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derekdann30
member

Reged: 02/26/10

Loc: Elizabeth City, North Carolin...

thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession
#5701345 - 02/26/13 10:27 AM

Hi there. I've been into visual astronomy now for almost twenty yrs. I currently have an Orion XT8 which I think is a fine scope. I was originally thinking about having a small grab n go refractor to compliment my dob. I just recently decided to go the other way in aperture and is considering the 12.5 inch Obsession. I've always been fascinated with the truss tube designs. Would the image quality and brightness be a big jump from an 8 inch? How would this compare to the truss scopes from Orion and Meade? Thnx

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Astrojensen
Post Laureate

Reged: 10/05/08

Loc: Bornholm, Denmark

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: derekdann30]
#5701378 - 02/26/13 10:45 AM

Going from 8" to 12" is a tremendous jump! Did it myself, going from a C8 to a 12" Meade Lightbridge. The performance increase is VERY noticeable.

The Obsession is of a much higher quality overall than the Orion or Meade scopes. Though I really like my 12" Lightbridge, it must be noted that I have had to fix some issues and upgrade it here and there.

Clear skies!
Thomas, Denmark

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CosmoSat
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 07/24/09

Loc: India

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: Astrojensen]
#5701448 - 02/26/13 11:28 AM

This video might be of some help in deciding and compare with ur current scope... Am not saying anything about optics, but the structure u will definitely like.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=obsession+12.5

Clear Skies!

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coutleef
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/08

Loc: Saint-Donat, Québec, Canada

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: CosmoSat]
#5701466 - 02/26/13 11:34 AM

i made that jump and it is very noticeable. as for the obsession the biggest difference will be in the quality of mirror and smotthness of movement

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derekdann30
member

Reged: 02/26/10

Loc: Elizabeth City, North Carolin...

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: coutleef]
#5701737 - 02/26/13 01:57 PM

Thank you folks. I've also been debating for about half the price, an Orion XX14i truss dob. Visually how would it compare with the 12.5 Obsession? Some of my favorite objects to observe are the planets. Would I be able to pick out minute detail and crisp structures on Jupiter with the 14 when well collimated?

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Achernar
Postmaster

Reged: 02/25/06

Loc: Mobile, Alabama, USA

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: derekdann30]
#5702337 - 02/26/13 07:38 PM

Going to a 12.5-inch from an 8-inch will result in a massive difference in what you can see. Many objects that are invisible through an 8-inch will appear through a 12-inch, and most of what you can see through your 8-inch will be noticeably easier to see, and show more detail through a 12-inch. Best of all, you get big aperture performance in a telescope that will fit into any car.

Taras

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18UCinVA
professor emeritus

Reged: 10/24/08

Loc: Virginia

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: derekdann30]
#5702375 - 02/26/13 08:07 PM

I just sent you an email.

Quote:

Would I be able to pick out minute detail and crisp structures on Jupiter with the 14 when well collimated?

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GeneT
Ely Kid

Reged: 11/07/08

Loc: South Texas

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: derekdann30]
#5702395 - 02/26/13 08:23 PM

Quote:

Thank you folks. I've also been debating for about half the price, an Orion XX14i truss dob. Visually how would it compare with the 12.5 Obsession? Some of my favorite objects to observe are the planets. Would I be able to pick out minute detail and crisp structures on Jupiter with the 14 when well collimated?

Given the choice between a 12 inch Obsession and a 14 inch Orion, I would go with the Obsession. The Obsession will be easier to haul, set up, and take down. A lot of people like the Orions, and I am not putting them down. The best thing to do would be to go to a star party and try them both.

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Mike B
Starstruck

Reged: 04/06/05

Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: GeneT]
#5703713 - 02/27/13 03:35 PM

Quote:

I would go with the Obsession.

I think i'd agree with that myself. Even tho it's certainly not a toss-up for price! The ObDob is still waay more... but for *performance*, optical *AND* mechanical, the modest diff in aperture wouldn't be enough to tip my scales toward the larger.

Yet it might be arguable that the 14i's mirror could even be refigured, and other doodads refined, to where the mechanical diff's might not be quite as significant- and this could probably be done for LESS than the cost of the ObDob new...

But i still recall using a 12.5" Obsession for a few minutes... the views were impeccable! And the movements were like soft butter... and the weight of the components was like feathers. The Orion Dob is a beast by comparison! This aspect would weight (pun intended) heavily in *my* choice... but perhaps not everyone's.

