StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian

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Brand and Model:StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
Price ($USD):2295
Type:Newtonian
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:318mm (12.5")
f Ratio:f/5.2
Focal Length:1651mm
Finder:Telrad
Electric Power:n/a
Mount:Dobsonian
Tripod:n/a
Weight (lbs):95 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):22 " x 22 " x 16 "
Description:JSL Crayford focuser, light shroud, carrying case for truss tubes. Removable mirror cell optional. Super-planetary primary guaranteed to 1/20th peak-to-valley.

Ed Ting's Review

Vote Highlights Vote
StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
F5 w/Zambuto optics owned since new in 2001 is outstanding in every fashion. The view and mechanics of this scope are so good that I would rather use it than look through larger scopes that often set up close to me. The contrast and pinpoint sharpness of the Zambuto mirror coupled with the skill and engineering by Rick Singmaster, make this instrument a pleasure to utilize. The mechanics make the telescope transparent, you can hand track over 450x and the scope does not get in the way.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=443380

StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
I have the older "superplanetary" version with Pegasus mirror and removable mirror cell assembly. The optics are simply magnificent (John Hall was still putting his Pegasus mirrors on Rick's smaller scopes at that time) for both planetary and DSO's. It is from the realm of dobs before GOTO's and thus I keep it on an equitorial platform for observation and drawing, using Sky Commander to zero in on objects.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=604099

StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
Mine is the older superplanetary f5.2 with a Pegasus mirror. The scope is now about 10 years old and still puts gives amazing views on deep sky and planets. No coma at this focal length. Globulars are breathtaking. There was no go-to option available when I purchased it from Rick, but I put it on a Tom O. platform and it holds it image like a charm. It's a great size to work with, made easier with the optional removable mirror cell. The only way I will part with this one is for a +16" Starmaster or (I hope the former comes first!)

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=566812

StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
Excellent telescope. I have the EL version with a Zambuto mirror. Star tests shows better than 1/10 wave at the eyepiece - specs show the mirror at 1/48 wave! Views of Jupiter and Saturn are simply stunning - showing a wealth of detail. The EL scope is f/5, but made to be used with a Paracorr. When the Paracorr is in place, star images are pinpoint to the edge - even at the lowest powers. Collimation and setup is extremely easy, and the scope moves and balances well. The scope is suprisingly compact for its aperture - it takes up MUCH less room than an 8" SCT (once you consider the SCT's mount). On a night of above average seeing, the 12.5 held its own very well against a extremely good 20" dob nearby. Enough aperture to see just about any deep sky object you would want. Overall, one of the best astro purchases I have ever made.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38397

StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
Setup - 10/15 minutes at remote site, less at home (roll it out with the wheel barrow handles)
Portability - heaviest piece less than 30 lbs; packs in compact car(Escort) with room to spare for equipment and another passenger.
Movement - silky smooth with only a light touch needed for guiding yet holds well in position
Star test - better than 1/10th wave w/Zambuto Optics
Brightness/Resolution - almost undectable difference in galaxy images compared with 15-in of a competitive premium brand despite the other's advantage in aperture; M13 resolved to the core and 5-6 stars picked up inside the dumbbell nebula under usual med quality seeing conditions

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38396 

>Setup - 10/15 minutes at remote site, less at home (roll it out with the wheel barrow handles)
>Portability - heaviest piece less than 30 lbs; packs in compact car(Escort) with room to spare for equipment and another passenger.
>Movement - silky smooth with only a light touch needed for guiding yet holds well in position
>Star test - better than 1/10th wave w/Zambuto Optics
>Brightness/Resolution - almost undectable difference in galaxy images compared with 15-in of a competitive premium brand despite the other's advantage in aperture; M13 resolved to the core and 5-6 stars picked up inside the dumbbell nebula under usual med quality seeing conditions


Do you still have the scope?  Any interest in selling?

Thanks.

Neal Olson
StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
Absolutely outstanding telescope. I've had mine for nearly five years, and its still in great shape. The workmanship is quite evident as the movement in all axes is still smooth, and the scope is extremely steady even in our windy Great Plains! The mirror is one of the best I know of, and visitors always comment on the clarity of the view. Sharp edge-to-edge views despite it being an f/4.8. Highly recommend one to anybody considering a medium to large aperature scope.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38395

StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
I've owned this scope for eleven months. It was the first EL production model to hit the field. This is an outstanding scope, optically and mechanically. The "EL" stands for easy and light. Easy is the operative word. The truss assembly is in one piece and has a total of only four bolts that hold the truss assembly to the rocker box. Set up only takes minutes. If you are six feet tall, you can point the telescope to the zenith and still stand on the ground and look through the eyepiece. For the rest of us, the highest you ever get off the ground is one step on a short ladder. The action up, down or side to sede is very smoth. The otics are by Zambuto and are ussurpassed. Zambuto mirrors are some of the smoothest mirrors on the market. This is a telescope that is easy to set up, smaller than any other scope in its size market, and has the power to do serious deep sky observing. I recommend it highly. Coupled with the Starmaster's four star service, you can' beat it.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38394

StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
Grat views, stable platform, moves easily for this size DOB.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38393

StarMaster 12.5" Dobsonian
Quality telescope; outstanding optics. Portable, easily assembled.
Builder very accessible and easy to work with.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38391

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