Purchased a second hand quintuplet

[Wasp]

Hi All, I have really got into imaging and recently on a whim found myself part exchanging my old ED80 for a Skywatcher Esprit ED100 quintuplet. I was guided towards this scope after a discussion with the guy who sells second-hand kit in my area. Anyway, after getting the scope home I did some research on the net to discover that these were quite problematic with collimation so I thought I'd check it on mine. Quite a basic test, a sheet of A4 over the front and a collimator laser in the tube. I found it to be dead centre when not extended. But as soon as I reached 50mm it clearly drops like a stone a good 5mm. It's a feather touch focuser. My question is, is this a simple fix or should I be taking this back as £1300 for a second-hand telescope isn't a cheap purchase.

[Guest]

Hello there, can you post an image of your scope ?

Since you mention that you did purchase an " Skywatcher Esprit ED100 quintuplet. " but the Skywatcher Esprit-100ED  is actually an  3-Element Objective Lens,.  https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p5437_Skywatcher-Esprit-100ED-Professional---100mm-F-5-5-Super-APO-Triplet-Refractor.html

And to your comment " Feather touch focuser. " and the Feather Touch brand is one of the best in the market..

Post a picture of our scope..

Cheers

Martin

 

Edited May 11, 2019 by Guest

[Wasp]

Rare as hens teeth apparently.

[Stu]

1 minute ago, Wasp said:

Rare as hens teeth apparently.

Yes, there is a Feathertouch upgrade for the Esprit, although I think most find the standard focuser very good. There certainly shouldn't be any dropping with a properly functioning FT, they are the best there is.

It is still 'only' a triplet though, unless you are referring to a reducer/flattener option aswell?

[Wasp]

These were produced back in 2012 and discontinued due to the expense and reliability issues of collimation. It has five glass elements that do not need a reducer/flattener that supposed to be a TAK slayer, so I've been told. I have yet to use this so I will reserve judgment. But the research I've done led to try and see if I had any collimation issues which has led to the discovery of the focuser. And as I have said, for a second-hand scope it isn't cheap.

Edited May 11, 2019 by Wasp

[Stu]

1 hour ago, Wasp said:

These were produced back in 2012 and discontinued due to the expense and reliability issues of collimation.

Ah yes! I remember now, that is going back a little way

Link here.

https://www.telescopehouse.com/esprit-100ed-f-5-quintuplet-super-apo-refractor.html

As said, if the focuser is changing the collimation through its range then there is definitely something wrong with it.

[johninderby]

Some info here.

http://www.newforestobservatory.com/2012/03/12/first-light-for-the-sky-watcher-esprit-ed-100-quintuplet-refractor/

Edited May 11, 2019 by johninderby

[Guest]

56 minutes ago, Stu said:

Ah yes! I remember now, that is going back a little way

Link here.

https://www.telescopehouse.com/esprit-100ed-f-5-quintuplet-super-apo-refractor.html

As said, if the focuser is changing the collimation through its range then there is definitely something wrong with it.

Intereresting.. 😀

[Wasp]

I appreciate any help along the way. I can clearly see the laser point drop a good 5mm which I would have thought will lead to imaging issues, especially with five glass elements. I will speak with the guy I have purchased this from this morning and see where that goes. Pending the outcome, I may need your help, and thanks.

[Guest]

12 minutes ago, Wasp said:

These were produced back in 2012 and discontinued due to the expense and reliability issues of collimation. It has five glass elements that do not need a reducer/flattener that supposed to be a TAK slayer, so I've been told. I have yet to use this so I will reserve judgment. But the research I've done led to try and see if I had any collimation issues which has led to the discovery of the focuser. And as I have said, for a second-hand scope it isn't cheap.

You could also contact http://starlightinstruments.com/store/index.php?route=information/contact

They will for sure have answer and have a Feedback for you..

But the Feather Touch  prducts are one of the best in the market..

 

Cheers

Martin

Edited May 11, 2019 by Guest

[Stu]

Keep us posted!

