I Just Bought my Dream Telescope - Celestron 14" Edge HD 🔭

[@SKYST0RY]

The math: 8" scope = 50.27 sq inches of mirror area; 14" scope = 153.94 sq inches of mirror area (not accounting for the secondary). Three times the light gathering power. Love the new scope, Dylan!

[@mark2220]

And THIS is why you buy once, cry once with your mount, kids. Imagine having to pay even more for a new mount to even handle it. I'm no where near this in my Astrophotography life but I bought an EQ6R Pro as my very first mount when all I had was an 8 pound refractor. Been able to upgrade several times without sweating the weight! Congrats brother

[@DylanODonnell]

💯 the only reason I’ve been able to work towards this is because the mount and dome I had ready for it was prepared years in advance !

[@dirkfierce2525]

That was one of the most cheery “everything is meaningless and we’re all going to die“ I’ve seen in a while. Congrats on the new scope, and my condolences on how your guitar GAS will suffer. I’ve been there!

[@DylanODonnell]

Man .. I need a new guitar too.. just one more .. I promise.

[@keyswitches9269]

@@DylanODonnell Get the TOD 10 Nylon string to match!

[@titobattaglia7932]

@@DylanODonnell A new guitar AND a new amp… a vintage Fender so you can try the "but dear it's an investment it'll appreciate in time" line 🙃

[@bngwira]

"Honestly...in today's economy I can't justify having too many telescopes". Dylan that's as classic as "I will kick your tripod!". Well done on the C14 👏👏👏

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe just a few telescopes …

[@ohhellno8759]

Remember guys: size matters.

[@DylanODonnell]

😆

[@DeanLouviere]

Nuh uh you can do tons of things with 50mms… I think 🤔

[@s.cottrill]

Size only matters in Astro

[@MrSlapdash243]

You have to admit he has a large one.

[@steveh2568]

It's not the size mate, it's how you use it!.. 🔭

[@highspeedboom]

Meade 20”sct was the bomb to have back in the day. Funny how things have changed over the years. Maybe Celestron will make a 20” sct now.

[@DylanODonnell]

Imagine that!

[@alainmaury5941]

Congrats. I bought my first C14 in 1992, not edge at the time, and was very excited at the time, like you today. Turns out, I have used a large number of telescopes, and today, if I were to purchase a telescope, it would be either a planewave CdK or a C14 edge. Both have very good optics, and are easy to collimate and get flat fields and sharp images in the corners. It makes such a big difference. Forget about RC scopes, corrected cassegrains and the like which are bitches to collimate, which are wonderful but only on paper, in practice you never get perfect collimation. But then you are still young, you are not done yet with aperture fever. One day you will find that 14 inches is a good size for a secondary mirror :)

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe wisdom

[@andreww9252]

@@DylanODonnell Alain speaks for all of us lol

[@markcollins5901]

Congrats Dylan! -- Before your first focus, don't forget to release/unscrew the primary mirror hex wrench screws (that's in addition to the two large mirror lock knobs). The C14 EdgeHD is shipped with the primary mirror locked down in its fully extended position. You'll need to release it with the included 3/16" Allen wrench. You don't need to remove the screws (they'll hang loose just fine), but you do need to release them. You won't be able to focus until this is done.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks for the tip!

[@markredburn]

@@markcollins5901 I wondered what the holes were on the back of ours. Clearly whoever unpacked ours took them all the way out way back when we bought it.

[@Astrolavista]

Wow, I’m excited just watching! I can’t imagine how you must feel! So happy for you, Dylan. This video got me emotional. It’s amazing that we get to follow your journey with this Beast!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks brother

[@coreyrueckheim3881]

Awesome! Congratulations on your new telescope!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thank you Corey!

[@merky6004]

I remember taking home my Celestron 8” in 1984. A whole lott a sky time with students, scouts, and buddies. Out in the desert and mountains.

