Re: Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
I will point out I am super happy with my UC18 and the beautiful views I’ve had from it. ?I am no “FAN BOY”. ?It’s combination of compactness and light gathering power work very well for me. ?After spending some time with it I figured out how to get the collimation to stay reasonably stable for my viewing purposes. ?I don’t use a servo cat; I’m push to. ?Whether the UC versions are for you depends on your requirements. ??
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On Oct 16, 2021, at 11:09 AM, charles jagow < chuck@...> wrote:
Thank you for scolding me for my honest and qualified opinion/recommendation to steer clear of the UC telescopes. ?I wish I would have been exposed to such a comment before I acquired the UC18, sure would have saved some hard earned money. ?And I could have bought a new classic 18 or 20 and saved myself much grief.Sent from Chuck's?iPhone ? I don't think I have every knocked any product on-line. But my advise and experience is the same. The UC has serious design issues an is a real pian to set up and keep in good condition. Buy an used standard model if it is to be an Obsession. I ending up buying another quality 18" ( no product plugs and he is no longer making them now) and am SUPER happy. My UC18 .... I am strongly contemplating cannibalizing it and making a lightweight of my own. Not knocking Obsessions .... just the UC design.
?
I?WOULD NOT?repeat?WOULD NOT?buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from Astromart. AMEN BROTHER. Except you got him to talk. I got NOTHING from him. The UCs are a RIPOFF.
But if ANYONE wants to come to Southern California, I'd be happy to sell my UC-22 with servocat for 10,500 USD. Not a penny less.? That is 4k less than I paid.? I'd write that off as an expensive lesson.
The classics are a completely different animal. And as I have said, I trade one for one for a 20 with drive. Just have to come here, or within a few 200 miles.
---------------------------------------? Jeff Gortatowsky Religion... together we can find the cure." - Richard Dawkins
On Friday, October 15, 2021, 08:11:11 PM PDT, charles jagow < chuck@...> wrote:
Webster has been out of business for a while.? Take a look at New Moon telescopes in Virginia, Teeter scopes, and Star Structure ?
I?WOULD NOT?repeat?WOULD NOT?buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from Astromart. ?
I spoke with Dave K. at length concerning my UC18, and he was at a total loss and just apologized.? His only reasoning for continuing the UC scope is that they are “easier” to fabricate and take less time and effort, plus they are the “techie” kind of thing.? Since Dave is a Dentist by trade and started the Obsession line as a side, I think he is trying to minimize a bit.? I will never buy another Obsession product unless he starts producing the Classic design again. ?
When I can scrape the $$$ together I will have New Moon telescopes build me an 18” scope with no optics, focuser etc and then migrate the guts of the 18UC to the new hull.? But I am enjoying my new-to-me 20” Classic, had it four months now and have only collimated ONCE when I first put it together.? I roll it out of the garage and about 50’ down my somewhat bumpy driveway three or four times a week to view. ?Even though I must use my ladder to set the 20” up, it takes less time to set up than the 18UC, about fifteen minutes or so. ?
Sorry there is not better news about the UC line of scopes.? But the ultimate in portability (fit in an airline packing crate) comes at a cost of stability.? Sure, there are people who will rave about how much they “love” their UC, but how many people will admit they made a $10K mistake?? I now know four others who bought 18UC and 22 UC scopes and dumped them on Astromart within six months due their inability to maintain collimation. ?
?
There is Webster Telescopes, New Moon and a couple more I cannot remember. I have the 15 UC and love it but it really needs a level surface. ?
I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.? I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August.? He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope.? But??states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design. ? Two questions: ? #1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles set-up, are you happy with it? ? #2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made?? I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability. ? Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance. ? Mark in California (Without a telescope since spring 2020.? It’s killing me.)
|
Re: Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
I had a UC18 and loved the views I got with it. That said, I never used the goto stuff on the 18UC so when I found a great deal on a bare bones classic 20" F5, I bought it and sold the UC.
The UC was much easier to travel with because I had the airline case and I was able to transport in much smaller vehicles because it was so compact.
The Classic is much much more cumbersome to transport because of the size but as mentioned it is much sturdier and supposedly hold colimation much better but I never had colimation problems with my 18UC either.
