Awesome video. I started with an AD8 (8" f/5.9 Dob made by GSO) and absolutely loved it. In fact I loved it so much that I knew it wouldn't be long before I added a 12" to my astro-arsenal. I got a little sidetracked by adding a few different scopes first (2.8" f/6 ED, 4" f/7 SD, and 4.9" f/7.8 SD refractors, plus a 3.5" f/13.9 Mak) but I finally did add a 12" and the views have been phenomenal!! My original plan had been to get an AD12 (GSO made 12" just like yours) but I was able to find a great deal locally for a used XT12i (12" f/4.9 Orion Dob). The XT12i is an almost a 20 year old model and the Itelliscope DSC system is outdated technology that shows it's age, although it does work surprisingly well. Dispite it's age, the Dob and mirror coatings were in excellent shape and included several upgrades (pyrex primary, 2" 2x Moonlight focuser, RACI & Telrad, flocked OTA, secondary knobs, cooling fans, etc.) that put it on par or even better than a stock GSO Dob the same size. Those upgrades plus the great deal I got buying local pushed me to get the XT12i, otherwise I would've had a GSO made scope similar to yours.
I found adding wheels at the base and carrying straps (with an extra strap across my shoulder) improves the portability so much so that it becomes a non-issue compared to the 8". I will be selling the 8" in the near-mid term future. Need to get a solar filter for the 12" first.
I decided to keep my 8" along with my 12". I don't use the 8" as often since getting an excellent 5" refractor since there's a lot of performance overlap between the two, but it's an excellent DSO scope for when I'm wanting to look for faint fuzzies but don't have the time for the 12" since cool down time between the 8" & 12" is substantial. The 8" is also much easier to setup and smaller than the 5" and it's mount.
As for moving the 12" when traveling, the original owner of my XT12i had bought a large padded Orion bag made just for the OTA to fit in. It's has large shoulder straps that makes moving the OTA very comfortable and easy. Whenever setting the scope up at home I just cradle the OTA in my arms while carrying. I've added two straps to the OTA but they get used to mount my dew controller and to route the wires through, while the lithium battery rides on the rocker box.
Yeah for sure. Personally though I don't like optical finders because they add weight, dew very fast and generally show little. I prefer a laser RDF combo. With the laser I don't even have to bend and look through anything. Then I just use a 30mm eyepiece to find the target.
Hi! What’s the third scope there? Isn’t this a small newtonian on eq mount? 6-incher? What’s the purpose? Isn’t it redundant having 8-incher? You”re saying you want to get rid of your 8-incher, not the 6” one? Too much overlap? Not enough mobility on one end and not enough oomph on the other? Or is it because it’s motorized for some astro-photo?
Yes, that is right it is a 6inch on an EQ mount. This was taken from our small star party, that is my friend's son's telescope. I already got rid of the 8" as I found out I was not using it at all since I got the 12". So now I just have my 12" and a pair of binoculars 8-16x40 (Olympus) The 6" on an EQ mount is typically nice for astrophotography.
@@astralfields1696 Oh thanks for the reply! I was asking because I'm also trying to purchase one abroad and they mentioned adding a wooden crate to the package so it would arrive safely. But as you'd imagine it would add a lot of weight. So since yours ended up fine, I guess I wouldn't need that! :D Keep up the great videos by the way!
@@goth.bunny. No, it should be fine. I don't see how a crate would help things considerably. The tube where the primary mirror resides (the most crucial piece) is well cushioned by a lot of Styrofoam inside a big box. These get shipped all the way from China so they are quite sturdy.
I have a question if you dont mind answering. Now that you have the 12" how big is the size difference? Like physically, just how much more bulky is the 12" compared to the 8"? Ive read some things and would you say that its nearly twice that of the 8" tube? I just pulled the trigger on a 12" bresser and i cant wait.
Physically the difference is quite considerable. - I can carry the 8" 5-10 meters without separating the base. The 12" because of the GSO design I can't do that. - The 8" I can carry the tube under the arm of one hand. The 12" I have to use carrying straps and a third one around my neck. It is almost double in weight, yes. Bulkiness even more so as it is difficult to hold without extra straps With this being said.. in total it is just a bit extra hassle as when I count the chair, backpack with eyepieces etc, tarp i use, EQ platform, laptop and cam when imaging. a bit more hassle with the telescope is more than worth the effort. - The base is about the same weight and bulkiness. I don't feel much difference there. You will be very happy.. just make sure to put some kind of straps.
