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You can't always get what you want,

Moonshane

By Moonshane
in Members Equipment Gallery

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Moonshane

Moonshane

Posted
Posted

You can't always get what you want,

You can't always get what you want,

You can't always get what you want,

But if you try sometimes,

You just might find,

You do on the 'bay.....

I have just taken a punt on a scope on T'Ebay:

telescope Orion | eBay

I am a massive fan of OOUK scopes and as everyone else seems to be buying 'classics' I wanted one of my own. I just cannot get on with the small wide field frac I bought a little while back and I much prefer the viewing position, orientation and CA free views that newts, specifically alt-az newts, give. I also wanted a small fast newt that I can make a mini truss for so I can remove the optics and put them in for holidays etc.

I have not seen the scope but it feels like another Ebay bargain.

In reality, the pier, mount and rings are probably worth more than I paid, and it has a decent looking dob base too so I cannot really go wrong. The postage was a little expensive but I pitched my maximum bid to take this into account and for £112 I am not complaining.

It looks like an f6 (900mm FL) but not sure. Anyone know what the SX150s were?

Looking forward to getting it and will report back when I get first light.

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John

John

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I had a look through one of those at SGL7 Shane. It belonged to Russ. I think he has sold it on now but it provided some nice views as I recall. It's a very light OTA - Russ had it on the equivalent of an AZ-4 I recall.

I think it's one of OO's very early models - late 80s / early 90s perhaps. I have one of their old brochures somewhere with that one in it. I think it could be an F/6 - that was a popular focal ratio back then.

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Moonshane

Moonshane

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wow amazing John - what did you do with the time machine you used? :icon_salut: SGL7 indeed :)

The guy selling this is in Reading so maybe it's even the same one, unlikely though. The light OTA is a real attraction for me, especially as it will be partly a travel scope and I want to keep weight down as much as I can. Maybe not even need to make a mini truss after all.

F6 or F5 would be fine with me. I expect that it might benefit in due course from a recoat/Hilux but I'll see how it goes. Hopefully there will be some indication of figure quality on the mirror edge but it should be pretty good I think.

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John

John

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wow amazing John - what did you do with the time machine you used? :icon_salut: SGL7 indeed :)

.....

I've just sold it on UK Astro Buy & Sell Shane - SGL8 was brilliant by the way - really enjoyed the views through your 25" dob (that you are going to get) :)

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Moonshane

Moonshane

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well, it's here.

the packaging was poor quality with two cardboard boxes taped together and a minimum of packaing to prevent movement. BUT thanks to TNT looking after it, everything arrived as well as can be expected.

there's a few dings to the tube which may well have been there all along but that's not an issue as this will be a travel scope anyway and I may even make a mini truss for it.

despite the sticker on the primary confirming this was made in 1992 (it's nearly a twenty year old scope!), the mirrors are generally in very good condition and certainly serviceable for now. they collimated easily enough. I note that the primary is secured with the usual (at the time I think) three blobs of silicone and is a f6 model so fl = 900mm.

the focuser is a basic but well working 1.25" R&P, much akin to the synta ones. the advert said scope came with a 9mm eyepiece but it is actually a gold coloured 18mm Meade WA plossl type with no undercut made in China. The coatings seem pretty good and it's in decent condition. Not a focal length I have and I can possibly use it for the astro club I have set up at school.

the finder is a right angle, upright image but left right inverted affair with solid rings etc. seems in good condition. I may sell this in due course as I think I'll prefer the RACI versions (of which I have two) in conjunction with a Telrad.

the mount is somewhat unusual as it has a really good and solid pedestal (4" diameter) that has been adapted with small LEDs at the ends of the feet. battery operated and seems a decent job - they are green and I may eventually change to red. this is a really solid platform.

the mount itself is equatorial but has no slow motion controls. instead it has push fit steel with bushes and is adjustable with a small grub screw to increase tension. surprisingly this works really well as an EQ mount.

I may though (reversibly) modify to an ALTAZ mode but will need to make an adapter (or get someone to) in order to enable this. assuming I can do so, my GIRO mount may be on the chopping block. this mount will make a really sturdy ALTAZ and everything matches and fits of course.

the dob mount is unfortunately made of MDF and I'll not be using it. I may possibly sell this too but after finishing it off - it has no groundboard and I may paint it black too.

the main reason I bought this scope if for wider views and as a smaller grab and go scope/travel scope. with my existing 32mm plossl, this will give me a 1.7 degree field which is more than large enough to fit in all but the very largest objects.

I'll upload some pics when possible later on.

I'll start a DIY thread too for the mods planned - I cannot help myself.

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Moonshane

Moonshane

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here's a pic of the scope in the garden with the EQ mount set up. will try and figure a way to convert to altaz in due course. a few more dings than I'd hoped for but is it worth £112? you bet. more pics on the continuing mods thread as above.

post-17776-133877708627_thumb.jpg

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Telescope40

Telescope40

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Hi Shane. Reminds me of my Orion SX250 which I bought back in 1995. Same sort of paint job, finder etc. Didnt use as much as I shud have. Was a bit a a beast and I think this was the main cause of it being covered in cobwebs.

Good luck with the upgrades. Hope to get a look thru it at some stage :):):(

Regards John

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