Thank you! I've got an LX90 8" which is great. I was using that before I got this, but 14" > 8" hah, So 'm not quite sure how much use that'll get for now.
Great video man! Really well put together! You’ve got bbc documentary presenter vibes! That dob is insane! I really want one now! Been talking about getting a dob for years!
Greatly appreciated Ronan! Honestly, if you can justify the size (and weight) go as big as you can handle haha. It's been amazing so far, I cannot help but smile seeing it.
Nice video! I have recently gotten this same telescope for visual work. I love it. Easy enough to break down to transport to a dark location and get some absolutely amazing views.
Amazing! Be prepared for the weight and size haha. It's a BEAST :D Just a note, if you struggle to get the end ring off, feel free to DM on instagram - @bbroastro
I just came across your channel, awesome content! Im planning to buy a 14 inch Skywatcher GoTo dob in a few months time and your reactions tell me im making the right choice. Cant wait for first light and thanks for your video on this giant telescope. Subscribed!
I have one. I really enjoy observing with it. Painted all the shiny parts, back of the primary and secondary mirrors and made my own shroud from foam. Greatly improved my views. I observe with it while my other setup is running imaging sessions. I have mine on a platform with casters so I can just bring it out of the garage with ease. Synscan gets me lost in space from time to time but once it’s tracking it is ok for a while then it eventually the target in view steps out and you have to adjust it back to center. I will be subscribing to you and maybe get some pointers on imagery with it. All I have done is video with a DSLR.
Thanks for the comment! I do exactly the same in terms of deep sky imaging on one setup and n to use this on the side (currently both for visual and imaging) My 8" 200P newt is pretty modified. Internally flocked, CNC spider, primary mask, Baader Steeltrack focuser, rear cover. Those upgrades make it really robust and reliable and has been for years now. I plan to do a few of the same things over the coming months - Potentially a dolly/ platform, hopefully get a custom CNC spider made and replace the focuser. I do actually have an AstroZap shroud for the 14", it just wasn't on for this video as it hadn't arrived until yesterday! Synscan has its quirks, but I slightly prefer it over the Celestron or Meade setups I have, although I love the solar system align of the Celestron compared to daytime align of Synscan so far.
Very nice indeed ! I also have an 8”. The beast must be amazing. I guess it’s effectively alt az so presumably long duration deep sky would be a problem due to field rotation? Should be cracking for lunar and planetary though which I what I’m most interested in. The moon must be unreal through it. You’d have to wear sun glasses!
I bought the same scope about 10 years ago. I had to buy additional magnetic counterweights, because it wouldn’t stay in balance with the eyepieces that came with the scope. Even with heavier Televue eyepieces. The mirror is just so heavy that balancing the scope wasn’t possible. Another issue was that I couldn’t get the moon and nearby planets in focus. Had to use an “extended” piece in between.
Yeah the rear of this scope is definitely heavy compared to the top - which is the opposite problem for most dobsonians. It's working out perfect though for imaging as too often once you add an imaging setup it'll tip forward and want to nose dive. In terms of the focusing, this is true for all of Skywatcher's dual speed focusers (and most focusers) so I was prepared for this from previous experience. That's why they bundle in the 2" extension; it helps keep the draw tube shorter. How are you finding this scope 10 years on? 🙌
@@regeclow2198 Yep works great. They stay in the FOV really well even at very high magnifications. The better you levelling the base, the more accurate things will be over time. I can image Saturn over 30-40 minutes and it barely drifts, but it does depend on how level I get the base.
I ordered a mirror from Coulter and a kit somewhere and built a 17.5 dob many years ago. Nice telescope, but later traded it for an New Nexstar 8. Both are fine telescopes.
I'd love to build my own some day, would be good fun. I have a Celestron 8SE - it's a good little setup, albeit some odd quirks - such as incredible amounts of backlash haha. Optically great though!
@@bbroastro I have a Nrexstar 5 se. It's ok but rather have a larger scope for viewing planets. Have a 4in refractor butt want a 6in refractor. Should have kelp the one I had.
