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Explore Scientifics 12" dob

earth titan

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Mike73

Mike73

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Accepted - It would be nice to see all beginners scopes supplied with a couple of EPs and basic cheshire.   Though I wouldn't really see this as a first scope and see no sense in upping the price to include a couple of low end EPs!   I'm already well supplied with mediocre glass, which is only retained in the event I sell one of my scopes.

Though if ES would like to bundle a 24mm 82deg, I'm sure I would happily part with another 150 euros  ;)

It would also be a nice token if they sent some nice glass to Tom as an apology for the delay and poor QC!

I really dont see it as a beginners scope though, I think its actually quite a specialised scope aimed at people who travel to dark sites or like Tom needs something which packs down to take away with the family, I have a feeling that most people who would buy this scope wouldnt even take a supplied EP out of the box!

Truss tube dobs are great for being able to pack down to a small size to travel and they also look great but if the aim was to use a scope like this from home I just wouldnt bother and would stick to a solid tube or flex tube. 

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BinocularSky

BinocularSky

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Hmm. Whilst one expects QC corners to have been cut at the price these things are, not good news about having to tap out the threads (especially since I've just checked my taps and dies, and the M6 tap has gone walkabout). I understood from Tassilo that one reason for the delay was that these were being checked over prior to dispatch.

Well, mine is theoretically arriving on Wednesday, so I'll report here if I have the same experience. I expect any kit I get to need tweaking to my liking (I usually void warranties within hours of receipt :laugh: ), so it's not too much of a hassle.

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earth titan

earth titan

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I say keep the costs down, by not bundling rubbish components. I could have lived without the finder (gonna fit a tetrad), and I have my TV plossls.

Need to find some lycra or spandex, to make a shroud as a next project. Anyone know any suppliers?

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russ.will

russ.will

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I mentioned in the other thread about my waiting to profit from the experiences of the early adopters and those words look to have been prophetic, at least in part!

However, I see nothing that actually puts me off buying this scope, as I too am not one to wait for a warranty to run out before modifying things to suit my purposes; It'll be barely out of the box before I've mounted my Altair 12X60 RA finder on it for instance.

I'll wait for a first light report, but if it's structurally stable, smooth in operation and gives up good views, then that combined with the portability, makes it a winner at the price.

By the way - People keep mentioning that they're GSO mirrors. Did I miss something, as I assumed they would be JOC?

Russell

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BinocularSky

BinocularSky

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Did you mean a Telrad (aka the most sensitive dew-detector known to humanity)? :laugh:

This looks like it might be suitable for shroud material, if you want it stretchy. I'll probably just use some leftover ripstop I've got in my kite-making box.

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earth titan

earth titan

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Did you mean a Telrad (aka the most sensitive dew-detector known to humanity)? :laugh:

This looks like it might be suitable for shroud material, if you want it stretchy. I'll probably just use some leftover ripstop I've got in my kite-making box.

I spotted that fabric. Looks just the job.

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earth titan

earth titan

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By the way - People keep mentioning that they're GSO mirrors. Did I miss something, as I assumed they would be JOC?

Russell

Fairly certain, although I'll need to check. It does have it on the name plate - I'll check when I get home.

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AlexB67

AlexB67

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I really dont see it as a beginners scope though, I think its actually quite a specialised scope aimed at people who travel to dark sites or like Tom needs something which packs down to take away with the family, I have a feeling that most people who would buy this scope wouldnt even take a supplied EP out of the box!

Truss tube dobs are great for being able to pack down to a small size to travel and they also look great but if the aim was to use a scope like this from home I just wouldnt bother and would stick to a solid tube or flex tube. 

Should I ever end up with a scope that size the truss design would be the 16 inch model, since it can be transported in my car. For the 10/12 inch size the flextube for me personally would be the preferred option, the setting up and sliding out the scope is a matter of seconds. It would all come down to transport again for me and it is for the larger scopes where the truss designs are great.  For me the 10/12 inch flexi is small enough for the car. For home use the assembly of a truss system would likely result in less use of as well, the flexi in that sense is just about as convenient as a solid tube for setting up bar a few seconds here and there. 

I see this series as a great travel scope option. Again the 12 inch sounds great for Tom for that reason with kids and all that, room being at a premium.

Look forward to a first light and hopefully the few niggles will not put you off it Tom and that the views make up for it  :smiley:

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earth titan

earth titan

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Splitting hairs perhaps but the label doesn't really say who made the mirror. 

Good point, well made!!

As I understand it, GSO supply the optics for Meade and while we can't know if the quality of finish is the same, I suspect they are all the same. I can't see GSO having 2 separate production lines nor using anyone else's optics.

Therefore I'm guessing it has GSO optics in it.

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emadmoussa

emadmoussa

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Good point, well made!!

As I understand it, GSO supply the optics for Meade and while we can't know if the quality of finish is the same, I suspect they are all the same. I can't see GSO having 2 separate production lines nor using anyone else's optics.

Therefore I'm guessing it has GSO optics in it.

If that's the case, then the optical performance will be pretty good.

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earth titan

earth titan

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While on the subject of the optics, the primary retaining system is of interest!

One of my gripes with a 12" light bridge, was the fact that the primary was secured in place and as a result, there were all sorts of posts regarding astigmatism and mirror clamping. My 16" LB did not have a glued in primary but still had mirror clips.

In this scope the mirror isn't held in place at all, except by two rollers - there are no mirror retaining clips at all  !!!

You can lift the mirror up out of the bottom (needed to do this to remove the crepe paper covering it). It is then held in place by a strap, which I'm guessing is glued in place to the back of the primary.

This seems a sensible arrangement, as I can't see the scope tilting to a position where the mirror would 'flop' forward and it allows it to move and cool naturally.

This is good, as one of the 1st jobs most 12" LB owners do, is free off the optics.

As for the secondary, it would appear to be just glued on, but I'll have to check this.

I'll try to take some pictures showing what I mean.

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Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan

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Crepe paper? Not acid-free paper, then?

Is that a specific worry or a general observation ? :)

Is crepe paper a problem ?

Because papers in general these days are not very acidic.

Actually, depending on the alkali used to neutralise any acidity in the paper making process, or in the fibres used to make the paper, it could be more of a problem to aluminium, more than some acids !

Just thinking aloud as there is nowt much on telly, dont take me too seriously ;) !!

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earth titan

earth titan

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1st light... Wooohoooo...

So whats the verdict?

Surprisingly good!

The collimation system works well and despite the low battery in the laser, it was simple enough but I can get it much better with proper batteries. Nice to be able to do it from the front of the scope.

Despite the haze and clouds, I managed to pick up a nice clear shadow transit at 190x and plenty of detail on the belts. I therefore pronounce the optics as at least as good as the 12" Lightbridge I used to own.

At 190x the ALT/AZ bearings are a bit jerky, but no more than they used to be on my old Lightbridge. As it's primarily going to be a deep sky scope, this probably won't be too much of an issue.

Fixed the mirror box binding, with a bit of fettling and few felt pads. Now I know what it needs, I can make a better, neater and more permanent job. Pics to follow.

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