Back in the day my main scope was a 4 inch f/10 refractor. A friend bought a 12 inch Dob that we took to a very dark country sky. The difference was staggering. I expected that on deep sky but the planets were simply amazing compared to my 4 inch achromat. That said I once owned an 8 inch f/6 dib, a configuration I still to this day feel is just about the perfect APT telescope. I liked it so much I upgraded to the 19 inch model. First, make no mistake, its a beast compared to the 8. I could still pick up and move in one piece but I'm strong and it took effort whereas the 8 inch was a breeze. Perhaps more importantly, the difference in the views were not that dramatic, & sometimes the planets were not even as good to to the terrible Pittsburgh skies I live under. Great review and congrats on your scope, that's a keeper for sure.
Having owned the 300p goto for a couple of years I can say that you did the most important upgrades. In addition, secondary dew shield will help reduce stray light from the surroundings. Flocking, especially opposite the focuser was worthwhile to improve contrast vs the matt grey paint they use. I also got matt black paint to do all the surfaces on secondary except the optical one and replace the inside of the white ring to further reduce internal reflections. On closer inspection I also noticed light leaks around the primary and I get rid of these by velcroing a black bag after collimating the primary.
I got one of these two years ago and I love it too. It's been such an awesome upgrade after 25 years with a 4.5 inch Newtonian EQ. I was worried about having such a big scope living in an apartment but it hasn't been that big a deal to get it down to ground level in the elevator and it has fit well in my Prius. It's floored me how much more I can see with it. The detail on the moon and planets, the Arp galaxies and Hickson groups... I am glad it was a good purchase for you too.
About 27 years ago I bought a 17.5 inch mirror from Coulter and a kit somewhere and built a dob. Nice telescope. But when the Nexstar 8 came out I traded it for one of those. I still have the Nexstar 8. Dobs give really good views. I rolled my telescope out of a storage building. Never took it apart.
I concur with your choice of a manual Dob, just needs a Hartmann mask (an easy home brew). For me, my 4" tabletop still gets the most use followed by my 8" Dob that came with a two speed focuser, crazy that one that nice didn't.
About 3 months ago BH had the 250P SynScan dobsonian for $1,000! Done deal. Star hoping isn't useful in bortle 9. Happy for SynScan. Add a double synta style bracket and laser. It helps me. Visual astronomy wasn't something I've done since a kid. Wow is this fun. Dual speed focuser is my next purchase. I couldn't find the Sky-Watcher. Thanks for the link. If anyone knows of a US vendor, please let me know. Also the craft foam is very helpful, since Astrozap's custom shield isn't available.
Glad you found it helpful and you've got a great scope!!! EVA Foam and Velcro is a great light shroud and I was unable to find a Us vendor for that specific dua lspeed focuser. I live in the US and had no trouble placing the order and it arrived in great condition in less than 2 weeks.
Sure do wish Sky-Watcher made the 350P in a non synscan version. I would get it, if they would. I currently have an XT10 so going to a 12" isn't enough to justify a new scope.
I am a bit confused on eyepieces. I am planning to get 10'' Dob, would I need a coma corrector for a DSO eyepiece like 27mm 30mm, with 68, or 82 degrees 2'' for F/4.8 telescope? Or If I go with Messier it's F/5? Coma correctors cost a lot, and I am wondering if I really need those. Cheers!
Great question. I have not found the need for a coma corrector with well corrected eyepeices while using this f/5 telescope. Coma correctors are very popular for f/5 and under scopes but I have not been able to justify the price.
Wow just today, I decided to get a 250P 10''. I was concerned about collimating it, and if it's a struggle, but It will be most of the time at home use, and I ignored about it. Do you have a collimating video, or any good tool for them? Are there a precise, useful items on the market for making it easier? Cheers!
@@Lennymcgra Cheshire is usually recommended I think, I heard telescope may need couple of times collimating same night is it true? Which way do you like the most?
@@mylogify Aslong as you have acceptable collimation I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I use a laser and Cheshire but it takes seconds really once you practice.
UHC Filter(100 Euro), new focuser(200 Euro), quality wide range eyepiece from 230 Euro to 600 Euro, Coma Corrector 450 Euro, Red dot Sight 50 Euro, Planetery eye piece 40+ Euro, Barlow 100 Euro, collimating tool 50 to 100 euro, Some filters for bright planet/moons say 50 euros. Sorry these already made me quit this hobby, I thought it'd be budget to buy a dob, but wasn't aware of these accessories, and how important these are. I probably will stay without buying a telescope.