@@bbroastro I have one of the first nexstar 8s made.had it 24 years.Electronics quit. Left it in a storage building and the cold weather got it . But mirror is still good.
I missed Sky Watcher's recent sale on this rig. When I finally convinced myself to pull the trigger, the sale was over. :( So I'll wait till next time.
@@TH-camr-ku4nk Except there aren't any GSO branded goto dobs as far as I know. I already have an XT10. So getting one of these big goto flextube dobs is my next upgrade.
Congrats on the bog dob! And great video you have a new sub :) I have actually compared premium 30 inch and 24 inch dobs against my 12 inch Skywatcher synscan under very dark skies, I would love to own the 30 inch scope but I really didn't find that much of a difference when looking through it. (Of course the premium dob was better but not even twice as good for 5 times the money). I wouldn't spend big money on it (or any other premium dob for that matter). In my opinion it just isn't worth it at the end. My Skywatcher is inexpensive, gives great views when well collimated. Plus it tracks really well, I've even managed to image DSO's with it using short exposures. Just my 2 cents :)
Great to hear your experience and thanks for the kind words! Yes, diminishing returns are a real thing and the placebo affect can be really quite strong with anything marketed as premium. I have experience with *very* high end camera optics and yes, a £13,000 lens is definitely better than a £3,000 one... but optically £10K better? for most people, probably not. The reality also is, when it comes to visual, people's eyesight is a factor. The older you get, the less your pupils can dilate anyway. This is why I got this scope at my age so that I can hopefully make good use of it :) Thank you once again for subbing! Appreciate it 🙌
You don't see much of a difference between a 30 and a 12?????? Seeing conditions must have been poor or there is something wrong with the 30. I had a 12 and whenever I compared it to anything over 20, I was blown away at the difference.
@@GrnXnham no the seeing was good, I could zoom into the tarantula nebula and see faint wispy nebulosity with both telescopes (I was using a badger zoom ep, bigger scope guys were using explore scientific ep's). The view through bigger scopes was brighter but not 2x brighter. The southern pinwheel galaxy looked great through the bigger telescopes but I couldn't make out any details in the spiral arms from the bigger telescopes and not through mine. Perhaps I'm not a good observer but that is my experience :-) I really appreciated my 12 inch scope after that experience.
Hello there, looking to get our first telescope. Was looking at the nexstar 8 inch from celestron but then i came accross this big boy. After all this time do you still recommend? We are in country side of south west ireland and would have fairly good viewing conditions bar the obvious rain that im sure ye have plenty of aswel. We have a jeep so wouod be able to carry with us if we wanted to go somewhere.
Hi Jericho - I do also own the Celestron 8" nexstar setup and the optics are great, the mount is really not great. Honestly, it has so much backlash that it kind of 'floats' about. My Meade LX90 is leagues ahead of the Celestron in terms of mount quality and accuracy. That said, if you're even slightly considering a dob a 12" GoTo dob from Skywatcher will be amazing. You do have to take on board that you will need to collimate them more frequently than an SCT and are WAY bigger and heavier. I love this 14", it really is a heavy weight lifter when it comes to planetary viewing and imaging *when the conditions allow* - That's the biggest caveat with big apertures.
@bbroastro thanks for replyling. So fo you reckon the dob 12 inch is a better scope for viewing plants and deep sky observing than the nexstar se 8 inch? I have heard the mount in the nexstar is quite bad alright. Is there much difference in the 12-inch and 14-inch dob when in terms of viewing, and also is there much difference in weight and setting up between the 12 and 14 dob if we were to go somewhere on a trip with it. I am seriously thinking of going with the 12 inch one just because I think I remember you saying in a video that the 12 inch seemed to be easier for 1 person to set up?
I have an EQ6R with an 8" newtonian for deep sky imaging, it appears in the video. Large dobsonians are generally the best for high resolution planetary imaging and their overall simplicity. I love my EQ6R setup though, it's been very reliable and I've had it for around 4 years now.
