Banjo-tam

Seems to work. I know the wheels aren't pneumatic, they are three inch hard wheels. This setup should work in driveways, parking lots and hard cement areas. I can later convert to large pneumatic wheels by simply adding axle on the front and back. As for the legs, I drilled holes for the tripod spike to fit through, for stability. Later I will add a clamp or bungee cords to hold down the legs. Later, I will also add positioning spikes on the ends to secure the buggy to the ground.

Well I set out this morning to the hardware store for ideas as to how to more easily move my Celestron C11. Heres what $89 invested and two hours time got me.

Thanks, I suspected that spray paint, with good preparation, would be the answer.

Lucked into a wonderful Mid 80's Early 90's C11. Optics are fantastic, but condition of older scope and mount are issues. Paint is flaking off the back of the scope and portions of the mount. Any ideas regarding repaint or restoration would be appreciated. Should I strip of the paint on the back and use regular spray paint to restore? Should I get it professionally repainted at an auto paint shop? If the paint is baked, I imagine that it may harm the mirrors? Many questions, I am open to ideas.

Thanks!

A 500 mile trip and $250 got me a mid to late 80's Celestron C11. It will be a restoration project, and is missing some parts. Here is a picture of the mount, and the wedge. The wedge apparently connects to the mount with a long screw (and large clamping nuts) that goes through both the center of the mount and the wedge. My question is what are the set screws for that are on the side of tripod mount? What parts am I missing? Any help appreciated, FA.

I have a good collection of old film cameras, Nikon, Leica, etc., and am a member of Vintage Camera forums. I realize that there are many benefits to using high end digital cameras for astrophotography, not the least of which is that you can set the ASA on many to over 25,000, reducing the tracking time significantly. But I'm wondering if there might be a good reason to still use film? Any thoughtful response appreciated.

I have a Vixen Super Polaris which I believe qualifies as an EQ5 mount? I have read in various places that it's top weight capacity is somewhere between 15.5 and 22 lb. Presently I have a Celestron C8 mounted on it, and am considering one day moving up to a C9 if my mount can handle it. I know that it will be a close call, and many recommend against it. My question is relatively simple. What is the capacity of an EQ6 mount? They seem a little pricey, but can they handle 11inch, or even 14+ inch scopes? My interest is astrophotography, so whatever weight the OTA may have, I have to calculate in the weight of the camera and adapter. Any thoughtful response would be appreciated. FA

I have a Vixen Super Polaris which I believe qualifies as an EQ5 mount? I have read in various places that it's top weight capacity is somewhere between 15.5 and 22 lb. Presently I have a Celestron C8 mounted on it, and am considering one day moving up to a C9 if my mount can handle it. I know that it will be a close call, and many recommend against it. My question is relatively simple. What is the capacity of an EQ6 mount? They seem a little pricey, but can they handle 11inch, or even 14+ inch scopes? My interest is astrophotography, so whatever weight the OTA may have, I have to calculate in the weight of the camera and adapter. Any thoughtful response would be appreciated. FA

Good news, the motors and an original Skysensor popped up on Ebay. I'll let you know how it goes when it arrives. I am looking forward to doing some astrophotography and I'm hoping that this will be a good setup. FA

Hi. I lucked into a Skysensor drive unit for my Vixen Super Polaris. This is the first version. You can find manuals for the later versions (3 and 2000) online, but I cannot seem to find the manual for the original Skysensor version (circa 1985). Does anyone have a pdf they could post, or any other remedy? Thanks, FA

Yes, that would be great.

Got a hold of a Celestron C8-SP scope. It has a Vixen Super Polaris GEM. I've been looking all over for an original MT-1 motor and controller for RA drive, but have fallen flat. I see dual controllers and motors sold on EBAY for CG4 Mounts, and I'm wondering if this will work on my mount? Any advice or direction appreciated.

The legs on mine are 2" thick, my guess is that it would hold a ten inch OTA should I find one in the future.

Thanks for the great responses. I've been involved in some way with astronomy as a hobby since I was 15, and over the years have owned a few ten inch reflectors and an early Celestron SCT 8 inch. I've been a casual member of astronomy clubs but It's been a while. I still have a good set of eyepieces and a Meade ETX 90. I came across this LX6 mount along with the original Celestron footlocker and a 60mm finder for $25., so you bet I grabbed it. I've tested the mount and it works, but as stated, I do not have the hand controllers. With that said, I am now actively looking for an OTA., preferably an 8" f/10. But if someone has an f/6.3 from the period that isn't bad, I still might be interested. But I do have a few questions: First; can the forks in the drive be replaced to accommodate a ten inch scope, or would I need an entire new drive? Next, the field tripod is incredibly thick and sturdy and the wedge is well made as well. Would this heavy duty field mount and wedge sturdy enough for a ten inch scope and will a ten inch and drive work on this wedge ? Thanks !

Thanks, why the red colored logo as opposed to the green? Does this mean it's the "premier model" ? Also, looking for an OTA., but I've read that during those Halley years, the LX6 was a questionable scope as far as quality control was concerned. Will this mount work with an LX200?

Appears to be for an 8 inch SCT., so I will be looking for an OTA, as well as a controller and power source. Any idea as to age? Thanks, FA