There are a few things about the UC18 that I actually liked much better: - ease of transport - no need for ladder, except perhaps 1 step when viewing at zenith
A few things I didn't like as much: - setup with goto, cables etc was a major hassle - lifting the mirror box is difficult (I'm a big guy but I can definately see how some people may not be able to lift it and potentially could hurt your back. - the upper cage on the UC is simply not that thick and heavy eyepieces, paracor etc can lead to flexing which may affect your views (although I feel this would have been fairly easy to remedy if I was so inclined)
The things I like more about the 20" classic: - sturdier - easy setup - bigger mirror
Things I don't like about the classic: - always need to bring a ladder - clamping mechanisms for the truss poles are cumbersome (again, something that could be easily remedied)
I think the best telescope would be an 18-20" classic F4 with an alternate design whereby the UTA could be fit INSIDE the mirror box for storage and transport.
Just my 2 cents.
On Sat., Oct. 16, 2021, 12:09 p.m. charles jagow, < chuck@...> wrote: Thank you for scolding me for my honest and qualified opinion/recommendation to steer clear of the UC telescopes.? I wish I would have been exposed to such a comment before I acquired the UC18, sure would have saved some hard earned money.? And I could have bought a new classic 18 or 20 and saved myself much grief. Sent from Chuck's?iPhone ?
I don't think I have every knocked any product on-line. But my advise and experience is the same. The UC has serious design issues an is a real pian to set up and keep in good condition. Buy an used standard model if it is to be an Obsession.
I ending up buying another quality 18" ( no product plugs and he is no longer making them now) and am SUPER happy.
My UC18 .... I am strongly contemplating cannibalizing it and making a lightweight of my own.
Not knocking Obsessions .... just the UC design.
?
I?WOULD NOT?repeat?WOULD NOT?buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice
in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from
Astromart.
AMEN BROTHER. Except you got him to talk. I got NOTHING from him. The UCs are a RIPOFF.
But if ANYONE wants to come to Southern California, I'd be happy to sell my UC-22 with servocat for 10,500 USD. Not a penny less.?
That is 4k less than I paid.? I'd write that off as an expensive lesson.
The classics are a completely different animal. And as I have said, I trade one for one for a 20 with drive. Just have to come here, or within a few 200 miles.
---------------------------------------?
Jeff Gortatowsky
Religion... together we can find the cure." - Richard Dawkins
On Friday, October 15, 2021, 08:11:11 PM PDT, charles jagow < chuck@...> wrote:
Webster has been out of business for a while.? Take a look at New Moon telescopes in Virginia, Teeter scopes, and Star Structure
?
I
WOULD NOT repeat WOULD NOT buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD
COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from Astromart.
?
I spoke with Dave K. at length concerning my UC18, and he was at a total loss and just apologized.? His only reasoning for continuing the UC scope is that they are “easier” to fabricate
and take less time and effort, plus they are the “techie” kind of thing.? Since Dave is a Dentist by trade and started the Obsession line as a side, I think he is trying to minimize a bit.? I will never buy another Obsession product unless he starts producing
the Classic design again.
?
When I can scrape the $$$ together I will have New Moon telescopes build me an 18” scope with no optics, focuser etc and then migrate the guts of the 18UC to the new hull.? But I
am enjoying my new-to-me 20” Classic, had it four months now and have only collimated ONCE when I first put it together.? I roll it out of the garage and about 50’ down my somewhat bumpy driveway three or four times a week to view.? Even though I must use
my ladder to set the 20” up, it takes less time to set up than the 18UC, about fifteen minutes or so.
?
Sorry there is not better news about the UC line of scopes.? But the ultimate in portability (fit in an airline packing crate) comes at a cost of stability.? Sure, there are people
who will rave about how much they “love” their UC, but how many people will admit they made a $10K mistake?? I now know four others who bought 18UC and 22 UC scopes and dumped them on Astromart within six months due their inability to maintain collimation.
?
?
There is Webster Telescopes, New Moon and a couple more I cannot remember.
I have the 15 UC and love it but it really needs a level surface.
?
I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.?
I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August.? He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope.? But
states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design.
?
Two questions:
?
#1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles
set-up, are you happy with it?
