HELP!!!broken mount

[redgiantjohn]

I'm in dire need of some help and advice...

A couple of months ago I decided to buy my first scope a celestron ps 127eq I got it from argos(I know not the best place to buy a scope from but it was easier for me getting it from there as there are no specialist shops in 20miles of me anyway I got it home and was over the moon with it even though it set me back £170 I haven't used it much probably about 4 or 5 times over the last few months I saw some amazing detail on the moon and saw the wonder that is saturn everything was going well I didn't even mind the clunky mount and the juddery locks and screws and stuff I thought as its my first scope I could deal with it but tonight I noticed the'T' screw on the back of the mount that controls the up and down angles was really tight I was struggling to turn it so managed to unscrew it and sprayed it with a bit of lube to help...it didn't and the entire thread has worn away on the mount(the screws fine) I'm devestated I was having so much fun don't think I've ever enjoyed anything as much as I have with my scope:mad:

Now I have the reciept so I'm thinking I'm entitled to a full refund due to faulty equipment or a replacement but I don't know what to do,get a replacement(do I really want another one of these scopes?)Or do I get a refund and go for something else from a reputable retailer be grateful for some help here guys maybe I should take my money and get a slightly 'better' scope

[brantuk]

By "T-screw" do you mean altitude adjustment bolt? This wouldn't normally move during a session as it's used to set the angle for polar alignment. They're normally made of mild steel on the entry level scopes and would have to have been over tightened by someone if things are as you describe.

If the thread was stripped inside the mount before you purchased it then I'd take it back under the warranty. Hope that helps

[John]

I've been looking at a picture of the mount on your scope (which is the same as the Skywatcher EQ1 I think) and, as far as I can see, the "T" screw, as you call it, should only be used once - to set the mount to your latitude. There are then 2 axis locks which you loosen to move the scope around the sky and two flexible control rods with plastic knobs on the end which control the fine motion of the scope around the 2 axis. This is the picture I've been looking at:

http://st.tut.ru/images/teleskop-celestron-ps127eq_b.jpg

The "T" screw that I refer to above is on the opposite side from the counterweights in this picture. There is another one near it which is also used when setting the latitude.

[ScubaMike]

Though Argos had a "no quibble" refund policy?

Use it.

[redgiantjohn]

I've been looking at a picture of the mount on your scope (which is the same as the Skywatcher EQ1 I think) and, as far as I can see, the "T" screw, as you call it, should only be used once - to set the mount to your latitude. There are then 2 axis locks which you loosen to move the scope around the sky and two flexible control rods with plastic knobs on the end which control the fine motion of the scope around the 2 axis. This is the picture I've been looking at:

http://st.tut.ru/images/teleskop-celestron-ps127eq_b.jpg

The "T" screw that I refer to above is on the opposite side from the counterweights in this picture. There is another one near it which is also used when setting the latitude.

Yes that's the part I was talking about and it was my first attempt at setting it properly when I started noticing problems and now I think of it when I first screwed it in when I first got the scope it seemed a bit dodgey like it was screwing in at an angle,I'm hoping that I get a refund even if it as a slight incompetence on my part I was also thinking of getting a dobsonian instead what would you guys recommend?

[brantuk]

In my experience these bolts normally come allready threaded in place on new scopes so I would just tell them it didn't feel right when adjusting the latitude and you took it out to examine the thread only to find it stripped.

Also when you tighten the rear one you have to losen the front one to allow the mount to tilt then finally pinch tight them together once set at the correct angle. It's easy to bend the bolts if overtigthening or not losening enough to allow movement.

A dob works differently - it tilts and turns so you wouldn't have to worry about bolt adjustments. A 6" or 8" dob would be nice if you have the budget.

