26 replies to this topic

[roberco30]

Hi,

 

How do you think about this scope?

https://www.highpoin...-telescope-ad12

 

[MNorthStar]

Hi. I used to own a dob a long long time ago. This one is much nicer than mine was. Its also significantly bigger.

 

The right angle finder will help aim the scope easier than trying to bend your head at a weird angle to look through the straight style finders. 

The two speed focuser is nice to have.

It has a cooling fan already installed, so that will help bring the primary to ambient quicker when you bring it outside.

It includes a laser collimator, but you'll probably want a Cheshire eyepiece at some point too. 

 

12" is a big scope however. It will be awesome to look through, but it will be heavy to move around. If you're just bringing it out from a garage or something it's not too bad, but I personally wouldn't want to put it in my car and drive around with it too often, so it really depends on your typical or anticipated use. You'll also need to find and point it at things by yourself. There is no "go-to" for it. (If I were to get a dob again, I'd buy a standard push-to like this and a PiFinder. Those look sweet.)

 

Have you had a telescope before?

Edited by MNorthStar, 03 December 2024 - 11:07 AM.

[roberco30]

Hi. I used to own a dob a long long time ago. This one is much nicer than mine was. Its also significantly bigger.

 

The right angle finder will help aim the scope easier than trying to bend your head at a weird angle to look through the straight style finders. 

The two speed focuser is nice to have.

It has a cooling fan already installed, so that will help bring the primary to ambient quicker when you bring it outside.

It includes a laser collimator, but you'll probably want a Cheshire eyepiece at some point too. 

 

12" is a big scope however. It will be awesome to look through, but it will be heavy to move around. If you're just bringing it out from a garage or something it's not too bad, but I personally wouldn't want to put it in my car and drive around with it too often, so it really depends on your typical or anticipated use. You'll also need to find and point it at things by yourself. There is no "go-to" for it. (If I were to get a dob again, I'd buy a standard push-to like this and a PiFinder. Those look sweet.)

 

Have you had a telescope before?

I'm owning a 6". It's about 35lbs. I can carry it in and out of my garage easily. The 6" scope is manual too. I'm looking to upgrade to a 12". I saw this one and it's a good price point. I assume the 12" is twice heavier than the 6". 

[MNorthStar]

I looked at the specs and it's right around 85. The tube is 47 and base is 38. 

 

I'd prefer this style over the trussed tubed dobs. Especially at this aperture. If you went up to like 16-20 trusses might be easier to deal with for some things. 

I always assumed the truss tube dobs would be lighter, but I looked at the 12" Skywatcher and it was about the same as the solid tube which I found interesting. 

Edited by MNorthStar, 03 December 2024 - 11:24 AM.

[jonee523]

I owned that exact scope a few years back. I think it is a great value considering what you get in the package. At 305mm (12") the mirror gathers A LOT of light and you will be able to see many galaxies, dso's and planets. As stated above this scope is very big, heavy and somewhat awkward due to the size of the tube and base. I used mine as a yard cannon. I installed castors on the bottom of the base vs. the rubber feet. This allowed it to be rolled onto the patios vs. carried. The views thru this scope are really good, M42 is a dream, globulars look like diamonds, and many galaxies take shape and are not just grey blobs. You will want better eyepieces later if you don't already have some. The addition of a telrad will help get you to target faster then the raci., but to each their own. The only thing I would suggest is if you want portability check out the 10". If your not worried about travel or transport pull the trigger you will be very happy. I only sold mine due to moving towards Ap. Oh btw have you used Astrohopper? Great program for your phone that will help you find targets considering the manual nature of this scope.

 

Clear skies,

 

Jon

[Polyphemos]

Hi,

 

How do you think about this scope?

https://www.highpoin...-telescope-ad12

The scope is made by GSO in Taiwan and is better equipped and built than many of the alternatives. For example, it has roller bearings for both the altitude and azimuth axis while most have plastic pads running on some sort of textured melamine. It has a precise 2” two-speed all metal Crayford focuser. It has a proper 50mm right angle correct image finder. It has a cooling fan already installed. 
 

