Blueboy

Yes

Very helpful, thank you! I have a Celestron CR150-HD, is it necessary to use some kind of software to view Saturn or Jupiter? Thanks! Blue PS. Still waiting for my Nikon D5600 to arrive from eBay. But it seems to be looping between Pennsylvania and Texas, it's on it's 3rd trip back Texas. USPS at their best.

Made the guy an offer but apparently he wants to hold out for the BIG bucks. 🤑

That is a nice Telescope! If I had $1,000 laying around I just might invest in it.

I’m doing some improvements on the CG–5 mount and tripod. But still looking for a new/used gear. That’s the problem of being a machinist and fabricator, I always see improvements that could be made. 😉 So as if I didn’t have enough projects going on at the same time, and since I have a little down time, I was thinking of repainting this scope back to the original black or maybe a nice shade of blue. Whoever painted it white did a decent job, but since it’s not original I figured, why not. So at this point I would like to ask anyone if they have taken apart a Celestron CR150-HD? I might be able to live with the white paint, BUT, the objective lens has some dirt/smudges on the inside. If you go back to the “ before me pics” you might be able to see what I’m talking about. I assume whoever painted this thing, took it apart and didn’t clean it very well when they put it back together. I don't think the factory would send it out like that. I just don’t want to put this thing out of alignment, if that’s possible. So I would appreciate some advice. Thanks! Blue

Trying out the new contrast booster filter. Only problem is it doesn't erase clouds.

I can’t ask for a partial refund. Maybe I could but I won’t. He “said” he never used it, never even mounted the scope. The way I look at it, it’s my fault for not fully checking everything works properly. I can replace the gear myself if I found a good one. Or just buy another mount, which might be cheaper. Thanks Gonariu! Blue Edit: PS. I won't make a point to tell him, but if he asks, I will definitely let him know! Put the ball in his court.

Well that’s the problem when you have zero experience with these things. If I knew two days ago what I know now I would have passed on this altogether. Yeah that thing was so tight you couldn’t even turn it by hand. Plus the scope itself was painted white. But he did say he got the scope and mount from two different people. Live and learn. Well I am definitely learning! As far as the motors go I understand how they work mechanically. I am wondering how they keep track of what you’re viewing. I’m thinking it’s just a preset calculated speed to mach the speed of the earth’s rotation. I do not have a Barlow lens as of yet. What does increasing the focal length do? Does it make the magnification more or less? I will get a contrast booster filter and some sunscreen film. Thanks Gabrielle !

Picture taken with my iPhone X I can see the entire moon. I thought a 12mm would be more magnification.

😁 Bought and brought my scope home yesterday (Sunday). I was playing around setting it up and noticed the bottom knob wasn’t moving anything. I don’t know if that’s the R. A. or Dec. I took the mount apart and discovered the ring gear has some teeth stripped out. The guy I bought it from said the previous owner re-greased everything. But the bearing was so tight that whoever tried to force it stripped the teeth off. 😠 I opened a new account with Astromart. Maybe I can find another gear. If not I will probably attempt to fix this one. I put it back together with the bad spot 180° from the worm gear. Amazon was late delivering my eyepiece. But it did arrive today. I have the scope set up now in the kitchen window waiting for the moon to come around. If I had to pick one filter (for now) which would it be? 1,2,3,4,5? Did I miss any? I would also like to get a sun filter. Any suggestions on one of those? #1. https://www.amazon.com/Baader-Planetarium-Semi-Filter-FSAPO-1/dp/B0052GM55U #2. https://www.amazon.com/Baader-Planetarium-Contrast-Booster-Telescope/dp/B004QD4H2E #3. https://www.amazon.com/Baader-Premium-Eyepiece-Filter-Longpass/dp/B0018IQWBY/ref=sr_1_6?crid=33A782SI0FSIL&keywords=baader+light+yellow+filter&qid=1657582079&sprefix=baader+light+yellow+filter%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-6 #4. https://www.ebay.com/itm/125095398496?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&customid=50fb051ad25b1d4ae2d067d661d7353a #5. https://www.highpointscientific.com/baader-planetarium-1-25-solar-continuum-filter-fsol-1?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=BAD-FSOL-1&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=432151742&utm_content=1232552799287015&utm_term=&msclkid=b58d27a21cc811790f29456ea0e1980a As far as the Dual Axis Motor Drive (93523), how exactly does it work? There is no computer hook up, no GPS... So what keeps your object on center while viewing? Thanks guys for your suggestions and help!!

I read someone’s review on that set, the eye relief was horrible on some of them. I wear glasses when I drive or watch TV. When I’m doing close up work or on the computer I don’t need them. Binoculars, don’t need them. So I’m guessing when I’m stargazing I won’t need them there either. The description says all 7 X-Cel LX eyepieces have 16 mm Eye relief. So either way that’s plenty of eye relief. Since they don’t have 8, 16 or 24 mm like you suggested I went halfway between the 8 and 16 and got the 12mm. Should give me some good close up views of the “lesser light”.

I ordered this one last night before I went to bed. I stayed up late trying to figure these things out. I think I am beginning to understand. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0048JF1JY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So most likely this Sunday I'm bringing this telescope home with me. But I will need to buy some eyepieces. Which one would I need to view the moon and it's craters? MM and degrees? And for counting the rings (hypothetically) around Saturn? MM and degrees? I was looking at this set but I think I would be better off buying individual higher quality eyepieces. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/261646-REG/Celestron_94303_Accessory_Kit_5.html Thanks, Blue

Interesting to say the least indeed! I wondered why the one you have pictured is black and this one is white. Could be why there is no tag on the tube. Most likely done by the previous owner. It's at least worth a look. If you see anything else that should or shouldn't be there please let me know. I'll offer $800 and see what happens. Thanks Gabrielle, you have been an enormous help!! Blue