Bausch & Lomb 6000 Questions

[Enimus]

Hi All,

I am new to astronomy, been wanting to get in to it for years but only just managed to nab myself a telescope at a price I can afford, I have got my hands on a Bausch & Lomb 6000, it came with a tracker and a few EP's (all original B&L ASP and a B&L x2 Barlow) and a rediculously heavy tripod, which is good, and bad!!

I have looked at saturn and the moon so far and It look's ok but not quite as good as I expected for a 6", and this isnt due to overly high expectaions, the focus never seems to 100% get there, more so at higher magnification. I have read up on collimation for a SCT and im fairly confident it will be easy for me to do, just need the clouds to go away so I can give it a go!! Im also not sure if the EP's I have are any good!

My questions are:

1. do you think collimation will improve the views? the telescope had been stored away for 10 years before I got it so hasn't had any maintainance for at least that long. or do you think its the EP's?

2. Is there any other things I should check to make sure my scope is running as well as it can be? other than the collimation.

3. I didnt get a manual with the telescope, any idea where I can get one from? B&L still exist but I doubt they will help as they only deal with contact lenses and the such now.

Thanks in advance for any answers and sorry if this has been asked before.

Jay.

[John]

I think that scope is listed in this SCT buyers guide (click on the cat to get it !):

Home Page

These were sold by Broadhurst Clarkson and Fuller about 20 years ago.

[Enimus]

Thanks for the info John, I can only see the 4000 and 8000/8001 listed, im assuming the 4000 is the same just smaller. I have heard the B&L 6000 is quite rare, might be why im having trouble finding decent info on it

[rowan46]

is this any use Bausch and Lomb SCTs

[Enimus]

Thanks Rowan, Im going to try collimation tonight (if the viewing is good) after ten years its got to be at least a little bit out!