Re: Johnsonian Pop-Up Dob aka Lite-Bucket

From: Dennis Dickerson (ddickers_at_flash.net)
Date: 11/29/04 

Date: 28 Nov 2004 20:57:10 -0800

I recently received an 18" Johnsonian - so I can speak to it. While
the instrument is amazingly lightweight, what you see in the photo are
precision aluminum rings and an innovative carbon fiber strut system
that rotates down into a compact configuration for transportation.
The rings are incredibly rigid - if my memory is correct, Sam Johnson
told me that they were 32 times stronger than the wooden rings
typically employed. I believe that Sam will be filing for a patent on
the bi-stable struts. The mount is anything but flimsy. Fit and
finish are all superb. Superior to any other dobsonians that I have
seen - particularly because there are no wooden parts - just carbon
fiber composites and anodized, numerically machined aluminum
components. The 18" even includes electric collimation motors for the
primary, so that one person can perform collimation without ever
leaving the eyepiece. I hope to write up a full review by the end of
December, after I have had the opportunity to take it out to one or
more dark sky sites for a comprehensive evaluation. My son also
purchased an 18". He is able to pack his into the trunk of his Toyota
Solara, without lowering the back seat.

Dennis Dickerson

"TF" <tf1234@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<41a95ce5$1_4@127.0.0.1>...
> Hi gang,
>
> Just got the latest S&T mag.... What do I see...??
>
> A "Pop-UP" Dob by Johnsonian aka "Lite-Bucket" dob..
>
> Interesting concept ... Still looks flimsy to me..
>
> Anyone seen on of these in person yet??
>
> TF
>
>
>
>
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