Last night was the 1st night Iíve had to go glob hunting. My 12.5 Obsession didnít disappoint me. When my friend said it would provide me with ìstunning viewsî, letís just say I said to myself that ìyeah, theyíll be good, but stunning is stretching it a bitî

When the Argo Navis guided me dead center to M-3 at 100x power I was surprised and said ìWOWî, I decided to go to 200x and about fell out of my chair! I just was blown away at how well it resolved to the core. If it looks this good in a 12.5, I canít even imagine what it would look like in your larger scopes (Iím not even going to look because Iíll be ordering another scope from you!). So I guided the scope to M-13 and 92 and the views were just crazy! I couldnít believe the detail I could see. There were a couple of others at the site with SCT (11 and 12 inch) but their images didnít not show the brightness or detail that my Obsession did. We also had a newbie with us and one of SCT owners commented ìThatís what aperture and quality shows you in the EPî. I couldnít agree more.

Thanks for a wonderful scopeÖ I can't wait for the TSP in June!


Bob Novak, 12.5" owner - February 18, 2008
Dave, my 12.5 finally saw first light last night. I was very impressed. I collimated using a sight tube the way I have for the past 25 years. Star test was text book perfect. Frankly, reading your claim of views like an APO naturally provoked some skepticism on my part. I have a couple of APO's here that are used mostly for imaging but produce very high contrast images visually as well. The 12.5 blows them away with coma free views across the fov. Saturn was jaw dropping sharp with my 3.5mm Nagler type 6.
Thanks, Bob Novak


Bert S., 12.5" owner in Pittsburg, California - November 28, 2007
Damn!! This scope is still amazing me. I really can't thank you folks enough.


Dan Ianke, 12.5" owner in High Ridge, Missouri - August 5, 2007
Thank You so much for my beautiful 12.5". The 'curse' is upon me so I haven't gotten any first photons yet, but I couldn't help drop you a line of thanks for all that you and your amazing gang of professionals do. This instrument is a work of art! sincerely Dan

FOLLOW-UP:
I started to get tired so I decided to finish the 1st light evaluations of Maggie with a star test. No aberrations were there for me to find. No turned down edge no astigmatism just a beautiful round donut on either side of focus. This OMI mirror is more than a keeper. Like the rest of the telescope it is a work of art!

As per the Physical performance, Again, WOW! I was never lower than about 75 degrees alt all night with many times very close to the zenith. While it took some getting used to for me, the scopes handling was like butter. What a machine!

In all this is one telescope that lives up to every thing Dave Kriege claims and then some. The views are extremely brilliant and sharp. I could not find one thing to complain about in the view that this little 12.5" Dob gives. When I was deciding to purchase this telescope I was worried that I needed to go up in aperture to truly be happy; however, after tonight's views, I know my worries were unfounded. Bright stars like Vega and Arcturus were bright enough that I started to worry about my night vision. I guess I'll need sun glasses at my dark sky site. I will have to go for that very soon indeed.


Doug B., 12.5" owner in Pound Ridge, New York - August 4, 2007
I have been out over 10 nights with the new 12.5" scope which was just delivered 3 weeks ago. The views are awesome I am thinking about quitting my job so I can do more observing! Wish I could... I have had some great nebula viewing the last few nights. The galaxy views are everything I had hoped for and am very pleased. Fully resolved globulars are like icing on the cake. Thanks again for everything.


Doug B., 12.5” owner in Pound Ridge, New York - July 13, 2007
I just had another great night of viewing through the scope. I have never seen so much detail in M51 before, crap ... I couldn't even find M51 before! I couldn't be happier. Thank you very much.


James Hall, 12.5 inch owner in Paducah, Kentucky - 1.01.06
I own a 12.5 Obsession and am thoroughly pleased with it. I could go on and on with dark sky DSO reports but the best testimony I can think of is from last night, New Years eve. We had a party at my suburban W. Kentucky home -- four couples with kids. The moon was 93% and 36 degrees from M42. My guests were able to clearly see the bat wings, almost from tip to tip. To me that says 'Good Optics' from the OMI Primary to the 9mm T6 Nagler, and the high quality secondary in between. It is rock solid in every other aspect. I failed to mention that the wind was blowing a steady 10mph with gusts from 15 to 20. The scope moved with ease, as always, and not only stayed where I put it, but also didn't vibrate, even with the gusts.