The 12” version is quite large, I have the 10”, and an 8” would be a convenient size being smaller and lighter than either. Whichever size works for you I’d stick with the GSO made Dobs if it’s a solid fine your interested in.

[Napp]

I looked at the specs and it's right around 85. The tube is 47 and base is 38. 

 

I'd prefer this style over the trussed tubed dobs. Especially at this aperture. If you went up to like 16-20 trusses might be easier to deal with for some things. 

I always assumed the truss tube dobs would be lighter, but I looked at the 12" Skywatcher and it was about the same as the solid tube which I found interesting. 

The weight you quote for the 12 inch Skywatcher is more than the weight of my ES 16 Gen 2.  The Skywatcher is very heavy due to design choices.  Most truss tube DOBs are much lighter.   

 

roberco30, the quoted weights of the AD12 do not give a good idea of what it is to deal with the solid tube 12 inch DOB.  The size of the tube with that weight means its more difficult to handle than just a regular 47lb weight.  I've carried one across a parking lot.  It was not fun.  A lady in my club has one and transports it.  She has worked out a system where she does not have to lift the whole tube.  It lays in two cradles of styrofoam in her minivan.  She backs up to where she wants to set up the scope.  She places the base and then pulls the tube out of the van until the clutches fit into the cradle.  She swings the tube up and then drives the van away to park.  She reverses this to load the scope.  A 12 inch solid tube DOB requires a van or pickup for transport.  It won't fit in a car.  I prefer truss tube DOBs for anything larger than 10 inches. Even my 16 inch truss tube will fit in a small car. You might be very happy with the 12 inch solid tube.  Just make sure you know what you are getting into.

[MNorthStar]

The weight you quote for the 12 inch Skywatcher is more than the weight of my ES 16 Gen 2.  The Skywatcher is very heavy due to design choices.  Most truss tube DOBs are much lighter.   

I just assumed that all truss dobs were lighter because of the amount of tube that would be "missing." I've never bothered to look into the weights of them because I'm not in the market, but I just found it interesting. I tried looking at the 12.5 obsession and the 12 explore scientific truss dobs, but because of how they work, they really only list the mirror box weights so its hard to get an apples to apples just by looking at the specs. I would have to imagine that the more skeletonized dobs are lighter to maneuver and swing. I imagine carrying and using are different. 

[HenkSB]

I have the Z12 that is identical to the AD12 except for the logo.  It is heavy and took up 3 seats in my car, so I converted it to a collapsible Dob.  Before the Z12 I owned a 10" Coulter Odyssey of which I could simply throw the OTA in the back, a whole lot easier to transport.  In retrospect, for a 12" I should probably have chosen the Skywatcher Flextube collapsible.  The nice thing about the GSO Dobs are the bearings - lazy Susan for Az, and adjustable Alt bearings.  All very well made.  If you don't have to transport the 12", go for it otherwise get a 10" or a collapsible 12" Skywatcher.

[roberco30]

Thanks All! I'll get it.

[aeajr]

I have owned the AD12 for several years and highly recommend it.  I especially like the two speed focuser and the Right Angle Correct Image, RACI, finder.

 

If you keep it in the garage, on a hand truck, it will be very easy to manage. See my photos below.  You will see a white foam block that I use with the hand truck. This is one of the blocks that came in the shipping box.  Save them all.

 

All up it weighs about 85 pounds.  On the hand truck you just tip it and roll it.  No effort at all.   I used to do something similar with my 8" Dob.  The hand truck I use has inflated tires so it rolls easily over pavers, gravel, dirt and grass.  I just slide it under the mount and tip it to move it.  I have a strap around it that works with the foam block  to keep it stable. Works beautifully.

https://www.harborfr...ruck-58291.html

  

 

You can see the photo of the optical tube on foam blocks in the back of my SUV as well as a picture of the tube tipped into the back of the SUV.  I just rest it on the car, then lift from the mirror end.  I put the open end onto the block then slide it into the car and put a second block under the mirror end.  Easy Peasy!