First Light Optics - Dobsonians

Good luck

[redgiantjohn]

Thanks for the help I'm really tempted with a 6" dob also I saw a HERITAGE 130P FlexTube Dobsonian that looks ok for me as I haven't got much room also how safe is it buying something like this online?if I have problems will there be a lot of hassle getting it fixed/replaced? Thx john

[valleyman]

Buy from Flo and go for the largest appeture you can afford. You will not get any hassle from Flo

[brantuk]

Your best bet is to get it from FLO (see link at top of page). These guys really know their stuff and service both pre and post sales is excellent - you'll be well looked after - give 'em a call for advice and you won't fail to be impressed. Pricewise you'll struggle to get a better deal elsewhere

[redgiantjohn]

Thanks for the advice I think I'm going to go for Skywatcher Skyliner 150P Dobsonian from flo depending if I get a refund for my other scope fingers crossed in hindsight I should probably have come here for advice before I got my first scope as I'm sure I would have gone for a dob oh well live and learn as they say thanks again for the advice I'd be lost without you lot

[glowjet]

In the very unlikely event that you are not able to change the scope, there is a solution to your problem, the T screw will probably be only 6mm metric, you need to find a kind person with some taps and dies and then you could re tap the hole in the casting out to 8mm as it is only soft cast alloy, however, there should be no problem with Argos and their refund policy. As Brantuck has said go with the FLO

[redgiantjohn]

Just got a full refund,they were actually really helpful now on to choosing a new scope my price range is only about £200 so am I right in thinking that the Skywatcher Skyliner 150P Dob would be best value for money?will I be able to do what I did with the ps 127 ie seeing saturn and other planets I also started to take some pretty decent moon pictures afocally will that be a problem with this dob?

[brantuk]

The only problem with imaging is that you're on a tight budget and a manual dob without tracking is not a suitable setup for astro photography. However it's a great observing platform that will give good planetary views and you'll observe many dso's with it.

You need to think this one through very carefully and perhaps save to double the budget for something that satisfies your personal needs. For imaging an equatorial mount with tracking is a must. For observing only then a dob with the largest aperture within budget is the tool of choice. Few scopes do both to any degree of satisfaction.

Congrats on getting the refund

(Edit: second hand gear might be a good solution for you - an eq5 or cg5 manual mount in good condition comes in around the £100 mark, so too does a 150p or 150pl newtonian OTA. You could then get an RA motor when budget allows - this would be an absolute minimun setup to start photography whilst providing a very good entry level observing setup)

[redgiantjohn]

Hmmmm a bit of a dilemma maybe I was running before I could walk with the photography side of astronomy I'm not sure what to do,the reason I got into astronomy was just to observe the amazing things in the universe and I discovered photography as a nice bonus really not sure what way to go now think I need some serious thinking time

[Bizibilder]

With the Dob you will certainly get good views visually - a 150mm will be far better than your 127mm. It will also probably be easier to use - just put it down on firm ground and move it to point at your target - no alignment or adjustments to make.

For photography you can certainly use it to photograph the Moon as you only need an exposure of a fraction of a second.

Buying online nowdays has the best customer protection of any buying process, especially for goods over £100 bought with a credit card (section 75 protection). The least protection for the customer is when you walk into a shop and buy for real money ie cash!! Strange but true!

FLO are exellent as stated above - most folk on the forum use them all the time.

[redgiantjohn]

Will I be able to attatch the tube of the 150 dob to an eq mount on a tripod at a later date if I wanted to?

[Bizibilder]

Yes. You may need to buy a couple of tube rings and a dovetail plate (plank of metal with angled edges!!), but that's all.

PS If you go for the Dob you may want to consider a Telrad finder - by far the easiest tool for setting the scope "spot on" to your target.

[redgiantjohn]

Well got my dob and its all set up now looks amazing piece of kit,was anybodys else reaction to there first dob like mine? "Where the heck am I gonna put that its MASSIVE"

[Dai150PL]

Yeah they are big at first, then you get a bigger one. In answer to one of your above questions about mounting it on a eq mount, thats basically what my150pl is. Different colour and on an eq mount, if you do buy one go for a eq5 as a minimum. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed mine.

David