Posts Made By: Tom Duncan

I have narrowed down my choices for a new telescope to the Celestron C8-SGT XLT and the Meade LDX75 8" SCT ACF.

Anyone care to chime in with advice as to which to choose?

I like the Meade as the tube has the ACF corrector and a polar scope built in.

I like the Celestron, well, because its Celestron and I think the company may be more secure (Synta).

In addition to concerns/interest regarding the tube, the mount is of equal importance...any votes/comments?

I am also considering the Orion SkyView Pro 8 XLT (but its about $450 more for some reason) and the Sky-Watcher EQ-5 Pro 8" SCT (cheaper by about $200, comes with two eyepieces, has polar scope, you currently get a free PowerStation, but not sure if the tube has the XLT coating and I hate the metalflake finish of the tube).

I live in the California Gold Country at about 2100' elevation, lots of clear skys (except to the South because of light pollution from Auburn, about 15 miles away), the Milky Way a constant companion. I am interested in the GEM mount style (vs fork) as portability (take it down to smaller pieces) and the ability to mount different tubes as I find them are paramount. I have little interest in imaging (maybe playing with a webcam, no more), just viewing.

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

Tom Duncan/newbie

I have an 8" Celestron Fastar with a shattered corrector plate. The typical damage (radial cracks from center) that comes from hitting the camera when it is place. The rest of it is good condition. I am wondering if it is worth repairing or should I sell it off as-is. Celestron can sell me a replacement plate for $375 (!) or they will rebuild the entire optics, replacing all three optical pieces with Starbright XLT coated versions for $400 (but it takes 3 months to ge it done). Can one still get a current 8" Fastar OTA? Is there any premium for them that would warrant rebuilding it? I personally have no interest in imaging (and did not get the camera with the outfit) so rebuilding it would be for visual only or for resale. I see an 8" SCT can be had used for as little as $400-$500, but they generally are old enough to not have the XLT coatings. A new tube is around $1000 or so. Any opinions/interest appreciated.

Does anyone make a less expensive version of the 2" Moonlight CS SCT focuser? The particular version I am interested in is the one that has the 3.25" threads to fit directly onto the back of the 11" Celestron SCT tube (no visual back). A two speed focuser would be a requirement. Adds up to $345 for the Moonlight (base focuser is $245, two speed adds $100), I was wondering if anyone else is making a similar beast. GSO or its ilk perhaps? The Eye Opener is along the same lines as far as enlarging the field stop, but they only advertise them for Meades (slight thread difference I understand) and then you still have to get a focuser.

Thanks in advance to any and all responses.

Oddog

Does a focal reducer in a C11 Celestron tube have any application beyond imaging, any reason to use it for visual use?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

Oddog

Does the use of the standard 1.25" visual back restrict the visual image in any real way with a C11 Celestron? I have read various discussions but haven't run into the definitive treatise yet (except for Eye Openers webpage, but its still very fuzzy to me). It seems it may be an issue with long focal length eyepieces, and it seems obvious it is not with shorter eyepices, but at what focal length eyepiece does it start to become an issue? Is there a chart or diagram somewhere? I have virtually no interest in imaging, and I want to make sure I am getting all the C11 is willing to deliver. Seems like a pretty small hole back there compared to the size of the tube! I like Moonlights solution for both restricted light path and a truly awful focus feel of the C11 whereby they just bolt a spacer block onto the 3.5" threads on the back of the C11 tube, and then have a 2" Crayford hung onto that. I am planning on doing that to improve the focus experience when the budget allows.

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

Oddog

I have read references to having an optimum length of the visual back/focuser/eyepiece focal center assembly for an SCT, in this case a Celestron C11. It has been suggested spherical abberation can become an issue if the assembly is the wrong length. Can anyone elaborate on this or point me to an existing thread? I am considering installing a Moonlight CS SCT 2-speed focuser on the back of my Celestron C11 (screws right onto the large 3.5" threads on the back, makes a BIG hole for the light to get through, solves the truly awful focusing experience of the C11). My interest is entirely on visual, not interested in imaging.

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

Oddog

Anyone have direct experience with the quality of the Baader Hyperion eyepieces when using the "Finetuning Rings/FTR" or when removing the nose piece/negative group? The use of these features changes the focal lengths and are advertised as advantages and used as selling points, but I wonder if there is a degradation of image quality. Also, when using the rings there is a longer optical train. Does this reduce the image brightness?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

Oddog

I got this with a bunch of NOS Vixen telescope and mount parts (see my ads in "Refractors" and "Mounts,..."). I am 99% sure it is a Vixen part. It is a 120mm lens/cell, a doublet, no provision for collimation (no screws on side of cell, small bright silver tabs to air-space the two elements, large lock ring on one end, like a photographic lens, to retain lenses). It will form an image about 56" away (!). I wonder if this could be the front half of the VX120, a 4-element/2 group design? Large threads on both ends are about 137mm, one for the tube, one for the dew shield I would think. If anyone can identify this please email as I would like to sell it but won't offer it up until I know what it is. Thanks. Tom Duncan

I've had a nice condition Tele-Vue 9mm Nagler Type 1 (second style with knurled rubber ring) for sale for months at $145, which I thought was a realistic price but so far no interest. Is there something wrong with this lens type? Bad reputation? Just curious why such a lens from such a company would be so unwanted. Am I going to have to give this EP away to move it on? I can't use it as I am unable to use any 82 degree EP due to eye relief issues. Tom Duncan

Recently picked a Vixen Super Polaris with both motors and the DMD-3 hand controller. All the controls seem to work fine exept the RA motor in the east direction. Setting the speed at 16x I get obvious movement with all directional buttons and both motors except with the button on the east (9 o/clock position, the one labeled 'Stop').

With the motors on and tracking that button will stop the tracking movement but won't turn the motor at the 16x speed as I would expect. I tried switching the plugs and I get the same results but of course with the other motor so I think I've isolated the issue to the HC.

However I'm hoping that I'm just not fully understanding how this drive system works...am I missing somthing?

Tom Duncan