[Rob]

2 minutes ago, artem said:

Yiu could also contact http://starlightinstruments.com/store/index.php?route=information/contact

They will for sure have answer and Feedback for you..

But the Feather Touch  prducts are one of the best in the market..

 

Cheers

Martin

Just about to suggest the same Martin!. Great minds and all that.

Interested to hear the outcome on this mind. Good luck Rob

Edited May 11, 2019 by Rob

[henry b]

Have you adjusted the focuser? , if not ask the vender to correct it for you.  I bet they will be glad to ensure it functions correctly. Sounds like a very simple solution!,        Henry b.

[Wasp]

37 minutes ago, henry b said:

Have you adjusted the focuser? , if not ask the vender to correct it for you.  I bet they will be glad to ensure it functions correctly. Sounds like a very simple solution!,        Henry b.

Hi Henry, I asked to see if there may be a simple solution here as to not trouble the vendor. But concerning the focuser, I've tried adjusting the brake and tension screws with no joy. from 50mm-52mm there is a noticeable drop on the tube and at least a 5mm shift on the laser at the front end. I have spoken with the vendor who has been very helpful suggesting to take it in for a service so hopefully, that will sort out the issue. It looks a fantastic scope with huge potential.

Edited May 11, 2019 by Wasp

[henry b]

Yes, you have a very nice scope, if the focuser issue can be rectified......I have the Tak 106 they also have focuser issues but I know yours is can be sorted.   Good luck I will be interested in the outcome!   Henry b.

[Wasp]

I've returned the scope after a few issues that didn't inspire my confidence. Just waiting for the refund to land. Purchased the Esprit 100ED and waiting for a clear sky.

[johninderby]

A real pain when something you wanted turns out to be flawed. Still the Esprit 100ED is at least going to work properly. 

Edited May 15, 2019 by johninderby

[Wasp]

1 minute ago, johninderby said:

A real pain when something you wanted turns out to be flawed. Still the Esprit 100ED is at least going to work properly. 

Yes, when spending your hard earned you want it right. I was having too many trips to his unit and feeling like I was an inconvenience. Best all round I think, I should have gone new at the start.

[FaDG]

If you were really happy with the optics, you could have tried a 4cm extension tube between focuser and camera. 

This way you could have kept the focuser retracted, yet enjoy the optic performance. 

But now, all the best with your triplet! 

Fabio 

[LV426]

That was my old scope and I brought and sold it to ENS when I was strapped for cash and believe me I wish I still had it now it produced  flat, good contrast images and the focuser was a dream to use holding my SX 814 mono and an SX filter wheel  like as if it did not exist, I have an SW esprit 80mm with attached flattener which will never match the SW 100mm quintuplet  which has probably had a few owners along the way so not a spanking new scope what does this guy expect for a second-hand purchase man......

[henry b]

I would have taken that scope if you made it available, FT focuser 3 inch at that .......very nice scope!.    Henry b.

[Louis D]

I remember reading up on a fellow dissatisfied with all Crayford style focusers and switched to a Clement focuser.  Perhaps that scope would do better with a Clement than a FT.

[Waldemar]

3 hours ago, henry b said:

I would have taken that scope if you made it available, FT focuser 3 inch at that .......very nice scope!.    Henry b.

So would I ...

[Wasp]

On 16/05/2019 at 12:05, LV426 said:

That was my old scope and I brought and sold it to ENS when I was strapped for cash and believe me I wish I still had it now it produced  flat, good contrast images and the focuser was a dream to use holding my SX 814 mono and an SX filter wheel  like as if it did not exist, I have an SW esprit 80mm with attached flattener which will never match the SW 100mm quintuplet  which has probably had a few owners along the way so not a spanking new scope what does this guy expect for a second-hand purchase man......

I just didn't have confidence in it with the issues I had. Like I said I should have gone new from the start. It isn't like it was a cheap scope, cheap enough to run with the niggles. Finding out these had collimation problems didn't help and SW pulling launch. BTW did you ever have the collimation modded in any way so the scope held it?

Edited May 17, 2019 by Wasp