The great debate of the Dobsonian

[nexius]

So I've been saying I was going to get a telescope now for a year, and I've finally just said, what the heck I'm just gunna buy a dob, their cheap, great views, and what not. I got to the telescope store and they were trying to sell me meade dobs and said orions weren't as good. I thought they were made both by Synta? Orions are cheaper then the Meade dobs, but It looks like the mead dobs are just more fancy looking with a cooling fan, so their more expensive. Is it worth the extra money? What do you guys/girls think?

 

[docm]

Consider buying a good set of mirrors and building your own. I know a lot of guys who saved money that way and ended up with excellent scopes.<br /><br />http://sfsidewalkastronomers.org/telescopes/building/<br /><br />http://members.verizon.net/~whd/dob16new.htm <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

Synta does not make Meade, Synta owns Celestron and makes some of their scopes. Synta makes Orions scopes. The SCTs are make in the US, (I'm pretty sure) Synta makes the Nexstar computer handbox that they put on them. (that's how they became involved with Celestron)<br /><br />On the small mass produced dobs (12" and less) there isn't much difference between brands, pick the one you like best. There isn't many choices on focusers, mirrors, etc.<br /><br />When you start talking about who makes the mirror in the bigger dobs that when your choices become important. weather to get a Zambuto, Spooner, or a Galaxy mirror, etc and how much you are willing to spend. The big dobs is where the money gets spent, Obsession, StarMaster, StarSplitter then you are talking dobs. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

Here's the news flash<br /><br />CELESTRON PURCHASED BY SW TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, A DELAWARE COMPANY, AFFILIATE OF SYNTA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION<br /><br />Leading telescope manufacturer purchased by long term overseas optics manufacturer<br /><br />TORRANCE, CA -- April 6, 2005 --<br />Celestron, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes, today announced that SW Technology Corporation, a Delaware company, an affiliate of Synta Technology Corporation ("Synta") acquired all of the outstanding members ownership interests of the company. Synta is a well-known optics manufacturer that has participated in the development of some of Celestron's most popular products, such as the NexStar GT computerized telescope line. Synta has been a Celestron supplier for over 15 years.<br /><br />Celestron will continue to be led by the senior management team of Joseph A. Lupica and Richard L. Hedrick with Chairman Alan Hale and Celestron founder Tom Johnson remaining as consultants. Synta and its related companies will continue to manufacture and supply other telescopes and related products for Celestron. As a result of the acquisition, Celestron will be in a position to meet all current financial obligations and continue to lead the product engineering, development and manufacturing processes from the Torrance, California headquarters. All product warranties will stay in effect and product support will not be interrupted or delayed. The company's first goal is to fill a three month backlog of product orders and work to resume full scale production and product development operations. <br /><br />"I have always had great admiration and respect for Celestron's products and have had a very close and warm relationship with the company and its management team for the past 15 years," said David Shen, Synta founder. "I am committed to maintaining Celestron's reputation of quality and innovation and will support their continued effo <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[nevers]

Of course telescope stores are gonna tell you Meade is better - they can sell Meades but they can't sell Orions and they want a sale. Orion is mail-order only. I have both Orion and Meade Dobs - they all ROCK! At the time I got my 10" Dob, that was the biggest Orion had. Then I wanted bigger - Meade sold the largest one I could afford: 16". Take the largest amount of money you want to spend and buy the largest dob you can find. If you settle for something smaller you are throwing money away as dobs are notorious for causing aperture fever!<br /><br />Just my 3 cents worth...

 

[nexius]

Thanks yea I was thinking about getting a 10 inch Orion Classic Dob for like 500 the 10 inch Lightbridge by Meade is 799 :-

 

[MeteorWayne]

I've been very happy with my 10" Orion when I use it.<br />Being a meteor guy, my eyes are more important than my glass <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[5billionyearslater]

I have an 8" Dob from Celestron and it's ace!

 

[weeman]

I don't see how the Meade brand could be THAT much better. The price is probably just because of extra bells and whistles that you don't really need. Dobs are pretty basic compared to other types of telescopes.<br /><br />I myself am thinking about going for a Dob. I was looking at some 12" dobs at the telescope store that I bought my Celestron from years ago <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Techies: We do it in the dark. </font></strong></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>"Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.</strong><strong>" -Albert Einstein </strong></font></p> </div>