OK, so how much room does a lightbridge need?

h0ughy (David) · #1 18-04-2006, 12:40 PM

I am feeling aound at the moment, for a knock down "push to" while the imaging setup is weaving its magic. for portability, storage and fitting in a car, how well packed is the lightbrige 12" when disassembled and how much of a joy is it to assemble and collimate?

davidpretorius · #2 18-04-2006, 02:05 PM

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O, the senate voted unanimously to disallow SCT guys from buying thingys that look like dobbbies.

I also would be interested!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 18-04-2006, 02:57 PM

@h0ughy

You can't help yourself h0ughy can ya. a 120mm Apo AND a 12" lightbridge

Save your money mate and get the 16 when it comes. Go the whole hog. You know you're going to be sleeping in the doghouse anyway

janoskiss (Steve H) · #4 18-04-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O, the senate voted unanimously to disallow SCT guys from buying thingys that look like dobbbies.

That is correct. Citizenship immediately and permanently revoked, telescopes confiscated, excised to Nauru scopeless.

xstream (John) · #5 18-04-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

telescopes confiscated

And given to the needy. Mainly being me.

Striker (Tony) · #6 18-04-2006, 04:13 PM

As long as you have enough room to house your Imaging set up beside the lightbridge...thats ok

Maybe use the Lightbridge as a chair while imaging....

I cant think of any other use for the lightbridge come to think of it....lol...maybe a leaning post.

spacezebra (Petra) · #7 18-04-2006, 05:56 PM

Dave

Do my ears (eyes) deceive me - are you coming over to the dark (light)bridge side.

Fits in the RAV well - but I am looking for some tom tom boxes to reduce space needed for the scope further.

Cheers Petra

h0ughy (David) · #8 18-04-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacezebra

Dave

Do my ears (eyes) deceive me - are you coming over to the dark (light)bridge side.

Fits in the RAV well - but I am looking for some tom tom boxes to reduce space needed for the scope further.

Cheers Petra

OK I have a few cases of stuff as you would have seen, the C8 trunk and the skywatcher ED80, alans 10" and a few batteries etc. Was looking for something with very large light gathering ability and cheap that can break down to something that can be packed and stacked in the car easily. At duckadang I will not be camping, so no tent et al and reduced payload. anyway only thinking, one iron in the fire here

h0ughy (David) · #9 18-04-2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

@h0ughy

You can't help yourself h0ughy can ya.......................

Err . Ummm NO

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 18-04-2006, 10:57 PM

NOT CAMPING!!!

What's wrong widya yawoos. -3deg too much for ya. I fought day bred dem tuffa down sowfovdabordaway.

h0ughy (David) · #11 18-04-2006, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

NOT CAMPING!!!

What's wrong widya yawoos. -3deg too much for ya. I fought day bred dem tuffa down sowfovdabordaway.

No Paul trying to cut down on equipment and such gear as have the trailer, just throw it in In case you need it syndrome

And Queensland, sunny one day and freeze the proverbials in the night time

. I don't want to drive for 14 hours and have to put up a tent!

but the snoring from us is nothing compared to you Paul

beat us hands down

[1ponders] (Paul) · #12 18-04-2006, 11:46 PM

Snoring! Me! Now I've heard everything! My wife's been spreading viscious rumours hasn't she.

vespine · #13 19-04-2006, 07:48 AM

h0ughty.
I bought the 12" LB recently and have had it on a couple of trips already. At home, I am lucky enough to have a small shack at the back where the LB lives, I carry the OTA in and stand it at the back then carry the base in after it, it's handy that way because that's the same way I take it out to set up in the back yard.

As for taking it apart, the mirror box sits nicely in the back seat of a car and you can even seat belt it in and the secondary fits into the base which takes up less then half the boot. It was a bit of a squeeze but I got the base into a VW Polo hatch, that is NOT a big car

The other time we were in a Ford Explorer, needless to say had no problems with that. Mind you, I still don't think we could have got a GSO 12" in there! Not without removing seats or something. I have a station wagon and was seriously considering the GSO, but really glad I got the LB since it means that I don't HAVE to take my car when I go for a trip with friends.

