Well the new baby has arrived today.. There is a full review to come, this is just the "Im excited" prelude to that.
The courier knocked on the door at 2:30 this after noon, just after I got home from work.. I was really quite shocked at the weight of the box... It was rather heavy for a 6kg OTA... Upon opening the cardboard box, I was met by a large, lockable aluminium carry case... A very welcome addition that I wasn't aware was part of the package!
Opening the aluminium box, my attention was immediately taken by the glossy appearance of the carbon fibre OTA, its overall feel is very good, Its very solidly built, Focuser is as you'd expect from GSO.. Its smooth, but not the best I've ever felt.. Its a thread on item, much like an SCT focuser, however the thread is a little different, I have no doubt that Moonlite will facilitate a custom focuser flange for me..
Internally, the OTA looks very dark, the baffles look the goods.. The Primary baffle looks a little thin, however untill I can do a test using a large imaging chip, I wont know if its too thin.. All in all Im impressed with what I see... The only thing that isnt impressive is the fact that it was crystal clear last night, and it looks like its going to rain tonight...
First light to come soon, and once thats done, then I'll write up a full review covering collimation, field flatness, focuser load bearing performance etc..
The opinion thus far is very high.. It definitely looks and feels very good indeed...
First light images will be with the SBIG ST9E, self guided, as I don't still have guiding hardware.. I will have to spend up a bit more and organise that for when I get a hold of a modded DSLR.. Still deciding on whether to go for a OAG setup or a separate guide scope.. Time will tell...
First light should be this weekend, provided the weather plays nice..
Jeanette, Congrats on your new toy also! I think between your mount, Robin's Starlight Xpress camera and My RC, Brisbane is in for some rain..
Woohoo! Alex, someone had to do it and I had a feeling it was going to be you. Congrats on the purchase and I'm sure there are going to be some great imaging sessions coming up (once the clouds move on).
Thanks everyone! I must say after spending an hour or so pawing over every inch of it I must say I'm happy I went ahead and got it... ITS SO LIGHT!! Compared to every other scope I've owned its weightless!
Marki - I don't have a ronchi tester myself, however I have a friend who has one, So I'll get a hold of it and test it out...
First light images will be with the SBIG ST9E, self guided, as I don't still have guiding hardware.. I will have to spend up a bit more and organise that for when I get a hold of a modded DSLR.. Still deciding on whether to go for a OAG setup or a separate guide scope.. Time will tell...
First light should be this weekend, provided the weather plays nice..
Jeanette, Congrats on your new toy also! I think between your mount, Robin's Starlight Xpress camera and My RC, Brisbane is in for some rain..
Hi Alex
Firstly congrats on the new scope, it looks an absolute treat and I can't wait to see how you get on with it.
Re the modded camera. I know of an excellent modded 20D that will be going on the market soon. It has only taken 2,000 (if that) actuations .
Good luck with the first light and I look forward to your comprehensive report.
Alex, someone had to do it and I had a feeling it was going to be you. Congrats on the purchase and I'm sure there are going to be some great imaging sessions coming up (once the clouds move on).
