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Any one heard of the Orion skyquest xx16g, WOW

Bignev

By Bignev
in The Astro Lounge

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Bignev

Bignev

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Hi guys thought i would give everyone the look of my new scope, i was trying to find some info about the size of this bad boy but just gave up and just took the plunge and got it, was i in for a hell of a surprise.

 I have the Skywatcher 200p now and really got a surprise when it arrived but believe me i did die and come back when this bad boy turned up at my door.

I know by looking at the forums that there is next to nothing about these things so i have put a couple of pictures up just so people can get some scale of the thing, I am 5ft 6" so it will give you some idea of the height of this baby, My sitting room is over 15 ft long and i still could not get a full shot of it with my camera. I have not even had a chance to try it out yet so this really is just to let people see how big it is because you really do need a lot of space for it.

Please do not be suckered in with the fit in any any ordinary car because i have a Jag x type, and they are a big car and i cant see how it will fit into that at all, you will need a hatchback for one of these because you need plenty of space to fit it SAFELY for traveling around anywhere,

Its not to bad to assemble but it is a little tricky to do by yourself but i manages it myself so it is possible to do it by yourself, and the video that they show you assembling it, they dont tell you that they never had the mirror in it because it is quite a heavy section to lift into place and that is with all the 9 weights off.

I do hope the pictures are of some use to anyone thinking of buying one though.

All in all though i do think this is a fantastic piece on hardware and just cant wait to get it out.

It really is like winning the lottery just how lucky am i.

post-30877-0-06423600-1396126748_thumb.jpost-30877-0-32908800-1396126984_thumb.j

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Bignev

Bignev

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The base weighs in at 62 lb but it is manageable as long as your not carrying it a any distance, i only go from my car so it will be ok for me i have tested it out, it is a wheel so they do say you can wheel it around if you want but i wouldnt even think about doing that at all.

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John

John

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They get big when they reach 16" don't they !

Nice scope though, congratulations :smiley:

You don't see many of the larger aperture Orion dobs around - I guess most folks go with the more familiar Skywatcher Flextube or Meade Lightbridge designs. The Intelliscope system that Orion use has a very good reputation fro the reports I've read.

Without wishing to be rude at all, will you be using a step or two to get to the eyepiece when the scope is pointing at a reasonably high altitude ?

I hope you get some great views with it  :smiley:

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Mukv

Mukv

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Greetings

DUDE THATS HUGE !

I'm looking forward to your report on performance and hospital time for injuries incurred while moving it outside, seriously this looks like the kit of dreams!

please share your first light results and experience.

Andy

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astronymonkey

astronymonkey

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Great scope, these 16inch designs are about at the limit of what is managable but the views are spectacular.

You are right about the size of the base though, I have an octavia estate and i can get my lightbridge base in the boot but with a smaller car it would be a struggle.

Enjoy it !

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Bignev

Bignev

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Yes looking through the focuser could have been a problem but i got a DSLR for my 200p so i can just fit that to it and a cable to my lap top and away i go, no ladders i hope,

As for moving it around i have already decided to put a tow bar onto my car and just break it down into 5 sections, Heavy base with the frame split into 2 sections which ill be traveling in the trailer, easily able to lift them when split but they do still weigh something so if you have back problems i would not recommend one, which just leaves the poles to go in with them because the mirrors will be traveling with me in the car.

It only takes me about 15 minutes to put it back together, I am hoping to work everything out as i go along because i am hoping to have a long happy relationship with as little trouble as possible.

It is going to kill me but it could take a couple of weeks yet before i get things sorted out so i will update when i take it out,,                       I JUST CANT WAIT,  :evil:

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baggywrinkle

baggywrinkle

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That is big...the online vensors images give you no sense of scale...

I am looking at getting a 200-250mm dob when I get to the UK,. Your pics just make me realise that I need to actually go to a shop and see what I intend to buy before doing so!

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Pondus

Pondus

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From the picture it looks slightly bigger than my heritage 130p...

Congrats!

Hope you`ll post a first light report. Those are always interesting read, and I will definitely look forward to your report. :smiley: .

Rune

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Dude_with_the_tube

Dude_with_the_tube

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congratulations on your purchase,this beast will give you breath taking views.

One thing i have noticed.Seems that Skywatcher and Orion have finally got together and produced a cracking scopes.i have  Skywatcher 350 goto and my base looks exactly the same as yours off the Orion.Also it seems that Orion have ditched the Intelli system and have gone over to Synscan as yours have the Synscan controller,however,the best thing is that they both (Skywatcher and Orion) are using the same encoders and adjustable clutches off the orion,basically we have gotten now best of both worlds!However,every Astro shop still shows the old pics of the scywatcher and orion scopes.

I cant praise the build quality of them and main thing: this new marriage has given SUPERBLY accurate go to !! I have been out a few times now and i am very pleased with this new system,not only Messiers are dead center but also EVERYTHING else you through at the scope. 

Only one down side:weight.base is heavy as hell and I agree with your statement,you will not be lugging this thing very far.But looking from the other side of the coin.This weight gives superb stability and only takes 3 mins to completely strip the scope and rebuild again.

Looking forward to hear your thoughts and first light report.

Clear skies!

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albedo0.39

albedo0.39

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and they are a big car and i cant see how it will fit into that at all, you will need a hatchback for one of these because you need plenty of space to fit it

I used to have a Volvo S 50 - same size as the Jag and a traditional 3 box saloon as well.. No chance at all. 

However, I have transported the same sized scope in my wife's Mini (BMW - Mk1) and it fitted perfectly. Since owning a medium-large dob, no matter what car I choose, its always an estate now.  Scope and bikes need space !

Nice piece of kit by the way.  I'm sure the deluge of rain and overcast conditions caused by its purchase will be good for someone...  

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Moonshane

Moonshane

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looks fab!   the look on your face is classic new big dob owners face. a bit of pride/amusement/what have I done/this will be superb/if I can only get it there/oh, god - my wife's due back any minute/will she see it behind the curtains/a little bit of fear


 


I did a thread on a related matter about my 12" and 16" f4 OOUK dobs. here's a link in case it helps anyone gauge sizes.


 


http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/174263-when-scopes-start-to-get-big/


 


you'll love the views.

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Bignev

Bignev

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Many thanks for all of your fantastic replys I have to admit I am in the middle of extacy and panic at the same time, from a 200p its a mahoosive jump I just hope I can use it to its potential. I am looking forward to some fantastic nights out in the cold.

Weather in the north east has been terrible ever since I got it so I just got to be patient and pray it clears up so I can test it out on Mars as I dont have any good pictures of mars yet at all. many thanks again and I'll post some shots as soon as I get the chance to use it.

Hope you don't mine me using the Mahoosive Viebo its still got me laughing yet. :-)

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