 

I don't use the hand truck at remote sites as I usually setup within 10 feet of the car, so I just take the mount out, about 35 pounds, and place it.  Then I slide out the optical tube (50 pounds) and carry it over to the mount and just place it on.  Since I don't have to lift the tub it is not a problem.  It just hangs from my arms, one hand on the mirror end and one in the open end.  You can add straps or handles if you like, but I have not felt the need. 

 

I added an azimuth scale to the mount that I use in combination with an angle gauge to find my targets.  Works great!  See photos below.  I live with bad light pollution, both on the ground and in the sky, so star hopping doesn't really work for me.
 

Using an angle gauge to help find targets – AltAz coordinates

You can read about how a lot of people use this approach.  My initial post is about my XT8.  
https://www.cloudyni...t-polluted-sky/

 

I later share the AD12 implementation.

https://www.cloudyni...-3#entry9307087

 

Feel free to ask questions.  You will be very happy with the scope IF you make it easy to handle, as I have.   High Point is an excellent supplier so you can buy with confidence. 

 

 

Note that this scope is made by GSO and is available as the Apertura AD12, Zhumell Z12, and the Orion Skyline 12.  All the same scope.

 

I presume you have eyepieces, but probably not a 2".  The 2" 30 mm is a relabeled GSO SuperView with a 68 degree AFOV

https://agenaastro.c...w-eyepiece.html

 

It is not a premium eyepiece but it works well enough.  I have a similar class 38 mm 2" eyepiece that I use all the time.  If you want something better you can always spend big bucks on it, but I found it to be very useable and light weight.  

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Edited by aeajr, 03 December 2024 - 05:01 PM.

[AZ85623]

Add wheels to your scope

 

 

[kfiscus]

I love my Z12 (same as the AD12).  LOVE it.

 

Check out the Mega-Mods to Zhumell Dobs thread in this forum.  I'll bump it for you to make it easier to find.

[Dave Novoselsky]

I agree that as to a solid tube DOB the AD series is the best.  But let’s not forget that any 12” solid tube is going to be a beast in comparison even to the 10” version and far more so than the AD8.  There is a reason that there are so few 10” + DOBS out there in comparison to the truss tube etc versions.  

 

I ha a vision just now of my long gone and much lamented  24” Starmaster/Zambuto as a solid tube.  And the 28 wheeler and industrial crane need to use it !!!

Edited by Dave Novoselsky, 04 December 2024 - 06:38 PM.

[vtornado]

One has to think ahead when purchasing a solid tube dob.

 

One is the size.  The tube will not fit in most sedan type cars.  You will need a hatch back with folding seats, or a larger vehilce.  The base is also difficult because it is big in three dimensions.

 

The weight of the tube coupled with the girth make the lift and carry heavy.  I have moved it a few hundred feet for a setup but the next day I could feel it in my back.  Carts and wheels can be used in some situations but not all.  (stairs).

 

Truss tubes can be heavier than a tube, because you are replacing 2x3 sheet of thin steel with rigid truss poles.  But it does break down for use in any vehicle and the pieces weigh less than the whole.

 

I sold my 12 and downsized to the 10.  Easier to carry, fits in a small car mirror cools faster.  For moon/planets under usually poor seeing there was no difference in what I could see.  For deep space the 12 was a bit better but not amazingly so. For faint fuzzies I bought a see-star.

 

I have had a number of GSO dobs go through my hands and they are all good.

 

Weather is also a consideration for any large telescope.  If you live in an area with rapidly falling temps, or have to store the telescope inside, it takes a long time to cool down the mirror. 

Edited by vtornado, 04 December 2024 - 08:05 PM.

[astro.nanuuuuuu]

Hi all. Adding my two cents. I just bought a used (and cheap!) AD12 and I love it. It was $300. It's missing the eyepiece rack and every single knob was very tight. Even the clips on the primary mirror were tight. After I got it, I cleaned it up and took care of those little things (eyepiece rack is still pending), and I'm very happy with my purchase. Yes, it's bulky! Big OTA and base, but I don't think it's that heavy for its size. I'm a short guy, and need a step stool to observe with it, but I can carry the OTA. I did install casters to the base and it makes a big difference to move it around.

