updated.. now considering C5 or orion apex 127

[iancandler]

I have now discounted this scope (C130) The focal length is a little to long resulting in a to narrow a field of view, also a couple of reveiws I found on USA sites didnt rate it that highly construction and optics wise.. I am now leaning towards either a second hand C5 or an orion apex 127..

The main attraction on the orion is that I know the optics are user collimatable, wheras I dont know if they are on the skywatcher 127.

The problem for me is keeping the weight down the C5 comes in at under 4 kgs as does the orion I believe.. so they are both around the same weight as my sentinal..

Oh and if anyone is selling a mak ota 102mm or larger gimme a shout ( must weigh no more than around 4 kgs though)

[John]

I used to own a C5 (Nexstar 5 actually) - pretty easy to collimate but get some "Bobs Knobs" in place of the rather fiddly allen-key operated standard collimation screws. It was also lightweight and, when collimated, performed very well - rather unsung heros I think the C5's. I think their cool down times are shorter than the Mak's as well.

This review might be of interest:

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=870

John.

[GordonCopestake]

What targets are you after Ian? You might be better off with a 5" short tube newt. Is this to go on the GT mount?

[GazOC]

The Skywatcher Mak and the Orion Apex are the same scope IIRC.

[FLO]

Both are collimateable (is there such a word!) but rarely, if ever, need it.

[GazOC]

Yep, they don't have a secondary mirror as such, just reflective paint on the inside of the meniscus. You can adjust the primary mirror to line up with this but I've never had to do it.

[iancandler]

Well its all solved now.. I just picked up a secondhand C5 that was originaly part of a nexstar 5i set up.. complete with t mount adaptor. rays bracket, finder scope diagonal etc...Hopefully will be ariving next week...

I mainly intend to use it for lunar and planetry stuff, and use the antares for deepsky.. but we will see how it goes and if I fancy trying a focal reducer on it.. Of course I can also use it terrestially as the close focus on it is around 20 ft so I have got my self a kick a*** f10 mirror lense for wildlife stuff..

If paul is reading this cheers mate.. Im really looking forward to it.

[GordonCopestake]

sounds good ian! I look forward to your first light report

[iancandler]

I will certainly do one once the blanket over head vanishes, but I fear its set in for a bit.

I got the scope today, sorted the dovetail issue for now ( thanks arthur for making me think) plonked it on a mount and tried to see something in the murk tonight.. got a couple of quick glimpses, just enough to tell me the collimation will probably need attention once I get a clear night..But Ill find out for certain once its clear enough to zero in on a bright star and up the power. ( crossing my fingers for tomorrow night)