Obsession style 16" Dob...am I happy!

[skies2clear]

Hi all,

Thanks to Mark (Darkplague), I am now in possession of a beautifully built 16" F4.8 Dob. Apart from my obvious joy and feeling lucky enough to be the new owner, I wanted to acknowledge Marks efforts for building such a great scope. The level of finish and fabrication of parts is impressive. Those who followed his progress through IIS would already have a pretty good idea of the project and a quick search will find lots of info/pictures of this scope.

When Mark advertised the scope in IIS, he probably dropped the price too quickly, but to be fair to Mark, he deserved more for it than the indicated price. Finally we agreed to a fairer price and hopefully he is happy to be able to pursue one of his newer hobbies now....which I'm sure he is . There was a lot of interest in the scope in the end, so I consider myself to be very lucky indeed.

The scope is quite managable with the wheel barrow style handles, and the great observing chair that came with it. My back is very happy indeed! Everything on the scope works really well and both azimuth and altitude axis move smoothly. The moonlight 10:1 focusser works beautifully too. Argo-Navis works well and will open up more possibilities for me and objects I've never managed to glimpse before. Haven't had the scope long, but have managed to get a quick look at some familiar objects to gauge the performance, though a darker site would be better. Optically, it looks excellent. The primary mirror is one of Mark Suchting's (Deep Sky Optics) excellent optics. I have a 12.5" F6 mirror that Mark Suchting kindly refigured, and it is truly superb, and a real planet killer! Mark (Darkplague), used pretty nice accessories all round, Telrad, Stellarview finder, Kendrik dew system, Moonlight truss tube ball/socket clamps (I think), etc.

I'm sure Darkplague (Mark) will want to see his baby again from time to time, so he will always be welcome to look through it

Attached a couple of photos for all to see, with shroud pulled up.......yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clear Skies,
Nick

[Starkler (Geoff)]

You scored the bargain of the year Nick. You damn well SHOULD be happy

Heres wishing you clear skies to enjoy it.

[norm]

Congrats Nick,

You certainly bagged a bargain. Enjoy the viewing.

norm

[sheeny (Al)]

Congratulations Nick!

I consider you very lucky too!

It sounds like a great scope!

Al.

[tnott]

That's a nice scope. Way, way better than a lightbridge. You will never run out of things to look at - enjoy!

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Congrats Nick,

Now all you have to wait for is the lynch mob to arrive at your doorstep because your purchase has now GUARANTEED 4 weeks of rain and clouds in Adelaide for you and all of your astro neighbours.

Nice scope! envy factor high.

Cheers

Chris

[skies2clear]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I really feel fortunate indeed. Some time back I purchased some other stuff from Mark, so it probably helped that he remembered me.
You know, I would have kicked myself from here to eternity (or to the moon anyway!) if I hadn't have gone for it when Marks scope came up for sale. Funny, I have always built my own, but this time, someone else has done the job, and very well too!!!!!!

I've always said, you don't really own anything, just caretakers of things, so I plan to share this with other interested parties.
Now battling cloudy nights (of course), and a sore back (for a few days anyway).

Will try to do a first light report, or is that second light...first light for me anyway!

Looks like there might be another great scope (tnott) coming up for sale soon, so another chance for some lucky person.

Thanks again, and clear skies,
Nick

[Darkplague]

Hi Nick,

So how about that first light report?
Hope you are enjoying the scope!
Have you been to a proper dark site with it yet?

Anyway good to see its been used, not just sitting around in my shed.

My new hobby which replaced astronomy is very challenging.
If anybody thinks astronomy parts are expensive, then try remote control helicopters.

These is my latest toy:

[marki]

Ha ha, I went the other way. I used to crash heli's all over the place (dumb thumbs ) and just got sick of paying for all the bits I broke so I took up astronomy. Still dabble in fix wings now and again. Good luck with it.

PS that scope looks very nice indeed.

Mark

[Darkplague]

What heli did you used to own?

[marki]

Originally Posted by Darkplague

What heli did you used to own?

I dont want to high jack the thread but I used to have a little thunder tiger raptor 30 which was nice. Problem was It was too noisey and a bit dangerous to fly around the local park (not a big fan of clubs) so I got a zap 400 electric heli and fitted every trick mod in the book (3D yeah). I then proceeded to smash it to bits on every possible occassion . Small heli's dont like wind.

Ciao Mark