Frank G., 12.5 inch owner in Richmond, Virginia - 12.30.06
By the way, for the 12.5", you had suggested a 7mm Nagler for high-power viewing when seeing is good. The 7mm was outstanding -- so good I thought I could push it some more. I got a 5mm Nagler (317X) and getting very sharp views of the moon and trapezium, even when seeing is average. Very good contrast on moon, lots of detail in M42 nebula in spite of moon light.


Morris M., 12.5 inch owner in Waukee, Iowa
I wanted to send you out a special big thank you for making this year a very special one with the new Obsession telescope that I purchased. I think back to the very first thought I even had of getting a new telescope this year, and the process that I went through and ultimately the final decision that I made to go ahead and get it. The telescope has really stepped up my passion of the astronomy hobby. Thanks again, Dave. Your passion for putting together the best telescope on the market has really made my passion for the hobby grow and become so much more enjoyable; I am very thankful.


Dan C., 12.5 inch owner in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hi, I just wanted to drop you a note. I have really enjoyed my 12.5. Thanks again for delivering to Okie-Tex. I have used the scope several times since picking up at star party. I have used at local dark sky area in albuquerque and I used at star party at fort Mckavett ,Texas. I find the images to be much sharper, much more detail than the old 12" I had been using. Thanks for making such a great scope. Dan clark


Jerry Gilliam, 12.5 inch owner in Sunnyvale, California.
I bought one of your 12.5" scopes a few months ago, unfortunately haven't been using it much - too busy working. Finally, I took it to a local moderately dark-sky site. Wow, it really is spectacular: easy to transport, easy to set up, easy to use. Once set up, I didn't even have to recollimate, the views as set up were just that good. That speaks volumes about the quality of the design and construction. I really hope I can spend a lot more time at the eyepiece and I want to both let you know what a delight this scope is and offer my sincere appreciation for your great products! Thanks, Jerry


John and Vicki Switzer, 12.5 and 15 inch owners in Centerpoint, Indiana
Both of the scopes are totally awesome. We have had a number of individuals tell us that (in a side by side comparison) our scopes both outperformed a 7" APO.
Thanks, John and Vicki Switzer
15" Obsession #1259
12.5" Obsession # 1489


Lee C., 12.5 inch owner in Melbourne, Florida
Dave, Just wanted to let you know that my 12.5" arrived right on time. It was easy to set up and I have used it three times since I got it. I am very satisfied with the mirror, and using the laser collimation method made alignment a much easier and faster process. I needed a little more out travel on the focuser, and I solved that by using a Televue high-hat adapter from my NP-101. The combination of a great grade of wood and the workmanship that went into it make the scope the best that I have seen. Looking at all the summer sky objects has been wonderful. I'll be taking it next year to TSP and can hardly wait to use it under the dark sky of west Texas. Thanks again, Lee C


Morris M., 12.5 inch owner in Waukee, Iowa
I started at sunset and looked at lots of things until about 1:00 AM. One goto in particular really got to me; it was to M5 in Serpens, near Ophiuchus. That is almost as good as M13 in Hercules! I also looked at a nebula in Draco that looked like a miniature version of the ring nebula, I could even make out the central star, but it was not as large in angular diameter. I looked at M81 and M82 near Ursa Major. I also looked at M51 (Whirlpool) and noticed the 12.5" isn't really able to capture that particular galaxy from where I was looking. I really need to go to a very dark site and see it again. Now that I got this telescope working, it is really great. The thing I really like about it is the difference between my desire to get it out and use it, compared to the old 5" XXXX I used to have. I really hated polar aligning that thing. The Barlowed laser technique is great! I can usually do it in about 5 minutes or less now. The more I use the scope, the more I want to use it again. I have really been looking forward to getting to know how to use the scope and take it out. I get a little bit braver each time with more advanced objects to find and even using the Mode Identify feature, that's fun! Time to sleep. Thanks again. Morris M Waukee, Iowa