Not too bad. It depends on your height and strength to be honest. I do think anyone shorter than me is going to struggle getting the tube on the based to be honest. I'm currently planning some wheeled solutions soon though to reduce me busting my back haha.
High bortle 3 / low bortle 4. Although the bortle scale isn't the best - I'm circa SQM 21.5, which is pretty dark, but it varies due to moisture and time of year.
@@bbroastro Thanks for the reply. Enjoyed the video - I travel an hour in the midlands (uk) with my 300P flextube sometimes just to get to 20.9 sqm (I live in 19.9) and have only visited 21.5 sqm once! Jealous!!
To be honest, every time I move any newtonian I'll check collimation. With this setup as you're essentially moving the secondary mirror, it's almost a guarantee. However, I think the majority of the issue is the secondary spider flexing, not the actual extendable trusses. I'm looking to get a custom CNC spider made from the same manufacturer as my 8" newtonian has.
... what I don't like about astronomy, is how limited we are, and that everything has been already imaged.... and to see a bit more, you always have to spend a few 1000 dollars - and still, nasa images will blow you out of the water.
Yeah astronomy and astrophotography is stupidly (and mostly unnecessarily) expensive and yes, NASA's images will blow anything from the ground out of the water and I'd hope so. The thing to remember is, images from Hubble and now JWST spawned a whole generation of passionate astronomers because of those very images - me included. If Hubble didn't exist, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing. Whilst they are primarily for scientific research, they also act as an outreach tool to gain public interest. In terms of everything has been imaged thus far, I'd highly recommend you look at what Bray Falls and collaborators with him are doing. They're making new discoveries seemingly monthly within the oxygen emission line.
Sorry to hear that. I have dark skies which help a lot, but I'm also primarily an astrophotographer. This telescope is amazing for planetary and lunar imaging.
You're in the UK, otherwise, I would have snuck into your backyard just for those views. Although I can afford this telescope just.. I wouldn't because I have two small kids and I am already nervous about my two 8 inch telescopes (edge and rasa) lying in my house.
What a delightful site music and all. I miss my old 10 in Meade Deep Space scope. Will be keeping up with you. Be well and lots of
clear skies!
Thank you! I've got an LX90 8" which is great. I was using that before I got this, but 14" > 8" hah, So 'm not quite sure how much use that'll get for now.
I love your enthusiasm. Nice telescope. Congratulations.
Great video man! Really well put together! You’ve got bbc documentary presenter vibes! That dob is insane! I really want one now! Been talking about getting a dob for years!
Greatly appreciated Ronan! Honestly, if you can justify the size (and weight) go as big as you can handle haha. It's been amazing so far, I cannot help but smile seeing it.
Nice video! I have recently gotten this same telescope for visual work. I love it. Easy enough to break down to transport to a dark location and get some absolutely amazing views.
That's fantastic Kyle. It's an awesome telescope for the size and price, the views can be mind blowing!
Subscribed...!! Congrats for adding Dob 14
Sweet. And Sky-Watcher makes a 16!
Yep! The 16" is huuuge
I have one coming in about 6 weeks. Following with excitement. Subscribed.
Amazing! Be prepared for the weight and size haha. It's a BEAST :D
Just a note, if you struggle to get the end ring off, feel free to DM on instagram - @bbroastro
I built a 4 wheel cart with a handle to roll mine out of a storage building. Worked good.
@@davidaaaa4611 This is exactly what I plan on doing - at least just for the base anyway.
Absolute MindBlowing Video! Incredibly Professional!
Exceptional Enthusiasm and
Excitement!
🙏 Thank you Ellyn!
Your excitement is wonderful. Stay curious and Happy Hunting
Thank you Bill! 🙏
Let’s see lunar surface up close!👍
That's something I'll DEFINITELY be doing. It's a new moon at the moment, so I'll have to wait a bit 🙌
Please do the moon.
