JerryDeveau
journeyman
Reged: 04/17/08
Posts: 5
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
Like Jonathan, my 12" Skywatcher collapsible dob arrived last week. I did have assembly instructions for their normal dobs as well as 8", 10", and 12" collapsible dobs included.
I had no problems assembling the base. Just lots of screws to install. All tools were included although the wrenches for the azimuth bolt were almost too big.
My collimation may be slightly off. I could find Saturn with my 26mm (yes, 26mm not 25mm) eyepiece but had problems with my 10mm. I tried aligning the finder scope with the main optics but I was surrounded by objects that were closer than the recommended 500m.
As for Saturn, I was able to see four moons. I'll try more testing when I get in an area with clear skies and far less light pollution. I'll also try to post a few pictures here as well.
Jerry
Saint-Antoine, New Brunswick
--------------------
binoculars: 12X25 Tasco, 10X50 Bushnell
Skywatcher 12" colapsible dob
|
kiwi_canuck
member
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 50
Loc: Port Coquitlam, BC, CANADA
|
|
Jonathan & Jerry, glad to hear you've got your 12" scopes set up already and had a chance to do a bit of gazin' Congratulations.
If you need some weather to fulfill the new equipment curse, let me know  
I can send you some of BC's clouds, rain and cold temps. (I really need this awful weather gone by the weekend, cos moon or no moon, I want to try out my 10")
~Phill
--------------------
Sky-Watcher 250mm f/5 Collapsible Dobsonian
Sky-Watcher 102mm f/5 Refractor
EQ3-2 mount
Red-dot finder
TV Plossls - 11mm, 15mm, 25mm
Fraser Valley Astronomers Society, Abbotsford, BC
http://fvas.net
|
RogerRZ
Whatta you lookin' at?
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 2581
Loc: West Collette, NB, Canada
|
|
Hi Jerry, welcome to CN! Do you have any collimating tools?
--------------------
-Roger Pitre-
1 X 7 binocular Astro-Tech Imaging Newtonian MPCC
Starblast guidescope Starshoot autoguider
EQ6 Pro, HEQ5, Canon 50D, 70-200 f/4L
"He's got shoulders on him like a smelt..."--Anonymous
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10723&id=509325956&l=79d06a1d10
http://ajpobservatory.isgreat.org/
|
InkDark
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/29/07
Posts: 1837
Loc: Montreal, Canada
|
|
Quote:
I tried aligning the finder scope with the main optics but I was surrounded by objects that were closer than the recommended 500m.
Hi Jerry,
Saturn was further than 500m! You can use it to align the finder scope. If you've got LP, it should be easy to distinguish from other stars.
I got a question for you. What's the focuser like. When looking at the instructions available on the SW website I noticed that there is a 2" adapter AND a 1.25" adapter (as my solid tube SW with R&P has). Is that correct or does the Crayford like focuser is ready to receive a 2" EP without an adapter.
Hopefully you understand my question – it seems I’m a little word challenged this morning. 
Welcome on CN and clear skies to you!
--------------------
Jimmy
If you could stop time, for how long would you stop it?
"...since that time, I have not complained about the weather one single time. I’m glad there is weather." – Alan Bean, Apollo 12
|
Island Mike
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/20/04
Posts: 562
Loc: Prince Edward Skyland, Canada
|
|
... Interesting side note, Celestron no longer has their dobs on their web site.
If / when they do brand and sell this scope, they should:
1. Rename it ;^>
2. Add the 10:1 Dual rate focuser
3. Make it the same price as the the new AT dobs.
4. And plu-ease! make it black!
--------------------
President, Charlottetown RASC
http://www.peiastronomy.com
-----------------------------
Antares 12 Dob
Nikon Action Extreme 10 x 50
|
Tony~M
member
Reged: 09/24/07
Posts: 62
|
|
Howdy all,
Hope you are all well.
Found this review of the new Flextube 12".
Link to review of 12" Flextube
Looks like another person likes the scope. Sounds like a real bargain with great optics and mechanics.
Later,
Tony
|
coopman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/23/06
Posts: 1544
Loc: South Louisiana
|
|
What dealers will be selling these in the US?
--------------------
Regards,
Clay
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalms 19:1
|
Tony~M
member
Reged: 09/24/07
Posts: 62
|
|
Hello Coopman,
Hope you are well.
New Sky-Watcher USA site is up.
Sky-Watcher USA
Later,
Tony
Quote:
What dealers will be selling these in the US?
|
JerryDeveau
journeyman
Reged: 04/17/08
Posts: 5
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
Hi InkDark,
If I remember correctly, I did eventually try to align my finder scope by using Saturn that night. I didn't have a chair at the time and my back was starting to complain.
I did get out last Friday (Jul 4) with a few others from my RASC centre. I aligned the finder and my newly mounted Telrad with Jupiter. Worked like a charm. I had little difficulty pointing my scope to wherever I wanted.
As for the 1.25" vs 2" adaptors. I borrowed a very nice Meade 2" eyepiece from the guy next to me and we found out that you DID have to remove the 1.25" adaptor and insert a separate 2" adaptor.
