Esprit 120 fitted

[Miguel1983]

Hi,

so yesterday I’ve received the Esprit 120 and some extras and I started right away unpacking and installing it on my mount.

The case and the accessories 

there was some debris in one of the taped holes On the rings, but i managed to get it out quickly with a pointy blade.

the accessories:

Don’t know exactly wat the extension tube is for, I probably won’t need it.
It has a male M48 tread so i guess its for getting a DSLR into focus wen you don’t use the field flattener.

The SW field flattener comes with some rings too, to mount it on the drawtube of the telescope (first remove te last reduction ring to 2”) and a ring with male M48 tread for connecting a T-ring and a spacer to get up to 75mm backfocus.

Next the TS 0.75 reducer/corrector on the telescope side it fits directly on the drawtube and on the camera side it has a reduction to M48. Backfocus is 55mm, witch is the same I had with my ED 80 it replaces.

This ring can be removed, its not needed with the Esprit 120.

Also got a Baader Click Lock for in case of visual use

And the obligatory dew strap

For size comparison Ed80 VS Esprit 120

Time to fit everything on the mount

I’ve added a D-style 33cm dovetail on the top to mount the USB hub and Pocket Power Box  and i got some room left for piggy backing a DSLR.

So far so good, next step was calibration of the Sesto Senso, this is when things went wrong.

The Sesto Senso slipt or the shaft would even turn when the motor was.

i called in some help and started fiddling with the focuser.

At the end i had to loosen the screws that push the teflon bars against the drawtube, all is good now.

 

 

 

 

 Edit: maybe worth mentioning, the whole setup weight is 13,3kg

Edited January 24, 2020 by Miguel1983

[johnturley]

 

1 hour ago, Miguel1983 said:

Also got a Baader Click Lock for in case of visual use

Is that the Baader 2in ClickLock M74i, available from FLO, which should also fit my Esprit 150

John

[johnturley]

1 hour ago, Miguel1983 said:

Don’t know exactly wat the extension tube is for, I probably won’t need it.
It has a male M48 tread so i guess its for getting a DSLR into focus wen you don’t use the field flattener.

This was also included with my Esprit 150, but no mention in the manual as to what it was for, I guess you are right, or to use the scope visually without a star diagonal.

John 

[Miguel1983]

25 minutes ago, johnturley said:

 

Is that the Baader 2in ClickLock M74i, available from FLO, which should also fit my Esprit 150

John

The focuser is the same so it has to be.

[Miguel1983]

Happy to report, the TS 0.75 reducer flattener (f7 --> f5.25) performes well without the need for additional rings, so the reducer fits directly on the ZWO OAG and the rest is according to the ZWO sheme for 55mm backfocus with OAG and EFW.

This is a 3*60sec stack of M45 (no flats), not cropped obviously.

 

and this is 1 300s frame

 

Edited November 1, 2019 by Miguel1983

[Midnight_lightning]

I would be interested to know which camera you used for these images? 

[rodrigol]

I recently got the esprit 120 with the sesto senso  I'm wondering if you can share your step size, if possible? 

Thanks 😊

[Rob63]

10 hours ago, rodrigol said:

I recently got the esprit 120 with the sesto senso  I'm wondering if you can share your step size, if possible? 

Thanks 😊

I have an Evostar 120ED with the sesto senso on the fine tune side of the focuser so should be similar.

My step size is 575 (calculated using SGP's instructions) and this works well for me, giving nice V curves during auto focus runs.

[gilesco]

Does the scope fit back into the carry case with the sesto senso fitted? Or would you need to cut out some foam?

[rodrigol]

11 hours ago, gilesco said:

Does the scope fit back into the carry case with the sesto senso fitted? Or would you need to cut out some foam?

You would have to cut the foam, I guess. I personally wouldn't do it because the focuser motor sits lower than the focuser knobs and the fit would be very questionable. This would put a lot of pressure on the focusing axle when the case is closed. 

[rodrigol]

11 hours ago, Rob63 said:

I have an Evostar 120ED with the sesto senso on the fine tune side of the focuser so should be similar.

My step size is 575 (calculated using SGP's instructions) and this works well for me, giving nice V curves during auto focus runs.

Many thanks! Perhaps you can share your imaging settings as well? Auto stretch factor, back clipping, star sensitivity, noise reduction....

Much appreciated! 

[gilesco]

13 hours ago, rodrigol said:

You would have to cut the foam, I guess. I personally wouldn't do it because the focuser motor sits lower than the focuser knobs and the fit would be very questionable. This would put a lot of pressure on the focusing axle when the case is closed. 

Well, I'll have to take a look at that when it finally arrives, I don't have a permanent set up, so it's either going back in the case, with or without the Sesto Senso 2 attached pretty often, or the case doesn't get used at all.

[Miguel1983]

I'm sorry i've missed al these comments above.

So about the case, i also think you would have to cut the foam, i'ts a guess, mine hasen't been in the case since i got it.

Edited November 11, 2020 by Miguel1983

[cfinn]

Hello @Miguel1983. Thank you for sharing all of this. I would be interested to know the exact losmandy dovetail you purchased if you wouldn’t mind sharing that info? It seems difficult to find one that will pair nicely with the existing green plate, as the length seems to be non standard. I am worried the holes wouldn’t line up with most of the options out there. Thanks!

[Miguel1983]

6 hours ago, cfinn said:

Hello @Miguel1983. Thank you for sharing all of this. I would be interested to know the exact losmandy dovetail you purchased if you wouldn’t mind sharing that info? It seems difficult to find one that will pair nicely with the existing green plate, as the length seems to be non standard. I am worried the holes wouldn’t line up with most of the options out there. Thanks!

Hi, it was this one , it is longer than the green one though, but the holes line up.

[gilesco]

3 hours ago, Miguel1983 said:

Hi, it was this one , it is longer than the green one though, but the holes line up.

To avoid adding more unnecessary weight - my set up is very similar, but with a CGX - I am ordering some perspex sheeting and drill some holes through it to try and mount my PPBA and Pi4, I'm hoping that this will be lighter than another large steel plate, but good to have an alternative here, does anyone know of a UK retailer who can supply that part?

Just thinking that delivery from the EU to the UK might be hampered over the coming months....

[cfinn]

17 hours ago, Miguel1983 said:

Hi, it was this one , it is longer than the green one though, but the holes line up.

Many thanks!

[cfinn]

13 hours ago, gilesco said:

To avoid adding more unnecessary weight - my set up is very similar, but with a CGX - I am ordering some perspex sheeting and drill some holes through it to try and mount my PPBA and Pi4, I'm hoping that this will be lighter than another large steel plate, but good to have an alternative here, does anyone know of a UK retailer who can supply that part?

Just thinking that delivery from the EU to the UK might be hampered over the coming months....

Yes I’ve thought about something custom as well. Shipping is already disrupted by covid let alone pending no deal Brexit! 🙄

[Miguel1983]

6 hours ago, cfinn said:

Yes I’ve thought about something custom as well. Shipping is already disrupted by covid let alone pending no deal Brexit! 🙄

Flo does sell them too, not sure they have that exact same one, but i'm sur if you ask them they will find out for you witch one also fits.

My guess is that the 35mm Losmandy type bar from PrimaLuceLab would also fit.

Vendors should put much more info about dimensions, screwholes, etc on there site next to there products, would save us a lot of time and headaches...

[cfinn]

Thanks, yes I was advised on this previously but wasn’t convinced the recommended dovetail would work with the existing one. I think I just need to take a closer look at the specs. Thanks for your help!