16 replies to this topic

[rshah]

I am thinking to buy a dobsonian for observation purpose from my terrace in Mumbai. I am confused between different options available in dobsonians like GSO, Bresser and Sky Watcher. 

 

Please help me with what are the main differences between them technically and also based on observation purposes. I am thinking to buy an 6"/8" dobsonian. Price wise the GSO is cheaper followed by Breeder and then Sky Watcher. Sky watcher is quite expensive here almost 1.5x the price of GSO night watcher (silver) telescope.

[carolinaskies]

The mirrors aren't the difference between these, they all are pretty much sourced from the same factories. 

Things to consider which affect price:
 

• Accessories - check to see how many eyepieces and other basic starting items are included along with fan for cooling the mirror
• Focuser quality, single vs dual speed
• Finder type 30mm small vs 50mm large
• Side bearing size, material, how easy to mount the tube into the base.  Larger can be better, but if you're missing out on accessories that's a big factor
• Construction materials used for the tube and base, check the weight for each model, sometimes heavier is less expensive
• I suggest watching some Youtube videos with the specific models you're considering where the owners have had used them at least 6mos to a year.  

Price sometimes is a measure of quality but for sub $1000 dobsonian telescopes it's mainly accessories and cradle-side bearing style.   

[Sincos]

Find out where amateur astronomers in Mumbai hold public viewing sessions . Then go , enjoy the views and ask questions about the telescope in front of you with the owner of said telescope . Rather than guess about nomenclature you can ask what this and that is and what for . Then ask the owner if they would prefer something else or happy with the telescope they have .

 Good Luck and Clear Skies

[BlueMoon]

 

Please help me with what are the main differences between them technically and also based on observation purposes.

Just choose one, buy and use it. The 'technical" and "observational" differences for Dobsonian telescopes aren't that substantial until you start to get into mirror sizes above 16 inches or more.  

[Astrojensen]

I have only tested it very briefly, but I can strongly recommend the Bresser, at least from a mechanical standpoint. It has a rotatable tube that can slide longitudinally for balancing, it has large side bearings and VERY smooth motions, and a large, solid and smooth 2" focuser. 

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

[grace]

All of the above, of course :-) I have spent hours researching before getting mine, and I believe there is consensus that optically they are all very similar.
I have got the 8in Bresser and I am very happy with its mechanics, though it comes with less “accessories” (eyepieces, …) than other brands. The stock 6x30 finder I didn’t like and upgraded quickly to a RACI 8x50 plus telrad, another universe for star-hopping. However, check with what is available in your location, I saw differences in different countries (e.g., in UK it seems to come with a red-dot finder).
One thing to note is that Bresser uses the Explore Scientific base for finders, while many accessories come with a dove-tail, which is native in SkyWatcher, GSO, etc. There are inexpensive adapters available though.

[Mike Q]

I seem to gravitate towards the GSO made scopes.  When i got my 10 inch it came down to what accessories came with it.

[mayhem13]

Optically, all of these are going to be of very similar quality. Your ability to collimate them would be more of a factor than the mirrors themselves.

 

I would choose the GSO. The two speed focuser is of better use and quality. The bearing system is also nice and smooth in operation. No need to be too concerned with balance and heavier eye pieces…..get some neo magnet bars to attach to the scope to achieve balance when needed.

[25585]

I have only tested it very briefly, but I can strongly recommend the Bresser, at least from a mechanical standpoint. It has a rotatable tube that can slide longitudinally for balancing, it has large side bearings and VERY smooth motions, and a large, solid and smooth 2" focuser. 

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

 

The 8" is very nice (so are 10 & 12").

[Neanderthal]

I wouldn't put much weight into the "accessories" that come with any brand's package. Almost everyone quickly replaces them (especially the eyepieces) with something else in a short time.

[Albie]

I wouldn't put much weight into the "accessories" that come with any brand's package. Almost everyone quickly replaces them (especially the eyepieces) with something else in a short time.

I find that most if not all eyepieces supplied with new telescopes are garbage , in fact they are so bad that they can cause major dissappointment to a degree that causes people to quit the hobby (one of my youngest daughter's boy friends comes to mind) .  The two ep's that came with each of my last two scopes are bad enough that I would rather toss them in the garbage than give them away . The two that came with my new Skywatcher 250P Classic have plastic bodies and possibly plastic lenses (not sure) .

Edited by Albie, 27 March 2025 - 10:12 AM.

[Dave Novoselsky]

I have only tested it very briefly, but I can strongly recommend the Bresser, at least from a mechanical standpoint. It has a rotatable tube that can slide longitudinally for balancing, it has large side bearings and VERY smooth motions, and a large, solid and smooth 2" focuser. 

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

Agree and also note that the “Bresser” DOBS and most other Bresser products are sold under the Explore Scientific label in the US and Canada.  So the recommendation in favor of Bresser should be extended to the ES brand in these markets.

[Dave Novoselsky]

I seem to gravitate towards the GSO made scopes.  When i got my 10 inch it came down to what accessories came with it.

As with the Bresser/Explore Scientific labeling, GSO scopes are sold under various ‘house brand’ labels such as Stella Lyra, Altair, TS, Apertura etc.  

[Jon Isaacs]

I wouldn't put much weight into the "accessories" that come with any brand's package. Almost everyone quickly replaces them (especially the eyepieces) with something else in a short time.

 

Eyepieces and finders can be easily replaced, focusers and bearing systems are another story.  The GSO focuser is quite good.

 

Jon

[Mike Q]

As with the Bresser/Explore Scientific labeling, GSO scopes are sold under various ‘house brand’ labels such as Stella Lyra, Altair, TS, Apertura etc.  

Mine happens to be Orion branded.  What is there, a half dozen different names out there for the same scope? 

[carolinaskies]

I find that most if not all eyepieces supplied with new telescopes are garbage , in fact they are so bad that they can cause major dissappointment to a degree that causes people to quit the hobby (one of my youngest daughter's boy friends comes to mind) .  The two ep's that came with each of my last two scopes are bad enough that I would rather toss them in the garbage than give them away . The two that came with my new Skywatcher 250P Classic have plastic bodies and possibly plastic lenses (not sure) .

This is why I suggest watching Youtube videos of the specific telescopes.  The unboxing vids usually will indicate the base quality of many accessories, ie plastic, flimsy, or good.   

For most of the honest size Dobs I've seen 'new' they are offering plossl/kellner level eyepieces at least.  Of course upgrading eyepieces is one of the first things to do because one or two aren't going to be enough with a Dob or sizeable aperture telescope.    

[25585]

My newest is this  https://www.firstlig...-telescope.html