As for taking it apart and putting it together, literally there is nothing to it. After doing it two or three times it will take you less then 5 minutes and you chat or whatever while you are doing it. In my opinion they could not have made assembly simpler, I wouldn't even consider it a factor.

As for collimation, well, I made a 'sight tube' and have been giving it a shot. I'm pretty sure I have the 'theory' down and even trying to be overly precise, I have found it pretty easy. Collimation never takes me more then a few minutes (except the very 1st time) and has only ever been out a fraction of a turn on a couple of the collimation screws. BUT *disclaimer!* I AM actually a complete newb at this so still to find out how bad my collimation REALLY is

That is once I find someone that knows what they are doing who can have a look at it for me.

So that aspect someone else may have a better opinion on.

Should have taken a few pics when I was packing it into my friend's car..

h0ughy (David) · #14 19-04-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vespine

h0ughty.
I bought the 12" LB recently and have had it on a couple of trips already. At home, I am lucky enough to have a small shack at the back where the LB lives, I carry the OTA in and stand it at the back then carry the base in after it, it's handy that way because that's the same way I take it out to set up in the back yard.

As for taking it apart, the mirror box sits nicely in the back seat of a car and you can even seat belt it in and the secondary fits into the base which takes up less then half the boot. It was a bit of a squeeze but I got the base into a VW Polo hatch, that is NOT a big car

The other time we were in a Ford Explorer, needless to say had no problems with that. Mind you, I still don't think we could have got a GSO 12" in there! Not without removing seats or something. I have a station wagon and was seriously considering the GSO, but really glad I got the LB since it means that I don't HAVE to take my car when I go for a trip with friends.

As for taking it apart and putting it together, literally there is nothing to it. After doing it two or three times it will take you less then 5 minutes and you chat or whatever while you are doing it. In my opinion they could not have made assembly simpler, I wouldn't even consider it a factor.

As for collimation, well, I made a 'sight tube' and have been giving it a shot. I'm pretty sure I have the 'theory' down and even trying to be overly precise, I have found it pretty easy. Collimation never takes me more then a few minutes (except the very 1st time) and has only ever been out a fraction of a turn on a couple of the collimation screws. BUT *disclaimer!* I AM actually a complete newb at this so still to find out how bad my collimation REALLY is

That is once I find someone that knows what they are doing who can have a look at it for me.

So that aspect someone else may have a better opinion on.

Should have taken a few pics when I was packing it into my friend's car..

Thanks VespineTY

, houghTY really appreciates your effort with that report.

I could hold out for the ghostly 16

or go a 12 instead. still tossing it up, do I or will I really use the push to a lot???

vespine · #15 19-04-2006, 09:34 AM

oh my! :blush: I'm so sorry, Freudian typo! ....

and just to add, I can't imagine a 16" will fit in most cars I reckon. The 12 fits ok on the back seat and boot, the 16 will require at least a station wagon or trailer I reckon.

Iddon · #16 24-05-2006, 09:31 PM

hmm - I must say the LB looks pretty good value.

astronut (John) · #17 25-05-2006, 07:54 AM

Houghy, houghy, houghy. It's about time you finally saw the light ( bridge )

Don't get me wrong I love to see the beautiful images produced by talented photographers like yourself, but to look through the eyepiece of a large scope and "see" almost exactly what can be imaged is awesome.

I came from a very good 4" Refractor to the 12" and I'll never look back.
Give in to the "force" there is always "room for one more"

matt · #18 25-05-2006, 07:56 AM

mmmmmmm....

Just out of curiosity

... what's the best price around for a 12" LB???

iceman (Mike) · #19 25-05-2006, 07:59 AM

$1500 for the deluxe.

RB (Andrew) · #20 25-05-2006, 09:25 AM

Dave, it'll be the best thing you ever did.
It looks awesome and at the next SPSP when Mike's not watching you can chuck it on his platform and do some imaging too.