philtodd

Looks great - and similar to my 6" Fullerscope Newt from the 70's ! I've used that for so many years, even without a motor drive and poor polar alignment (how on earth anyone was expected to get that accurate with just a big bolt to connect the mounting to the pier ?)

I might add in the reducer and possibly a better finder. But looks like my buying list! Sounds sensible. Will be very interested to hear how you get on.

I might add in the reducer and possibly a better finder. But looks like my buying list!

I recently downloaded Stellarium (0.21.0) and that mag 7.55 star is there, on top of the galaxy ...

Well, I think I found my very first Tasco 60mm telescope in one of these catalogues, with a fixed single eyepiece that you pulled out to increase the magnification. Model #5V Stargazer !!

That looks pretty good. Am thinking myself of getting a 9.25 SCT for a mix of visual and imaging.

That Ed Ting video is really useful showing the telescopes side by side.

Related to this, is there any issues with the scope and kit needing to cool down before observing? Would it be better to store in eg the garage (surely no more of a security risk than being in an obsy outside?)

Good question - am looking at a C9.25 as well, for visual and AP, would be interested to see what folks think of it.

Wow - great images!

My first scope was a Tasco, but down in size! Instead of separate eyepieces, it has a single extendable eyepiece with magnification gradation marks as you pulled it out! But it got me started in Astro!! Unfortunately its long gone now.

Here's the MKIV atop the steel pillar, a close up of the cleaned up MKIV, the 4" reflector finder with the 4" refractor I found in a charity shop, the MKIV with the scope mounting rings. and lastly the telescope on the bench ready for a cleaning.

Good question, I'm just starting to research a similar buying question myself. Interesting to read that a c11 is thought probably too heavy / bulky unless you have a permanent set up.

That was my first scope as well ! And have stuck with Fullerscopes ever since.

As an aside, I found a 4" Fullerscopes refractor in a charity shop last year for £40 so had to buy it! No mounting, but has mounting rings. Lens needs a careful clean, and the steel tube needs a clean, otherwise not bad condition.

After quite some time, a quick update! So the scope, mounting and everything is here at home. I have renovated the Mk IV, disassembled, lubed and cleaned, reassembled and it all moves so smoothly! All re-touched with Hammerite black .Have thoroughly cleaned the worm-drives, but have not done anything else to the motors. Pics to follow. Am now moving on to the scope itself, will be getting the mirror recoated along with the 4" finder. Am probably then going to decide whether to sell - its just physically too big!

Hi all Thanks for comments, I am definitely thinking now of a bit of refurb and keeping, that has to be a more cost effective option. BTW, the pillar is a very heavy duty custom made steel job. Am going to get a shed / observatory anyway so it can all live in there while being sorted out over time. Phil

Hi all Got to see the scope last week, pics attached here. Mounting on its pillar, stored in a shed! Mk IV turns easily, looks great. Mirror is a little cloudy, so will need resilvering (along with the mirror in the guide scope). Did not get a chance to try out the motors and drive electronics. Also got a chance to measure everything so as to start to think about observatory size needed. Phil

Thanks again (esp Clive!), I'll get a proper look at it next week, and will post some pics. I had my 6" Fullerscope Newt re-silvered last year, so will see what the 11.75 mirror looks like. I did read somewhere that they can be hard to collimate. Anyway, more to follow next week! Phil

Thanks all - good advice and comments. I'll sort out some pics and post them here. The MK4 has dual drives, so they would need to be upgraded. and yes, its a 1.25 inch rack and pinion focuser I think. It has a 4" Newtonian finders-cope with it as well. Its a lovely scope, and its hard to know whether its better to start afresh with a (much) smaller new scope that has all the modern bells and whistles! I think I'll need to get some idea of what it would cost to get the mounting checked out and the drives upgraded. Any ideas where I could get that done? Thanks all Phil

Hi all I inherited an 11.75" Fullerscope Cassegrain bought by my grandfather in the '70s but never used and has been in storage ever since. I think its a 1/4 wave mirror. Its on a Mk4 mounting and has a custom made steel pier. I'm sure the mirror would need re-silvering, and the Mk4 would need a bit of refurb plus new drive motors etc. But it does all look in very good condition. Its quite a beast and probably rather bigger than I would buy myself! But the question is whether to refurb mirror and mounting, OR sell the scope but keep the mounting to use with a smaller new scope, OR to sell it all as is and buy something smaller but modern (better drives / electronics). Any thoughts anyone?