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CarlDD
sage

Reged: 07/23/07

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: Mike B]
#5703781 - 02/27/13 04:16 PM

I own an early production 12.5 Obsession and yes it's a fine scope, but, not perfect outof the box. Be prepared to work on the secondary holder ( I changed to an astrosystems 4 screw design ), the sling ( I swapped to a Howie Glater wire sling) and sorry to say - I had to get my mirror recoated as the coating started to flake off after 6 to 7 years. Movement is smooth, Argo Navis was easy to install and makes finding stuff simple. The optional Light Shroud is essential, if you choose a telerad, get the 4 inch riser. The standard JMI focuser works fine and is probably improved and even better now.
The woodwork is very good on the outside, varnish is fine after nine or ten years. The scope is so good now I cant imagine being without it.
Best Regards
Carl

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gaz-in
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/17/07

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: CarlDD]
#5704816 - 02/28/13 07:39 AM

IMHO....also look at Teeter Telescopes...mine was near perfect out of the box...

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GeneT
Ely Kid

Reged: 11/07/08

Loc: South Texas

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: Achernar]
#5705292 - 02/28/13 12:50 PM

Quote:

Going to a 12.5-inch from an 8-inch will result in a massive difference in what you can see.

Totally true--a 12 incher gathers twice the light of an 8.

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derekdann30
member

Reged: 02/26/10

Loc: Elizabeth City, North Carolin...

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: GeneT]
#5705505 - 02/28/13 02:57 PM

Thanks for all the wonderful replies, folks. I really am looking forward to the making the jump from an 8inch to a 12 inch.

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Markovich
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/22/07

Loc: Central Ohio

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: derekdann30]
#5706064 - 02/28/13 07:41 PM

Ive seen a few newer 12.5" Obsessions, beautful scope.

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Thomas Karpf
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/09/09

Loc: Newington, CT

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: Markovich]
#5706706 - 03/01/13 07:29 AM

If you're buying that NEW, you definitely want to look at the Starstructure 12.5" with a Carl Zambuto mirror. Currently $3495. WELL worth the additional $200 above the price of the Obsession.

http://www.starstructure.com/starstructure3_007.htm

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MDavid
member

Reged: 11/15/11

Loc: 29°N (Texas)

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: GeneT]
#5706838 - 03/01/13 09:33 AM

GeneT,

Speaking of new scopes...How much did you pay for the 12.5 Porta Ball? I've reached out Mag 1 but haven't heard back from them...Thanks!

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Thomas Karpf
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/09/09

Loc: Newington, CT

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: MDavid]
#5706854 - 03/01/13 09:40 AM

The price on the 12.5" Portaball last year was $5,195. I have no idea what the current price might be.

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MDavid
member

Reged: 11/15/11

Loc: 29°N (Texas)

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: Thomas Karpf]
#5707059 - 03/01/13 12:04 PM

Quote:

The price on the 12.5" Portaball last year was $5,195....

ouch, I think I may need Ocean's assistance...

Thanks!

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Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)

Reged: 06/24/03

Loc: Los Angeles

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: MDavid]
#5707332 - 03/01/13 03:00 PM

That Starstructure is the bargain of the bunch. And nicer than the Obsession in many ways, which I won't go into here. I would, however, request it with a 2.6" secondary mirror, not a 2.14" if you plan to use low-power, widefield eyepieces like the 31 Nagler. If your interest is primarily planetary nebulae, planets, and Moon and double stars, or you only plan to use 1.25" eyepieces, the supplied secondary is OK.

12.7" is 2.512X the light grasp of an 8" (exactly one magnitude deeper reach), so the 12.5" is very close to gaining a magnitude on the 8". This doubles and more the number of DSOs visible because there is a much larger portion of universe seen. I've estimated the maximum number of objects visible to the experienced observer in pristine skies at ~15000 for an 8" and ~32000+ for a 12.5".

A 12.5" truss scope breaks down into sections that are easy to transport and move (in fact, my 8" LX200 was heavier overall) and will still yield a nice large low power field.

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dscarpa
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/15/08

Loc: San Diego Ca.

Re: thoughts on the 12.5 Obsession new

[Re: derekdann30]
#5707383 - 03/01/13 03:35 PM

The problem with the 12.5" Starstructure is it's no longer made. I checked it out while on my newt quest. David

Edited by dscarpa (03/01/13 03:38 PM)

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