[@ziggyfrnds]

Ooohhh wowww!! Congratulations! It will be amazing to see your journey with this scope. Thanks for sharing mate!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thx Ziggy!

[@jeffmarston8586]

The C14 was my dream scope also. I got it about 5 years ago while it was briefly on sale. It is usually the only scope I use for visual. I don’t have an observatory like you do so I have to some grunt work to set it up every time. It is still worth all the effort. The view I have had of planets have been truly breathtaking. I have done some imaging with it, but everything has to be nearly perfect to get good images. Good luck with your beast!!!

[@lukomatico]

Huge congratulations mate!! I'm majorly happy for you! (And maybe just a tad bit jealous 😂) Enjoy!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Lukomatico!

[@antipodesastro667]

Congratulations Dylan! So happy for you! 😃

[@DylanODonnell]

Thx!

[@paulhathaway6292]

This is exciting news because for selfish reasons I want to see how you solve the back focus issues on this beast. Specifically, when used with an ADC, 3x focal extender and color camera for planetary imaging. Can't wait Dylan!

[@PentaxEnthusiast]

Thanks for warming it up for me, I'm excited that it's coming my way for my birthday (which is every day, of course). That is an absolute CHONK. Can't wait to see what you've captured after first light.

[@carlosespada6202]

Congratulations Dylan! I can´t wait to see your planetary pictures... But above all, hyperstar on C14 HD! That´s gonna be AMAZING!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@LearningAstrophotography-jj9en]

Lol so right, so right. For me to a smaller extent, but the same affliction. Have fun today, because tomorrow we need a new TELESCOPE!

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha exactly

[@humlakullen]

Congrats to your new scope! Looking forward to see some cool EAA videos of the planets:-).

[@PhotonVoyage]

Wish you all the best. I felt so happy for you as if it were mine. Knowing what you will do and share with us makes me so happy. I'm looking forward to the first and all other results. Greetings from Austria!

[@astrodysseus]

I am not there yet and these days don’t have enough time to justify it.. but if you do, you are gonna love it.. those edgehd 14´´ are incredible

[@olivierdamiron7279]

Big D...... Daddy OTA.... That thing is a right beast! Well done! Looking forward to see how it does imaging once you have it all tricked out. Enjoy!

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I like my C9.25, but if I had a permanent observatory I’d so want a C11 or even a monster C14. Cheers! Use it in good health - clear skies!

[@CraftTasticAnimations]

Nice job! These are beast so congrats on that! You did well!

[@the_space_koala]

Congrats on the beast and thank you for bringing awareness to those of us living with GAS. I am in end stage and I don’t even sell the old ones I just keep adding more stuff.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks! And you can lift yours on your own!

[@IslandSkyPhotography]

I’m so happy for you!! Can’t wait to see what you capture!

[@adamazarov4879]

For the comment at 6:32. The 14" has 3 times the light gathering power because the area of the 8" is pi*r^2=50.24 square inches whereas for the 14" its 153.86 square inches

[@M42-Orion-Nebula]

Deletion of shame 💀

[@TJK-ko9wn]

And the 14" has 61.98% more light gathering surface than the 11". 🎉

[@adamazarov4879]

@@M42-Orion-Nebula I believe I did it correctly. You need to use the radius for the calculation, not the diameter as you did. The radius of the 8" is 4", so the area of that is 4^2*pi ≈ 50. The radius of the 14" is 7, which makes it 7^2*pi≈154

[@M42-Orion-Nebula]

@@adamazarov4879 My apologies, you are absolutely correct.

[@aw7425]

Congrats Dr Dylan, clear skies forever and a day

[@paulgoulette6555]

Congrats on the new scope!!

[@kambo71913]

Congratulations on your new telescope Dylan. Can't wait to see the images your capture with it. What a beast of a telescope.

[@jeffpurcell6096]

Congrats to your upgrade! Looks right at home in your observatory.

[@vampolascott36]

Congrats on the big scope!

