Returning to astronomy: new scope chosen (hopefully) can i reuse my old one?

[Iangourlay]

Hi all, 

I am returning to astronomy after many years out and I THINK I've chosen my new scope.

A Sky Watcher 200 PDS with HEQ5 GOTO mount.

My primary viewing will be to bring astronomy to my young family - so using a mix of AP and laptop visualisation of the image. 

 

I do have an old Celestron ETX125 with a very broken (read dead) mount and one thing I would like to do is mount this scope to the new mount. Does anyone have a description (and equipment list) of what I will need to make this happen - and is it wort the cost. I see  it as a more portable scope (camping etc) than the 200 - which will not be the best to cart around along with a mammoth air tent! 

 

As I said, new and really looking forward to all of your informed insight.

 

ian.

 

[PeterCPC]

Do you mean a Meade ETX125? If so you would need to demount it, fit two tube rings and then a dovetail bar sufficiently long enough to enable it to balance.

[Laurieast]

@IangourlayI have done this with a Meade ETX 105, using Skywatcher tube rings from FLO, and a Dovetail bar. In my case I could not get rings of ther right diameter and had to pad it out, cork sheet works well for this. 

Tube Rings
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/skywatcher-telescope-tube-rings.html

Dovetail Bar
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/astro-essentials-dovetail-bars.html

 

Edited February 16, 2021 by Laurieast

[Pixies]

15 minutes ago, Laurieast said:

I have done this with a Meade ETX 105, using Skywatcher tube rings from FLO, and a Dovetail bar. In my case I could not get rings of ther right diameter and had to pad it out, cork sheet works well for this. 

 

It looks quite neat out of the fork mount. Is that a home-made dew shield?

[Laurieast]

4 hours ago, Pixies said:

It looks quite neat out of the fork mount. Is that a home-made dew shield?

No, not home made, it was either Meade or (Edit, think it was Meade) may have been from Broadhurst Clarkson and Fuller, you have me thinking now, long long time ago! I know it was expensive for what it is, plastic, threaded.

It does look smart like that doesn't it , and has the added advantage of the flip mirror, which when par focal with the camera at prime focus is great, can't do that on a Skymax.

Dismounting it using the two halves of a wooden clothes peg into the rear of the fork arms is the easiest way. Have also filed down the bolt retaining holes on the arms so it now can be refitted much easier to the still working fork mount when wanted.

Edited February 16, 2021 by Laurieast

[Iangourlay]

Hi all,

 

Yes I did mean a Meade ETX125 - D'oh!

Thank you for the advice and I will try out the rings and additional dovetail bar.