TheSkySearchers

SOLD! I decided to sell my Obsession 18" UC a few weeks ago. The fact is that it took up a lot of space and was not getting used. I had less than 10 sessions with it in two years, and since I have postponed my move to Nevada for a few years (and the wondrous dark skies) I had come to the conclusion that it was a bit of an albatross. It really needs a dedicated obsy.

So when I was chatting astronomy with a local professor of Astrophysics who walks his dog in the neighborhood I told him that I had a big Dob for sale. We agreed on a price of $3,000 and he brought me a cashier's check the next day and happily hauled it away. So the end of an era. I have recently become more interested in planetary observing and the moon due to the persistent light pollution which has reduced the number of objects left to observe. I have completed the M110 and more than 300 of the H1 objects but I realize I can't really penetrate any further for the time being. Now I have my eye on a C11 as my next scope with which I hope to start doing some planetary AP.

So the worm has turned. Anyway, Au Revoir big light bucket!

Welcome to the Dark side, Michael...

Wow.
This sort of decision is a big deal, Michael.
I am glad it has worked out well for you.
The C11 sounds like a good idea. It is big but not too heavy.
I look forward to seeing some AP.

A reduction! I guess it's not all about the size but how you use it!

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 5:47 pm Wow.
This sort of decision is a big deal, Michael.
I am glad it has worked out well for you.
The C11 sounds like a good idea. It is big but not too heavy.
I look forward to seeing some AP.

Thanks Mark. It was kind of like selling a house, or something like that.

yobbo89 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 5:49 pm A reduction! I guess it's not all about the size but how you use it!

True Enough. I just found it a bit unwieldy and as they say, the best scope for you is the one you use - and my AR152 has become my go to scope. The guy who bought it from me has plans to take it up to the Hat Creek area in Northeastern California where the University of California has a radio telescope site. Plus, the skies up there are very dark.

The scopes are like EPs, one need to find the best match, not necessary the largest. You have enjoyed it for awhile and passed to the good hands.

I am contemplating a large glass (DOB or SCT) but as you feel that to really enjoy it one need a permanent installation. 11" SCT on the other hand is perfectly manageable. Just make sure that you get heavy duty mount to support it.

That took courage.

I feel sad for you man, more than ever, since I too am in a similar situation. I've barely used my UC18 and even when I have it has been all manual even though I paid for the AstroNavis and StellarCAT, etc. It's not too bad to manage (about 30 minutes set up) but I have gotten into AP and it has been overkill though I still want to hook a camera up to it one of these days if for nothing else other than doing some short exposure AP. Plus the mirror getting dusty (not a lot) due to it being exposed has bothered me. I prefer closed system.

But I will get my own observatory one of these years... then I can leave it set up. As you say, it's an end of an era...

--Ram

Flexible optimization is key, so bitter sweet congratulations on your decision....

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:09 pm Flexible optimization is key, so bitter sweet congratulations on your decision....

Well I kind of wanted to keep it but the realization is that I have not been hauling it out very often. The skies have been poor over the last 18 months. So I decided to part with it. When I move to a dark sky site, I will re-visit the idea of a big Dob. Thanks notFritz.

helicon wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:13 pm

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:09 pm Flexible optimization is key, so bitter sweet congratulations on your decision....

Well I kind of wanted to keep it but the realization is that I have not been hauling it out very often. The skies have been poor over the last 18 months. So I decided to part with it. When I move to a dark sky site, I will re-visit the idea of a big Dob. Thanks notFritz.

I empathize. Downsizing to move my present scope family across country was tough but necessary. But the good news is that I can now expand again.

Am I the last kid on the block with an 18UC? Yes, it is kind of big, and a little heavy, but the views sure are terrific.
Had to be a tough decision. Glad it's going to a good home.

Hi Michael, well, that's interesting to hear. I remember when you got it actually! Still, though hard to part with any scope, I commend your decision. You've certainly thought it out, and aperture is great as long as it gets used.

I traded a 12" for a 10" plus some cash, just 'cause the 10" was easier to handle/move around. Still, there's some nights when I would like to swap it out for a 6" at f/8. Even easier to manage and more my viewing style.

Glad to hear it went to a good home as well. Hope you get your C11 soon!

Kingofthehill wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:53 pm Am I the last kid on the block with an 18UC? Yes, it is kind of big, and a little heavy, but the views sure are terrific.
Had to be a tough decision. Glad it's going to a good home.

Well Paul, don't sell yours until I have a chance to look through it.

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2019 12:27 am

Kingofthehill wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:53 pm Am I the last kid on the block with an 18UC? Yes, it is kind of big, and a little heavy, but the views sure are terrific.
Had to be a tough decision. Glad it's going to a good home.

Well Paul, don't sell yours until I have a chance to look through it.

Not to worry, my daughter says it's hers when I keel over, so I can't lose it. I'll keep it as long as I can lift it. My back is still pretty good.

Holy cow!

I must say I am a bit shocked at the sell, but I completely understand the reasoning behind it.

The sky here has been terrible as well for about the same time frame. My poor 12" has seen little use this year. I just got tired of pulling it out only to put it back up shortly afterward. Smaller glass has been easier to move during the many astronomical fire drills here.

bladekeeper wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2019 1:58 am Holy cow!

I must say I am a bit shocked at the sell, but I completely understand the reasoning behind it.

The sky here has been terrible as well for about the same time frame. My poor 12" has seen little use this year. I just got tired of pulling it out only to put it back up shortly afterward. Smaller glass has been easier to move during the many astronomical fire drills here.

It just seemed the right time since I have not been using it much. Well, things change over time Bryan.

helicon wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2019 2:03 am

bladekeeper wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2019 1:58 am Holy cow!

I must say I am a bit shocked at the sell, but I completely understand the reasoning behind it.

The sky here has been terrible as well for about the same time frame. My poor 12" has seen little use this year. I just got tired of pulling it out only to put it back up shortly afterward. Smaller glass has been easier to move during the many astronomical fire drills here.

It just seemed the right time since I have not been using it much. Well, things change over time Bryan.

Indeed they do!

Sounds like you found the right buyer at the right time. Congrats on the sell, my friend.

Ouch that's $400 per session. I would have kept it for later and I would have taken it to dark sites for some adventures. What a shame. I mean, what about the Grand Canyon star party or the RTMC, gorgeous places not that far away, the Sierras are only 4 hours, nice for a few days of vacation. Hopefully the C11 will work better, but there are only 2 planets worth watching during very few days per year and most of the planet joy is in astrophotography. I hope it will work better for you, good luck with your future plans.