It's definately an expensive hobby but the set of eypeieces I've bought and will review down the road for this telescope will last me a long time. Possibly even longer than this telescope.
my 4 inches Orion is mounted on rotating table like a dobsonian , perfect for carrying it around on the back seat and quickly installing it on the car trunk or a foldable table Pic Nic table etc
I wish the base on the 12" was a takedown as it is for the 350p and 400p. I would also recommend installing dolly wheels on the base. Find the softest wheels you can.
I still have fears of collimating the telescope, I might go with refractor... :(. I see people having trouble with collimators, laser ones aren't reliable, and the other one breaks when you drop them... It's sad.
It's easy. The real trouble is to collimate a refractor. Yes, sometimes they have good collimation from the factory, but if not ... better to send it back right away. I just struggled with one- it looked fine when I used it for visual, but produced triangular stars when I took pictures of the night sky. After numerous attempts to fix the optics, I managed to get decent results, but it still shows some astigmatism at full aperture, and now the warranty is over.
This is a good point about reflector and something that took me a bit of time, trial and error to figure out. There are some good videos on how to collimate a reflector and I hope to make one if the near future that covers the topic from beginning to end for my techniques.
I can't wait to see you imaging the planets with this beauty!
Awesome purchase man!
Good luck and clear skies to all!
Jupiter is gonig to be a great target this winter for some imaging!
Back in the day my main scope was a 4 inch f/10 refractor. A friend bought a 12 inch Dob that we took to a very dark country sky. The difference was staggering. I expected that on deep sky but the planets were simply amazing compared to my 4 inch achromat.
That said I once owned an 8 inch f/6 dib, a configuration I still to this day feel is just about the perfect APT telescope. I liked it so much I upgraded to the 19 inch model. First, make no mistake, its a beast compared to the 8. I could still pick up and move in one piece but I'm strong and it took effort whereas the 8 inch was a breeze. Perhaps more importantly, the difference in the views were not that dramatic, & sometimes the planets were not even as good to to the terrible Pittsburgh skies I live under.
Great review and congrats on your scope, that's a keeper for sure.
Having owned the 300p goto for a couple of years I can say that you did the most important upgrades.
In addition, secondary dew shield will help reduce stray light from the surroundings. Flocking, especially opposite the focuser was worthwhile to improve contrast vs the matt grey paint they use. I also got matt black paint to do all the surfaces on secondary except the optical one and replace the inside of the white ring to further reduce internal reflections. On closer inspection I also noticed light leaks around the primary and I get rid of these by velcroing a black bag after collimating the primary.
I got one of these two years ago and I love it too. It's been such an awesome upgrade after 25 years with a 4.5 inch Newtonian EQ. I was worried about having such a big scope living in an apartment but it hasn't been that big a deal to get it down to ground level in the elevator and it has fit well in my Prius.
It's floored me how much more I can see with it. The detail on the moon and planets, the Arp galaxies and Hickson groups...
I am glad it was a good purchase for you too.
I remember us talking about that a while back! Glad you are still ejoying the views through it as well!
I have had this same telescope for about three years now. No regrets. Except for a fan I have also made the same additions.
Glad to hear it has gotten good use for you as well!
I am looking forward to the result
Hey, you got it in the end! Congratulations!
About 27 years ago I bought a 17.5 inch mirror from Coulter and a kit somewhere and built a dob. Nice telescope.
But when the Nexstar 8 came out I traded it for one of those. I still have the Nexstar 8. Dobs give really good views.
I rolled my telescope out of a storage building. Never took it apart.
I bet you have had some great views of the night sky with those telescopes!
@@LateNightAstronomy yes I sure did.
I concur with your choice of a manual Dob, just needs a Hartmann mask (an easy home brew). For me, my 4" tabletop still gets the most use followed by my 8" Dob that came with a two speed focuser, crazy that one that nice didn't.
Good suggestion on the mask!
I once traded a C8 on an EQ mount for a 17" Coulter Odyssey it was a beast, but the views were amazing
My goodness! I bet the views through that thing were incredible!
About 3 months ago BH had the 250P SynScan dobsonian for $1,000! Done deal. Star hoping isn't useful in bortle 9. Happy for SynScan. Add a double synta style bracket and laser. It helps me. Visual astronomy wasn't something I've done since a kid. Wow is this fun. Dual speed focuser is my next purchase. I couldn't find the Sky-Watcher. Thanks for the link. If anyone knows of a US vendor, please let me know. Also the craft foam is very helpful, since Astrozap's custom shield isn't available.