[@newpilot4370]

Awesome, mate! Congrats! Looking forward to the pics.

[@erykmozejko3329]

It’s not just the additional light gathering area. The central obstruction due to the main baffle is proportionally smaller as you go up in aperture; for a particular range of scopes like the edge SCT’s. (this is the obstruction for light coming off the central area of the primary being able to reach the secondary, not cross sectional area.) That’s why going from say the 11 to the 14 gives you more for contrast objects like the planets. It’s not just the finer resolution from the larger aperture. A certain well known chap in optics was always keen to analyse this with scopes like SCT’s, Mak’s, etc. It was interesting to learn a bit about this aspect when I was lucky enough to work at a scope manufacturer. Although that was quite a few years ago. So it Will be interesting to see how Dylan finds getting results on contrast objects.

[@DylanODonnell]

I never thought of that .. good point!

[@Naztronomy]

Congrats on the new scope! I've been using my club's 16" Meade SCT, it's amazing but has cooling issues. I'd love to have the Edge 14 in my backyard though. Can't wait to see what you get through that.

[@philipps3988]

Congratulations Dylan!!! Got one since 2 years and it just rocks!! Currently am hypertuning the CGX-L and running it on a HAE-65EC which gives me sub 0.7 arc seconds in guiding!! Can’t wait for your next vid!!

[@DylanODonnell]

Amazing !

[@PafMedic]

Thats Awesome Dylan,Congratulations❤️🔭✨

[@LogansAstro]

Crikey, looking through that thing you'll feel like your landing on the planets! Exciting stuff.

[@PilotPhteven]

Congrats! I just got the EdgeHD8, what a scope! now lets see when they bring out the Celestron 20 inch?

[@anandarochisha]

I just know that You will be happy with this decision.Good Work, Dylan.

[@Sams_Cosmic_Captures]

Congrats on the scope!

[@dougedwards5776]

Great to see you have the C14 Edge now Dylan! It is an awesome telescope. But then so is the C11 - Matt is very excited about his aquisition.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thx Doug ! Looking through yours was an absolute pleasure :)

[@robertsipes7391]

I am soooooo happy for you (and jealous). It sends goose bumps all over me to see it. It got a thrill out of hearing your son say, "It's longer than my relationship with you." Thanks for re-inserting the mini clip of throwing the can at the observatory. I have been missing that in your recent intros. I am looking forward to seeing shots of the planets with your new beast.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hah thx Robert !

[@johnsanchez1619]

Nice! Looking forward to some images from this beast!

[@ryanmichaelhaley]

Man, I remember when you got the C11, this new scope is nuts! I can't wait to see what you get with this awesome scope!

[@astrofire68]

Congrats Dylan !! Awesome scope 😍

[@waynewheaton3210]

I can't wait to see the pictures. Congrats!

[@bbroastro]

This is MEGA dude! So stoked for you. I just got my 14" aperture scope too - albeit a huge dob, came from 8" haha, the difference was jokes. This is so sick, what an end goal scope. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer size and weight of a 14" scope. You're going to love it immensely. Just quickly the maths is really simple working out light gathering. Aperture in mm of big scope squared / aperture in mm of smaller scope squared = extra light gathering power. This doesn't factor into account secondary obstructions though.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks man :) even if I don’t get a bigger scope I feel like I could become a happy elderly gentleman with this one in the backyard !

[@astrojudebob]

So happy for you. Congrats. Clear Skies.

[@joshmccollumastrophotography]

Honestly your channel was the whole reason I was convinced to buying my C11 (using it right now lol). Looks like I'm going to convince myself for a 14", and a new mount. Don't think the EQ6 will like that.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hah I had serious thoughts about not selling the c11 because I got that thing HUMMING but I also don’t like being broke.

[@joshmccollumastrophotography]

@@DylanODonnell honestly same with my 8” newt. Got a bunch of mods on it and I don’t want to (aka don’t know how) to sell it so I’m going to use it for a project every now and then. I’m actually too zoomed in with the C11 to image M 101 correctly so I’ll use that excuse for the 8” lol.

