Second Scope Advice

[Ricochet]

I would avoid drilling holes if you can avoid it. If you register the scope you get a 10 year warranty but drilling holes will void that in the event that you have an issue. 

[Stardaze]

19 hours ago, johninderby said:

The stock finder isn’t bad actually and quite usable except it is straight though and a right angle one is just much easier to use. Never bothered with a dew shield, just didn’t need one. Some fit a dew shield if they have bright lights and need a bit extra shielding to stop light shining into the tube. 

The Bresser finder shoe is the same as a Meade one which is why I replaced mine with a standard Synta type whicth most brands of scope use.

One last question John, what Barlow lens do you marry up your EPs with? Can’t see that there’s a nirvana version? Does it matter much mixing and matching brands in your experience there?

My two turned up this morning so I could go with the BST version. But, I will need something wider too. How is the bundled 25 that Bresser supply with the dob?

[johninderby]

I tend not to use a barlow but do like this one which is actually a telextender rather than a plain barlow.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlow-eyepieces/explore-scientific-2x-3x-5x-barlow-focal-extender-125.html

But this one is cheap but is actually surprisngly good and will do for now. Would wait to see if you actuaaly use the barlow enough before buying something more expensive.

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-2x-de-luxe-achromatic-barlow-lens.html

The 26mm eyepiece that comes with the scope us actually not bad and is quite usable. Much better than the eyepieces that usualy come with a scope.

The longer focal length BSTs aren’t as good as the shorter focal length ones. I would probably go for a 30mm to 35mm 2” as a widefield eyepiece.I like these but as you can see the price goes up so wouldn’t be in a hurty to buy one.

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-aero-ed-eyepieces.html

 

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by johninderby

[Stardaze]

17 minutes ago, johninderby said:

I tend not to use a barlow but do like this one which is actually a telextender rather than a plain barlow.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlow-eyepieces/explore-scientific-2x-3x-5x-barlow-focal-extender-125.html

But this one is cheap but is actually surprisngly good and will do for now. Would wait to see if you actuaaly use the barlow enough before buying something more expensive.

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-2x-de-luxe-achromatic-barlow-lens.html

The 26mm eyepiece that comes with the scope us actually not bad and is quite usable. Much better than the eyepieces that usualy come with a scope.

The longer focal length BSTs aren’t as good as the shorter focal length ones. I would probably go for a 30mm to 35mm 2” as a widefield eyepiece.I like these but as you can see the price goes up so wouldn’t be in a hurty to buy one.

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-aero-ed-eyepieces.html

 

 

Maybe I’ll see what the bundled eyepiece is like to begin with as I’ll need to buy the other bits with the scope for now. Was looking at the Baader Hyperion 24 as they’re around £99 as a wider option.

Ive had a cheap Celestron Barlow on order for over a week because I need it for the M42 thread to provide the extra distance needed to focus with my 130 and camera. Only a cheap option at £22 and intended just to see whether that works. I won’t rush into the Barlow. I’ll order the scope, use it, and decide what I need from there. I’ll have enough new things to keep me occupied for a while.

 

 

[johninderby]

Yes it's best to get used to the scope before buying a lot of extras.

Widefield eyepieces can get very expensive. The Aero is lighter than the Hyperion  so would be my choice although performance will be similar.

Perhaps wait a bit and consider a Nirvana 28mm or Explore Scientific 82 degree eyepiece.

https://www.365astronomy.com/SkyWatcher-Nirvana-UWA-82-deg-28mm-2-inch-Eyepiece.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/explore-scientific-eyepieces/explore-scientific-82-degree-series-eyepieces.html

 

[Stardaze]

48 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Yes it's best to get used to the scope before buying a lot of extras.

Widefield eyepieces can get very expensive. The Aero is lighter than the Hyperion  so would be my choice although performance will be similar.

