Anyone owns a 12" or larger DOB?

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weixing
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Post by weixing »

Hi,
Is that a 14.5" portaball??? You lucky man!
12.5" portaball la... look at his signature... :)

Have a nice day.
Yang Weixing
:mrgreen: "The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." :mrgreen:
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acc
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Favourite scope: Mag1 Instruments 12.5" Portaball

Post by acc »

Yup 12.5". Will organize an observing session once I find more time and clear skies. Also need a ride to Mersing heheh :)
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
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Tachyon
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Post by Tachyon »

Why 12.5"? Are there any known problems with the 14.5"?

Oh good, we can compare it with the Lightbridge 12"!
[80% Steve, 20% Alfred] ------- Probability of Clear Skies = (Age of newest equipment in days) / [(Number of observers) * (Total Aperture of all telescopes present in mm)]
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jermng
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Post by jermng »

Who has a Lightbridge 12? Tachyon? :)
Jeremy Ng
C8, CR-150HD, TMB 80 f/6
Orion SVP Intelliscope, AstroSlew I
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acc
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Favourite scope: Mag1 Instruments 12.5" Portaball

Post by acc »

Tachyon wrote:Why 12.5"? Are there any known problems with the 14.5"?

The 14.5 involves extra cash and weight, plus the upper-tube assembly does not nest within the sphere like the 12.5 does, making it less convenient to transport. Furthermore, advice from various people including Peter from Mag1 is that there is very marginal visual difference between 12.5 and 14.5.
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
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Tachyon
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Post by Tachyon »

acc wrote:[there is very marginal visual difference between 12.5 and 14.5.
Not that I do not believe them, but shouldn't an increase in 35% of light gathering area mean something?

I'm looking at observing *all* the Abell Planetary Nebulae but that means having a minimum 17.5", preferably 20"! I have to buy a trailer+container to carry the scope.

Cheers!
[80% Steve, 20% Alfred] ------- Probability of Clear Skies = (Age of newest equipment in days) / [(Number of observers) * (Total Aperture of all telescopes present in mm)]
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weixing
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Location: (Tampines) Earth of Solar System in Orion Arm of Milky Way Galaxy in Local Group Galaxies Cluster

Post by weixing »

Hi,
Not that I do not believe them, but shouldn't an increase in 35% of light gathering area mean something?
I agree with acc, I don't think 35% more light gathering will going to show a obvious difference in the view.

IMHO, small scope will show the improvement in view obviously even the increament in aperture is small, but for larger scope, you need a much greater difference in aperture to show the improvement in the view.

Have a nice day.
Yang Weixing
:mrgreen: "The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." :mrgreen:
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ariefm71
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Post by ariefm71 »

so if i were to upgrade from a 10", will it be better to go for a 14.5" or 16"? the cost difference between the two is relatively small.
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jermng
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Post by jermng »

Although I have not seen a 14 or 16, I would say go for the 16". If you went for the 14.5, you would be wondering if you made the right choice and whether the views would be better and then start thinking of maybe upgrading it. So, if you're even considering the 16 and the price difference is small, just go for the larger one? :)

But then again, after you get the 16, you'd be thinking of an 18 or 24 ... HAHA
Jeremy Ng
C8, CR-150HD, TMB 80 f/6
Orion SVP Intelliscope, AstroSlew I
Minolta Activa 12x50WA
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ariefm71
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Post by ariefm71 »

This guy thinks the 14" is the sweet spot, considering quality of view and portability: http://www.tscopes.com/T14/AboutT14.html
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