[@tonycifani5787]

Fantastic! I can't wait to see what you capture with this beast!

[@georgebottarini1788]

WOW! Good for you. Have many happy hours using it.

[@viniguez487]

I've spent over $10k with Celestron due largely in part to your equipment recommendation videos. I have the RASA 11, SCT 11", CGX-L, and various accessories. I would say you've earned a free C14 by now mate. Congrats!

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha thanks man

[@BSm2919]

Now the wonderful process of figuring out all the nuances if the new gear. A lovely if sometimes frustrating process

[@DylanODonnell]

I climbed to the top of the mountain and found another mountain.

[@BSm2919]

@@DylanODonnell hopefully one with a nice observatory on it, there are quite a few of those on mountains!

[@theoldar]

This was the dream scope of every boy amateur astronomer in the 1970's. Before dobs this was the biggest aperture you could dream of!

[@pimesonhadron]

Awesome! Looking forward to more about what you get with this scope mate! Grats!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks!

[@canen2031]

Congrats! Excited to see what images you both will produce in future. ;)

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks !

[@bofblog]

Superb upgrade and great for Lunar imaging too, worth adding an focal reducer to the shopping list too?

[@DylanODonnell]

The hyperstar is a focal reducer :) but yes maybe a midway one too.

[@raizalmohammad8188]

My dream scope..cant wait for your next videos on this scope...👍

[@DylanODonnell]

There will be many!

[@TheNewForestObservatory]

Over the last 20 years I've been in the game nothing has beaten the C14 (IMO) regarding value for money. My problem is my observatories are not big enough to take one. Congratulations on your new super scope.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks !

[@TheRegembal]

Congrats! I find it a lot easier to handle the C14 with a pair of rings instead of the dovetail. Much safer / easier to put the OTA on and off the mount.

[@DylanODonnell]

Good idea

[@knight2255]

Before the internet, Celestron would mail me a pamphlet every year and I used to stare down that C14 so hard....was the ferrari of telescopes in my young mind, ended up having to settle for a Coulter 13.1" which was fun but I'll always have a soft spot for the ol' C14, congrats!

[@DylanODonnell]

Yes! The Ferrari !

[@Talalpro_1]

Congrats!!! Cant wait to see the images. You gotta image galaxies and do lucky imaging

[@DylanODonnell]

Yup! Thanks!

[@bartholomule]

Congrats. Your improved 14 inch tube should be sufficiently big for poking around. It was good to see you got help slinging that beast for mounting.

[@DylanODonnell]

Oh yes.. the temptation to do it myself was there but good sense prevailed. It’s quite high in the obs and would’ve been a challenge!

[@445Navigator]

Way to go! Congrats! Have one on an original EQ8, perfect for planetary, not so for deep sky work. Looking forward to see how the Rh will handle it.

[@DylanODonnell]

Yep planetary is the goal for a little while!

[@mtnhorn2619]

I see that you kept the original packing box for your C11 Edge HD. Smart! I still have mine, although I have been chastised for all the space my "empty" boxes take up in the storage space. We have a member here at the Salt Lake Astronomical Society that brings his Edge 14 out to every star party, along with his Losmandy G11 mount. Sets it all up by himself! I, however, limit my lifting limit to 50# (or less). My Edge 11" works great. Have fun and enjoy your new Edge 14"; can't wait to see what you observe with it.

[@guarmiron5557]

My large empty box collection gets commented on every Spring. I own a G-11 as well. It is a made for Celestron version that had the old 492 control system on it. I have replaced the control system with an after market system (not Gemini 2) and it tracks amazing. The mount head can be quite the lift but luckily its shape isn't awkward like my CPC.

[@DylanODonnell]

Yep! Years in the cupboard may not be appreciated by your partner but the buyer is very grateful!