Glad you found it helpful and you've got a great scope!!! EVA Foam and Velcro is a great light shroud and I was unable to find a Us vendor for that specific dua lspeed focuser. I live in the US and had no trouble placing the order and it arrived in great condition in less than 2 weeks.
Thanks. I guess I'll try FLO for the focuser.
Great review. How do you get it out to the backyard and sitting on grass
The base and tube assembly break down to about 40 and 45 lbs. a piece and are bulky but manageable to carry outside without much fuss.
Sure do wish Sky-Watcher made the 350P in a non synscan version. I would get it, if they would. I currently have an XT10 so going to a 12" isn't enough to justify a new scope.
I agree. A non goto 350P would have been more tempting to me in regards to weight and price!
Holy cow! 👍
Second on the comment about high point's customer service being great
I am a bit confused on eyepieces. I am planning to get 10'' Dob, would I need a coma corrector for a DSO eyepiece like 27mm 30mm, with 68, or 82 degrees 2'' for F/4.8 telescope? Or If I go with Messier it's F/5? Coma correctors cost a lot, and I am wondering if I really need those. Cheers!
Great question. I have not found the need for a coma corrector with well corrected eyepeices while using this f/5 telescope. Coma correctors are very popular for f/5 and under scopes but I have not been able to justify the price.
I thought you already had a 10 inch dob? I thought you’ve shown it in your eyepiece review videos
That was the 8 inch dobosnian I'm refering to in this video.
Could you measure the diameter of the base?
The specs for it should be listed on the High Point Scientific Website or over at SkyWatchers website.
Wow just today, I decided to get a 250P 10''. I was concerned about collimating it, and if it's a struggle, but It will be most of the time at home use, and I ignored about it. Do you have a collimating video, or any good tool for them? Are there a precise, useful items on the market for making it easier? Cheers!
Collimating is easy on mine and should take you no longer than a couple of minutes.
@@Lennymcgra How often do you need to collimate when you only use it inside the apartment roughly? Thanks
@@mylogify Not very often, the process can’t be over complicated online, it’s actually quite easy once you have done it a couple of times.
@@Lennymcgra Cheshire is usually recommended I think, I heard telescope may need couple of times collimating same night is it true? Which way do you like the most?
@@mylogify Aslong as you have acceptable collimation I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I use a laser and Cheshire but it takes seconds really once you practice.
UHC Filter(100 Euro), new focuser(200 Euro), quality wide range eyepiece from 230 Euro to 600 Euro, Coma Corrector 450 Euro, Red dot Sight 50 Euro, Planetery eye piece 40+ Euro, Barlow 100 Euro, collimating tool 50 to 100 euro, Some filters for bright planet/moons say 50 euros. Sorry these already made me quit this hobby, I thought it'd be budget to buy a dob, but wasn't aware of these accessories, and how important these are. I probably will stay without buying a telescope.
It's definately an expensive hobby but the set of eypeieces I've bought and will review down the road for this telescope will last me a long time. Possibly even longer than this telescope.
where are you observing from
i have a six and 4 inches newtonian , enough for observing from Lactate, QC and Montreal my backyard
my 4 inches Orion is mounted on rotating table like a dobsonian , perfect for carrying it around on the back seat and quickly installing it on the car trunk or a foldable table Pic Nic table etc
I observe under bortle 5 skies and am about a 30 minute drive away from Bortle 3 Skies.
I wish the base on the 12" was a takedown as it is for the 350p and 400p. I would also recommend installing dolly wheels on the base. Find the softest wheels you can.
Some good advice!
I still have fears of collimating the telescope, I might go with refractor... :(. I see people having trouble with collimators, laser ones aren't reliable, and the other one breaks when you drop them... It's sad.
It's easy. The real trouble is to collimate a refractor. Yes, sometimes they have good collimation from the factory, but if not ... better to send it back right away. I just struggled with one- it looked fine when I used it for visual, but produced triangular stars when I took pictures of the night sky. After numerous attempts to fix the optics, I managed to get decent results, but it still shows some astigmatism at full aperture, and now the warranty is over.
This is a good point about reflector and something that took me a bit of time, trial and error to figure out. There are some good videos on how to collimate a reflector and I hope to make one if the near future that covers the topic from beginning to end for my techniques.