Posted on 01/12/2002 11:54:26 AM PST by AngrySpud
I have The Fever, aperature fever, that is. After ten years using a 4" refractor, I want a deep-sky scope. Problem is, I don't have a deep pocket. The Solution seems to be getting a Dobsonian-type telescope. I've found four suppliers of medium-aperature Dobs: Obsession, BlackKnight, StarMaster, and StarSplitter. Does anyone have first-hand experience with these companies? I'm leaning towards Obsession. Are there other manufacturers out there I should consider?
I work half a day Sat to earn the big bucks my kids pay me to stay out of their hair.
I'm outta here to watch the Raiders game.
Neighbor, that's fine advice- I don't have time to even type coherently ( family bedtime ) but I was an amatuer astronomer years ago, and some of my best & happiest memories involved various binoculars ( 10 x 70, etc. ) and a very heavy revolving, reclining office chair in the back yard....
The telescope itself is probably just fine. If you intend to attach camera bodies and other devices to it, get something with a more massive mount.
I only read the first few screens of replies. They are all right on. 15" is way too big. Besides, any object will be a passing blur in a Dobsonian that big. Useless unless you are a loner. My opinion is that ideal is a 5-6" schmidt cassegrain with a tracking motor (motors, if a-a mount). No bigger than an 8" unless you are a fanatic. The capabilities of a scope that size will keep any amateur busy forever, including photography.
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