[@awnstar2139]

I curious to see what kind of details you can get of M31, that would be just awesome to see !

[@thedeathtical]

lol... i just got my EdgeHD 8" and already think it may be too much. doing things at this focal length is a whole new learning experience. good luck though, hope it fits in that dome once you get the dew shield, already looks kinda tight in there.

[@DylanODonnell]

Oh totally .. high focal length is very unforgiving !

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

Awesome piece of kit mate. Congrats.

[@Spaced_Out_Bill]

Look at the size of that thing! Did I hear right about you doing some visual astronomy?😄 Congratulations on the size enhancement!

[@OMaMaRMY]

IKR like thats the most insane part of the video

[@DylanODonnell]

I did visual for a couple minutes then put the camera back on :)

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Dylan, Congrats on the C14 Edge purchase. Does the EQ mount have a DEC shaft extension as an accessory? The Losmandy G11 had one that is about 5" long allowing the counterweights to be moved out further for balancing.

[@DylanODonnell]

Interesting !

[@GoPackGo-pz3uu]

Thank you Dr. O’Donnell. I showed the beginning of the video to my wife and she said I have GAS also. This could have gone undiagnosed for years. LOL!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe

[@Lab00Rat]

One day... for now I like my EdgeHD 11. Congrats!

[@slapastronomy8646]

Congrats on the C14 Edge. That is the next one on my list as well.

[@annikasoraya4322]

Thanks Dylan! It sounds like your son is funny . . . Telescope has had a longer relationship then he has with you! Wow . . . . He is super switched on isn't he!? 😂 Another entertaining and informative presentation from our Aussie boy. I note you referred to your C11 Edge. I am seriously considering a new C9.25 Edge and am yet to operate a telescope and mount. In three weeks time my Skyrover 130 Reference refractor will arrive from Astronomy Alive. I have decided to invest in the Saxon A-Z EQ6 GT PRO because it is the most economical option for my large scope. Do you think a nine and a quarter inch Edge by Celestron would be a great planet killer, to compliment my refractor. It cost me $6400 so I don't want to invest as much into my SCT. ** I referred to the Saxon brand of mount, instead of your direct competitor! 😂 Thanks dear friend. Many blessings from Newcastle in (Australia).

[@DylanODonnell]

Hehe he is a little comedian! I have no idea why. The c9.25 is a great scope, one of my faves! But I've even seen people do amazing planetary work with an 8" .. the difference is pretty minor until you get to 11-14. And don't worry - I fully endorse SkyWatcher mounts! They're amazing!

[@annikasoraya4322]

@@DylanODonnell Thank you Dylan. The scope has had a longer relationship with you BUT he has spent far too much time around his Daddy, hasn't he. I bet he will turn out to be funnier then you!

[@DylanODonnell]

@@annikasoraya4322 oh 💯 ... he see's his mandatory class talks as stand up sessions!

[@PhilTaylorPhotog]

Congrats! Looking forward to the images.

[@imccrae]

Congrats, I'm so jealous ! I just upgrade from a skywatcher 120 refractor to a Celestron Omni XLT150 refractor, but yours makes mine look like a toy, hehe. Looking forward to seeing the results.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks! I actually need a smaller scope now too! I’ve moved well away from “all rounder” mode

[@8gonzalo411]

Congratulations! I can't wait to see those photos! 🔭🪐

[@csajal]

The kid has an amazing career in stand up comedy I tell ya... That improved line was gold!!

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha it’s true

[@M42-Orion-Nebula]

What's crazy is that I got my dream telescope, a 12 inch dob, at the same time you posted this. Also, at 6:37, you mentioned that you don't understand the math. Here is the math. The 8 inch telescope has an area (excluding the secondary mirror and other hindrances) of (4^2)*(pi) inches squared. The 14 inch has an area of (7^2)*(pi) inches squared. 49(pi) divided by 16(pi) is equivalent to 3.0625 so the 14 inch can collect about 3x more light.

