New Line of Orion Monster Dobs!

[AustinPSD]

Eyepiece height at zenith:

36" = 12 feet
40" = 13 1/4 feet
50" = 15 1/2 feet

Since the system has ServoCat/Argo-Navis and tracks, it would be "interesting" to attempt standing on a ladder for viewing. I suspect it would be more practical, and perhaps safer to sell it with an optional, small JLG man-lift or similar hardware... scaffolding and ladders would be problematic because they'd interfere with the tracking.

[billxtrm]

Whoa, and I mean WHOA!!

[subbu68]

A cherry picker synchornised with the movement of the scope to be included.

[EricFD]

I thought I had seen it all until I opened the Orion catalog that I got in the mail yesterday. Now, Orion has a 50" Truss Dob. It's new line of "Monster Dobs" include 36", 40" and 50" aperture scopes. Just take a look at the price of this 900 lbs. behemoth.

[Registered users can see links. ]

[AustinPSD]

And that doesn't include shipping!

[EricFD]

LOL Austin! No, it doesn't!

[idk]

Ok... so now do I get the XX14i, or this?

[EricFD]

LOL idk! I do know. It's a tough call!

[AustinPSD]

I also laugh at the suggestion that this is "transportable" - with a mirror cell in excess of 500 lbs. and larger than the bed of a 1-ton pick-up I wonder what the transport system would be?

Let's take "idk's" $123K for the purchase price, add to it another $50K for a JLG Man-lift to be able to reach the eyepiece, $10K for a used forklift, and another $100K - $200K for a flat-bed truck with lift gate... and maybe another $50K for incidentals... that ought to cover it. What an entrance one could make at the next big star party in the spring :-)

I can just imagine having this pre (or worse post) purchase discussion with the wife...

[sevenhelmet]

So... a telescope, or a house to live in? Tough call. Do you think there's a bank that will give out a mortgage on that badboy?