?
#2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made??
I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability.
?
Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance.
?
Mark in California
(Without a telescope since spring 2020.? It’s killing me.)
|
Re: Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
Thank you for scolding me for my honest and qualified opinion/recommendation to steer clear of the UC telescopes. ?I wish I would have been exposed to such a comment before I acquired the UC18, sure would have saved some hard earned money. ?And I could have bought a new classic 18 or 20 and saved myself much grief.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Oct 16, 2021, at 09:44, Johnie Scofield <bandjinpnx@...> wrote:
?
I don't think I have every knocked any product on-line. But my advise and experience is the same. The UC has serious design issues an is a real pian to set up and keep in good condition. Buy an used standard model if it is to be an Obsession.
I ending up buying another quality 18" ( no product plugs and he is no longer making them now) and am SUPER happy.
My UC18 .... I am strongly contemplating cannibalizing it and making a lightweight of my own.
Not knocking Obsessions .... just the UC design.
?
I?WOULD NOT?repeat?WOULD NOT?buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice
in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from
Astromart.
AMEN BROTHER. Except you got him to talk. I got NOTHING from him. The UCs are a RIPOFF.
But if ANYONE wants to come to Southern California, I'd be happy to sell my UC-22 with servocat for 10,500 USD. Not a penny less.?
That is 4k less than I paid.? I'd write that off as an expensive lesson.
The classics are a completely different animal. And as I have said, I trade one for one for a 20 with drive. Just have to come here, or within a few 200 miles.
---------------------------------------?
Jeff Gortatowsky
Religion... together we can find the cure." - Richard Dawkins
On Friday, October 15, 2021, 08:11:11 PM PDT, charles jagow <chuck@...> wrote:
Webster has been out of business for a while.? Take a look at New Moon telescopes in Virginia, Teeter scopes, and Star Structure
?
I
WOULD NOT repeat WOULD NOT buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD
COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from Astromart.
?
I spoke with Dave K. at length concerning my UC18, and he was at a total loss and just apologized.? His only reasoning for continuing the UC scope is that they are “easier” to fabricate
and take less time and effort, plus they are the “techie” kind of thing.? Since Dave is a Dentist by trade and started the Obsession line as a side, I think he is trying to minimize a bit.? I will never buy another Obsession product unless he starts producing
the Classic design again.
?
When I can scrape the $$$ together I will have New Moon telescopes build me an 18” scope with no optics, focuser etc and then migrate the guts of the 18UC to the new hull.? But I
am enjoying my new-to-me 20” Classic, had it four months now and have only collimated ONCE when I first put it together.? I roll it out of the garage and about 50’ down my somewhat bumpy driveway three or four times a week to view. ?Even though I must use
my ladder to set the 20” up, it takes less time to set up than the 18UC, about fifteen minutes or so.
?
Sorry there is not better news about the UC line of scopes.? But the ultimate in portability (fit in an airline packing crate) comes at a cost of stability.? Sure, there are people
who will rave about how much they “love” their UC, but how many people will admit they made a $10K mistake?? I now know four others who bought 18UC and 22 UC scopes and dumped them on Astromart within six months due their inability to maintain collimation.
?
?
From:
<[email protected]> on behalf of Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, October 15, 2021 at 2:44 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [ObsessionUsers] Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
There is Webster Telescopes, New Moon and a couple more I cannot remember.
I have the 15 UC and love it but it really needs a level surface.
?
I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.?
I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August.? He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope.? But
states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design.
?
Two questions:
?
#1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles
set-up, are you happy with it?
?
#2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made??
I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability.
?
Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance.
?
Mark in California
(Without a telescope since spring 2020.? It’s killing me.)
|
Re: Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
I don't think I have every knocked any product on-line. But my advise and experience is the same. The UC has serious design issues an is a real pian to set up and keep in good condition. Buy an used standard model if it is to be an Obsession.
I ending up buying another quality 18" ( no product plugs and he is no longer making them now) and am SUPER happy.
My UC18 .... I am strongly contemplating cannibalizing it and making a lightweight of my own.
Not knocking Obsessions .... just the UC design.
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I?WOULD NOT?repeat?WOULD NOT?buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice
in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from
Astromart.