Perhaps wait a bit and consider a Nirvana 28mm or Explore Scientific 82 degree eyepiece.

https://www.365astronomy.com/SkyWatcher-Nirvana-UWA-82-deg-28mm-2-inch-Eyepiece.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/explore-scientific-eyepieces/explore-scientific-82-degree-series-eyepieces.html

 

I think you’re right. I’m happy that it’s quite a lot of scope for the money so I’ll get on order tomorrow. They seem out of stock atm so 7-10 days direct. I can live with that.

[johninderby]

Harrison Telescopes is showing the Bresser dobs in stock. That’s where I bought mine from.

[Stardaze]

3 hours ago, johninderby said:

Harrison Telescopes is showing the Bresser dobs in stock. That’s where I bought mine from.

I'll get in touch tomorrow thanks. Just looking at the explore scientific EP's. The 24 is 870g and the 30 is a whopping 1410g! Wow! Look quality though..

[johninderby]

You can spend more on some eyepieces than the scope. 🙀🙀🙀

[Stardaze]

On 15/04/2020 at 20:37, johninderby said:

You can spend more on some eyepieces than the scope. 🙀🙀🙀

I did say last question, but... have you just stick the Rigel finder mounted to a plate?

[johninderby]

The rigel finder comes with a mounting plate that can be stuck down with the provided foam tape but I find it often falls off. You can stick the mounting plate down with silicone sealer for a more secure mounting. There is a screw hole in the plate so it can also be bolted down.

Edited April 16, 2020 by johninderby

[Louis D]

16 minutes ago, johninderby said:

The rigel finder comes with a mounting plate that can be stuck down with the provided foam tape but I find it often falls off. You can stick the mounting plate down with silicone sealer for a more secure mounting. There is a screw hole in the plate so it can also be bolted down.

My QF mounting plate has been stuck down to my Dob's tube for well over a decade now and shows no signs of coming off, so I guess it just depends.

As far as adapting the ES finder shoe to a Synta/Vixen mount, there is this option and this one.

There are also adapters from ES to QF and Synta/Vixen to QF.  You don't need to drill new holes if you have the money to buy adapters.

[johninderby]

I don’t think the foam tape is as good as it used to be.Seemed to be a lot stickier years ago. The new ones all seem to fall off..

Can’t buy those adapters over here. No one sells them and cost of shipping from US dealers can be  pretty high nowadays. For example the Synta to ES finder adpter is $42.00 to the UK plus duties and taxes.

Thingerse has a file to 3D print a QF to Synta adapter.

Edited April 16, 2020 by johninderby

[Stardaze]

9 hours ago, johninderby said:

The rigel finder comes with a mounting plate that can be stuck down with the provided foam tape but I find it often falls off. You can stick the mounting plate down with silicone sealer for a more secure mounting. There is a screw hole in the plate so it can also be bolted down.

So you've just stuck it down how it comes and it falls off occasionally? Assume it's just 3M tape?

[johninderby]

Have read reports  of others having the problem of weak tape. No big deal though as some silicone sealer will glue it on properly if it does fall off.

Edited April 17, 2020 by johninderby

[paulastro]

John, I appreciate your contributions to this thread as in the not too distant future I'm thinking of buying an 8 inch Dob to go along with my 80ED and 120ED - I was already heavily leaning toward the Bressier before coming across this thread.  

Like yourself I have owned and used many SW Dobs over the years and have always found them to be very good.  I wondered how you think the Messier 8 optics compare with those of the SW.  If they are at least as good, it seems a no-brainer to me.

Thanks.

[johninderby]

I’ve found the Bresser mirrors to be pretty well the same as the SW although they seem to perform a little bit better as they come with a proper mirror cell. A six point cell in the case of the 8 inch so the mirror is better supported and also has a proper anti-reelection coating on the inside of the tube and not just a thin cost of paint like the SW so a bit more contrast.

I have owned a few SW dobs and really liked them but now there is more choice.. 

