Great Scope. Been looking at big bucket dobs ever since I had to sell my NightSky 16" a couple of years ago. I really do miss it. I had a spinal injury and had to sell it. Now I'm all healed up and looking for something I can easily set up and move around with big aperture. Thank for showing us your scope. What a wonderful thing. Enjoy it. :)
Just came across your video and wanted to say thanks for sharing! I have an AD12 myself and am considering the Nexus DSC for push to capabilities.... your setup seems awesome and I hope you're enjoying the heck out of it!
Thank you for the comment. Yes, this goto tracking with the Nexus is outstanding. I used the ArgoNavis for years, and it is great as well, but the Nexus DSC Pro is a real treat. Go for it. I think you will like it.
Yeah, a backyard helps, but it is transportable. It is definitely not a "grab and go". I carry it in my van for outreach programs, but I use a ramp to wheel it from the van to the setup location.
Incredible conversion, well done man! Im currently using a laminated degree wheel and a digital alt on my AD10 and it is surprisingly accurate. No tracking of course but I am still thrilled at the results. Just curious with your modification, does the base have to be perfectly level each time you set up? I use a small circular bubble level and end up shimming mine to help with accuracy for each viewing session. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Like most computerized telescopes, the more level during setup the better the accuracy. However, I have never set it up when it did not work just fine, even without a dead level base.
Mike, I have an ES 12" Gen2 Dob, and I would love to put on the tracking system you mounted. Do you have specific instructions on your build-or maybe a video? Looking forward to your instructions! Bruce
Bruce, I did shoot some assembly video, but not a complete overview. I am trying to figure a way to weave what I did shoot with new video to make a video looking at the assembly. It is taking some time, but I hope to have it not too far into the future. If you are subscribed, you should see it when I get it posted.
I've had a similar set up for the past 20+ years. Mine's a Nightsky 16 f4.5 with a Sky Commander DSC & Servocat computer. The servomotors and drive system is the same also. It works great. Mike, do you ever have a problem of the altitude drive cable coming off the drive wheel when the locking device is loosened too much? I added a long, light spring to the end of the cable to keep a minimum tension on the cable so that it stays wrapped around the spool. I hope you are able to use that telescope under dark skies.
I have had the altitude cable spring loose a couple of times on me, but it was mainly because I did what you did and moved the tightening lever too far past the vertical point. As long as I loosen the lever to vertical, it does not come loose. You might want to tighten the cable a bit with the nuts on the "U" bar on the lever to compensate. The cable may have stretched a bit over time. I have the system on a homebult 15" f4.85, and I have noticed the cable has stretched a little of that one.
The GoTo systems can be hard to find. The StellarCat system is no longer in production. If you can find one used, you can contact StellarCat for assistance in converting your scope to a GoTo.
It is a 10,000 step encoder. Not sure of the brand. I have not measured the tracking accuracy, but it has held Jupiter in the center of a 20mm eyepiece for 40 minutes at an outreach event.
I did shoot some video of some of the assembly.I have not had a a chance to edit it yet. I hope to do so soon. Make sure you are subscribed so you can see it when I post the assembly videos.
Great Scope. Been looking at big bucket dobs ever since I had to sell my NightSky 16" a couple of years ago. I really do miss it. I had a spinal injury and had to sell it. Now I'm all healed up and looking for something I can easily set up and move around with big aperture.
Thank for showing us your scope. What a wonderful thing. Enjoy it. :)
Just came across your video and wanted to say thanks for sharing! I have an AD12 myself and am considering the Nexus DSC for push to capabilities.... your setup seems awesome and I hope you're enjoying the heck out of it!
Thank you for the comment. Yes, this goto tracking with the Nexus is outstanding. I used the ArgoNavis for years, and it is great as well, but the Nexus DSC Pro is a real treat. Go for it. I think you will like it.
Great job! Can't wait to look through this telescope.
Thank you. The views through this telescope are quite nice.
Absolutely amazing.
Thank you. I very much appreciate your comment.
Pretty amazing build! The ES 20” Dob is my dream scope. But I’ll have to wait until I have a backyard to get one…
Yeah, a backyard helps, but it is transportable. It is definitely not a "grab and go". I carry it in my van for outreach programs, but I use a ramp to wheel it from the van to the setup location.
Incredible conversion, well done man! Im currently using a laminated degree wheel and a digital alt on my AD10 and it is surprisingly accurate. No tracking of course but I am still thrilled at the results. Just curious with your modification, does the base have to be perfectly level each time you set up? I use a small circular bubble level and end up shimming mine to help with accuracy for each viewing session. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Like most computerized telescopes, the more level during setup the better the accuracy. However, I have never set it up when it did not work just fine, even without a dead level base.
Mike, I have an ES 12" Gen2 Dob, and I would love to put on the tracking system you mounted. Do you have specific instructions on your build-or maybe a video?
Looking forward to your instructions! Bruce
Bruce, I did shoot some assembly video, but not a complete overview. I am trying to figure a way to weave what I did shoot with new video to make a video looking at the assembly. It is taking some time, but I hope to have it not too far into the future. If you are subscribed, you should see it when I get it posted.
@@theastronomydude2175 I look forward to seeing it, thanks! BL
Can you tell me if it would fit through my 23" wide sliding glass doorway?
I've had a similar set up for the past 20+ years. Mine's a Nightsky 16 f4.5 with a Sky Commander DSC & Servocat computer. The servomotors and drive system is the same also. It works great. Mike, do you ever have a problem of the altitude drive cable coming off the drive wheel when the locking device is loosened too much? I added a long, light spring to the end of the cable to keep a minimum tension on the cable so that it stays wrapped around the spool. I hope you are able to use that telescope under dark skies.
I have had the altitude cable spring loose a couple of times on me, but it was mainly because I did what you did and moved the tightening lever too far past the vertical point. As long as I loosen the lever to vertical, it does not come loose. You might want to tighten the cable a bit with the nuts on the "U" bar on the lever to compensate. The cable may have stretched a bit over time. I have the system on a homebult 15" f4.85, and I have noticed the cable has stretched a little of that one.
I love this giant dob! I am just wondering how much more light this giant able to collect, compared to a 12inch Dobsonian scope?
It gathers just less than 3 times as much light as a 12" telescope.
Magnifique, c'est exactement ce que je cherche, je possède l'Explore scientific 12 avec le Push-To Nexus DSC ! Mais je voudrais installer le Goto.
The GoTo systems can be hard to find. The StellarCat system is no longer in production. If you can find one used, you can contact StellarCat for assistance in converting your scope to a GoTo.
hello！Which brand of encoder is installed on this dob16? How many seconds is the tracking accuracy?
It is a 10,000 step encoder. Not sure of the brand. I have not measured the tracking accuracy, but it has held Jupiter in the center of a 20mm eyepiece for 40 minutes at an outreach event.
Are stars visible at daytime? How he see them
I just estimated where they were. I can do that after studying the sky for 55 years.
On aimerait bien avoir un peu plus d'explication, sur le montage !
I did shoot some video of some of the assembly.I have not had a a chance to edit it yet. I hope to do so soon. Make sure you are subscribed so you can see it when I post the assembly videos.
Kinda kicking the a*se out it now buddy lol.
Thats big (●)
What if he looked at the sun with it 🤔 that could be bad ?
I can add a solar filter to observe the sun with this telescope. It is a big scope, but really fun to use.