AMEN BROTHER. Except you got him to talk. I got NOTHING from him. The UCs are a RIPOFF.
But if ANYONE wants to come to Southern California, I'd be happy to sell my UC-22 with servocat for 10,500 USD. Not a penny less.?
That is 4k less than I paid.? I'd write that off as an expensive lesson.
The classics are a completely different animal. And as I have said, I trade one for one for a 20 with drive. Just have to come here, or within a few 200 miles.
---------------------------------------?
Jeff Gortatowsky
Religion... together we can find the cure." - Richard Dawkins
On Friday, October 15, 2021, 08:11:11 PM PDT, charles jagow <chuck@...> wrote:
Webster has been out of business for a while.? Take a look at New Moon telescopes in Virginia, Teeter scopes, and Star Structure
?
I
WOULD NOT repeat WOULD NOT buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD
COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from Astromart.
?
I spoke with Dave K. at length concerning my UC18, and he was at a total loss and just apologized.? His only reasoning for continuing the UC scope is that they are “easier” to fabricate
and take less time and effort, plus they are the “techie” kind of thing.? Since Dave is a Dentist by trade and started the Obsession line as a side, I think he is trying to minimize a bit.? I will never buy another Obsession product unless he starts producing
the Classic design again.
?
When I can scrape the $$$ together I will have New Moon telescopes build me an 18” scope with no optics, focuser etc and then migrate the guts of the 18UC to the new hull.? But I
am enjoying my new-to-me 20” Classic, had it four months now and have only collimated ONCE when I first put it together.? I roll it out of the garage and about 50’ down my somewhat bumpy driveway three or four times a week to view. ?Even though I must use
my ladder to set the 20” up, it takes less time to set up than the 18UC, about fifteen minutes or so.
?
Sorry there is not better news about the UC line of scopes.? But the ultimate in portability (fit in an airline packing crate) comes at a cost of stability.? Sure, there are people
who will rave about how much they “love” their UC, but how many people will admit they made a $10K mistake?? I now know four others who bought 18UC and 22 UC scopes and dumped them on Astromart within six months due their inability to maintain collimation.
?
?
From:
<[email protected]> on behalf of Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, October 15, 2021 at 2:44 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [ObsessionUsers] Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
There is Webster Telescopes, New Moon and a couple more I cannot remember.
I have the 15 UC and love it but it really needs a level surface.
?
I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.?
I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August.? He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope.? But
states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design.
?
Two questions:
?
#1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles
set-up, are you happy with it?
?
#2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made??
I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability.
?
Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance.
?
Mark in California
(Without a telescope since spring 2020.? It’s killing me.)
|
Re: Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
? #1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum???If so, any regrets or recommendations???And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles set-up, are you happy with it? ? I'll give you an earful. Most of the peeps here are fan boyz.? Shite build quality, drive that has major issues... And ZERO help from the Dentist. Offline. Like I said the peeps here are mostly fan boyz/girlz. Tho as you have seen, not all.? Find a classic.
---------------------------------------? Jeff Gortatowsky Religion... together we can find the cure." - Richard Dawkins
On Friday, October 15, 2021, 01:44:15 PM PDT, Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...> wrote:
There is Webster Telescopes, New Moon and a couple more I cannot remember.
I have the 15 UC and love it but it really needs a level surface.
Chris
I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.? I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August.? He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope.? But states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design.
?
Two questions:
?
#1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles set-up, are you happy with it?
?
#2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made?? I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability.
?
Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance.
?
Mark in California
(Without a telescope since spring 2020.? It’s killing me.)
|
Re: Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
I?WOULD NOT?repeat?WOULD NOT?buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from Astromart. AMEN BROTHER. Except you got him to talk. I got NOTHING from him. The UCs are a RIPOFF.
But if ANYONE wants to come to Southern California, I'd be happy to sell my UC-22 with servocat for 10,500 USD. Not a penny less.? That is 4k less than I paid.? I'd write that off as an expensive lesson.
The classics are a completely different animal. And as I have said, I trade one for one for a 20 with drive. Just have to come here, or within a few 200 miles.
