Dobsonian telescopes: do collapsible scopes have any drawbacks? When choosing between a collapsible and a non collapsible 12” dobsonian scope what drawbacks if any do collapsible dobsonian scopes have?
If I transport any scope it will need collimating. Obviously a collapsible scope will store better.
I agree with Aaron F about storage space, but transport space is different; a non-collapsible tube wouldn’t fit in my car, while my 10″ collapsible-tube telescope fits nicely in the trunk and could fit on the back seat, whether “lying” on it or “standing” as it wouldn’t hit the car’s ceiling.
The only drawback I have heard of, aside from collimation that you would have to do anyhow (nevermind solid tubes holding it better; after enough road, it’s gone no matter what kind of tube you have), is that different thermal expansion of the truss tubes and their holders sometimes makes it difficult to expand or collapse the tube when it’s cold. Also, be careful when storing or transporting your collapsible tube, as the truss bars can potentially end up in positions that slightly bend them, making the expansion or collapse more difficult even if it’s not cold.