Edited April 19, 2020 by johninderby

[John]

8 minutes ago, johninderby said:

I’ve found the Bresser mirrors to be pretty well the same as the SW although they seem to perform a little bit better as they come with a proper mirror cell. A six point cell in the case of the 8 inch so the mirror is better supported and also has a proper anti-reelection coating on the inside of the tube and not just a thin cost of paint like the SW so a bit more contrast.

I have owned a few SW dobs and really liked them but now there is more choice.. 

Do we know what company produces these scopes for Bresser John ?

Skywatcher are obviously made by Synta and Meade used GSO for their Lightbridge dobs. GSO also produced the Revelation and TS dobsonians as well.

I was just wondering about these Bresser dobs ?

 

[johninderby]

I’m not sure who actually makes the mirrors but the same dob is sold under the Explore Scientific brand in the US. But they are at least as good as the Synta or GSO mirrors. Have heard rumours that they are made by GSO but nothing definate.

Edited April 19, 2020 by johninderby

[JeremyS]

BTW, not sure if it's relevant, but there is a review of the ES FirstLight 8-inch Dob in the June S&T. Says:

"What we liked

Good optics

Quick setup

Compact for storage

What we don't like

No optical finderscope (they mean it's just an RDF)

Slightly oversized spider hub

Errors in assembly instructions"

[johninderby]

Not sure what the ES instructions are like but the Bresser ones are clear and really well laid out and give the impression they were written in Germany. The Bresser base can also be taken apart or put back together in about a minute for storage, transport etc.

https://www.bresser.de/out/media/8eefbc30a8da94fe340162b0a31c606f.pdf

Why allmost all dobs come with poor finders is another matter. 🤬

Edited April 19, 2020 by johninderby

[Stardaze]

On 19/04/2020 at 12:08, johninderby said:

Not sure what the ES instructions are like but the Bresser ones are clear and really well laid out and give the impression they were written in Germany. The Bresser base can also be taken apart or put back together in about a minute for storage, transport etc.

https://www.bresser.de/out/media/8eefbc30a8da94fe340162b0a31c606f.pdf

Why allmost all dobs come with poor finders is another matter. 🤬

Had to sell something to balance the books so ordering the Bresser today. Just comparing the Rigel and the Telrad, is there a benefit with the Telrad John? Would it not slide into the shoe the opposite side of the finder scope? 

[johninderby]

I find the Telrad a liitle bit easier to use than the Rigel but it is a lot bigger but not that heavy. It’s mostly an empty box. 🙄

The Terad has it’s own baseplate that is stuck onto the tube with two sided foam Doesn't fit into a finder shoe so can be fitted anywhere you like. Ypu can get risers for the Telrad that raise it up off the baseplate to make it easier to look through. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/search/for/telrad/

Edited April 21, 2020 by johninderby

[Stardaze]

1 hour ago, johninderby said:

I find the Telrad a liitle bit easier to use than the Rigel but it is a lot bigger but not that heavy. It’s mostly an empty box. 🙄

The Terad has it’s own baseplate that is stuck onto the tube with two sided foam Doesn't fit into a finder shoe so can be fitted anywhere you like. Ypu can get risers for the Telrad that raise it up off the baseplate to make it easier to look through. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/search/for/telrad/

So no real benefit over the Rigel then if it needs to be stuck on too. Just thought that if it used the other mount it might be a little more sturdy.

Having fun now with deliveries. Harrisons are saying 10 days, although say it's in stock? Not being that great with communication, which makes me nervous at this time. RVO were upfront and said it will be around 7-10 days but shipped directly. Might hold on, sat hovering over the button..

[johninderby]

Try asking Telescope house as they ship directly from Germany. Might be faster. 

The Telrad sticks on quite well but have found the Rigel tends to fall off. quite often using the provided foam tape. However a bit of silicone sealer will hold it securely. 

Edited April 21, 2020 by johninderby