---------------------------------------? Jeff Gortatowsky Religion... together we can find the cure." - Richard Dawkins
On Friday, October 15, 2021, 08:11:11 PM PDT, charles jagow <chuck@...> wrote:
Webster has been out of business for a while.? Take a look at New Moon telescopes in Virginia, Teeter scopes, and Star Structure ? I WOULD NOT repeat WOULD NOT buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from Astromart. ? I spoke with Dave K. at length concerning my UC18, and he was at a total loss and just apologized.? His only reasoning for continuing the UC scope is that they are “easier” to fabricate and take less time and effort, plus they are the “techie” kind of thing.? Since Dave is a Dentist by trade and started the Obsession line as a side, I think he is trying to minimize a bit.? I will never buy another Obsession product unless he starts producing the Classic design again. ? When I can scrape the $$$ together I will have New Moon telescopes build me an 18” scope with no optics, focuser etc and then migrate the guts of the 18UC to the new hull.? But I am enjoying my new-to-me 20” Classic, had it four months now and have only collimated ONCE when I first put it together.? I roll it out of the garage and about 50’ down my somewhat bumpy driveway three or four times a week to view. ?Even though I must use my ladder to set the 20” up, it takes less time to set up than the 18UC, about fifteen minutes or so. ? Sorry there is not better news about the UC line of scopes.? But the ultimate in portability (fit in an airline packing crate) comes at a cost of stability.? Sure, there are people who will rave about how much they “love” their UC, but how many people will admit they made a $10K mistake?? I now know four others who bought 18UC and 22 UC scopes and dumped them on Astromart within six months due their inability to maintain collimation. ? ? From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, October 15, 2021 at 2:44 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [ObsessionUsers] Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer? There is Webster Telescopes, New Moon and a couple more I cannot remember. I have the 15 UC and love it but it really needs a level surface. ?
On Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 3:01 PM < mtomalonis@...> wrote: I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.? I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August.? He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope.? But states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design. ? Two questions: ? #1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles set-up, are you happy with it? ? #2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made?? I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability. ? Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance. ? Mark in California (Without a telescope since spring 2020.? It’s killing me.)
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Re: Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
Webster has been out of business for a while.? Take a look at New Moon telescopes in Virginia, Teeter scopes, and Star Structure ? I WOULD NOT repeat WOULD NOT buy any Obsession UC product.? I own one of the ?18 UC models fabricated in 2017, the optics are great, as long as you don’t move the scope back and forth across the sky more than once or twice in a night.? IT CANNOT HOLD COLLIMATION for crap.? I have had it looked at buy many folks.? Krieg admitted that it is a poor design for ServoCat due to the stress that the ServoCat places on the bearings.? I ended up buying a used CLASSIC obsession 20” from Astromart. ? I spoke with Dave K. at length concerning my UC18, and he was at a total loss and just apologized.? His only reasoning for continuing the UC scope is that they are “easier” to fabricate and take less time and effort, plus they are the “techie” kind of thing.? Since Dave is a Dentist by trade and started the Obsession line as a side, I think he is trying to minimize a bit.? I will never buy another Obsession product unless he starts producing the Classic design again. ? When I can scrape the $$$ together I will have New Moon telescopes build me an 18” scope with no optics, focuser etc and then migrate the guts of the 18UC to the new hull.? But I am enjoying my new-to-me 20” Classic, had it four months now and have only collimated ONCE when I first put it together.? I roll it out of the garage and about 50’ down my somewhat bumpy driveway three or four times a week to view. ?Even though I must use my ladder to set the 20” up, it takes less time to set up than the 18UC, about fifteen minutes or so. ? Sorry there is not better news about the UC line of scopes.? But the ultimate in portability (fit in an airline packing crate) comes at a cost of stability.? Sure, there are people who will rave about how much they “love” their UC, but how many people will admit they made a $10K mistake?? I now know four others who bought 18UC and 22 UC scopes and dumped them on Astromart within six months due their inability to maintain collimation. ? ? From: <[email protected]> on behalf of Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...>
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, October 15, 2021 at 2:44 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [ObsessionUsers] Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer? There is Webster Telescopes, New Moon and a couple more I cannot remember. I have the 15 UC and love it but it really needs a level surface. ?
