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Build or Buy?
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mvsopen
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:34 am Post subject: Build or Buy? |
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I spent some time last night working up a spreadsheet of prices and suppliers for a top-end, standard and economy models for a 12.5" build-it yourself Dob.
The numbers were rather surprising: (All prices are approximate, and I guessed at the cost of the wood, screws, bolts, etc)
Top End - $3800 (OMI Optics, Obsession parts, dual-rate focuser)
Standard - $2600 (Nova Optics, standard focuser, Obsession bearings)
Economy - $1600 (E-Bay Optics, home-made bearings and cell, no cooler, etc)
I
was rather shocked to discover that a top of the line home made 'scope actually costs more than a factory built Obsession, and these prices do not factor in the many weekends of time involved, the trips tp the hardware store, the colorful language used in the workshop, etc. ;
In the US, Meade is selling a 12.5" Lightbridge truss tube Dob for $990, including shipping, and a 16" model for $1999. Granted, Meade has cut some corners in terms of fit annd finish quality in order to reduce the overall price, but they don't seem to have any serious optical problems, and the minor issues (Like the bearing surfaces) can be easily re-worked.
So now, the critical question: Is it worthwhile to pay *more* for the 'experience' of building this thing myself myself?
-Rich |
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netrules
Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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Did you get any feedback on building your own versus buying one?
I'm primarily interested in photography and am looking to move into astro photography. I'm interested in whether to build or buy is the way forward. I don't have the luxury of a workshop currently which does limit my options a bit, and to add to that have a limited budget, The prices you mention suggest i'd been looking at £830 for an economy model if I were to build, or otherwise purchase for around £510.
I'm in the UK. OVL (Optical Vision) have a Skyliner range, details of the 250 module i've managed to find at http://www.obm.co.uk/products/db/668.htm They range from £180 ($350 - 6" model) to £399 ($770 - 10" model). What caught my attention was the Direct SLR Camera connection they appear to have as standard.
As this would be my first venture into this area i'm unsure at this time as to what size telescope to really go for. I did look in the AstroPhotography section of this website but couldn't see any posting there to give some example of what I should expact.
Has anyone got any recommendations? I'm getting the impression a 10" dobsonian is the smallest size I should be looking for, though for my first telescope the 8" was a bit more affordable at £280. Does anyone have any experience with the Skyliner models. And is there any gotcha I should be aware of with regards attaching an SLA camera to a dobsonian telescope?
Thanks in advance. |
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mvsopen
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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I spent most of the Christmas holiday creating a spreadsheet, pricing out "Low", "medium" and "deluxe" build-it myself dobs vs. purchasing something off the shelf. I hate to say it, but with the recent increases in the price of optics, plus considering a) I have no real shop and b) I've never done anything like this before, in every case I could find it is either more expensive to build a decent quality dob, or the price is almost identical. Thus I'll be comparing a Meade Lightbridge (cost) to an Obsession (Performance). There is a fairly large amateur telescope maker conference coming up here in California in a few months, so I'm going to wait until that time and see what the vendors have to offer.
Re: Astrophotography - Are you really sure you want a Dob to do this with? While it can be done, adding a digital drive raises the cost/complexity so much, you may be better off purchasing a computer-controlled reflector. Some of the better APO's (Like the TV-101 or 102) are easily modified for this, but the price is in the thousands of dollars. Even the less expensive Meade reflectors have an optional CCD camera, and produce some amazing photos, like:
http://www.meade.com/dsi_ii/marksibole/astrophotographer_award.html |
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