I just came across your channel, awesome content! Im planning to buy a 14 inch Skywatcher GoTo dob in a few months time and your reactions tell me im making the right choice. Cant wait for first light and thanks for your video on this giant telescope. Subscribed!
Definitely a great scope! Hope you enjoy yours :D
New subscription here , nice video Ben
I have one. I really enjoy observing with it. Painted all the shiny parts, back of the primary and secondary mirrors and made my own shroud from foam. Greatly improved my views. I observe with it while my other setup is running imaging sessions.
I have mine on a platform with casters so I can just bring it out of the garage with ease. Synscan gets me lost in space from time to time but once it’s tracking it is ok for a while then it eventually the target in view steps out and you have to adjust it back to center.
I will be subscribing to you and maybe get some pointers on imagery with it. All I have done is video with a DSLR.
Thanks for the comment! I do exactly the same in terms of deep sky imaging on one setup and n to use this on the side (currently both for visual and imaging)
My 8" 200P newt is pretty modified. Internally flocked, CNC spider, primary mask, Baader Steeltrack focuser, rear cover. Those upgrades make it really robust and reliable and has been for years now.
I plan to do a few of the same things over the coming months - Potentially a dolly/ platform, hopefully get a custom CNC spider made and replace the focuser. I do actually have an AstroZap shroud for the 14", it just wasn't on for this video as it hadn't arrived until yesterday!
Synscan has its quirks, but I slightly prefer it over the Celestron or Meade setups I have, although I love the solar system align of the Celestron compared to daytime align of Synscan so far.
Very nice indeed ! I also have an 8”. The beast must be amazing. I guess it’s effectively alt az so presumably long duration deep sky would be a problem due to field rotation? Should be cracking for lunar and planetary though which I what I’m most interested in. The moon must be unreal through it. You’d have to wear sun glasses!
I bought the same scope about 10 years ago. I had to buy additional magnetic counterweights, because it wouldn’t stay in balance with the eyepieces that came with the scope. Even with heavier Televue eyepieces. The mirror is just so heavy that balancing the scope wasn’t possible. Another issue was that I couldn’t get the moon and nearby planets in focus. Had to use an “extended” piece in between.
Yeah the rear of this scope is definitely heavy compared to the top - which is the opposite problem for most dobsonians. It's working out perfect though for imaging as too often once you add an imaging setup it'll tip forward and want to nose dive.
In terms of the focusing, this is true for all of Skywatcher's dual speed focusers (and most focusers) so I was prepared for this from previous experience. That's why they bundle in the 2" extension; it helps keep the draw tube shorter.
How are you finding this scope 10 years on? 🙌
@@bbroastro I only use it for deepsky observing. You capture so much light with it. For nebulae I use filters. I am very happy with it.
Good videos! We have almost same scope at our local observatory (16") Congrats for the dob! 😊
Amazing! Yeah the 16" would be awesome, although the 14" is 95% of it just a bit more manageable 😅 It's great you have one at your local observatory.
What about the GOTO does it work good? Finding objects accurate? and do they stay in the field? Thanks
@@regeclow2198 Yep works great. They stay in the FOV really well even at very high magnifications. The better you levelling the base, the more accurate things will be over time. I can image Saturn over 30-40 minutes and it barely drifts, but it does depend on how level I get the base.
Great video! Great telescope!
Thank you 🙌
I ordered a mirror from Coulter and a kit somewhere and built a 17.5 dob many years ago. Nice telescope, but later traded it for an New Nexstar 8. Both are fine telescopes.
I'd love to build my own some day, would be good fun. I have a Celestron 8SE - it's a good little setup, albeit some odd quirks - such as incredible amounts of backlash haha. Optically great though!
@@bbroastro I have a Nrexstar 5 se.
It's ok but rather have a larger scope for viewing planets.
Have a 4in refractor butt want a 6in refractor. Should have kelp the one I had.