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On Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 3:01 PM < mtomalonis@...> wrote: I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.? I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August.? He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope.? But states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design. ? Two questions: ? #1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles set-up, are you happy with it? ? #2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made?? I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability. ? Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance. ? Mark in California (Without a telescope since spring 2020.? It’s killing me.)
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Re: Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
There is Webster Telescopes, New Moon and a couple more I cannot remember.
I have the 15 UC and love it but it really needs a level surface.
Chris
I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.? I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August.? He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope.? But states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design.
?
Two questions:
?
#1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles set-up, are you happy with it?
?
#2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made?? I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability.
?
Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance.
?
Mark in California
(Without a telescope since spring 2020.? It’s killing me.)
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Wanted: Alternative to Obsession's 20" "Classic" Dobsonian: 22" UC or Alternative Manufacturer?
I screwed up.? I procrastinated for years.? Now that I am finally ready to purchase a new 20” “Classic” Obsession telescope, I have learned that this telescope no longer is made.? I confirmed that directly with Dave Kriege of Obsession Telescopes in August. ?He recommended its 22” “Ultra-Compact” ‘scope. ?But states that the “classic” design is more stable than the “ultra-compact” design.
?
Two questions:
?
#1:? Any owners of Obsession’s 22” “ultra compact” telescope on this forum?? If so, any regrets or recommendations?? And if you have the complete “go-to” and digital setting circles set-up, are you happy with it?
?
#2:? Can any of you recommend an alternative manufacturer of a large aperture (>18”) Dobsonian telescope constructed similarly to how Obsession’s “classic” telescopes are/were made?? I can tolerate the bulk of such a design to gain better stability.
?
Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.? Thanks in advance.
?
Mark in California
(Without a telescope since spring 2020. ?It’s killing me.)
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3d printed bracket to attach Nexus DSC Pro to the Truss
Hello!
I made a 3d model for a bracket to attach Nexus DSC Pro to the truss of my 18" UC. I thought some of you may find it useful.
Cheers Nikhil
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Re: Which encoder to purchase
I have also 10k encoders and I’m happy with it. It’s more important to choose 2 alignment stars far away from each other, and using a high power eyepiece to centre correctly those stars. In my view this has a greater effect than going to 40k encoders. ?
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Van: [email protected] <[email protected]> Namens Don Waters
Verzonden: zaterdag 25 september 2021 15:22
Aan: [email protected]
Onderwerp: Re: [ObsessionUsers] Which encoder to purchase? I forget the numbers, but I ran the calculations once for my 18" of how much difference in precision there was between the two and came to the conclusion that for me, I did not need the 40K. That is, does the precision improve accuracy?
Don
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Re: Which encoder to purchase
I forget the numbers, but I ran the calculations once for my 18" of how much difference in precision there was between the two and came to the conclusion that for me, I did not need the 40K. That is, does the precision improve accuracy?
Don
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Re: Which encoder to purchase
I have 10K encoders and feel that for visual observing its plenty accurate. If I had a permanently mounted scope and doing astrophotography , maybe Id go for higher.
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On Sep 24, 2021, at 8:47 AM, bob414 < bob414@...> wrote:
Does using the higher step encoders, make the alignment of the scope more exacting?? Ie, Do you have a higher chance of getting a failed alignment using the higher step encoders?
Does using the lower step encoders, make alignment easier?
Choices offered are 10K or 40K encoders.
Bob
--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio
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Re: Which encoder to purchase
Using higher resolution encoders in theory should make pointing more accurate all things being equal. With dob mount you have a variety of other factors that effect point adversely. ?So you don’t always get better pointing. They don’t make it worse. So alignment failure is not? affected by the resolution of the encoders. It would be some other factor, slipping encoders, wrong star picks, Wiring issues, and so on. Encoder resolution does not have much bearing on the ease of alignment. If you are trying to make a decision on which encoders, you might want to consider power consumption. If you run strictly on internal batteries then the higher resolution encoders ore going to run them down a lot faster. ? Bob Rose ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of bob414 Sent: Friday, September 24, 2021 5:47 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ObsessionUsers] Which encoder to purchase ? Does using the higher step encoders, make the alignment of the scope more exacting?? Ie, Do you have a higher chance of getting a failed alignment using the higher step encoders?