@@astralfields1696 thanks for the info. Well, it arrived a day earlier and i just finished putting it together. And you were right, the difference in size is quite extreme. On pictures the difference between 8 and 12" really doesnt seem so much but in person... Oh boy. 1% moon tonight with very good seeing and 0% clouds so i can immediately first light tonight! I think M51 will have the honor haha Since the bresser messier 12" is a GRP tube, the OTA is actually quite easy to carry at the tube rings. Havent had bearings this smooth yet, im very happy with it.
@@Sharpless2congratulations on your new 12"!! I really wanted a 12" whenever I first got into the hobby, but I'm a poor farm boy, so started with the cheaper 8" instead... damn glad I did! I really don't think I would've gotten a 12" out nearly as often and wouldn't have progressed through the early stages of the hobby nearly as quickly with a larger scope. That said, I'm now blessed to own a verity of scopes including an AD8 (8" f/5.9) and XT12i (12" f/4.9). Although the 12" is a lot more hassle to move and takes longer to setup (ie cool down) it's definitely worth it!!
@@Astro_Ape Thank you! And im basically the same :D. I think the 8" will forever be the best first scope, then after gaining a few years of experience one can still upgrade to larger tubes. I started saving money for my 8" when i was 15, working for other people and friends, saved for over 3 years and my mom gave me the last 50 i needed. Ive owned the 8" for over 6 years now and i definitely agree that if i got the 12" first, i wouldnt have been outside as much with it. I compared the 8 and 12 side by side yesterday on some clusters and M33. Details and stars that were completely invisible in the 8 are directly visible in the 12 without averted vision, they really pop out. The only issue i have is that since the 12" bresser doesnt have a solid plastic cover, theres no built-in aperture mask, making Solar observing very hard because the secondary shadow is visible at all times in all eyepieces.
I completely agree with this. I was also happy I started with an 8" as it is so much easier to carry and learn the ropes with. Then when the time came for the 12" it was a lot easier to manage knowing exactly what I was doing.
This is amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤. Your observatory is awesome.😊😊😊
Awesome video.
I started with an AD8 (8" f/5.9 Dob made by GSO) and absolutely loved it. In fact I loved it so much that I knew it wouldn't be long before I added a 12" to my astro-arsenal. I got a little sidetracked by adding a few different scopes first (2.8" f/6 ED, 4" f/7 SD, and 4.9" f/7.8 SD refractors, plus a 3.5" f/13.9 Mak) but I finally did add a 12" and the views have been phenomenal!!
My original plan had been to get an AD12 (GSO made 12" just like yours) but I was able to find a great deal locally for a used XT12i (12" f/4.9 Orion Dob).
The XT12i is an almost a 20 year old model and the Itelliscope DSC system is outdated technology that shows it's age, although it does work surprisingly well. Dispite it's age, the Dob and mirror coatings were in excellent shape and included several upgrades (pyrex primary, 2" 2x Moonlight focuser, RACI & Telrad, flocked OTA, secondary knobs, cooling fans, etc.) that put it on par or even better than a stock GSO Dob the same size.
Those upgrades plus the great deal I got buying local pushed me to get the XT12i, otherwise I would've had a GSO made scope similar to yours.
That sounds like a great deal, thanks for sharing.
Go Big Or Go Home This Is Amazing Hope To See What Comes Next
Oh yeah!!!!! Go big or go home! 💪 👏 🙌 . You have the POWER!!!!
Looks great.very similar to my Stella Lyra 10"only mines black.the 30mm is a good eyepiece.i still use my 8"dob more though due to portability
I found adding wheels at the base and carrying straps (with an extra strap across my shoulder) improves the portability so much so that it becomes a non-issue compared to the 8". I will be selling the 8" in the near-mid term future. Need to get a solar filter for the 12" first.
I recently bought a stellalyra 8 inch dob and some baader Hyperion eyepieces just waiting for clear skies🙏🏻
I decided to keep my 8" along with my 12".
I don't use the 8" as often since getting an excellent 5" refractor since there's a lot of performance overlap between the two, but it's an excellent DSO scope for when I'm wanting to look for faint fuzzies but don't have the time for the 12" since cool down time between the 8" & 12" is substantial. The 8" is also much easier to setup and smaller than the 5" and it's mount.
As for moving the 12" when traveling, the original owner of my XT12i had bought a large padded Orion bag made just for the OTA to fit in. It's has large shoulder straps that makes moving the OTA very comfortable and easy.
Whenever setting the scope up at home I just cradle the OTA in my arms while carrying. I've added two straps to the OTA but they get used to mount my dew controller and to route the wires through, while the lithium battery rides on the rocker box.
Nice scope would have got a right angled finder though.looking forward to future content🤙🏻
Yeah for sure. Personally though I don't like optical finders because they add weight, dew very fast and generally show little. I prefer a laser RDF combo. With the laser I don't even have to bend and look through anything. Then I just use a 30mm eyepiece to find the target.
