Nightsky Dob 14.5"

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Brand and Model:	Nightsky Dob 14.5"
Price ($USD):	3150
Type:	Newtonian
Attributes:	Go-To PEC
Aperture:	14.5"
f Ratio:	4.3
Focal Length:	1583mm
Finder:	Telrad
Electric Power:	12V battery
Mount:	Dobsonian
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):	120
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:	14.5" f/4.3 Nightsky Truss Tube Dobsonian with Pegasus Optics (other optics available)

Vote Highlights

Nightsky Dob 14.5"

In my search for that perfect scope with powerful views has lead me through an assortment of telescopes from a 60 mm refractor to a 12" SCT,even had a large dob but it was too heavy and cumbersome.
When I really made the commitment to have a custom telescope, I started to research and found Jim Nadeau's NightSky Telescopes web site.
My needs were that I wanted a large reflector, eyepiece height of no more than 65 "at zenith, completely portable with components not trying to exceed 25 lbs. I placed an order with Jim for a 14.5" and sat and waited. Jim is very helpful and will go out of his way to help in any matter that arises.
When my scope finally arrived the anticipation of the waiting paid off immensely as I was rewarded with one of the most beautiful piece's of hardware that I had ever seen. The joints are #1 with appearance and look like they will last longer than the surrounding wood, any imperfections are filled with a small amount of putty, sanded so you cannot even tell they are there.
The upper cage is a work of art. The fit, finish and appearance are just outstanding with all the pieces fitting very neatly with one another - no gaps.
The truss poles are perfect with an outstanding job done on the welds, light shroud is a perfect fit. One thing different from what is pictured on Jim's website is the mirror box cover. He shows it as natural wood but I got mine painted black. I like the black better because it shows a uniform color across the mirror box.
I got the upgraded electrical package with the Argo Navis Dsc's and it is wired by a professional. All wires are placed and held very neatly.
The mirror cell is a site to behold, excellent welds, everything fitting together nicely. It retains the primary fantastic.
What I most like about this scope is the care Jim puts in his finish. The polyurethane is awesome and must be at least 1/16 inch thick. You could actually seem to lose yourself into the wood if you stare too long.
I opted for the Pegasus mirror and after careful collimation with the tectron tools I viewed the Double cluster with a 31 mm nagler and a 2" Lumicon UHC filter and it just took my breath away. I live 10 miles from downtown Chicago and the light pollution is horrible but when I view through the scope everything kind of disappears except for the stars.
Movements of the scope are buttery smooth as I initially used the scope in 10 degree weather.
I have been in the construction industry for 29 years and have seen a lot of finished products but in all honesty this is one of the best
If anyone is researching for a new scope, give Jim a chance. His scopes are a beauty to behold
Marty Collins

Addendum:
Nightsky 14.5" first time at a dark site.
Living in a western suburb of Chicago and dealing with the light pollution is hard but this last weekend I took my scope out to a site about 60 miles away from the city. Set up and collimaton was a breeze. Argo Navis worked superb. I got the pegasus mirror and the views are very nice where I live but when I looked through the eyepiece at an area that was that had less light pollution I was truly amazed,Can mere words describe a fine work of art? No, It was almost surreal. M31 and 32 together with a 27mm pan,M51,81,82,83 the gobulars M13,3,22,nebulas M57,27,8, could not see the veil though, left my filters at home.
I am really into dso's and have never seen so many stars in the eyepiece that it was hard to make out the dso's.
I can not truly express the workmanship and optics of a Nightsky dob
Way to go Jim
Marty Collins

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date: 07/19/2004 09:27:49 am PST
By: mecollins
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=330040

Reply Replies: 0

Nightsky Dob 14.5"

I could have spent far more (and waited much longer) to get a Starmaster with Zambuto optics, but I don't think I would have got a better scope or better optics. I purchased a Nightsky Scope with a 14.5" f/4.3 Pegasus mirror. It is fantastic! The views seem to be limited only by the atmospheric conditions. I've used magnifications over 650x, and that doesn't seem to approach the limit. No one makes a better mirror than John Hall at Pegasus Optics. The Nightsky Truss Tube structure by Jim Nadeau is equally impressive. Jim Nadeau's woodworking skills show brilliantly with the rich-grained oak plywood and solid oak. As good as this scope looks, it moves even better. It glides effortlessly and sticks dead on without any backlash.

The mirror cell is an open, welded steel-tube frame. It allows for rapid cool-down of the primary. I also like the hard-edge mirror support (rather than a sling).

Nightsky scopes are little heavier than some of their counterparts. But, they are extremely well-crafted and their appearance and finish are furniture-quality.

I researched various scopes prior to purchasing this one. Having now had it for a while, I know if I had it to do over again I'd get exactly the same scope.

I can't recommend Pegasus mirrors enough. Mine is amazing. It's even better sitting in a Nightsky structure! If you want a truss-tube dob, get one of these!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 11/07/2002 10:45:48 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.39.108)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=146628

Reply Replies: 0

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