62 replies to this topic

[TheChosen]

I always say, get an 8" and get most of the Messier catalog done with that telescope. Do some Solar System observing and imaging and then you will know if you should get a bigger scope.

 

Been there done that.. and I know now! Bigger it is!

 

 

 

 

 

[therealdmt]

Congrats!

 

What size did you go with? Sure looks like my GSO 10" (which I like a lot).

 

Happy observing ahead 

[TheChosen]

Congrats!

 

What size did you go with? Sure looks like my GSO 10" (which I like a lot).

 

Happy observing ahead 

It is actually a 12". Everybody says the 12" is too big.. not really

 

I always say, if you are going to get the 10" .. you might as well go for a 12"

 

I am upgrading from 8" in the background to the 12". Also going from SW to GSO - much much better focuser and rockbox mounting system while being cheaper + an actually usable 30mm 2" eyepiece, which I will sell as I got an UFF 30mm clone of APM for like 178$.

Edited by TheChosen, 19 April 2024 - 07:29 AM.

[therealdmt]

Yeah, the 30 UFF is heavier, but otherwise blows the included Superview out of the water.

 

12" sounds like the right step up from the 8. Have fun

[N3p]

I've got the same 12" or similar, (the F5 version, I think they only sell the F4 now). Mine has good optics it's an amazing instrument to stargaze with, every target from the 8" are much brighter, Jupiter will show a load of new details as well as the moon, the extra power available is also impressive compared to my 8". 

 

All faint DSO, will be noticeably brighter. 

 

You should like it, congratulations. 

[NinePlanets]

HAHAHA!!! 

Great smile!

New toys are always fun! Congratulations!

[TheChosen]

I've got the same 12" or similar, (the F5 version, I think they only sell the F4 now). Mine has good optics it's an amazing instrument to stargaze with, every target from the 8" are much brighter, Jupiter will show a load of new details as well as the moon, the extra power available is also impressive compared to my 8". 

 

All faint DSO, will be noticeably brighter. 

 

You should like it, congratulations. 

I have the F5 version as well.. they still sell it around here. It was exactly 1020$ USD with shipping.

[vicuna]

was wondering why it got cloudy all of a sudden

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[turtle86]

It is actually a 12". Everybody says the 12" is too big.. not really

 

I always say, if you are going to get the 10" .. you might as well go for a 12"

 

I am upgrading from 8" in the background to the 12". Also going from SW to GSO - much much better focuser and rockbox mounting system while being cheaper + an actually usable 30mm 2" eyepiece, which I will sell as I got an UFF 30mm clone of APM for like 178$.

 

The jump from 8" to 10" would not have been significant.  At 12" things start to get very interesting!  

 

Congratulations!

[TheChosen]

The jump from 8" to 10" would not have been significant. At 12" things start to get very interesting!

Congratulations!

Thanks.. yea I did get to observe with a 10" next to my 8".. also with a 16" and a 20". The 12" I have not experienced yet but I have a very good idea of where it is at.

[25585]

It is actually a 12". Everybody says the 12" is too big.. not really

 

I always say, if you are going to get the 10" .. you might as well go for a 12"

 

I am upgrading from 8" in the background to the 12". Also going from SW to GSO - much much better focuser and rockbox mounting system while being cheaper + an actually usable 30mm 2" eyepiece, which I will sell as I got an UFF 30mm clone of APM for like 178$.

Yup, I went from 8" to 12", a signifigant jump. Usually using a 10" these days, but I am keeping the 12.

[25585]

The jump from 8" to 10" would not have been significant.  At 12" things start to get very interesting!  

 

Congratulations!

It is signifigant, a 10" is 12-lite. But going from 8 to 12 is good, 10 is when 12 can get a bit too much. I wanted to stay at F6, and a 10" F6 is made. 60" FL is a taller tube.

[TheChosen]

It is signifigant, a 10" is 12-lite. But going from 8 to 12 is good, 10 is when 12 can get a bit too much. I wanted to stay at F6, and a 10" F6 is made. 60" FL is a taller tube.

