Orion Optics 8" f8 Dob

[NGC 1502]

39 minutes ago, Stu said:

Would love to try the circular secondary support too! Can't get them now though.

 

How about a DIY version Stu ?

[Stu]

11 minutes ago, NGC 1502 said:

 

How about a DIY version Stu ?

Yes Ed, might give it some thought. Can always put it back to original spec if it doesn't work out.

[Alan White]

I should think from the picture that the OOUK ones are just cut from an alloy tube.
 

[johninderby]

Couple of usefull illustrations.

[John]

21 minutes ago, Alan White said:

I should think from the picture that the OOUK ones are just cut from an alloy tube.
 

No, they are made of steel. No flex in them at all.

[jetstream]

Mr Greer makes these available, not factory original but might work

 

 

https://www.fpi-protostar.com/crvmnts.htm

[Stu]

3 minutes ago, jetstream said:

Mr Greer makes these available, not factory original but might work

 

 

https://www.fpi-protostar.com/crvmnts.htm

Thanks Gerry. I have investigated these before and I think they do minimize diffraction by keeping the length of vane as short as possible. With have a check.

[Stu]

Seeing was a bit ropey last night, so my views of Jupiter and Saturn weren't great. Not so much detail in Saturn's rings, hints of the Cassini division but I did get 5 moons, Titan, Iapetus, Dione, Tethys and Rhea. I'm sure I would get more under better conditions.

I spent most time on the Moon, but did catch the Double Double, Izar and even Pi Aquilae at 1.4", all splitting nicely despite the conditions. It's interesting to note the difference the size and type of scope makes to the view. The 63mm Telementor for instance does split Izar, but the secondary appears as a grey blue bulge embedded in a very definite 1st diffraction ring. In the 8", it is a much clearer view, no diffraction ring and just faint spikes off the primary (maybe none at all actually, can't remember) and the secondary a discreet star of different colour.

I'm very pleased with the EQ platform, I bought it used but it was effectively brand new with the packing all in place. Even at x200 it was keeping objects centred very well.

[Space Hopper]

27 minutes ago, Stu said:

I'm very pleased with the EQ platform, I bought it used but it was effectively brand new with the packing all in place. Even at x200 it was keeping objects centred very well.

 

That platform looks great.......i wish they still made them.

[Space Hopper]

But then i spotted this.......😎

 

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p2700_Geoptik-Dobsonian-platform---motor-tracking-for-telescopes-up-to.html

[John]

2 hours ago, Tubby Bear said:

But then i spotted this.......😎

 

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p2700_Geoptik-Dobsonian-platform---motor-tracking-for-telescopes-up-to.html

They also have the less expensive alternative:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p10150_TS-Optics-EQ-Dobson-Teleskop-Nachfuehrung----Plattform-fuer-55--N-S.html

 

[Stu]

Sumerian also make a nice looking one. As said, its possible that David Lukehurst has picked up the designs for the Watch House.

[markse68]

Hi Stu, that looks really great- are those dob mounts aluminium plate then? I’ve been working in Munich all week- on my way back home now and it looks like it might be clear in London so if not too late and not too knackered I might get proper first light on my new old slow 8.5”- exciting! 😃

[GazOC]

3 hours ago, John said:

They also have the less expensive alternative:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p10150_TS-Optics-EQ-Dobson-Teleskop-Nachfuehrung----Plattform-fuer-55--N-S.html

 

Never seen that before, John. That's a bit of a bargain

[Stu]

12 minutes ago, markse68 said:

Hi Stu, that looks really great- are those dob mounts aluminium plate then? I’ve been working in Munich all week- on my way back home now and it looks like it might be clear in London so if not too late and not too knackered I might get proper first light on my new old slow 8.5”- exciting! 😃

Yes, that's right Mark. They are nice and sturdy but still quite lightweight.

I've set up again to have a better go at Jupiter, there is a GRS transit tonight, centre stage at 10.40pm when Jupiter at 16 degrees, as good as it gets at the moment.

I've may a few improvements, added some spare rings at the bottom to help the balance, much better and smoother now I don't need the brake on as hard. I've also loosened the az axis as it was very stiff, again much better movement.

Finally, I found finding things quite hard last night so have added an RDF using a bracket that allows you to fit up to three items with standard synta shoes at once. All is aligned so that should really help. That should allow me to get the object into the RACI more easily and then centre it from there.

[Greymouser]

31 minutes ago, Stu said:

there is a GRS transit tonight, centre stage at 10.40pm when Jupiter at 16 degrees, as good as it gets at the moment.

Thank you for that. I remember that you posted a little chart with such information for June, would it be very cheeky to ask you to do it for each month? They would be hard to miss then, even put it as a sticky maybe for us forgetful ( lazy? ) people. Speaking of the GRS, I tried to explain why/what I was trying to view, when looking for this in June to my 17 year old son. He had no interest, didn't even know what I was talking about. I have tried, but it is all a bit: 

I am a little bit ashamed, but will keep on trying to pry him away from Fortnite...

Edit: By the way, if I wasn't enjoying your posts so much, I would demand you; John and others would stop with your astro porn. I have just had a look at the Orion optics website and I may have drooled a little bit...

Edited July 12, 2019 by Greymouser

[Stu]

28 minutes ago, Greymouser said:

Thank you for that. I remember that you posted a little chart with such information for June, would it be very cheeky to ask you to do it for each month?

Let me see what I can do. I often just run out of time but I will have a go!

If you subscribe to the Celestial Events Heads up forum then you can get alerts whenever someone posts up about something like a transit.

Oh, and sorry for the X rated scope pics 🤣🤣

[Stu]

One more thing...  

....It does focus with binoviewers which is excellent news!

[barkis]

@Stu  You have a real Gem there, don't ever part with it.
@Mark at Beaufort  Why on earth did you part with your 6"f8 ?😲
Ron.

[Stu]

T

On 12/07/2019 at 21:28, barkis said:

@Stu  You have a real Gem there, don't ever part with it.
@Mark at Beaufort  Why on earth did you part with your 6"f8 ?😲
Ron.

Thanks Ron. I do intend to keep it, nice to have a simple dob around that can be up and running very quickly. I don't need the EQ platform at low to mid powers but it definitely will be standard use at high power.

[John]

It will be interesting to see how the 8 inch F/8 compares with the Tak 210 Mewlon in performance. Might be a close run thing ?

[Stu]

21 minutes ago, John said:

It will be interesting to see how the 8 inch F/8 compares with the Tak 210 Mewlon in performance. Might be a close run thing ?

Yes, I suspect it might be John. The f8 does have a much smaller central obstruction so perhaps just has the edge but is much less convenient to use. Hopefully will get a chance to compare them soon.

[markse68]

On 11/07/2019 at 10:49, CraigT82 said:

That 8" F8 will blow your socks of on most targets to be honest!  

You may benefit from the cheap SW motor focuser.  With my 8.75" F7.5 the long tube makes tube vibrations pretty bad when focusing and the cheap motor makes things much easier and is easily adapted to most tubes/focusers.

Been considering adding a motor focuser to mine as indeed it’s very sensitive to focusing induced vibration though  I’m not sure I want the complication 🤔