niallk

What a beaut of a newt 😉 Congrats & enjoy!

Imho, collimation is a *must* learn skill with a dob. You have to collimate even for your first use... it is not optional. Yes it is daunting at first, but with the likes of AstroBaby's guide, and a little practice, you get the hang of it. Every time I use my 15" truss dob I collimate - because I disassemble, transport and reassemble. Takes about 2 minutes with a barlowed laser ...in the dark! I think the mindset needs to be like tuning a guitar - just something you routinely do to get the best out of your instrument.

Hi @CoffeeEmerald, well did you make your choice?! +1 for a dob: great for BOTH planets and DSOs. But, they are sizeable, so considering lugging it around or transport to a dark site is important. I was going to go for an 8" dob as my first scope, but went for a deal on a 10" ... and I was glad! Here's a pic, to give a feel for sizes (solid tube designs): post for user comments on any models you may be considering & best of luck with your decision if you haven't already pulled the trigger 😉

Snap - for me it was one night stumbling out of O'Neil's pub in Allihies! You can't beat that sense of awe at a big sky, just naked eye - at a really dark site!

🤣 👍 N7T6 is a great EP.

Great job on both @Piero !!

I use a Telrad, a 31mm 82° Nagler ... but also Push-To on my 15": no explicit optical finder. Tbh, if I didn't have push-to, I think I'd want an optical finder, the N31T5 fov is a bit narrow - it's not a replacement. My decision to forego a finder was driven by balance: I mounted the Argo Navis unit conveniently by the focuser, so I traded the weight of a finder as I also use a P2 and Ethos EPs.

Me too: I'm an electronic engineer so should enjoy mucking around with hardware and software, but I just like the "simplicity" of two mirrors, an EP, and a dob mount. Nothing like seeing things with your own eyes, imho! I also just love the peacefulness of being out under the stars, with big skies and low horizons if I go to a spot on the coast to observe - and the sounds of birds on the Marsh and the waves lapping on the shore. Its good for the soul. The last thing I want is wrestling with a dodgy connector or a software error 😂 That said, I did pick up one of those smartphone holders that clamps onto an EP - in a vain attempt to capture something to show to others what the telescope can do. Let's just say Damien Peach needn't be worried 😂

I went up by the same 1.5x diameter factor (from a 10" to 15"), and the extra aperture is really great on DSO's. I'd say chance it! It should be good on planets, and offer more on DSOs. You only live once 😉

Nice one - I have something like this, except it has a plastic tube to hold the glass optics, an f20 system. It is excellent on sunspots Highly recommend these, and I've also used a 250px with baader solar film, and have a LS50DS Ha scope. For the money you really cannot go wrong, and will get a lot of enjoyment, imho!

+1 for the occasional Sky & Telescope... but pretty expensive over here 😕

Super sights on offer - great to see the level of activity! 😎

Looks the job!!

😭😭😭🤬

Superb time-lapse 👍👍

Wow 👍

And @Piero you've done an amazing job on your new scope too!

Jayz for a second I thought you were building another dob 🤣 Great craftsmanship, beaut of a scope!

I got into astronomy because there were darkish skies from my back garden... no more. I now must travel for DSOs... Maybe rose tinted glasses, but the weather / cloud cover seemed much better when I first got my 10" dob!

M81 was one of the first targets on my 1st night with my 15" dob of few yrs back. That was when local LP conditions still allowed me to view from my back garden. I muttered a wow! out loud as M81 appeared so huge compared to M82... it must have been a very nicely transparent night as I was picking up those sweeping outer arms. Absolutely gorgeous sight. It's amazing the difference when you get such a dark transparent night: it's only when they come along that I realise just how much transparency is usually noticeably less where I am, and LP diffusely scatters more. It sure is all about the contrast...!

Over on the other forum which shan't be named, there's always a recommendation to give TV a call, and people often seem to have the privilege of chatting to Al Nagler himself. Could even be worth an email - they might be able to give valuable advice. I once looked through a TV binovue at a solar party - exquisite bit of kit

Ha ha - feels like it much of the time! But when you get a clear night down there in West Cork / Kerry ... man the sky is incredible 😉 Forget 6" frac vs 12" dob: mk1 eyeball gives memorable views!

I wash mine ~ once per year, but if it needed it - eg something unidentified splatted on it, I'd wash if required. I too use finger tips. I was very nervous to do it the first time, but quickly discovered it's not so big a deal. Just have everything prepared, remove any wedding ring and take your time I hope to get my scope under bortle 2 skies in August, so I'll wash it ahead of that trip to the Kerry Gold Tier Dark Sky Reserve to get the best out of it

Great - I really like his programmes - they are very well made imho.

I keep a 15" dob ... assembled ... in our bedroom! 😂