This is so Brain numbing - beginner first scope choice - Page 2

stephenb (Stephen) · #21 22-10-2009, 09:53 AM

Hi Dave,

I don't know what your local (hobby) telescope is using as a reference when he implies that GSO/skywatcher are inferior products, but just about all mass produced mirrors come out of either the GSO or Synta factories these days. My understanding is that even most of the Meade and Celestron scopes are made in China now (same factories?) Your next step up from that is to have a higher quality of mirror made for you by an optics specialist. And yes they will be better, but it's like comparing an average run-of-the-mill family car to a luxury car. You'll be more than happy with the GSO/Skywatcher, as is many other members here on IIS.

Don't be discouraged by the comments from your local store, Andrews or BinTel will also give you amazing service and support.

And seriously, what do you need in a Newt/Dob anyway? 2 mirrors, and a big round metal tube to hold them together.

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #22 26-10-2009, 07:23 PM

ive seen both 10" GSO and the 10" SW, the difference is only in the build quiality. GSO uses slighty thinner tube sheet metal and the SW has re inforcements in critical places.

The difference between the glass isn't that one cools faster than the other, its that pyrex doesn't expand like normal glass hence doesn't suffer from thermal changes even close to what normal glass does. In saying that unless your going to max out the capabilitys of your scope you will not see the difference.

the GSO 10:1 is good when viewing planets at high magnification but if you want to put a camera up onto the GSO 10:1 forget it... you will have major difficulties as the focus point for the GSO is hidden in the tube (either means you have to shorten the tube, put long collmination screws (not so good) and the expendature of a new really low profile focuser!)

so. this is how i see it
if you might take the astrophotography route get the SW its just better all over for taking photos.

if not get the GSO as its not as critical with the different components.

Starkler (Geoff) · #23 26-10-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dclnmurray

Hi all
I gave my local hobby (telescope) store an option to offer a similar setup to what Andrews GS-880 is but his email although polite was quite firm in stating he will not compete against inferior products.

Lol thats a bit harsh and obviously it seems he just wants to trash the choice he doesnt happen to stock. In reality its more of a ford vs holden thing. They are directly competing products.

dclnmurray (Dave Murray) · #24 02-11-2009, 11:17 AM

Thanks All for info.

Took delivery of a beaut 10" GSO from Andrews.
However been racking my brain on this collimation thing. I set it up (damn clouds) and looked at high magnification on a few bright stars and changed the focus and everything looks great with perfect circles etc. However from my reading of many many sites on collimation and info, I expected I would have had to collimate the scope after delivery.

Am I just lucky?

Even though there was thin veil of cloud last night I was able to see Tuc 47 quite easily. Not bright due to cloud, moon and Brisbane suburb but it was beautiful. Jupiter was wonderful with the moons and banding.

cheers

Dave

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #25 02-11-2009, 12:41 PM

Congrats Dave - have fun!

Dave

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #26 02-11-2009, 03:28 PM

sometimes they hold their alginment well. sometimes not so well depends if they where playing cricket in the warehouse at the time! for a beginner there are 2 pieces of kit that make your life easy. Laser collimnator and a cheshire ep. the laser makes sure the angle of the secondary is normal to the primary mirror, and the cheshire makes sure the primary is aligned to the ep. happy days!

shane.mcneil · #27 02-11-2009, 06:33 PM

Mine was good out of the box too. Then I fiddled with it.

Have fun with it.

Shane

Blackant (Ant) · #28 05-11-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dclnmurray

However been racking my brain on this collimation thing. I set it up (damn clouds) and looked at high magnification on a few bright stars and changed the focus and everything looks great with perfect circles etc. However from my reading of many many sites on collimation and info, I expected I would have had to collimate the scope after delivery.

Am I just lucky?

Dave

Hi Dave,

It's definitely possible that it might still be in collimation after transporting it.

My 8" Dob arrived after travelling road freight from Sydney to Hobart and when I checked the collimation I was pretty astounded to find that it was still perfect. I used it for a few weeks and it still seemed great but I played with it a bit anyway just so I didn't get intimidated by the thought of collimating it

I've had it a few months now, and although checking it regularly with an Orion Collimating tool I've only had to collimate it one more time.

Have fun with your new scope! I've just come back from a trip to Melbourne and am hanging out for the clouds to clear so I can check out my new Astronomics UHC-E filter and GSO Wide view 15mm ep

Kind regards

Ant

White Rabbit · #29 11-11-2009, 12:36 PM

Well, you certainly have a few opinions.

So heres mine lol.

I'd go for a 10" solid tube Dob. Because sooner or later your going to want to start imaging. If you buy something like an Heq6 later on down the track you already have the scope that will fit on top It just brings the upfront cost of getting into imaging down about $800.

have fun
sandy

seashell (Michelle) · #30 17-11-2009, 07:07 PM

Hi, I am wife of newish telescope user looking to buy xmas present. Hubby has been muttering about needing to do something with the telescope (which I thought was callibrate) but from looking at threads might be this collimate gig you are talking about. So does anyone have a recommendation on what collimation tool to buy and approx how much to spend? Does it depend on what brand of telescope? I have looked all over the telescope but I can't see the brand name on it - It is a big white thing I think he spent about $400 on. We are in Avalon, northern beaches of Sydney so if anyone can recommend a local telescope shop to go to that would be great.

PCH (Paul) · #31 17-11-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seashell

Hi, I am wife of newish telescope user looking to buy xmas present. Hubby has been muttering about needing to do something with the telescope (which I thought was callibrate) but from looking at threads might be this collimate gig you are talking about. So does anyone have a recommendation on what collimation tool to buy and approx how much to spend? Does it depend on what brand of telescope? I have looked all over the telescope but I can't see the brand name on it - It is a big white thing I think he spent about $400 on. We are in Avalon, northern beaches of Sydney so if anyone can recommend a local telescope shop to go to that would be great.

Hi Michelle,

you should first confirm what sort of telescope your hubby has got. It sounds like it's probably a reflector or dob, but before we go offering advice, we need to know for sure. If it is a reflector or dob, then it's probably a collimation tool you're after, as you suggest, and Bintel in Sydney will have the device you need. A laser collimator will set you back about 70 to 80 bucks and they will post out to you. But check what sort of scope it is first - that's a must !

Their website is www.bintelshop.com.au

Cheers