 

I've had it for a few weeks now and have used it only in my backyard (suburban Bortle 7 skies), and let me tell you that the views I'm getting are beautiful. The Double Cluster shines. I'm able to see more color in stars. The nebulosity in M42 is great. Also, the longer focal length is great for planets. I've been able to see details on Jupiter that I hadn't seen before. So yes, I've been having a blast with it!

 

I have an 8-inch dob (AD8), and a 5-inch tabletop (OneSky). I can't wait to take the AD12 to a darker sky.

 

For transport, my wife has a minivan, which is great for this scope, and I found a YouTube video showing it fits in a sedan (Ford Taurus), including the base. I still need to see if it fits in my Corolla with that same technique; we'll see.

 

For reference, here is a picture of the AD12 next to the AD8.

 

 

Clear skies to all.

Edited by astro.nanuuuuuu, 05 December 2024 - 09:11 AM.

[Dave Novoselsky]

I LOVE that picture.  Now all you need is an AD10 so you can have Baby Bear, Moma Bear, and Daddy Bear.

[astro.nanuuuuuu]

Thanks! Not a bad idea, lol.   

 

I had an XT10 but sold it. Not an Apertura, but I would've had all three if I hadn't sold it. Oh well...

 

Here is a family shot with all three dobs: OneSky, AD8, and AD12.

 

 

I forgot to mention that my AD12 was missing the slow-motion knob. I made one out of cork. Works like a charm. 

 

 

I LOVE that picture.  Now all you need is an AD10 so you can have Baby Bear, Moma Bear, and Daddy Bear.

 

[Dave Novoselsky]

Thank you

[roberco30]

Wow. The AD12 is truly a beast. I'm only 5.3'. The scope weighs as much as I am. 

[astro.nanuuuuuu]

Lol. I'm short, too (5'0" or 5'1"). I can probably fit inside the OTA. 

Wow. The AD12 is truly a beast. I'm only 5.3'. The scope weighs as much as I am. 

[kfiscus]

You can put your 12" on a diet.  My Z12 mount is shorter and much lighter.  (I'm 5'7".) 

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[Ken....]

Hi all. Adding my two cents. I just bought a used (and cheap!) AD12 and I love it. It was $300. It's missing the eyepiece rack and every single knob was very tight. Even the clips on the primary mirror were tight. After I got it, I cleaned it up and took care of those little things (eyepiece rack is still pending), and I'm very happy with my purchase. Yes, it's bulky! Big OTA and base, but I don't think it's that heavy for its size. I'm a short guy, and need a step stool to observe with it, but I can carry the OTA. I did install casters to the base and it makes a big difference to move it around.

 

I've had it for a few weeks now and have used it only in my backyard (suburban Bortle 7 skies), and let me tell you that the views I'm getting are beautiful. The Double Cluster shines. I'm able to see more color in stars. The nebulosity in M42 is great. Also, the longer focal length is great for planets. I've been able to see details on Jupiter that I hadn't seen before. So yes, I've been having a blast with it!

 

I have an 8-inch dob (AD8), and a 5-inch tabletop (OneSky). I can't wait to take the AD12 to a darker sky.

 

For transport, my wife has a minivan, which is great for this scope, and I found a YouTube video showing it fits in a sedan (Ford Taurus), including the base. I still need to see if it fits in my Corolla with that same technique; we'll see.

 

For reference, here is a picture of the AD12 next to the AD8.

 

IMG_1520.JPG

 

Clear skies to all.

Wow, you got a great deal on that scope. I just bought a new AD12 and sold my AD8. Now I'm waiting for the weather here in the northeast to cooperate.

[roberco30]

I saw this one on FB. He's asking for 700. It's a Zhummel 12 with lenses. Is it a good deal? I would have to drive 2 hours to pick it up.

 

https://www.facebook...essenger_banner

Edited by roberco30, 07 December 2024 - 09:04 PM.

[kfiscus]

The pics show lots of dust and the accessories are low-end.  I'd be hesitant/reluctant at that price and that distance.

Edited by kfiscus, 08 December 2024 - 01:50 PM.