10" scopes

[Adrianf]

OK if you had $600 to spend would you buy a Guan Sheng GS-880 10" Dobsonian? Thats about as much as I can afford right now and probably for the next 12 months. Is there something else you would buy for the money?:hmm:

Adrian

[Radar]

10inch aperture for $600? You can't go wrong Adrian. I've heard good things about this brand. Never used one though, but I know they are gaining popularity.

10 inches is a good aperture. Newtonians are quite reliable as well.

There are others here that may know more about this scope than I, so more informative answers may still come.

Ray

[AstroTasmania]

Hi,

The brand you mention GS De-Luxe are excellent value for money, they are a Newtonian reflector on a Dobson Alt/Az simple box-like mount. This type of mount is rugged, low cost, no gears or motors and not ideally suited for photography - especially for a beginner, The optical system is a Newtonian system, used the world over since he invented it some 400 years ago. John Dobson invented is low cost Alt/Az mount in the 1960's.

The same Newtonian telescope on an EQ6 equatorial mount will add another 1500 to the cost, which you can always do at a later stage if you want to get into serious astrophotography.

I believe at least one mainland retailer is still offering free freight for a short time, which makes an excellent cost saving.

I have a dozen friends with GS scopes of 8" & 10", in fact I have just bought one for a friend (he does not know it yet, Xmas gift from his wife) and she asked me to get it for her.

Clear skies...

[rmcpb]

I have an 8" GS and have looked through the 10, 12 & 16" and they were all GREAT value for money. They will never challenge an Obsession but then you don't pay the same money.

If you have a limited budget I would suggest two essentials, a cheshire eyepiece and a laser collimator, then look at what you can afford. Andrews Communitcations (http://www.andrewscom.com.au/) are still offering free freight in Australia so its worth a look.

Make sure you get the deluxe model with the crayford focuser, preferably the 10:1 model. It would be worth saving a while longer to get this even if it puts off the purchase for a while.

Remember that a dob does NOT TRACK but is a very intuitive system, obviously I love them, but later you can put them on an equatorial platform for tracking and add an Argo Navis for DSC push to ability.

Sit back and take your time. Go to the WSAAG webpage (http://www.wsaag.org/) and go the the links page then the Commercial Suppliers link for other players in the game.

All part of the game......... then expect bad weather for a while after the purchase, its the curse :Chessy_Smile:

[Adrianf]

Excitement is mounting. I purchased the GSO 10" Deluxe with laser collimater and Crayford focuser and it should be delivered tomorrow(fingers and all other extremities crossed).

Adrian

[Radar]

Take some pics of it when it arrives mate and be sure to post them. :thumbsupmate:

[Adrianf]

Well the promised delivery never happened. I now feel a little deflated but I suppose still have something to look forward to. I have even found someone who will let me use the corner of their property to stargaze. 20 km out of town and 8k off the highway so should get some good views.

Adrian

[Adrianf]

I spoke to the supplier of my new scope this morning to find that they didnt post my scope for 2 days after I bought it, they promised same day courier service. Called TNT they say the package is still in Sydney and wont be delivered until wednesday 10th at the earliest possibly Thursday 11th.

Adrian

[rmcpb]

Don't worry about the delayed delivery, with that observing location the universe will be your oyster!!

[Adrianf]

As it turned out its been overcast and on/off drizzle since last night anyway. Did go out with the 114mm reflector but it quickly clouded over at about 10ish. So spent a bit of time with the books and astronomy software.

Adrian

[rmcpb]

Lately, that is how I spend most of my nights :bah:

[Adrianf]

I hope the wind calms down for tonight! Its blowing a gale here at the moment. The Aussie wether station (a bit of string on a wooden block) is showing the string almost horizontal at times.

Adrian