-Jerry
--------------------
binoculars: 12X25 Tasco, 10X50 Bushnell
Skywatcher 12" colapsible dob
|
JerryDeveau
journeyman
Reged: 04/17/08
Posts: 5
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
Hey Roger,
Yes, I picked up a cheshire from LMDA as well as a Telrad.
My collimation isn't off by much so I didn't adjust anything last Friday night while we were all being eaten alive by blackflies and mosquitoes. The fireflies were pretty though... I have it pencilled in as something to do this week.
-Jerry
--------------------
binoculars: 12X25 Tasco, 10X50 Bushnell
Skywatcher 12" colapsible dob
|
Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 12211
Loc: Los Angeles
|
|
The ads show that the Skywatcher dobs will be an average of $100 more than the equivalent LightBridge, in case anyone wants to know.
DonP
--------------------
Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov, Fujinon Binos
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
|
InkDark
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/29/07
Posts: 1837
Loc: Montreal, Canada
|
|
Quote:
The ads show that the Skywatcher dobs will be an average of $100 more than the equivalent LightBridge, in case anyone wants to know.
Woh, that's no good. 
--------------------
Jimmy
If you could stop time, for how long would you stop it?
"...since that time, I have not complained about the weather one single time. I’m glad there is weather." – Alan Bean, Apollo 12
|
bobby4
newbie
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 3
|
|
I bit the bullet in July and bought the 12" version with my tax refund – it is my first scope, and after a bit of time learning to find my way around I love it. I go out in the country with my neighbours (they have a 6" and 8" skywatcher 'solid tube respectively) and after comparing on a few objects I am really glad I bought the 12" for its extra light gathering. Good performance, but still relatively easy to lug around.
It is certainly not a light scope (at least for my bad back), but separated into two pieces it is quite manageable. For the backyard I leave it together, for driving I separate it. The collapsed tube fits easily into the trunk of my Honda Odyssey (with room for luggage I might add), and the mount sits perfectly on one of the middle seats. As a complete newbie I can have the scope set-up and cooling in a couple of minutes (although I have started taking it to the garage first to start cooling early  .
Shroud-wise, it should be quite easy to make a nylon wrap around for the open tube and a ‘shower cap’ cover for the top. Actually my mother-in-law is already making these for me
Regarding collimation, it holds it pretty well – not perfect (I think driving is tough on anything) but it holds it very well when collapsed and extended in the backyard.
I can’t really comment too much on the optics as a) I am too much the newbie and b) this summer has been the worst year for viewing where I live for many years (of course I caused this by buying the scope). If anyone has specific questions I will try to answer as best as I can.
One last thing – after a couple of years of relying on binoculars (which I still enjoy), looking at my first object in the telescope (Saturn) was unbelievable. Even with the humid, turbulent nights we have had this year the many things I can now see take my breath away! I feel like a giddy school child every night I go out with it!
|
InkDark
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/29/07
Posts: 1837
Loc: Montreal, Canada
|
|
Hi Bobby, welcome on CN,
Glad you like the scope. I have two questions if you don't mind.
1) Is the secondary cage long enough so that a Telrad can be fitted on it?
2) Do you feel that the collapsible mechanism will work perfectly for a very long time or some slope will start to develop in the long run?
--------------------
Jimmy
If you could stop time, for how long would you stop it?
"...since that time, I have not complained about the weather one single time. I’m glad there is weather." – Alan Bean, Apollo 12
|
Dom
member
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 37
|
|
hi bobby,happy 4 u too. I have a couple of questions also. is there a mirror cooling fan that comes with it? and how much does it way? ( in lbs.) thnx, Dom p.s if it dos'nt come with a fan how hard would it be to install? thnx,dom
Edited by Dom (09/07/08 09:48 PM)
|
dfell
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/25/05
Posts: 576
Loc: Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada
|
|
I got the 12" version about a week and a half ago and had it at the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party at the Cypress Hills Dark Sky preserve and this is one great scope, I teamed it up with an Ethos 13mm and spent two nights from dusk till dawn roaming the galaxy and beyond. It is compact enough that it fit into my Ford escape along with all my camping gear, an EQ6 mount and tripod, my TV102, PST, eyepieces and cameras. I have only one complaint as this scope gives beautiful images and holds collimation well and that is the focuser which is being replaced with an Antares model with 10:1 fine focusing this week and I am adding a Telrad.
http://www.spacealberta.com/equipment/dob12/dob12.htm
http://www.spacealberta.com/sssp08/myplace.jpg
Edited by dfell (09/07/08 11:08 PM)
|
John rombi
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/14/05
Posts: 597
Loc: Sydney, Australia
|
|
Here in OZ we're fortunate, The Skywatchers are approx $200 cheaper than the comparable Lightbridge.
--------------------
Meade Lightbridge 12" Deluxe (Modified)SiebertOptics
Unitron 4" Alt-Az
Unitron 2.4" Alt-Az
www.macastro.org.au "A New Eye On the Sky"
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
[Re: 
Edit
Reply
Quote
