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New Addition to My Dual Set Up


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I have just added a 8" SCT to my 110mm refractor on the AZ PRO mount, the balance is almost perfect so it should make for quite a reasonable contrast. I got the SCT mainly for Lunar and planetary views. All I need now is a half decent Crayford for the SCT if anyone has one knocking about.

110mm & 8SCT.JPG

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Looks great Shaun, I know you used to have a 6" so it will be interesting to hear what you think of the 8" in comparison :) I should be receiving an 8" SCT myself any moment now..hope it arrives in one piece through the post!

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Thanks Chris.... I  also used to own a CPC 9.25 and it was especially impressive for planetary and lunar viewing but it was a bit heavy to keep moving about. I have looked through the 8" before and they are quite a step up from the 6". The most surprising thing is how lightweight they are so this can only help with portability.

Which one are you getting ?

 

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So you went for the 8" Shaun

I'm interested to know - do you use the dual scope set up much for visual? I can see the advantages for AP (guiding etc) but for visual I am assuming that you want to compare views of the same object in the two scopes. In that case how do you tweak them to ensure the same FOV?

Kerry 

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1 hour ago, Pig said:

Thanks Chris.... I  also used to own a CPC 9.25 and it was especially impressive for planetary and lunar viewing but it was a bit heavy to keep moving about. I have looked through the 8" before and they are quite a step up from the 6". The most surprising thing is how lightweight they are so this can only help with portability.

Which one are you getting ?

 

It's a Meade USA EMC (Think the tube originally came with an LXD75 mount), and thankfully arrived safe and sound :)

I'm kind of the other way around, owned C8 XLT, C8 Edge (amazing!), and a C6 xlt, but never had the C9.25. 

Totally agree, the 8" is an amazingly compact and light 8" little light bucket :)

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3 hours ago, kerrylewis said:

So you went for the 8" Shaun

I'm interested to know - do you use the dual scope set up much for visual? I can see the advantages for AP (guiding etc) but for visual I am assuming that you want to compare views of the same object in the two scopes. In that case how do you tweak them to ensure the same FOV?

Kerry 

I did indeed Kerry,
It kind of goes back to the old nutshell that one scope will not give you all and by choosing a dual set up of this type you can get closer to Elysium in the sense that 2 very different scopes can get you quite a good way there :hello: as you know the difference in FOV this set up is huge thus the choice of targets can be tailored to suit your session and cannot be matched by simply switching eyepieces in a single scope set up. I am sure there will be some cross overs such as the M57. Comparing targets is ok but gets pretty boring once you have done this as you pretty much know what to expect.
White light & Ha is also another option that is quite good.

The main challenge with this setup will be getting the target in the centre of both FOV simultaneously, but this will be quite manageable with this mount.

I had to re-write this a couple of times so I hope it makes some sense :icon_flower:

 

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2 hours ago, YKSE said:

Very nice setup Shan:thumbsup: The dual-scope mount is on my investigation list:smiley:

Looking forward to your first light.

Cheers Yong, dual set ups are quite interesting and can be very rewarding "Goto" also helps a lot :hello: I am sure you would enjoy going down this path.

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5 hours ago, Pig said:

I have just added a 8" SCT to my 110mm refractor on the AZ PRO mount, the balance is almost perfect so it should make for quite a reasonable contrast. I got the SCT mainly for Lunar and planetary views. All I need now is a half decent Crayford for the SCT if anyone has one knocking about.

110mm & 8SCT.JPG

 

Very nice set up there Shaun. All that extra aperture in a compact 8" SCT  next to a nice sharp refractor. To add to that on a AZ pro which means as i understand it a very quick goto set up time, and accurate target location. Should be a very potent combination. Will be very interesting how you find this package. Nice☺

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24 minutes ago, Timebandit said:

Very nice set up there Shaun. All that extra aperture in a compact 8" SCT  next to a nice sharp refractor. To add to that on a AZ pro which means as i understand it a very quick goto set up time, and accurate target location. Should be a very potent combination. Will be very interesting how you find this package. Nice☺

Thank you Simon, yes it should be quite a combination.... Its a pity a cannot tag a 22"DOB on board for good measure :hello:

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3 hours ago, Chris Lock said:

It's a Meade USA EMC (Think the tube originally came with an LXD75 mount), and thankfully arrived safe and sound :)

I'm kind of the other way around, owned C8 XLT, C8 Edge (amazing!), and a C6 xlt, but never had the C9.25. 

