Scale of 12" dob...

[emadmoussa]

For an average adult male...what's the size of a 12" dob?

Can somebody help me with a picture to visualize the scale of this thing sitting in the lounge?

[Digz]

Have you tried googling the measurements or looking at google images? That will be your best bet IMO unless someone with a 12" dob and same size living room as you can post a photo.....

[emadmoussa]

I know it's about 1.5 meters long...but I just want a visual sense of the size. Can't find proper photos around.

[Digz]

Scroll 2/3 of the way down, might be of use and took 5seconds to find

http://www.skiesunlimited.net/SPD/orion-xx16g-go-to-dobsonian--80001405-1356732243.jsp

[emadmoussa]

Aha, that doesn't look that big.

[emadmoussa]

Mmm...as tempting as it seems, I think it's too big for a small house.

I could imagine me bringing it into the house and the wife will do this to it

[John]

Heres me with mine. I'm 6 foot tall. My dob is a little taller and slimmer than some as its an F/5.3 with a custom base. It gives the general idea though:

[Moonshane]

here's me with my 16"

 and here's the 16" with the 12"

my 12" is an f4 and therefore a f5 would perhaps be between the two in height. not too large in my opinion and far easier to mount than a 11" SCT I'd bet.

[foundaplanet]

Aha, that doesn't look that big.

Don't you believe it..

[Moonshane]

ps I am 6'3"

[foundaplanet]

Blimey this thread is turning into a Mr. Universe competition..

[emadmoussa]

Oooh...I see.

For a moment I thought John's dob was smaller than Moonshane's - then I realized Moonshane's is a 16"....phew!!! That's a relief

So the bottom line a 12" is not that big really.

How about carrying and moving it around? In my case from the front room, into the kitchen then the garden.

[Schorhr]

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&nv=1&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://taunus-astronomie.blogspot.de/2007/03/teleskope-im-groenvergleich.html%3Fm%3D1&usg=ALkJrhg_dz4uFwVftSyzOgb6SE-Hq8eHeg

[emadmoussa]

Guys, somebody has to lend me his dob  to see if I could sneak it past the wife

Edited September 20, 2013 by emadmoussa

[Moonshane]

I carry the 12" all the way through the house, it's quite light but OOUK are a bit lighter than most. I carry the tube then the base.

the 16" I use a sack truck to get the tube to the back door and then carry it out into the garden

[John]

Skywatcher and Meade 12" dobs are somewhat heavier than Orion Optics ones but all can be moved around easily enough, on the level, in two sections. I'd not fancy going up and down stairs with one though.

[Moonshane]

great link Schorr

[Moonshane]

Skywatcher and Meade 12" dobs are somewhat heavier than Orion Optics ones but all can be moved around easily enough, on the level, in two sections. I'd not fancy going up and down stairs with one though.

very true John. you are better carrying two so you are balanced

[emadmoussa]

LOL -

in terms of optical ability (or whatever it is - as John knows my terminology sucks big time) - will you noticeably ''notice'' a difference between the 10" and the 12" dobs?

[Moonshane]

a 10" mirror has about 70% of the area of a 12" mirror so although I have never actually looked through a 10" dob, I'd expect there to be a noticeable difference on faint objects. not so much on other things.

[emadmoussa]

faint objects are my main concern...

[emadmoussa]

While I'm at it - I'm still concerned about how comfortable you're with a big 12" dob...granted I don't observe anything below 40-degree anyway....but when the eyepiece is high...can you reach comfortably while sitting on a adjustable stool - say - same size of an office chair?

Edited September 20, 2013 by emadmoussa

[Moonshane]

probably not with an f5 scope. but I don't use that sort of chair and almost always sit when observing. I mda eone of these as a prototype about four years ago and it's been so good I have never made the 'proper' one.

[estwing]

that's me and i'm six foot!

[emadmoussa]

LOL