Does using the lower step encoders, make alignment easier?
Choices offered are 10K or 40K encoders.
Bob
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Re: Which encoder to purchase
Does using the higher step encoders, make the alignment of the scope more exacting?? Ie, Do you have a higher chance of getting a failed alignment using the higher step encoders?
Does using the lower step encoders, make alignment easier?
Choices offered are 10K or 40K encoders.
Bob
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Re: Which encoder to purchase
I'd opt for the better resolution encoders since they are not much more expensive. Having said that.. I swapped out a Sky Commander DSC that came with a push-to 11" Starmaster fitted with 4K encoders?that I picked up off of Astromart and use a?Nexus DSC on it. Finding things is just fine. It really boils down to doing the best you can on the initial?star alignment regardless of what encoders you have. I have 32K encoders in my 22" Obsession UC w/ArgoNavis and it is fine also.
Matt Orsie
On Tue, Aug 31, 2021 at 10:05 AM bob414 < bob414@...> wrote: We are looking in to purchasing everything for our Obsession 18 Classic from Astro Devices including the Nexus DSC Pro.? The Encoders offered are the 10k or 40k step encoders, with only a Approx. 12% price difference.? Instant thought was buy the 40K, for better resolution.? Second thought is using the 40K encoders during calibration make the chance of a successful calibration more difficult and less likely.
If the Nexus DSC Pro uses a percentages error to determine a successful calibration this is a moot point.?
If the Nexus DSC Pro use a fixed number of points to determine a successful calibration, then going for the 10K would make our lives easier, and still give satisfactory pointing.
Or is using the 40K encoders just an unnecessary upgrade?
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Which encoder to purchase
We are looking in to purchasing everything for our Obsession 18 Classic from Astro Devices including the Nexus DSC Pro.? The Encoders offered are the 10k or 40k step encoders, with only a Approx. 12% price difference.? Instant thought was buy the 40K, for better resolution.? Second thought is using the 40K encoders during calibration make the chance of a successful calibration more difficult and less likely.
If the Nexus DSC Pro uses a percentages error to determine a successful calibration this is a moot point.?
If the Nexus DSC Pro use a fixed number of points to determine a successful calibration, then going for the 10K would make our lives easier, and still give satisfactory pointing.
Or is using the 40K encoders just an unnecessary upgrade?
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Re: A motorized filter slide for my DS287 on my Dob
All,?
My plans for next steps:
1. post a video next week.
2. get a leaf spring to securely fasten the filter slide to the wooden L bracket today.? The light weight stepper motor is actually very strong wen combined with the threaded rod.? 200 steps per revolution.? Roger set the filter positions exactly at 2.5 inches center to center so it makes it easy to take 10,000 steps to precisely move from one filter to the next.? Need to confirm Roger holds that dimension with all his slides he has built so far.
3. add limit switches to the top and bottom of the filter slide guide--so I don't pull out of the slide guide or exceed the top reach by user error--goof proof always helps.
4.? Allow the motor to rotate (it already does but need a bit more) to accommodate the focuser movement (the slide moves with the focuser)
5. Will identify my filter slides with a name and filter type / position on the slide (I have two slides and a bunch of filters).
6.? Write some software that has a user interface (perhaps an ASCOM driver).? Let the user choose which filter slide is installed.? Currently I am using the software that was provided by the stepper motor controller that is running on my telescope computer (Eagle 4S)--don't really need ASCOM driver, but it would be nice to learn how to write.? Will use external text files to define the name and filter position of each filter slide and filter--so you don't have to keep up with which filter is currently in use.
7. Figure out a better answer to my wife why I am having so much fun on this project.? She does not understand why I giggle when I accomplish some progress with the project.
Richard
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Re: A motorized filter slide for my DS287 on my Dob
If you have the ability, can you send a small video?
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On Aug 9, 2021, at 11:16 PM, Richard via groups.io <rmille64@...> wrote:
?My UC18 is getting a bit of automation. 
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Re: A motorized filter slide for my DS287 on my Dob
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On Aug 9, 2021, at 11:16 PM, Richard via groups.io <rmille64@...> wrote:
?My UC18 is getting a bit of automation. 
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charles jagow
Christine Zeltner
