SOLD* 10" LX200GPS SMT: New Home Found

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I am considering taking the plunge with an Obsession or SDM truss dobsonian.

That being the case, my beloved 10 inch LX200, which has given me the most amazing tour of the universe, might be needing a new home soon. If you are interested in acquiring said scope, read on:

Basic details:
Purchased from Bintel Sydney in Feb 2005, in excellent condition
Received full service / clean at 12 months (March 2006) by Don Whiteman, clean bill of health, written report available.
Goto performs flawlessly
150,000 user objects database, and guided tours function enables you to enjoy the best that any night has to offer
Ultra High Transmission Coatings, Smart Mount
Fitted with Peterson Mounting plate, EZ-focuser and Bob's Knobs (for easy collimation)
Will supply with Williams Optics 10:1 crayford focuser for SCT which is a work of art
Also throw in 26mm Meade Super Plossl and 2 inch diagonal (with 1.25" adaptor), together with power pack and aluminium accessory case, as well as Orion Dew Zapper for those dewy nights!
Comes with standard Meade finderscope

Lots of IceinSpacers on the Central Coast NSW can comment on the great views they have enjoyed through this scope.

Price
Negotiable, open to reasonable offers.

Timeframe
Happy to look at sale later in year, or earlier at the right price! In no great hurry.

Let me know if you are interested. Happy to give you a night out with my baby if you would like to "try before you buy".

Please PM me if you are seriously interested, and thanks for reading.

[iceman (Mike)]

Lots of IceinSpacers on the Central Coast NSW can comment on the great views they have enjoyed through this scope.

One right here, definitely a nice scope, well looked after.

Make him a nice offer, I want to see this new beast sooner rather than later

[xstream (John)]

I can also vouch for Rod's scope.

Hmmm so the bug has bitten! Welcome to the club of aperture fever Rod.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by xstream

Hmmm so the bug has bitten! Welcome to the club of aperture fever Rod.

John, do you know of any remedies for the condition?

Last time I checked, Truss Dobsonian telescopes were not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme!

[xstream (John)]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

Last time I checked, Truss Dobsonian telescopes were not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme!

Maybe a good reason for a petition Rod.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

FYI, I have three interested parties at the moment, so if anyone else is interested, please let me know as a concluded deal may not be far away.

[norm]

Hi Rod,

Just curious as to which Obsession or SDM you had in mind ?

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by norm

Hi Rod,

Just curious as to which Obsession or SDM you had in mind ?

G'day Norm,

I have been corresponding with Peter Read of SDM about a 20" f/4.5. It would only be 7' 2" to the EP at zenith, compared with 8' to the EP at zenith at f/5. My concern is coma, and whether at f/4.5 I will be stuck with having to use a Paracorr, which will just add lots more glass to the optical path.

Either way, it will be 20" aperture, and everything I have heard about Peter Read's scopes has been very positive, so I plan to order from him.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Sold to .........ODLAW.

Congrats Odlaw. You will love her....and the WO crayford focuser..

[iceman (Mike)]

Congrats Rod! And Oddlaw!

Now what will you do in the meantime Rod? The ED80, or sneaking more peaks through some good ol' dobs!?

I can't believe you're getting a dob! It's almost like striker deciding to go back to visual astronomy

[Odlaw]

Thank you Rod.

I have a scope

Thank you for the Congrats iceman.

Look out sky here I come

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by iceman

Now what will you do in the meantime Rod? The ED80, or sneaking more peaks through some good ol' dobs!?

I can't believe you're getting a dob! It's almost like striker deciding to go back to visual astronomy

The handover is in about 3-4 weeks, I am hoping the new scope (which I can now officially order) will be ready in about 10 weeks, so it's not too much of a gap.

Yeah, a bit of ED80, and lots of early nights in anticipation of lots of late nights with 20 inches!!!!

[norm]

G'day Rod,

Congrats on the impending purchase !!!
That's going to be one awesome scope. I didn't know much about the parracors until I was watching the Obsession Telescopes CD and it mentions scopes at f4.5 and that its highly recommended. That said, I then had the same thoughts as you, ie more glass, diminished views !!!

Back to the SDM, absolutely beautiful scopes. I think having it built locally could also add a bit of peace of mind should you need any support later on as opposed to getting an Obsession shipped from o/seas.

I'm really tempted to send him an email to see if he does 12.5" truss dobs.

Are you going for the extra options; Feathertouch, servo cat , Argonavis?

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Thanks for your interest, Norm.

I have ended up deciding on a 20" at f/5. I observe with Gary Kopff, so I will get an Argo Navis direct from him (with personal training session!). I will wait a year or two until I have the $$ for Servo cat, which is several thousands more again. I am getting a CR2 moonlight focuser, but will no doubt upgrade that down the track.

It makes a lot of sense ordering from SDM. You save $1500+ in freight, and many of the key components are the same.

As for the smaller end of the truss dob spectrum, I know that SDM advertises as making only larger dobs from 18 to 30 inches, but it would be worth giving Peter Read a call to sound him out regarding making you a 12.5 inch. Just make sure he doesn't get distracted from making my scope first....

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Glad to hear the scope has a new home.

I can't wait to get a look through your new large aperture scope. It will be good to have another large dob to accompany Hector

CS-John B

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

sounds like i will have to make it to kulnura soon...would love to have a look through that beast

saw the title of the post and immediately wondered ..what's going on? reassured to know that its just common or garden aperture fever

just got a 10 inch dob meself .....even bought an eyepiece the other day

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Welcome to the site and congratulation on your new purchase Odlaw. If you've never used an LX200 you are more than welcome to join us up on the Sunshine Coast hinterland on the next dark of the moon (keep an eye on the Observing Sessions and Star Party Forum for events) and I can run you through it. I had the same scope only in 8", plus I helped Striker get underway with his old 10" and look where he is now

Congrats to you on your upcoming megga purchase Rod. Peter's scopes are a work of art. I've had the pleasure of looking through quite a few of his scopes (up to 30" :swoon: ) .

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Welcome to the site and congratulation on your new purchase Odlaw. If you've never used an LX200 you are more than welcome to join us up on the Sunshine Coast hinterland on the next dark of the moon (keep an eye on the Observing Sessions and Star Party Forum for events) and I can run you through it. I had the same scope only in 8", plus I helped Striker get underway with his old 10" and look where he is now

Congrats to you on your upcoming megga purchase Rod. Peter's scopes are a work of art. I've had the pleasure of looking through quite a few of his scopes (up to 30" :swoon: ) .

Thanks 1ponders... I am going to meet Odlaw (peter) halfway between Sydney and Brisbane for an official "handover", and take the opportunity to run him through the basics. It will be brilliant if you can follow up with more detailed help.

Odlaw, I very much encourge you to follow up on 1ponders' offer. There is nothing like the experience of other observers to get you well on the way in the hobby. Much better than "groping in the dark" by yourself...

[Odlaw]

I will definetly contact you 1ponders when I have the scope.

I saw the other picture rod.. Wife is happy with it too.

Just let me know what dates are good for you. I will then check my diary too.