Totally agree, the 8" is an amazingly compact and light 8" little light bucket :)

Nice one Chris, it seems we have presents all around :hello:

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1 hour ago, Pig said:

 

The main challenge with this setup will be getting the target in the centre of both FOV simultaneously, but this will be quite manageable with this mount.

I had to re-write this a couple of times so I hope it makes some sense :icon_flower:

 

OK Shaun, I did follow that! But what I was wondering is exactly  HOW it is manageable with the Ioptron mount to get the the two scopes to line up on the same target.  As you know, I'm tempted by this mount - hence the questions

Cheers

Kerry 

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Kerry,

The primary mount is fixed so first you slew your target in the centre of the eyepiece, you then have to set the secondary to match it.

  • The secondary mount is a round bar so the puck simply rotates up or down until you get the secondary scope pointing in the same vertical direction, you then tighten the knob to set it in place.
  • To set the left and right there are 2 threaded holes in the puck with grub screws that are located under where the dovetail sits, you simply screw one of them in or out until the target is in the centre.

It takes a couple of goes to get the knack but once you know how its easy. They don't tend to move when you take the scope off so you really only have to do this once.

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27 minutes ago, kerrylewis said:

Thanks Shaun. No more questions! I should just buy the flippin' thing :icon_biggrin: have fun with the SCT 8 

I don't mind at all Kerry, please ask away .... If you do get  one just remember about the clutch wheel !!!!

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Just now, kerrylewis said:

OK Shaun. I remember that from your earlier posts.

I feel a Christmas present to self coming on - just don't tell Mrs L how much it costs ! 

Yes this hobby sure does hoover up cash.... you could bribe me with a glass of your lovely wine so I don't split on you :happy6:
I just bought a 2" click lock (sounds a bit like Chris Lock) instead of getting a different focuser for the SCT. I don't fancy hanging my eyepieces of that naff litle setup on the back of them.

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The forecast is showing clears skies here from 11pm so I will get to see how the mount copes with two substancialish scopes attached, I will also be able to check out any vibrations with the 8" SCT at 200X plus mag, I will also try the SCT on the primary mount if needed.
I will of course let you know the outcome.

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Just a quick update and confirmation.

I have just put the C8 onto the primary side of the mount and at 254 x Mag on the Moon there were no tracking vibrations whatsoever. However, there were vibrations whilst focussing, but given the focal length of approximately 2000mm I think this is pretty good and I must say I am pretty impressed. (8mm Ethos)

I may give the secondary mount a trial but for now I am going to get some observing in whilst the clouds are out of the way.

One note I must add, I did a quick test to check the goto alignment accuracy. Now considering this is a scope with a very narrow FOV when I slewed to NGC869 it was bang in the centre of the eyepiece (21mm Ethos) Most impressive.

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Nice set up Shaun I've had lots of fun in past with the mini tower pro dual set up had a C11 on one side and a 102s on the other they are amazing those little cubes apart from the dreaded clutch lock ? I'm tempted by yours the new one looks a nice upgrade if I can stop spending on the light side ?I find the AZ5GT quite good for dual must try my 9.25 and the Altair 130 

IMG_0302.JPG

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LoL Gary, If you stop spending on solar you will only spend more on dark sky venturing ...........

The AZ pro has been great thus far, the accuracy of alignment and tracking amazes me. They are also surprisingly strong little things :hello:

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21 minutes ago, Helen said:

Looks great!  How heavy is the mount Shaun?

Helen

Thank you Helen, the mount itself weighs 13lb without the tripod and it is very manageable. If you want to know anything else please do not hesitate to pm me and I will be more than happy to help.... All I would want in return is some of the lovely Welch cakes you make :hello:

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