Another new stargazer - Page 2

dhumpie · #21 22-07-2005, 07:32 PM

I think you can actually build your own tracking dob mount Rob. From memory I have seen one on Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews. have a look there and see if you can contact the author.

Darren

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #22 22-07-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

hi

Hi David

#23 22-07-2005, 08:09 PM

Yup! I have seen that one. The one I build will have to hold the weight of a 24"-28" Dob. So I'm sure there will be some teething prob's. And will need to determine the scopes weight before really going any further. I think the main problem will be driving it, and driving it smoothly so the motor doesn't introduce vibrations. I do have a few ideas on this but I'm yet to be in a possition to experiment. I have access to a graveyard of old cars and farm machinary, woodmill machinary...etc...etc... so a good deal of interesting bits to source and play with.

I'll wait until I have the 12" dob before I start to play. But have put a few things aside. The grave owner will be eventually sending it all off to the crusher. including my last car which still actually goes lol, mind you just barely after we played smash em up derby with it lol...

Amazing what you can do in an open paddock with Van Halen blasting away, not to mention the odd low laying stump ooooop's fergot about those

regards

atalas · #24 22-07-2005, 08:39 PM

G'Day Dave

hope you get your self a nice rig !

Louie

cahullian · #25 22-07-2005, 08:42 PM

Hi Dave
Welcome to the forum mate.
Take your time and have a good read.
2K will get you a 250mm X 1200 mm Sky Watcher OTA and a EQ6 Mount at Andrews.
Looks like one of the best deals around.

davidpretorius · #26 22-07-2005, 08:57 PM

welcome

hmmm, i am new this too, only just ordered my scope (10" dob ltd). definately go the crayford and make sure you leave yourself say $350 for a toucam (camera) with the exposure mod done and adapter and also say $150 odd for a good superwide or barlow

my two cents worth. will be able to feed back on the toucam, a 30mm ultrawide and my 10" dob with crayford when she arrives next week

frogman (Anthony Lord) · #27 22-07-2005, 08:58 PM

Gidday chunk and lovely wifey. i went through the same as you not that long ago... i ended up with the bosses c/c and a 12" GSO Deluxe..... beautiful scope....BUT.... they seem to be a pain in the ummmmm they are annoying when you have to collimate them everytime you use them....
However.....People at star parties go "hey that would look good in Anthonys 12"....." not that i mind socialising is fun too.

I started off just being interested in "just looking up" and doing the WOW thing but im getting to the point of wanting to take photos. So i am now looking at the EQ6

when i get a little more financial ....

Best of luck with your decision and im sure youll enjoy whatever you buy....

oh just a hint if you can afford them buy Nagler eyepieces !

Anthony

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #28 22-07-2005, 09:04 PM

Anthony,

I don't think an EQ6 will be solid enough for our 12" Dobbies. A more substabtial mount will be required as the OTA is very long!!! (it's not so much the weight, it's the length)

asimov (John) · #29 22-07-2005, 09:36 PM

davidpretorius · #30 22-07-2005, 09:43 PM

yep, us dob owners have always had problems mounting our enormous lengths, turn round too quick and we could decapitate someone!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #31 22-07-2005, 09:43 PM

Anthony, Try (Asimov) John's Plans and make one!

How's that John

RAJAH235 · #32 22-07-2005, 10:50 PM

Hi Dave, Welcome.

Is it poss. to attend an Ob. nite to look at what is avail? Even arriving late, someone will be there, if notified beforehand. Give a better idea for your needs.

A question re; Anthony's reply. You stated that you have to re-collimate each time you set-up after transporting!!! WHY???? What is going out of collimation??? Something loose??? I don't understand!! I transport mine all the time, as I'm sure others do as well, & don't have to touch it.
??????????????

L.

chunkylad (David) · #33 22-07-2005, 10:59 PM

Hi John

Would love to see your EQ plans, if you could just point me in the right direction to find them.......

Sorry John............. I actually found them for myself

I will download them over the weekend. You never know....

Cheers

chunkylad (David) · #34 22-07-2005, 11:08 PM

I've just spent my night at work pondering the possiblities of beginning with, and later converting a 10" Dobbie to an EQ6 mount, as $$$ and experience permit. I have also been drooling all over Andrews' ad in the current Sky and Telescope mag, for the GSO Dobs.

I have had no luck in making a quick websearch for the relative weights of the GSO 10" and 12" Dobs, versus the capacity of, say the EQ6 mount. I realize the 12" GSO is 1500mm long

, and would probably need a more substantial mount. Anyone have any ideas about this?

BTW, what does the "BK7" refer to in Andrews' ad?

Thanks again for the support.

Cheers

#35 22-07-2005, 11:25 PM

BK7 is the type of glass the primary mirror is made of. There are various types of glass used in mirror making. Pyrex is another and considered low expansion. Which I'm lead to belive means it doesn't exspand or shrink as much due to temperture change while the scope cools to the outside temperture.

I'm sure others can explain it better than me, but I think thats the general gist of the matter.

Regards

asimov (John) · #36 22-07-2005, 11:50 PM

BK7 or Pyrex...Pyrex is supposed to have the edge over BK7, but I would'nt really know.

25kg is the max. load capacity for the EQ6 mount. But I dare say you could put more than that on it for visual use (maybe) Depends on the length of the OTA

chunkylad (David) · #37 23-07-2005, 10:39 AM

HI everyone

I found the specs for the GSO Dobs:

250mm OTA = 15.5kg, 1210mm

300mm OTA = 19.5kg, 1450mm

Any thoughts on the EQ6 for the 300mm OTA?

Dave W

frogman (Anthony Lord) · #38 23-07-2005, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAJAH235

Hi Dave, Welcome.

Is it poss. to attend an Ob. nite to look at what is avail? Even arriving late, someone will be there, if notified beforehand. Give a better idea for your needs.

A question re; Anthony's reply. You stated that you have to re-collimate each time you set-up after transporting!!! WHY???? What is going out of collimation??? Something loose??? I don't understand!! I transport mine all the time, as I'm sure others do as well, & don't have to touch it.
??????????????

L.

got no idea dude but something in my little girl is not happy....

Anthony

chunkylad (David) · #39 23-07-2005, 11:04 PM

Hi Everyone

I decided to do some of my own homework.

There are discussions covering both my previous questions already in the 'equipment discussion' section.:

BK7:http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=2948

EQ6:http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=2960

The GSO 12" Dob is looking better all the time

. It seems hard to beat in the 'bang for buck' stakes!!!. A good place to start for a novice. Also, a good candidate as a conversion project later on methinks.

Thanks to everone who has contributed to this thread, and thus my education. I do appreciate it.

Cheers

Dave W

BC · #40 25-07-2005, 08:49 AM

Just a momentary caution. I followed the same path and ended up with a 10" Bintel, with the thoughts of adding an EQ6 later to allow both set-ups. Just don't get your expectations too high. We all know that we won't see views like the photos but I have found that my views don't match the desciptions people talk about. I was hoping for some wow factor, but frankly got more wow factor out of my 20 x 80 binos. My expectations were simply too high. I didn't look through other people's scopes before I bought which was probably a mistake. Maybe people who can see galaxies have better eyepieces than GSO etc etc. This is meant as a word of caution but sounds a bit like a whinge doesn't it.