FLO Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 More Dobs! 🙂 Ursa Major Dobsonian telescopes are from the same stable (Guan Sheng Optical 'GSO' in Taiwan) as our StellaLyra Dobsonians, but are more affordable. To achieve their low prices, these Ursa Major models have a more traditional Dobsonian base (Teflon pads & spring tensioner), a single-speed focuser and straight finder. UPDATE: From 21st April 2023, both models have been upgraded to include a robust azimuth roller-bearing assembly 🙂 Key features (compared to other similarly priced models) are: Same GSO parabolic mirror sets as equivalent aperture StellaLyra models. Roller bearings for Azimuth movement CNC-machined Crayford focusers (not cast metal). Supplied with fully multicoated 9mm and 25mm GSO Plössl eyepieces. Ursa Major 6" f/8 Planetary Dobsonian Ursa Major 8" f/6 Dobsonian 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLO Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 I am feeling nostalgic because my first 'serious' astronomy telescope, around two decades ago, before FLO, was a GSO (sold as Revelation) Dobsonian purchased from Telescope House. The models shown here have better mirrors and focusers but are essentially the same. If I had known then how my wonderful new hobby would progress ... 😀 Steve 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLO Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 I remember my wife took one look at it and said "You're not keeping that indoors!" 😆 My wife, incidentally, chose the 'Ursa Major' brand name for these affordable Dobsonians. Steve 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajen2 Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 (edited) Interesting! So that's what happened to the StellaLyra 6"! Good idea to have a lower-spec range to appeal to the financially disadvantaged and beginners. Good to know that the optics are the same as the SL range too. I wonder what I'd have chosen if they'd been available when I bought my SL 8"..... Edited March 21, 2022 by cajen2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLO Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 On 21/03/2022 at 16:41, cajen2 said: Interesting! So that's what happened to the StellaLyra 6"! Yes. The StellaLyra 6 was the same as the Ursa Major 6 shown here but had different specs' to other StellaLyra models. So when it came to reordering, we decided to make it a separate stand-alone product. And then we added the 8". I own a 10" f/5 StellaLyra Dobsonian (the largest I can comfortably move around the garden). Still, the Ursa Major 6" f/8 has a longer focal-ratio with a smaller secondary mirror (central obstruction only 22%), so higher contrast. Not significantly higher, but noticeable if looking critically. The longer focal-ratio also has a narrow light cone, so it works very well with affordable eyepieces. Indeed if you were to position one at a star party alongside someone with an expensive 4-5" apo triplet, then compare views, you would not be popular! The performance provided by a good 6" f/8 Dobsonian (i.e. Ursa Major, Sky-Watcher, Bresser) is much higher than most people realise. Having said that, the 8" f/6 model will outsell the 6". It is arguably the best all-rounder and its larger aperture gathers nearly 1.8x more light. Steve 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLO Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 You can probably tell I am a visual astronomer (almost all my colleagues at FLO are imagers) so when it comes to Dobsonians and eyepieces I have a tendency to wax lyrical 😊 Steve 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15Rules Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 4 hours ago, FLO said: I remember my wife took one look at it and said "You're not keeping that indoors!" 😆 My wife, incidentally, chose the 'Ursa Major' brand name for these affordable Dobsonians. Steve So, Great Bear, sorry, Steve, has your wife unwittingly revealed her pet nickname for you??😁😂 Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLO Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 On 21/03/2022 at 18:43, F15Rules said: So, Great Bear, sorry, Steve, has your wife unwittingly revealed her pet nickname for you??😁😂 I am vertically challenged, so 'Ursa Minor' is more apt 😊 Steve 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajen2 Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 (edited) Have you tried the SL 2" 30mm 80° EP on your 10", Steve? I'd imagine that would be a match made in heaven! Edited March 21, 2022 by cajen2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 £369 for an 8" Now no-one has an excuse for not starting with a decent size quality scope. I see you have 44 in stock - I'd expect that to dwindle rapidly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymouser Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 Always good to expand a range. However, I have a couple of questions: 1) Why does no one seem to do a 6" F8 with a dual speed focuser as standard? I would be interested if it was a dual speed focuser. 2) Why does no one seem to do a 8" F8 any more? ( An itch from the past needs to scratched here I think... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajen2 Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 3 minutes ago, Greymouser said: Always good to expand a range. However, I have a couple of questions: 1) Why does no one seem to do a 6" F8 with a dual speed focuser as standard? I would be interested if it was a dual speed focuser. 2) Why does no one seem to do a 8" F8 any more? ( An itch from the past needs to scratched here I think... ) 1) Good question! 2) Manageability, I suppose. My 8" F6 is quite long enough! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johninderby Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 Shouldn’t the 6” have been called the Ursa Minor? 😁😁😁 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 On this side of the pond those scopes have a very good reputation and that price is excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajen2 Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 Skywatcher 200p: £369. Ursa Major 8": £369..... coincidence? 🤔😄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OK Apricot Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 I suppose the Ursa Major represents better value for money with a cooling fan thrown in. To be honest I can't say I've had any issues really without a fan, nothing noticeable to my eye anyway. Still lovely looking dob in that rusty brassy colour - reminds me of the Skywatcher colours from around 12 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_Sussex Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 Just ordered the 6", so be interesting to see what it's like as a first telescope! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLO Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 On 21/03/2022 at 14:13, FLO said: To achieve their low prices, these Ursa Major models have a more traditional Dobsonian base (Teflon pads & spring tensioner), a single-speed focuser and straight finder. From 21st April 2023, both models have been upgraded to include a robust azimuth roller-bearing assembly 🙂 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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