Hi guys!

Well, June is here and as i promised myself, I am upgrading my current 5 inch reflector to a 12inch reflector telescope. I would have gone for the 10 incher, but considering that a 12incher is not significantly bigger (ive compared both in person) i opted for the larger apeture. My budget lies around $1000 so that leaves me with two options that i know of right now:

1. Zhumell Z12 Deluxe Dob

pros: dual speed focuser, cooling fan, free laser pointer, free shipping, and low cost (800 bucks)

cons: sketchy instruction manual?

2. Sky-Watcher 12inch Collapsable Dob

pros: collapsable into a compact OTA, good optics, cool color scheme

cons: price (1000 bucks), no free shipping (though there is a 25 dollar shipping offer going on)

Ok, so can you guys enlighten me some more on both the scopes, such as additional pros and cons. Also, how well dose each telescope hold collimation (considering that they are 12 inchers). optical quality in the mirrors? ease of use (should be pretty stright forward). 

also, where can i find more information about each scope....user reviews? i've read a review on the skywatcher in the sky and telescope magazine, which was helpful.

thanks in advance for the insight guys! i'm excited to join the big apteture club now!!!

The Sky & Telescope review was rather positive.  Here's an owner review of the 12" Sky-Watcher on CN that is too.

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1920

I've been toying with the idea of  buying a 10" Sky-Watcher and selling my 10" ATM Dob.

Dave Mitsky

 i am actually leaning more on the zhumell because of the price, but the portability of the SW is tempting

 another question:

the main reason i want the zhumell is because of the dual speed focuser (and of course the price)

but i was wondering if i bought the skywatcher, would i be able to "replace" and "upgrade" the standard crayford focusor to a dualspeed one? if so how much would it cost/how difficult is it?

thanks guys!

 well?

You can upgrade the stock focuser on your scope to a dual speed.  Here is one you can buy;

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=focusers/~pcategory=accessories/~product_id=08881

But, as you see it's not cheap to do, and some modifications to your tube may be needed to make it fit.

 one last qustion before i push the purchase button:

how long is the Zhumell Z12's tube? 50inches? 60inches?

I believe it will be about 60" long, maybe a bit less.

 according to the FAQ section http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/dobsonian-telescopes/zhumellz12deluxedobsonianreflectortelescope.cfm on this website it states that the OTA is 50inches....it that incorrect?

You would think that they would know, so they are probably right.

 yea, the reason i ask is because the orion XT12's OTA is 4'10".....so i was wondering why the conflicting lengths in same apeture telescopes.

My older Z12er OTA is 4'9" or 57".

Al

edit:

nah, just ordered the Z12