I am curious why did you insist on the f/6 instead of a coma corrector etc

[25585]

I am curious why did you insist on the f/6 instead of a coma corrector etc

Mainly because i prefer standing to sitting and F6 is a taller tube, but collimation is also easier for F6. I sometimes use a Paracorr with the F6s.

[HenkSB]

Congrats, the GSO 12" is a great deal, I have one myself. 

 

You may want to check if the focuser fits exactly or if there is a small gap.   With mine, there is.  For AP I need to put some black electrical tape to shield it from the light.  I haven't done that yet and I am not sure how much difference it makes.

 

My scope tends to lose collimation when slewing it around.  You can check that by putting a laser collimator in the eyepiece.  For me, it goes from the outside of the donut to the other outside as I slew it 180 degrees.  I have narrowed the problem down to the tube opening.  I am going to order a pair of 14" GSO rings to put on both sides of the focuser.  That should fix it, based on my tests (no guarantees).

[TheChosen]

Congrats, the GSO 12" is a great deal, I have one myself.

You may want to check if the focuser fits exactly or if there is a small gap. With mine, there is. For AP I need to put some black electrical tape to shield it from the light. I haven't done that yet and I am not sure how much difference it makes.

My scope tends to lose collimation when slewing it around. You can check that by putting a laser collimator in the eyepiece. For me, it goes from the outside of the donut to the other outside as I slew it 180 degrees. I have narrowed the problem down to the tube opening. I am going to order a pair of 14" GSO rings to put on both sides of the focuser. That should fix it, based on my tests (no guarantees).

What is the problem with the tube openingand how are the 14" rings going to fix it?

[Bubbagumps]

Always exciting getting new toys. 

[HenkSB]

What is the problem with the tube openingand how are the 14" rings going to fix it?

From what I could tell, the tube sags because of the weight and the opening becomes elliptical.  A ring will keep it round and prevents the sagging.  Did you check the collimation issue I described with your scope?

[TheChosen]

From what I could tell, the tube sags because of the weight and the opening becomes elliptical. A ring will keep it round and prevents the sagging. Did you check the collimation issue I described with your scope?

I have yet to assemble the scope and then collimate it. I will check though.

Did you check if the primary is not too loose?

[HenkSB]

I have yet to assemble the scope and then collimate it. I will check though.

Did you check if the primary is not too loose?

It's too long a story to tell so please perform the check first.

[CowTipton]

A new water heater?  Congrats!

 

 

[N3p]

I have to disagree with the idea that the fun starts at 12", it simply is not true for many people.  I was told the same thing when I talked about my own 12" at first, I didn't like it. 

[TayM57]

I have to disagree with the idea that the fun starts at 12", it simply is not true for many people.  I was told the same thing when I talked about my own 12" at first, I didn't like it. 

The fun starts with any telescope, to be honest.

[MeridianStarGazer]

It is actually a 12". Everybody says the 12" is too big.. not really ...
I am upgrading from 8" in the background to the 12". ...

I missed that clue. Somehow I thought those were separate pictures of the same scope. So I guessed you got a skywatcher. Now I see they are in the same picture.

[MeridianStarGazer]

I am curious why did you insist on the f/6 instead of a coma corrector etc

25585 knows that a 10" f6 weighs less than a 12" f5 by about as much as an 8" f6 weighs less than a 10" f5. Jon never acknowledges that.

But 25585 wants the 60" focal length, actually preferring 70". There is no 8" f5 dob since people prefer easy use over trunk transport. And there is no 12" f6 dob since most people are not tall enough. The reason there is no 10" f6 is because mass producers want fewer categories so they can stay streamlined. It turns out most people prefer 10" f5 vs 6 for ease of transport and shipping cost. The 12" f5 does not cost that much to ship, but does command a higher selling price. Optically, I much prefer f6, though it is a tough call when aperture is at stake.

Edited by MeridianStarGazer, 19 April 2024 - 09:50 PM.