Check out a new scope - advice

I expect to take delivery of a Skyliner 8 inch/203mm Dob in the next days. I hope to get some time at the weekend to assemble/check etc.
Any advice on what to look for regarding making sure it all ok/undamaged? I already got a suggested mod list but I want to wait and see exactly what status /version I get.
Any input / site recommendations for collimating, dont know much about this. Tools needed?
cant make responses until near weekend.
Incidentally for anyone interested the Dob was €289 + ca 40 carriage.
Thanks for any comment.

Nosmo

Hi Nosmo

Sounds lile you got an excellent price on the dob. Can you let us know where you picked it up for such a good price. As for collimation etc,I cant help you,but I am sure the lads here will set you right

Nosmo - good luck with the new scope!

As regards collimation, I would recommend you have a fling around the web - there are some very good routines out there for collimation.

By the way, if you are getting a 'fast' scope, prepare to collimate often. But also prepare for good views.

If you get stuck, let us know.

Cheers

Dave McD

Thanks for input

Dob came from astroshop.biz -

www.astroshop.biz/shop/159/2198/

English language tab at side, my page in deutsch.

Arranged my own carriage - they wanted 60 yoyos

Nosmo

F6 ratio is medium. Collimation shouldn't be required too often but most Newtonian designs usually need a check up every month or two.

In fact, I read today that some serious planetary imagers check their collimation every few hours :shock:

Thankfully, you shouldn't need to do this.

I would strongly recommend you DO NOT go out and spend money on laser collimators, Cheshire eyepieces or other such gizmos - at least not yet. In fact, don't worry about collimation until you get used to the scope. Give yourself a couple of weeks at least before you try to collimate unless of course the image you see when you use the scope first is full of little comets all over the place

Give us a shout when you're ready.

Seems like a nice scope and a good bargain. Have fun!

Cheers

Dave McD