I took the plunge

[gregbradley]

After a long time considering my next move I ordered a Planewave CDK17 (corrected Dall Kirkham). It goes on a Paramount ME on a permanent pier at my new observatory I am about to construct. It should be here within 3-4 weeks. I'll be imaging with a MMOAG and either a FLI ML8300 or Proline 16803. I will have my TEC180 on a separate pier so I can image with 2 scopes at once (perhaps one for colour and one for luminance like Thomas Davis does sometimes).

As far as I can tell these are one of the absolute best scopes out there of large aperture bar none. There are no unhappy customers and only very happy customers who are extremely happy with them. They also have some excellent reviews from 2 high end imagers I respect.There are a number of images out there from them (not a lot but there are some).
I notice Don Goldman is using one now as well.

The other scope I was seriously considering was an Orion Optics UK 16 inch ODK (optimised Dall Kirkham). They are considerably cheaper but none out there with examples of images. Also Orion Optics has experienced a lot of extra business and their delivery times are extending out further and further. There were a couple of other factors. I also preferred a truss design rather than a tube (less tube currents, shorter cooldown time, lighter, less affected by wind).

But on paper their scopes could be very very good once the production catches up and more examples out there and any little bugs sorted.
He has some nice features plus you can upgrade the optics to 1/8th wave for not that much extra plus he uses a triplet for the corrector and
enhanced aluminizing for the mirrors.

Starizona have an excellent bang for your buck 12.5 inch corrected Cassegrain that comes with a rotator, electronic focuser and fan temperature control, super small spot sizes for US$9990. Too small though and again too slow to produce.

RCOS, Officina Stellare are also more expensive and are not the latest in-vogue designs although RCOS still remains the brand with the runs on the board. But the days of the $50,000 16 inch compound scope are well and truly over. Its way competitive now and these GSO 16 inch truss RCs when they hit will make it even more intense.

Deep Sky instruments sell a 14.25 inch RC astrograph with Star Instruments optics at US$14,995. It has excellent spot sizes. But too small and not a truss design.

Philip Keller, Takahashi, Orion Optics, Planewave, Starizona, Ceravolo even Vixen and Celestron all have shown the optics trend for compound scopes is for corrected Dall Kirkham or Cassegrain optics. Well made RCs though can still produce some mighty fine spot sizes but they do require a nicely made flattener/corrector to achieve that so the formula seems to be 2 mirrors and a corrector/flattener. Tak was one of the first to bring out corrected 2 mirrored scopes with the BRC and FRC.
The cost of making the complex RC mirrors is now making them a target for easier to make and thus high accuracy corrected Dall Kirkhams/Cassegrains.

So stay tuned for first light in about 5 weeks.

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

Fantastic Greg,

I look forward to your images. The CDK is certainly the one with the best spot diagrams and I am sure will make for excellent images.

[Moon (James)]

OMG
You don't muck around do you!
I'm sure you are going to love it.
James

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Greg Bradley - The Scope Man!

On ya mate, awesome scope, would love one and a PME to put it on, at least I have the camera

Having the two scopes imaging together with the 16803 on the 17" and the 8300 on the TEC 180 will make long exposure LRGB imaging quite productive

MIke

[rally]

Greg,

If the P-ME can handle a 20" CDK then surely you can have both the CDK17" and the TEC180 on the same mount and save the NJP for something nice and wide like the FSQ - or other combination thereof

Have fun with the CDK17 - definitely a nice scope to have about the place.

Now - Back to Piers ?!

Rally

[DavidU (Dave)]

Oh YES ! Very nice.....

[Tilt (Michael)]

Excellent Greg, you must be thrilled with the purchase - you're living the dream

Standing by for first light

Michael

[Gama]

Took you 2 years to catch up Greg, but im glad you swung the Planewave way.

I went thru the same process, but when i was looking around, there was virtually no images about.
Had to rely on figures, data, and trust with a inspection of some of them in the field.

Read up on how to collimate it, and align it, so when it arrives, you should be ready to go.



Theo.

[ChrisM]

Excellent choice Greg, and looking forward to your feedback once it's up and running. I'm also interested to know what the specs are for the pier you will be installing.

Chris

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Although I am a visual only kind of guy, even I can appreciate the top notch gear coming your way.

Congratulations and I look forward (like everyone else) to enjoying the fine images that I am sure you will produce with the new gear.

[DavidTrap (David)]

Wow!

Sounds like a well considered purchase.

DT

[renormalised (Carl)]

Great purchase there, Greg

You're going to get years of enjoyment out of the scope and the observatory

[Wavytone]

Aha ! Now we know who to blame for the clouds on Saturday night !

[TrevorW]

I really despise Lotto winners

Nah !!! just joking good on you can't wait too see the images etc

[gregbradley]

Thanks for the well wishes and it should all be up and running in about
1 month or so.

Greg.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

I think youve made an excellent considered choice there Greg.

Im impressed by the built in focuser and EFA kit too, it seems to be nearly as comprehensive as the RCOS TCC (for a LOT less money), an extra I think is critical when comparing a scope with RCOS IMO.

Even though you didnt use a TCC with your RCOS, it adds real value to quality image capturing, so I hope you ordered an EFA with it!.

Oddly, there is no mention of ASCOM in the EFA manual, I hope its ASCOM compatible, so you can use Focusmax, its things like this that count when paying for the extra mile (although it has its own software)

[gregbradley]

Thanks Fred.

I'll check that out about the focuser and ASCOM.

Greg.