Telescope Reviews: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes

Hi Frank,
It's interesting, yet not unexpected, how time changes perspective on all things. I made a financial commitment to purchase this scope based on several factors which included the ability to pay off the deposit going forward and having the ability to quickly pay off the remainder afterwards. Well, I don't have to tell you or anyone that life happens, things break, outlays are made and the next thing you know, you're still attacking the bill that won't die. I'm fortunate I'm employed in such a manner I can even contemplate such a bucket list purchase. We're in good stead, and yet I'm not chomping at the bit to pay the second portion having just paid off the first.

Which brings me to my second point, I have a love-hate relationship with the Scope log on Rob's site because I see my completion date is September 2012. It makes me laugh and want to ask: "When does the September scope get completed?" I really look at it to see where I am in the queue. Yet, I'm fully aware how hard Sandy hit Gordon and Rob as well as the surrounding area. So, it's no big deal for me. I'll sock more money away to have the second payment done and wait patiently. It's just too easy to understand things going on there in Jersey exceed my desire to see my scope's completion date.

Rob made me a tempting offer to put some of the shipping costs to better use by meeting him for a scope tutorial. I intend on getting together with him in some fashion for that purpose. Details yet to be sorted.

If you're interested in my crib notes... The biggest decision that I literally spent years on was what type of scope did I want and did I ever want to get into imaging or even leave that option open. Once I decided I'm a dedicated visual guy, then it became easier. The best bang for the buck traditionally was always reflectors. I didn't think I'd go the truss dobsonian route and was convinced I was going to go with Celestron 14" Edge. But I kept doing a comparison to the light gathering capability of a larger dobsonian to all the light folded in that Cassegrain. I was a reflector guy before, to there I return.

Then it basically came down to Obsession, Starmaster, and Teeter. If you look at the options you desire, shipping, and pricing at the aperture you want... something interesting happened. I was convinced my sweet spot aperture was 18". I could look at the different focal ratios of the scopes Dave, Rick, and Rob were pricing and then I noticed something unique to Rob's 20" faster scope. It priced much lower than Obsession and Starmaster. I had to do the calculations twice and fire off an email to Rob to confirm I had the correct assumptions. It became the deciding factor after familiarizing myself with his build quality.

Ask away if you want to know anything else.

Best and good luck with your decision as well.

Joe

Edited by Busguy (11/20/12 11:22 PM)