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

No it's the computer kind. Said he paid $600 20 years ago. About the same time as the scope.

OK here is the latest. Just got off the phone with the seller. He will sell the Celestron C6-R Scope with the Celestron CG-5 mount for $850 USD. So what is the mount worth by itself? Only thing is there is no eye piece. Which shouldn't be a problem, right? Should I go for it? 👍 / 👎 Thanks guys! Blue

Wow, that is a monster! (The scope not your friend) Not really looking for a first scope. Looking for my last or next to last or next next to last... The way I look at things, go big or go home. LOL Seriously, big and heavy doesn't bother me... At all ! Later tonight I'll see if this guy wants to sell or let it collect dust. By the way, I am in the USA. North of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. That scope is about 1.5 hrs away. Thanks everyone, keep the comments coming. Blue

No, not really. This was just something I came across while looking. There are plenty of fish in the sea, so to speak. Thanks David !

Hi dweller25, I considered these scopes but aesthetically they don’t do anything for me. I guess I’m just too old-fashioned. But after seeing what you did with yours it definitely sparks an interest. What mount did you use? Thanks!!

He said he doesn't know the model or what lens is in it. He said the sticker was on the original focuser, which he doesn't have. Is there a way you can tell which lens is in it? If he is asking $800 I don't think he will be too happy coming down that much without the mount. Which I don't even know what it is. Or throw in the mount and still get less. Thanks! Blue

Thanks Gabby76! I thought the price was a little high. Not by experience but just a feeling. I'll ask him what model it is. What ever minimum mount it needs I would most likely get the next size up. So this is a good scope? You seem to like yours. If it is the newer model, what would be a fair price? He said he bought it used and has "never really used it". Thanks again! Blue

Hey vlaiv, Thanks for the welcome! I was considering the DOB’s. Apparently everyone else agrees with you. But to be honest with you it’s not what I had in mind what a telescope should look like. Maybe not the right attitude but what can I say, I’m a little old-fashioned. You said this scope is intended for visual purposes and “no imaging”. I assume that means taking pictures? Taking pictures was part of the idea of buying a telescope. Like I mentioned, I was looking into refractor telescopes. I do know I want crisp clear views of what ever I am looking at, along with taking pictures. I started another topic “Considering an Achromat Celestron 6””. Maybe this is the way to go for me, but I’m just not sure which way to go at this point. I appreciate everyone else’s opinion! I am open to more suggestions. Thanks!! Blue

I’m looking at an Achromat Celestron 6" Refractor with a Moonlight Focuser. I don’t know anything about these so some advice would be appreciated!! Has a 8 x 50 finder, 2" or 1.25" focuser. He wants $800 for the scope without the mount or tripod. It's at least 20 years old.

Hey guys, I’m a total newbie with astronomy. Been trying to decide between a couple different scopes. I was trying to find a Sky Watcher Explore 200 PDS Telescope here in the US. I contacted sky watcher and was told they don’t sell them here and suggested I look at the Quattro. I did a search to find out what the difference between the Explore and the Quattro is and came across this forum. The Quattro is their imaging Newtonian line. The New Quattro 150P comes with the flattener. Do you really need the flattener? I read it’s about half the cost of the scope itself. I’m not sure yet if the 200 P comes with a flattener. Originally I wanted to get a Refractor Scope to look at the moon. But with further research a Reflector Scope looked more desirable. Not only can I look at the moon but with a Reflector I can search the beyond. So do I get the Explore 200 PDS Quattro 200 P Quattro 150 ? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Blue