Hi! What’s the third scope there? Isn’t this a small newtonian on eq mount? 6-incher? What’s the purpose? Isn’t it redundant having 8-incher? You”re saying you want to get rid of your 8-incher, not the 6” one? Too much overlap? Not enough mobility on one end and not enough oomph on the other? Or is it because it’s motorized for some astro-photo?
Yes, that is right it is a 6inch on an EQ mount. This was taken from our small star party, that is my friend's son's telescope. I already got rid of the 8" as I found out I was not using it at all since I got the 12". So now I just have my 12" and a pair of binoculars 8-16x40 (Olympus)
The 6" on an EQ mount is typically nice for astrophotography.
Hi! That's an amazing scope! I was wondering, did you have this shipped internationally or locally?
Yeah , they shipped it internationally from Poland to the Czech Republic.
@@astralfields1696 Oh thanks for the reply! I was asking because I'm also trying to purchase one abroad and they mentioned adding a wooden crate to the package so it would arrive safely. But as you'd imagine it would add a lot of weight. So since yours ended up fine, I guess I wouldn't need that! :D
Keep up the great videos by the way!
@@goth.bunny. No, it should be fine. I don't see how a crate would help things considerably. The tube where the primary mirror resides (the most crucial piece) is well cushioned by a lot of Styrofoam inside a big box. These get shipped all the way from China so they are quite sturdy.
@@astralfields1696 Thank you! That helps a lot !!
I have a question if you dont mind answering.
Now that you have the 12" how big is the size difference? Like physically, just how much more bulky is the 12" compared to the 8"? Ive read some things and would you say that its nearly twice that of the 8" tube?
I just pulled the trigger on a 12" bresser and i cant wait.
Physically the difference is quite considerable.
- I can carry the 8" 5-10 meters without separating the base. The 12" because of the GSO design I can't do that.
- The 8" I can carry the tube under the arm of one hand. The 12" I have to use carrying straps and a third one around my neck. It is almost double in weight, yes. Bulkiness even more so as it is difficult to hold without extra straps
With this being said.. in total it is just a bit extra hassle as when I count the chair, backpack with eyepieces etc, tarp i use, EQ platform, laptop and cam when imaging. a bit more hassle with the telescope is more than worth the effort.
- The base is about the same weight and bulkiness. I don't feel much difference there.
You will be very happy.. just make sure to put some kind of straps.
@@astralfields1696 thanks for the info. Well, it arrived a day earlier and i just finished putting it together. And you were right, the difference in size is quite extreme. On pictures the difference between 8 and 12" really doesnt seem so much but in person... Oh boy.
1% moon tonight with very good seeing and 0% clouds so i can immediately first light tonight! I think M51 will have the honor haha
Since the bresser messier 12" is a GRP tube, the OTA is actually quite easy to carry at the tube rings. Havent had bearings this smooth yet, im very happy with it.
@@Sharpless2congratulations on your new 12"!!
I really wanted a 12" whenever I first got into the hobby, but I'm a poor farm boy, so started with the cheaper 8" instead... damn glad I did! I really don't think I would've gotten a 12" out nearly as often and wouldn't have progressed through the early stages of the hobby nearly as quickly with a larger scope.
That said, I'm now blessed to own a verity of scopes including an AD8 (8" f/5.9) and XT12i (12" f/4.9). Although the 12" is a lot more hassle to move and takes longer to setup (ie cool down) it's definitely worth it!!
@@Astro_Ape Thank you! And im basically the same :D. I think the 8" will forever be the best first scope, then after gaining a few years of experience one can still upgrade to larger tubes.
I started saving money for my 8" when i was 15, working for other people and friends, saved for over 3 years and my mom gave me the last 50 i needed. Ive owned the 8" for over 6 years now and i definitely agree that if i got the 12" first, i wouldnt have been outside as much with it.
I compared the 8 and 12 side by side yesterday on some clusters and M33. Details and stars that were completely invisible in the 8 are directly visible in the 12 without averted vision, they really pop out.
The only issue i have is that since the 12" bresser doesnt have a solid plastic cover, theres no built-in aperture mask, making Solar observing very hard because the secondary shadow is visible at all times in all eyepieces.
I completely agree with this. I was also happy I started with an 8" as it is so much easier to carry and learn the ropes with. Then when the time came for the 12" it was a lot easier to manage knowing exactly what I was doing.
C'est quoi, ce petit bâtiment octogonal en briques qui vous sert d'observatoire ? Et où ça se passe ? en Amérique, en Angleterre, en Australie ?
Hi, it is some kind of water transport building which is also officially a scenery observation post for public viewing in the Czech Republic.
Price??
If you get it from Poland , it is like 950$
Big.