Robert A., 12.5 inch owner in Amarillo Texas
Hi Everyone, Did a litle viewing tonight from the driveway with the Obsession 12.5 under less than ideal conditions. Despite the negatives, the scope performed admirably, as did the new Naglers (13 mm type 6, 9 mm type 6). Features on the Moon were razor sharp. Cloud bands on Jupiter revealed a wealth of detail. Epsilon Bootis was easily split with the 9 mm at 177X. M11 appeared 3-dimensional, despite the Moon being only 27° away. The Ring Nebula appeared as a perfect smoke ring with the 13 mm at 123X. M13 was also 3-dimensional with the 7 mm at 228X. Albireo, Mizar, and Polaris were easily split with the 26 mm at 61X. Now if I can just get that scope out to our club's dark sky site!

Clear skies, Robert A Amarillo Texas


William T., 12.5 inch owner in El Sobrante, California
Mr Dave Kriege, This is a belated thank you card. I received my 12.5 Dob in early May but it's only recently that I've beeen able to use it. The 12.5 is great to use. My two astronomy friends liked it immensely. Obviously no stones (or very few) were left unturned in it's manufacture. Thanks again for a fine scope.


Yang-Beng Lim, 12.5 inch owner in Singapore
Hi Dave, I received the 12.5 inch scope with Torus mirror in May. I tested the scope for these few months and I would like to say I love the scope. If I am not wrong this is the first Obsession scope in Singapore. I heard that someone from Singapore is also ordering a 15 inch structure from you.

I call the scope Obby (meaning Obsession Baby or Baby Obsession in short). I really love the woodwork and it looks really nice and the scope is small enough to fit in my small car well. The mechanics is excellent and the scope is very smooth and tracking at 440x and above is easy. I also really like the big altitude bearings and makes this scope stand out compared to other 'copycat' dobs out there; sort of like large sports tires on a car. I did not get a chance to go to dark sites as my country Singapore is a bright city and usually it is cloudy; I did try to go to neighbouring country Malaysia but unfortunately there was bad weather. However, I did get a lot of chances to look at Jupiter and the moon. I must say I had the best view of Jupiter and the moon in my life. Jupiter was bright and had all the details like small white storms, barges, all the belts, festoons, colour and spiral of GRS, the moons of Jupiter are circles etc. The Torus mirror is excellent and I star tested it and it confirms with what I simulated with Zemax optical design software.

I managed to catch the Red Spot Junior and GRS close approach. I saw them just pass each other on 17th July and it was really a cool sight. I also managed to catch a transit from Io and the shadow was a nice black circle on Jupiter. Optically and mechnically I am very happy with the scope.

Just want to say thanks. Keep up the good work. :)
Regards, Yang-Beng Lim


Morris M., 12.5 inch owner in Waukee, Iowa
Hi Dave - I was very overwhelmed by the new telescope. I read through some of the paperwork with the scope and did a very rough laser collimation tonight. Like you said, I did not hook up the digital setting circles, nor did I use the goto cat system. I just pointed it and looked at Jupiter and M13. There were too many trees and Juipter became unseeable, but M13... WAS INCREDIBLE!!! I put in a 12mm eyepeice and it filled the field of view. Absolutely jaw dropping stuff.
Thanks Dave! Morris M.


Kent B., Santa Rosa, California

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Here is a picture of my 12.5" shortly after I received it. I'm really enjoying the scope and either view the stars in my backyard, as seen here, or at dark site about 30 miles away. When I go to a dark site, the scope (except UTA) fits in the trunk of my 2003 Honda Accord. I have had some great views of lunar details (wow, much improved over my 8" SCT), additional bands on Jupiter, and the spiral arms of M51.

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Dave, I just had to fire off an email to you thanking you for a wonderfully crafted 12.5" Baby Ob. you made for me that fits me like a glove. We were up at Cherry Springs this Sat. 29th and set up right next to a group of Obsession users who were pleased to see ours too. We were called the Hixson Cluster of Obsessions which you will see on the picture. Had about 50 observers in for the week/weekend. The Paparazzi were all over my scope. Taking pictures, standing in line to view with it. It was great! Keep up the great work!