Who uses a reflector on a giro?

[Chris Hopson]

I'm wondering if anyone on here prefers to use their 6, 8 or 10" reflector in a standing position, on a giro or sky tee type mount?

I found sitting with my old auto dob a bit of a pain, needing a stool. It was however a stable setup.

I also found the base awkward of carry.

What's your experiences?

Many thanks

Chris

[swamp thing]

I've used an observing buddies 10" newt on a skytee.

Worked really nicely. Almost as good as a Dob.......almost

[Chris Hopson]

I've used an observing buddies 10" newt on a skytee.

Worked really nicely. Almost as good as a Dob.......almost

Hi Steve, dob more stable?

Many thanks

Chris

[swamp thing]

TBH Yes.

The skytee would probably be as good with an 8" on it, but for a 10" a Dob mount is, as you say more stable.

[Stu]

I used a f6 300mm newt on an AYODigi mount a few times. I actually wasn't too bad. The main flex came from the rings and tube, the mount itself was very smooth & solid. Even on a short pier it was too high at the zenith though, needed some steps! I have now switched to a dob base and it is far more stable.

Stu

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[John]

I used to have my OO 10" F/4.8 on a Giro-type mount and it worked pretty well. It got the eyepiece to the height I like (I prefer to stand when observing) and the motions were smooth with a counterweight on the opposite arm of the mount. At really high magnifications I think the traditional dob mount is a little steadier though.

[Caldwell14]

I do, a very nice outfit with a 8 inch Newtonian. Pure quality and a joy to use, dobsonians are a bit low for my garden, my backs not keen on them either.

[Caldwell14]

My outfit is rock steady btw, I though 10 inch might be a little much. I had straight choice between a SW. 10 Newton or a 8 inch OO , I went for the VX8L

[John]

My outfit is rock steady btw, I though 10 inch might be a little much. I had straight choice between a SW. 10 Newton or a 8 inch OO , I went for the VX8L

Thats a great combination I should think. The OO newts lend themselves to this mounting approach I reckon because they are somewhat lighter than their Chinese counterparts.

[Chris Hopson]

My outfit is rock steady btw, I though 10 inch might be a little much. I had straight choice between a SW. 10 Newton or a 8 inch OO , I went for the VX8L

Just been looking at your scope on the 00 website, wow. I see why you like your setup so much!

[Chris Hopson]

I used to have my OO 10" F/4.8 on a Giro-type mount and it worked pretty well. It got the eyepiece to the height I like (I prefer to stand when observing) and the motions were smooth with a counterweight on the opposite arm of the mount. At really high magnifications I think the traditional dob mount is a little steadier though.

That is a big scope, I'm amazed how good the giro type mounts perform. Out of interest what would you say is your max magnification that's rock steady?

Many thanks

Chris

[John]

That is a big scope, I'm amazed how good the giro type mounts perform. Out of interest what would you say is your max magnification that's rock steady?

Many thanks

Chris

Rock steady ? - 200x perhaps. I used to use anti-vibration pads to with the mount to help dampen any shakes.

A little over a year ago I sold the scope though and bought a 12" F/5.3 OO and I've put that on a custom dobsonian mount. Thats good for 400x or more.

[Phil Creed]

I don't have a Giro, but I don't see why it wouldn't work with the right Newtonian.  I use an Orion (U.S.) 8" f/4.9 OTA on an Unistar Mount attached to a Universal Astronomics Heavy-Duty Wood Surveyor's Tripod.  It works fine.  Comfortable seating height when scanning along the horizons, and I simply stand when looking at something overhead.  Most powers I care to use (<400X) have dampening times of 3 seconds or less on hard ground, and a bit better on grass.

Clear Skies,

Phil

[spaceboy]

I have a 200P on GIRO III / CG5 tripod with extension and I found it better for nudging than my 250PX dob ever was even with all the mods I did to attempt to smooth out the rocker box.