@@bbroastro I have one of the first nexstar 8s made.had it 24 years.Electronics quit.
Left it in a storage building and the cold weather got it . But mirror is still good.
Awesome gz :D What a beast!
Total BEAST!
I just got my first a 6 inch reflector and saw Saturn and its rings for the first time it was beautiful even edge on
Seeing Saturn for the first time is amazing! almost surreal - I hope you had a great experience.
Like! A 14 inch newtonian gathers 3x more light than an 8 inch one.
Yep - it's amazing to see in person, even when you know the maths behind it, it's still crazy seeing it for real.
I missed Sky Watcher's recent sale on this rig. When I finally convinced myself to pull the trigger, the sale was over. :( So I'll wait till next time.
I know these feelings, I literally just missed the Player One summer sale 😩 Maybe a Christmas / New years sale will come up for us 🙌
Your luck. You should get a GSO branded instead. They have better optics.
@@bbroastro That is my hope. Santa is welcome to try to fit one of these down our chimney! 🎅🤣
@@wingriderroy2776 Fingers crossed! So far it's been great for me 🙌
@@TH-camr-ku4nk Except there aren't any GSO branded goto dobs as far as I know. I already have an XT10. So getting one of these big goto flextube dobs is my next upgrade.
Congrats on the bog dob! And great video you have a new sub :)
I have actually compared premium 30 inch and 24 inch dobs against my 12 inch Skywatcher synscan under very dark skies, I would love to own the 30 inch scope but I really didn't find that much of a difference when looking through it. (Of course the premium dob was better but not even twice as good for 5 times the money). I wouldn't spend big money on it (or any other premium dob for that matter). In my opinion it just isn't worth it at the end. My Skywatcher is inexpensive, gives great views when well collimated. Plus it tracks really well, I've even managed to image DSO's with it using short exposures. Just my 2 cents :)
Great to hear your experience and thanks for the kind words!
Yes, diminishing returns are a real thing and the placebo affect can be really quite strong with anything marketed as premium. I have experience with *very* high end camera optics and yes, a £13,000 lens is definitely better than a £3,000 one... but optically £10K better? for most people, probably not.
The reality also is, when it comes to visual, people's eyesight is a factor. The older you get, the less your pupils can dilate anyway. This is why I got this scope at my age so that I can hopefully make good use of it :) Thank you once again for subbing! Appreciate it 🙌
You don't see much of a difference between a 30 and a 12?????? Seeing conditions must have been poor or there is something wrong with the 30. I had a 12 and whenever I compared it to anything over 20, I was blown away at the difference.
@@GrnXnham no the seeing was good, I could zoom into the tarantula nebula and see faint wispy nebulosity with both telescopes (I was using a badger zoom ep, bigger scope guys were using explore scientific ep's). The view through bigger scopes was brighter but not 2x brighter. The southern pinwheel galaxy looked great through the bigger telescopes but I couldn't make out any details in the spiral arms from the bigger telescopes and not through mine. Perhaps I'm not a good observer but that is my experience :-)
I really appreciated my 12 inch scope after that experience.
Hello there, looking to get our first telescope. Was looking at the nexstar 8 inch from celestron but then i came accross this big boy. After all this time do you still recommend? We are in country side of south west ireland and would have fairly good viewing conditions bar the obvious rain that im sure ye have plenty of aswel. We have a jeep so wouod be able to carry with us if we wanted to go somewhere.
Hi Jericho - I do also own the Celestron 8" nexstar setup and the optics are great, the mount is really not great. Honestly, it has so much backlash that it kind of 'floats' about. My Meade LX90 is leagues ahead of the Celestron in terms of mount quality and accuracy.
That said, if you're even slightly considering a dob a 12" GoTo dob from Skywatcher will be amazing. You do have to take on board that you will need to collimate them more frequently than an SCT and are WAY bigger and heavier.
I love this 14", it really is a heavy weight lifter when it comes to planetary viewing and imaging *when the conditions allow* - That's the biggest caveat with big apertures.
