BIG Dobsonians?

[FLO]

Are their any manufacturers/importers of large aperture (greater than 14") Dobsonians in the UK?

[tom.yates]

David Lukehurst, makes what ever you require Steve think he uses Oldham optics mirrors, Also Orion optics are making mirrors up to 24 "

[FLO]

Just found his website:

http://www.dobsonians.co.uk/

[GazOC]

Beacon Hill as well. Are you looking Steve?

[FLO]

Always looking Gaz

I was observing with Greg the other night and dug my 10" Dob out of the garage (I have been sidetracked with smaller, more portable scopes recently). Had a fantastic session observing the usual targets for the time of year: Ring and Dumbbell nebulas, Alberio, M56 and M13 globulars and M51 galaxy.

I had forgotten how good a large aperture Dob is on objects like these and got to thinking....

[Ambermile]

... give me a couple of months 8) :)

Arthur

[FLO]

... give me a couple of months 8) :)

Lucky ..... person!

Really looking forward to your first-light report 8)

[GazOC]

What do you call a "big Dob"? How big are you looking Steve?

I know what you mean about the 10" Newt. When I've used my other scopes for a while, I'm always gobsmacked when I go back to the Newt. I used to have a 12" Dob, that did seem like a massive step up from anything else I had (inc the 10")

[FLO]

I am starting to hanker after a 12 or 14 inch model...

I guess I've got a 'dose of the wants'

[FLO]

I used to have a 12" Dob, that did seem like a massive step up from anything else I had (inc the 10")

Why did you change?

[GazOC]

I bought it cheap as a project (ie never got around to it), it was pretty decrepid when I got it (the tube, notthe optics) so I got a couple of years use out of it and stripped it down witn the intention of sorting it out at a later date. I've still got the mirrors and a tube at a guys garage in Oswestry...long story...

If I got a decent sized Dob again, the first thing I'd do woould be to buy a shed to keep it in and an easy way to move the scope to where I wanted to observe (a barrow or tracks). Those were the two biggest things that stopped me using the scope more than I did.

[FLO]

I've still got the mirrors and a tube at a guys garage in Oswestry...long story...

Sounds like the beginnings of an interesting project

The Norman Lockyer Observatory (Sidmouth) are currently installing a 20" Dobsonian - looking forward to trying it out 8)

[russ]

Steve, someone is selling a Darkstar 14" f4.4 dobsonian on UK Astro Buy'n'sell. Only went on today and they want £300, which sounds pretty good.

Russ

[iancandler]

Theres a 19" mirror on e bay uk.. around the £250 mark I think..

[GazOC]

Theres a 19" mirror on e bay uk.. around the £250 mark I think..

It's only a blank and I'm lazy....