Mike Read

Looking for peoples opinions on whether I'm likely to have a back focus issue with a proposed config. Currently , I have an Edge 8" which I mainly use for lunar and planetary. I would like to be able to try image some DSO / Galaxies later in the year. Im looking more at the Esatto 2 instead of the LP as I want to be able to use with and without the reducer , without - the LP looks as if it might get stuck with the mirror locks. I'm assuming I cant put a spacers here to clear the "locks" - as I'm less worried about the image edge as this will be in planetary and lunar setup. Celestron 8" Edge + Focal reducer + Esatto 2 + "OAG" + ASI 2600mc - my calculations show this to be about 102mm (leaving 3 mm to play with) - if I use the ZWO OAG L . However, a google appears to show people cant get focus for the OAG as it hits the Esatto ?? Does anyone use this type of config? Any thoughts would be gratefully recevied.

LOL - Thanks. I gave mine to an expert to clean, centre and collimate - picking it up at the weekend.

Hello, I'm looking to get my Edge serviced, corrector plate and mirror cleaned and correctly collimated. Can anyone recommend someone please?

Hi, Looks like the recess on the adapter is about 2-4 mm too shallow. I was hoping this "wont" matter when its tight. I may need to find someone with a milling machine!

Thank you. Where do you purchase the bolt from ?

Hello, I've finally done a concrete base and attached the anti-vibration pier to it. I managed to install the pulsar pier multi plate adapter also. However, I cant for the life of me see how my EQ6R can be secured to the adapter plate. The supplied bolt (if thats what its for ) is a smaller diameter, and the primary rod from the mounts tripod is too short for the thread to catch. If you have this combination - how did you secure your EQ6R to the adapter plate? Did you go an buy a larger diameter bolt?

Evening All, Has anyone replaced their stock focuser on the Esprit 100ED with the Featherlight (FTF3015BA) ??

I realise this is an "old" topic - but did you replace your focuser on the Esprit with the Starlight?

Valid point, I will give it a check as I might not need to extend.

Imaging - Do people look through telescopes? 🙂

Thanks Graeme, thats what I was originally thinking too , although I might explore the pier extension first - as I don't really want to concrete ...again.

Thank you

"occam's razor" - Thank you. That makes perfect sense - and the simplest solution 🙂 I was over thinking and making it more complicated than it needed to me.

Thanks , I'm happy with the slab. The "jumping" test was just to make sure ..... Its whether a small additional plinth will work . As when I "build" a shed around the pier, I don't want to loose the height

I had this wonderful idea of having a greenhouse, and in prep created a large solid 10cm -15cm thick concrete base. Plans changed - we are not green fingered. I've now bought a pulsar anti vibration pier and later will build "somesort" of ROR Obsy around it. I'm going to assume the slab is OK "IF" I wanted to bolt the pier directly to it. I've placed a bowl of water on the slab where the pier will go and jumped up and down. There were no ripples 🙂 If I build an obsy with a raise rafter floor - this will raise the floor by 10cm -15cm and would reduce the working height of my pier by the same amount - which I'm guessing I would need to compensate for with a lower wall / roof . Here is the question: If cut out a few "plug" holes in the existing floor, added some vertical rebar, and poured a concrete plinth ( 20cm wider than the base of the pier) of 15cm deep - would this be stable enough for a pier? Running EQ6R and 15Kg of payload.

Thank you, was worried they wouldn’t be compatible

Morning, I currently have a Celestron 9.25" SCT and am in the process of upgrading the focuser to baader steeltrack. I have the f/6.3 FR on back order. My question is: where will the FR fit in the image train? Is it compatible? Thanks Mike

Thank you 🙂 - the story is about me and my continuing journey. I also was interviewed on BBC Radio Somerset this morning. I've found since the article alot of people have had similar experiences. I share my pictures on local FB groups and the response is always very positive - people love seeing pictures of the night sky and deep sky - they find it quite therapeutic. I try and inspire people to go outside, lookup and enjoy the free night sky.

Thank you both. I have now bought one. Wow!!! , the focuser is (as you said) rock solid and accurate. I’ve transferred my sea to senso 2 to the new rig. The difference between my 80ED Evostar and this for clarity is huge. Both at 550 ish, the moon is tack sharp. Very happy.

Thanks Craig

I know we are going off topic...but... would be great to see some pictures? and which pier?

LOL - Its everyone buying kit in lockdown. I'm considering a pier for my EQ6R to speed my setup times...

Hi, How good is the stock focuser on the above scope? Does anyone upgrade it? Reason for asking - I currently have the 80ED DS Pro and upgraded the stock focuser to the Baader diamond steeltrack . Just want to know if I should budget for upgrading the 100ED stock focuser. From a load point, it will only carry an ASI OSC camera or a Canon 90D. Thanks Mike

Hi Shimrod, I purchased the Skywatcher reducer, and totally love it. As mentioned, everything is in the box to get back focus. Everything is crisp to the edge.

Its a great setup - I'm still learning, the images and quality are only limited by my "in"experience. 🙂 Each time I go out I learn something new about the software, guiding and image processing.. Clear Skies - Mike