25 inch setup

This page contains images and descriptions of my 25" Obsession reflector. I sold my 20" f/5 Obsession because I wanted more aperture, but I would have kept that telescope if I could afford to have two Obsessions.

I chose a couple of upgrades to Dave Kriege's basic package: 1) Galaxy optics rather than the standard Nova optics. I had a great Galaxy mirror in my 20" and wanted the same for the 25". 2) Feather Touch focuser. I had a JMI DX-1 with fine focus on the 20", but the Feather Touch has a smoother operation throughout the entire travel range. The JMI DX-1 had areas that were a bit jittery, especially on the fine focus. The Feather Touch gives much more of an infinite focus feel over what I had experienced with the JMI DX-1. 3) Light shroud (this really shouldn't even be optional), and 4) Argo Navis computer and high resolution digital setting circles (I reasoned it was better to have Dave install these because he designed/built the telescope and knows the best place to put such gadgets). I had a Sky Commander on the 20" but chose to go with the Argo Navis on the 25" because of the great reviews this product has been getting.

I recently had Gary install a ServoCat GOTO system, which works very well. I did have an equatorial platform but decided replace that with the ServoCat because of the increased set-up complexity with the 25" Obsession on a 25" equatorial platform. Setting up my old 20" Obsession on the platform was pretty easy, but doing so with the 25" Obsession was really not a pleasant experience. I usually set-up by myself and the 25" is more difficult to wrangle, especially when trying to mount on a platform at a remote viewing site.

The telescope "breaks down" into 3 subassemblies: 1) the mirror/rocker box, 2) the truss tubes, and 3) the secondary cage. The box is the heaviest component, mainly due the the mirror, and weighs about 150 lbs. Fortunately, there are wheeled handles that attach to the sides of the box which reduce the effective weight to about 40 pounds. This is very easy to move around (including up and down the loading ramps).


Here's what the scope was delivered in on March 1, 2003. The mirror was delivered separately from Galaxy Optics in Buena Vista, CO. Move your cursor over the picture for a description of the contents of each box.	Here's the scope loaded into a 2001 Toyota 4Runner, ready for transport to a dark site. Follow this link for more pictures of how transportable a 25" Obsession really is.

These are the aluminum ramps (8 ft extended) that are used to get the scope in and out of the vehicle. The ramps are lightweight and easy to use. The ramps are also used to mount the scope onto the equatorial platform. (follow this link)	My old 20" f/5 Obsession (left) being set up next to my 25" Obsession. Click on the picture or follow this link for more information on my old 20" set-up.

Do you think you might want a larger aperture telescope? Here are some things you should first consider:

Cons:
This is a big telescope and requires the use of a ladder. If you are not comfortable climbing, leaning and sitting on ladders then a big telescope is not for you.

This is not a telescope for impromptu, "I only want to view for 15 minutes" viewing sessions. There is set-up time, thermal equilibration time, viewing time, and tear-down time. You should plan on committing at least several hours to each viewing session. If this doesn't seem realistic then a big telescope is not for you (or you just need an observatory to house the telescope).

Pros:
This telescope will cure all but the most severe forms of aperture fever.
This telescope will allow you to see the Great Orion Nebula in natural color.
This telescope will allow you to view (and see) objects without averted vision.
This is definitely a telescope for deep sky enjoyment --- realize dust lanes, galactic arms, and nebular structure instead of faint fuzzy blotches.