[@iandobbin8068]

The Mrs's Xmas present is going to have to be a beauty. Looks great and more tinkering to come 👍

[@DylanODonnell]

She’s happy I sold the c11 so it’s a zero sum game. In theory.

[@williamshipp4280]

I have an FLT 91 which is as close to my dream scope as I can get. It’s portable too. Congrats on the C14 though

[@peterlaubscher3989]

Yip, I missed the aurora last night as well [Cape Town] I did look for them, but they weren't there when I looked. My neighbour took stunning photos!

[@Erika-fh7rc]

Congrats dude 🖤✨

[@kevinburke8608]

It’s going to be neat watching someone who knows what they are doing wield this thing.

[@zeroalpha7755]

Congratulations on your purchase of your new Celestron 27 000 litre water tank.

[@buffhomer]

New sub here in the USA, can't wait to see what you can do with this monster!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks buff !

[@monkeypuzzlefarm]

Oh wow that is awesome! I am looking forward to the new images!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thx me too!

[@geoffreylane3474]

Fantastic scope, well done 👏

[@roderickwho1983]

A beautiful 'scope - may you have year of successful observations with it. But.... Satin ? SATIN ??? Looking fwd to seeing what you do with it. Thanks for the video.

[@astronome66]

Damn! That thing is HUGE!!! Maybe you'll finally be able to capture a decent image now 😂 JK . . . your stuff is already amazing so I'm excited to see what you do with that beast. Congrats

[@andreww9252]

I also note your guitar skills have improved expotentionally ... I have a Fender Precision bass and a fretless 4 string ... playing by myself muted at night ... lets JAM!!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks! I’m loving the new guitar. Have a new bass on the way too.

[@robertcarroll5036]

I have just kitted out a Red Cat 51 III (Eric the Red) and ZWO FF107 (Gandalf The White) and all the duplicated automation kit that goes with them. My Tattslotto job is the Celestron 14" (Captain Kirk), but Kirk is such a fussy bugger, he will want his own town house. A little bit green with envy, but I hope you have many clear skies with that fantastic telescope and produce some awesome images.

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha my scope needs a name !

[@paulmurphy9358]

I foresee a lot of fun lunar and planetary videos coming up. Maybe some of the ARP catalog, interesting planetary nebulae, revisiting some of your RASA favorites for detail of their most interesting regions. Not sure if you talk to Astrobiscuit, but a Bunny vs. Wallaby challenge to image Ina crater on the Moon would get some views. Enjoy the C14!

[@DylanODonnell]

Huge bunny fan :)

[@martinchapman6670]

Blimey, what a whopper, congratulations, can't wait to see your planetary imaging!

[@DylanODonnell]

Excited !

[@chriscausseaux4793]

“This is longer than my relationship with you.” LMAO!!! Raising em right! Can’t wait to see the first light on this Big Boy!

[@guarmiron5557]

Gratz, Gratz, Gratz. I'm envious. One day I will be following suit. I'm waiting until I have my sliding top observatory built. I own two 11 inch SCTs and find that I don't set them up as often as my 8 inch SCT. I really like my 11 inch Edge HD but it is still mounted in a CPC Deluxe (65 pounds) so I only use it visually. The nature of a 5 am tear-down changes when you are older. Just something else to look forward to, Dylan. The lucky cloud-less streak in my part of the world is over. We had our first heavy frost last night so it has begun. I managed to grab between 10-14 hours on just under 20 targets. My best target run to date. I only had 3 nights that went to crap because of equipment fights the entire period.

[@DylanODonnell]

Oh yes, I’m getting lazier as I get older. The obs is a preparation for old age :)

[@4sapphireb]

Think about all the Starizona goodies to go along. The hyperstar v4, .63x reducer and .4x Night Owl.

[@DylanODonnell]

Ohhhh yesss .. and so it begins !

[@rudgewickbrown]

Great scope, please do a series of comparing pictures taken with the C11 with the C14.