is that big dobs are a younger man's thing. Sure there are some exceptions, but as in my case, once your over 65 the big dob usually has to go for many reasons.
Most of the 40 plus people who attend OZSKY every year and have done for the past 12 years are aged between 55 and 75. The reason is that this is generally the age demographic with the time and money and able to make the trip. There are a couple of exceptions who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, but most of them have no issues climbing the ladders to observe and its something they expect to happen knowing they are going to be using large aperture dobs.
I am almost 60 and still use my 14" and 18" dobs on a very regular basis and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Just for the record, Larry Mitchell is 70 and still uses his 36"/F5 Obsession on a very regular basis and being of older design and construction it is a behemoth that takes some handling.
I found a double sided ladder in Bunnings and moved a number of the steps on one side to the other to make half depth steps. Makes viewing actually more comfortable than standing on the ground as you can lean into the ladder and rest that way.
Added a grab handle and an eyepiece tray too, as well as putting it on spring loaded castors which allow you to wheel it around when not standing on it.
My only criticism is that the actual treads are a little deep so don't leave much foot room between the half steps. I have been meaning to fix that for over 10 years!
I found a double sided ladder in Bunnings and moved a number of the steps on one side to the other to make half depth steps. Makes viewing actually more comfortable than standing on the ground as you can lean into the ladder and rest that way.
Added a grab handle and an eyepiece tray too, as well as putting it on spring loaded casters which allow you to wheel it around when not standing on it.
My only criticism is that the actual treads are a little deep so don't leave much foot room between the half steps. I have been meaning to fix that for over 10 years!
That is my plan as well, the half steps are handy to get really comfy. Thanks!!
To get back to the question asked…Ladders are fine but if I ever want a big flector I'd want one that is very portable and takes up little space when folded down, like one of Alex's creations or an 18" Skywatcher ultralite with tracking and GOTO. The 20" has great optics by all accounts, the rest is too bulky for my likes.
