Celestron Omni XLT 120

Picked up a new 120mm refractor tonight, and gave it a quick test and one over. Collimation seems good right out of the box, but the tube itself looks like it took a bit of a beating during shipping to the retailer. There are no dents, but the styrofoam ends holding the tube in the box was disintegrated. The focuser was also a bit skewed, and the paint around the focuser screws that secure the focuser to the tube was a bit chipped off. I was able to restraighten the focuser in its tube, and collimation improved. On a more serious note, there appears to be something like tiny metal flakes or specks sandwhiched between the doublet pair. It could be dust. I'm thinking metal specks because they look shiny when focusing a flash light on them. There's also a very light .75 - 1" coating scratch on the secondary doublet inside the tube. Can't really see it unless looking at an angle. The lens facing outward is clear, and coating is uniform.

Question is, should I exchange the tube? I was fortunate enough to pick this up from B&H which is near my apartment, and as some of you may know have a very generous return/exchange policy.

If anyone has dealt with B&H before regarding telescopes, would they let you swap tubes if the package included a mount? The mount I received is a modified CG-4, and is in good shape except for the RA setting circles which are loose and appear very flimsy.

Thanks,
James

P.S. Anyone know how to take the focus knobs off? This one does not have a center retaining screw, and I can't see any allen screws attaching the knob to the post. I'd like to install my electric focuser.

Attached Image:

Hi James,
My opinion is this. You bought a new scope, it should look like a new scope. I would exchange it for a new one, there is no reason that you should start off with problems or blemishes. You will put those on the scope yourself, but they should not be there when you buy it.

James Sarte said:

On a more serious note, there appears to be something like tiny metal flakes or specks sandwhiched between the doublet pair. It could be dust. I'm thinking metal specks because they look shiny when focusing a flash light on them. There's also a very light .75 - 1" coating scratch on the secondary doublet inside the tube. Can't really see it unless looking at an angle. The lens facing outward is clear, and coating is uniform.

None of these things will harm your scope's performance. You are doing a variation on the good, old "Flashlight Test," which will make any optical element look horrible. The Omni XLTs are nice scopes--especially for the price--get out and enjoy yours.

8)