@bbroastro thanks for replyling. So fo you reckon the dob 12 inch is a better scope for viewing plants and deep sky observing than the nexstar se 8 inch?
I have heard the mount in the nexstar is quite bad alright.
Is there much difference in the 12-inch and 14-inch dob when in terms of viewing, and also is there much difference in weight and setting up between the 12 and 14 dob if we were to go somewhere on a trip with it. I am seriously thinking of going with the 12 inch one just because I think I remember you saying in a video that the 12 inch seemed to be easier for 1 person to set up?
Nice!
It's a beast! New sub. Cool channel
Thank you!
Did you buy it? I regretted my Dobsonian within 6 months. Went equatorial for real Astro imaging. Big Dobsonian paperweight now
I have an EQ6R with an 8" newtonian for deep sky imaging, it appears in the video. Large dobsonians are generally the best for high resolution planetary imaging and their overall simplicity. I love my EQ6R setup though, it's been very reliable and I've had it for around 4 years now.
Should have got 15” ultra compact dob from Obsession.
Obsession dobs look like great telescopes, but also twice the price!
@@bbroastro Yes, twice the price and 100 times better. This will be heavy, inaccurate and you will be bored from it. I have seen people there before.
@@anata5127do you always piss in peoples cornflakes?
@@anata5127 You must be real fun at parties.
@@CanadianHGHLNDR Yes, especially star parties. What about you?
How much trouble is it to set up?
Not too bad. It depends on your height and strength to be honest. I do think anyone shorter than me is going to struggle getting the tube on the based to be honest. I'm currently planning some wheeled solutions soon though to reduce me busting my back haha.
What's is the cost of it ?
About £2.5k
Wow 🤩
🙌 Thanks for stopping by here as well as Insta! 🙏
What bortel skies are you in?
High bortle 3 / low bortle 4. Although the bortle scale isn't the best - I'm circa SQM 21.5, which is pretty dark, but it varies due to moisture and time of year.
@@bbroastro Thanks for the reply. Enjoyed the video - I travel an hour in the midlands (uk) with my 300P flextube sometimes just to get to 20.9 sqm (I live in 19.9) and have only visited 21.5 sqm once! Jealous!!
Do you have to colimate it each time you slide it ?
To be honest, every time I move any newtonian I'll check collimation. With this setup as you're essentially moving the secondary mirror, it's almost a guarantee. However, I think the majority of the issue is the secondary spider flexing, not the actual extendable trusses. I'm looking to get a custom CNC spider made from the same manufacturer as my 8" newtonian has.
... what I don't like about astronomy, is how limited we are, and that everything has been already imaged.... and to see a bit more, you always have to spend a few 1000 dollars - and still, nasa images will blow you out of the water.
Yeah astronomy and astrophotography is stupidly (and mostly unnecessarily) expensive and yes, NASA's images will blow anything from the ground out of the water and I'd hope so.
The thing to remember is, images from Hubble and now JWST spawned a whole generation of passionate astronomers because of those very images - me included. If Hubble didn't exist, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing. Whilst they are primarily for scientific research, they also act as an outreach tool to gain public interest.
In terms of everything has been imaged thus far, I'd highly recommend you look at what Bray Falls and collaborators with him are doing. They're making new discoveries seemingly monthly within the oxygen emission line.
revendu mon 350P après 1 an de visuel.
marre de ne voir que des tachouilles sombres même Avec un si gros diamètre .
Sorry to hear that. I have dark skies which help a lot, but I'm also primarily an astrophotographer. This telescope is amazing for planetary and lunar imaging.
2:22 that's what she said
You're in the UK, otherwise, I would have snuck into your backyard just for those views. Although I can afford this telescope just.. I wouldn't because I have two small kids and I am already nervous about my two 8 inch telescopes (edge and rasa) lying in my house.
I hear you. Beautiful double 8" setup you've got there. To be fair, the danger of this is people injuring themselves by banging into it 😅