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The SW 12 Dob was a retirement present from my family! I have it all assembled and ready to go outside but as yet haven’t been able to get a session in because of all the rain we’ve had. But I will be using it asap. I’ve wanted this scope for a long time and can’t wait to get outside!! Love this scope big gun light bucket!!
I just bought a 12" Sky-Watcher collapsible Dobsonian telescope from OPT which is really great but I also want to make sure that everyone knows that OPT's Customer Service is outstanding.
I estimate that my new SW Dob with personal up-grades comes in around 160 lbs. New base, GPS and auto everything to keep it short. The primary and secondary mirrors are as close to perfect as any I've seen or used. The OTA has dust covers & light shroud so nothing gets in. With the Dob fully extended, you have a difficult time deciding on what to look at first. I wrote down twelve astronomical objects that I really wanted to see and got out a set of dice. The rest was history, for me any how. What an awesome telescope. If you run out of things to look at, you probably should go back to a pair of binoculars. You can view as much as you like, however you should think about some digital photography of the many beautiful Sky objects. I reasoned that I was getting this telescope for my grandkids to have some quality time with grandpa. Just like the HO trains I've been collecting. Now, if I cannot use my telescope grandpa has his trains to play with. I am now expanding my Sky-Watcher telescope's selection of eyepieces. You can always use 1.25" dia. eyepieces with an adapter for the 2" focuser, but you do lose a little in the process. Find a few eyepieces you are comfortable with and expand from there, if you need to. Getting a good DSLR camera that has an adapter for your Dob will help you take and share some fantastic digital images. I highly recommend the Sky-Watcher series of telescopes, especially 12" and bigger. You will be amazed at what you can see and do.
Nice scope, but awkward to move alone
I've used this 3 times (total use in heavy dew - no dewing on the secondary. Focuser robust, smooth & solid. Knocked off a half point for the 2 adapter - why a 2 adapter for a 2 focuser? Motions in both axis's smooth with little to no vibration. Don't even use the altitude brake. No tools needed to collimate the primary. 2mm allen wrench needed for the secondary. Collimation is close from setup to setup. Less than 5 minutes spent and you're good to go. I would rate the mirror from good to very good with pin point images. I'm highly satisfied with the mirror quality. Contrast is very good without the shroud but I've got one ordered anyhow. I'm nervouse about something falling in on the mirror through the open struts. Heavy plastic, fitted covers for the mirror section & the upper cage. Dislikes: 2 focuser adapter. Likes: this telescope is good to go from the box and is a pleasure to use without mods. Remember though that this is a 12 telescope and is going to be heavy to move. Some of the other, major telescope makers should take a lesson from Skywatcher on how to build a dobsonian telescope right the first time! One more thing, for what this thing is selling for now ($795, it's a steal!