Gabby76

I sent it back to the company for inspection and it was returned to me with a note saying it was within specifications.

I do not think they bothered to look through it, if they had they could not have missed all the scatter from it. 

I like the webbing, I have made handles for large refractors using 1/8"x 3/4" aluminium flat bar,

a couple of bends in either end with a vice then drill two holes.

Vixen also sells a metal handle: https://www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Accessories/Vixen-Carrying-Handle-for-Telescopes.html

That is unfortunate but one slips past QC occasionally.

A few years ago I decided to purchase my first premium diagonal. For almost € 400 I got a lump of metal that was unusable. 

The lines you see in the image go across the entire mirror. It serves as a expensive dust plug for my 150 mm f/8

This is probably close to your newtonian and there is a link to download the manual as well. 

https://www.scopeuout.co.nz/collections/nova-optics/products/nova-130mm-eq-newtonian-reflector-telescope

Here is a great guide to help you understand collimation of the telescope. 

https://www.astro-baby.com/astrobaby/help/collimation-guide-newtonian-reflector/

Some interesting findings, have you verified the collimation of the TS?

If you mean just the rubber grip part I have never seen any for sale, I usually just fill the space with rubber o-rings

The outward differences are just the power switch and the additional Aux port.

If you know anyone else with a Celestron mount I would try plugging it into that to see if the HC responds correctly.

At least it would eliminate the HC as the problem.

1 hour ago, Chaz2b said:

Thanks Gabby I’ll give that a go.

Its responded as you said by pressing the undo button a few times, all it gave me was that it was a GT, i then was able to enter my info date and time location, but when it came to align…no response. I get the feeling it’s the motor board at fault, but I still could be wrong. What can I do next?

When you get it to the point where you can enter information, can you access the menu?

If you can, go to Utilities and look for Version. This will display either the MC version & HC version or CFM version. (depending on what is loaded currently)

At that point you can determine what files you need to upload to it. 

You can also do a factory reset from there which 'may' make it reboot itself. 

5 hours ago, Chaz2b said:

I’ve now looked up the Nexstar resource site, it looks to me, that I have an old GT HC with a newer GT mount, am I correct?

If this is the case then do I need the NexStar + GT hand controller?

chaz

It does seem to be the case, the HC in your picture is the same as my SLT mount from 2006

One thing you can try is while it is powered on, press the undo button a few times (try the align as well) sometimes it may bring up the main screen so you can check the version under Menu.

If the HC is a Version 4 or early 5 and the mount is cfm then they are not compatible, though I am surprised it is marked as GT and will not link to the mount.

If you could post a image of the face of the HC the button arrangement can help indicate which model it is.

Have you checked nexstarsite.com for upgrading a GT?

The GT mount does not have a on/ off switch the SLT does if that helps at all. 

The telescope is made by Long Perng who do make many quality products, but question becomes what level of QC has Omegon paid for?

http://www.longperng.com.tw/goods.php?act=view&no=20

I have a few bought in 2017 and any reflection I have seen has been reflected from my eye. 

I did find this comment from Don so maybe it has been fixed?

They have a shiny internal spacer that reflects light.  That means in daytime use, or with the Moon, you'll see a reverse image on the side

moving the opposite way as whatever is in the field.  It doesn't seem to affect nighttime views of the sky (though it might be seen with a planet

if the planet drifts across the field.

That doesn't mean they can't be used on the Moon, but usually the Moon fills the field (or occupies most of it) and the spacer reflection is noticeable.

At least it was for me.

I would email these people as they bought the kit from WarpedCorps so hopefully they can give you the information you need. 

https://www.deepspaceproducts.com/about-us.html

Hello and welcome to the forums :)

Better to clean fungus sooner than later, you can also blacken those screw tips while you have it open :)

A 35mm film canister with holes in it filled with desiccant will fit in a 1.25" adapter or a tea ball filled with desiccant for a 2" and larger focuser will help take care of humidity inside the tube while in storage. 

It may work as long as you can attach it to the tube firmly. 

(Sorry for the late reply, out of town on business)

They might, though I cannot say 100% as I have never viewed from skies with that much light pollution! 

I applaud your perseverance though! 

Have you tried contacting these people to see if there is anyone else viewing in your area or better locations to view from? 

https://www.skyandtelescope.com/clubs-organizations/clubs/bangladesh-astronomical-association/

They may be able to give you some tips on gear that works in your location as well. 

The Telrad and Rigel give you target circles which makes star hopping easier so quite useful. 

If it was me, I would remove the existing red dot and drill the holes for a vixen style finder shoe on the piece the existing one sits on. (attached image) 

You could attach a finder shoe to the top of one of your rings and place the finder there but looking at the images on the Celestron site, that would put the finder behind you which would only be awkward to use. 

Is the existing finder shoe built into the front ring of the telescope? Hard to tell from Celestron images. 

There may be a screw hole that you can utilize from the existing finder or you may have to drill a hole. 

There is also the option of a Telrad or Rigel finder that can be held in place by double sided tape. 

You will have to search around o see if anyone on ebay or amazon sells them. 

https://www.highpointscientific.com/telrad-finder-with-base-telrad

https://www.highpointscientific.com/rigel-systems-quick-finder-1x-finder-r-crs

Switching to a optical finder may be helpful but with a newtonian on a EQ mount you may find a right angle or right angle correct image finder (RACI) more useful as you can turn the eyepiece towards the focuser for easier viewing. https://www.ebay.com/itm/6x30mm-Crosshair-Erect-Image-Right-Angle-Telescope-Finderscope-Bracket-BLUE/233201573397?hash=item364be59e15:g:i10AAOSwIztct8gM

Though the Meade finder you linked to is fairly light I would not expect it to stay on the tube very long if only held with double sided tape. 

A great idea guys, nice clean looking installation. 

I have two 2" Feathertouch and neither one has accommodation for attaching a finder to the focuser body. 

If you do not mind buying used: https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=149922

I use Manfrotto and Cullman tripod/ pan heads but I just do visual. :)

The EQ-3/2 is essentially a EQ-4 and is a good mount depending on the size of tube you are putting on it. 

I do not think it would do well with anything larger than a 150mm newtonian or 150mm f/5 refractor. 

I know a couple of people that have a 200mm SCT on the AZ5 and they like them.