Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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Hello Folks. I am trying to get the "facts" on Ray's Brackets. I have the Celestron NexStar 8i telescope. And I've added the Starlight Filter and 2 inch diagonal to the rear. I know this is heavier than normal for the rear-end. And it does cause the rear to bump the base when it rises near zenith. The filter limits built into the software helps out there. However I would like to know more about Ray's Brackets to see if this would help out i.e. balance the tube and allow full clearance from the base at the zenith position. Will someone tell me if there is a web-site I can click on to get more information? 
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Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
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JHollJr
sage
Reged: 06/10/06
Posts: 204
Loc: Quantico, Virginia
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Leo, thanks for asking this question. My question is just a little simpler. How does one remove the OTA from the "fork" arm?
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Justin
Northern Virginia
Celestron Nexstar 8i SE
Questar 3.5 purchased 1980
Leica Ultravid 10x50's
Oberwerk 20x80 Ultra Lights
UA UniMount Light Deluxe
Horrible Eyes
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JDSherman
super member
Reged: 04/19/06
Posts: 183
Loc: Central NJ, USA
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Has anyone noticed that Ray's web site www.buyastrostuff.com is down? I've been trying to visit and order the brackets for my 8i for the past couple of days.
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Stellarvue 102ED (sn 0107)
NextStar 8i SE XLT
Astro Tech 66ED (Green) (sn 6680003)
Orion Atlas, AT Voyager
Denkmeier Powerswitch
3.2mm, 5mm BO/TMB Planetary, 7mm UWAN, 10mm Ultima, 16mm UWAN, 24mm Panoptic, 33mm SWAN, 40mm TMB Paragon
Orion Starshoot Pro
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Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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Quote:
Leo, thanks for asking this question. My question is just a little simpler. How does one remove the OTA from the "fork" arm?
Hi jholljr. When I read your comments I am thinking you ordered the bracket and got started to install it and got ran into a problem of removing the OTA . Is this true? Please clarify. 
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Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
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Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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Thanks JDSherman. I clicked on the hyperlink and the site is now working. 
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
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Bob Griffiths
Getting Grouchy
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 10103
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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I'm on vacation and using a dialup ...(ARGHH~!) connection...
Somewone gave the link...
But as a user of Rays Brackets I can tell you ..
1. Installation is NOT DIFFICULT...
2. REMOVING the OTA for
tarveling (like I am doing now
is a 3 second job...same for
putting the OTA back on the scope...
3. I have a Denk S1 2inch Diagonal on my 8i Plus a
Celestron Motorfocus & the
Motofocus is what causes clearance problems..with Rays installed END OF PROBLEMS...
4. Balancing is well just
like balancing any other scope.. The original 8i was slightly rear heavy...I had no problems..duplicating a balance point that "worked" took 10-15 minutes to get it
slightly rear heavy ..2 seconds to mark that spot on the brackets ..
In addition to the motorfocus,
and 2 inch diagonal, my 8i has
the GPS unit on top, a 9x50
RACI finder on the right side
and a Telrad on the left...and my most used EP is a 20 mm
Pentax XW (not little, nor light)..thats the set up I used to balance the scope..
Hope this helps a little..
Rays Brackets are WON-DER-FUL
in my opinion...
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Gerbring heated clothing in the winter
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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Hey Bob G. Thanks for the input. I do have a question for you though. How will I know when the scope is in balance after I install the bracket and load my gear onto the OTA. Oh, I know I will have to slide the OTA probably forward but how will I know when it is in the best position? Please advise....Thanks again.....
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Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
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JHollJr
sage
Reged: 06/10/06
Posts: 204
Loc: Quantico, Virginia
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Leo, I haven't ordered the bracket, but I've looked over the fork arm and don't see how to remove it. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to get the bracket, because I've changed to a heavier diagonal and I want to try some 2" eyepieces. Even with just the new diagonal the scope wasn't tracking right. I didn't have a lot of time to determine what the problem was,because we have had nothing but rain lately, but I think it might be the added weight.
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Justin
Northern Virginia
Celestron Nexstar 8i SE
Questar 3.5 purchased 1980
Leica Ultravid 10x50's
Oberwerk 20x80 Ultra Lights
UA UniMount Light Deluxe
Horrible Eyes
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Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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Hey JHollJr. Still interested in removing your OTA. This might interest you. Click onto this site www.buyastrostuff.com this will take you to Ray's web page you can read and download the instructions to install the bracket. This includes removeing the OTA.
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Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
|
JHollJr
sage
Reged: 06/10/06
Posts: 204
Loc: Quantico, Virginia
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Thanks for the help.
--------------------
Justin
Northern Virginia
Celestron Nexstar 8i SE
Questar 3.5 purchased 1980
Leica Ultravid 10x50's
Oberwerk 20x80 Ultra Lights
UA UniMount Light Deluxe
Horrible Eyes
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Bob Griffiths
Getting Grouchy
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 10103
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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LEE-OH:
To balance the scope I had the OTA OFF the arm, and fully loaded with the accesories I use {GPS,2 finders,The Denk S1
Diagonal and my most used EP)... Plus the half of the bracket that attaches to the OTA...
Simply placed a pencil on the
table and marked the balance point...
Installed the OTA with the balance point dead center in the center of the arm ... But since the original factory balance was a little rear end heavy I moced the OTA about
a 1/16 of an inch towards the rear...
Worked for me...did have to play with the backlash settings a little...but no big deal...
Bob
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Gerbring heated clothing in the winter
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
|
Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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|
Hey Bob thanks.
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
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JHollJr
sage
Reged: 06/10/06
Posts: 204
Loc: Quantico, Virginia
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I was wondering whether or not the Losmandy counterweight system isn't a more elegant solution than Ray's bracket.
--------------------
Justin
Northern Virginia
Celestron Nexstar 8i SE
Questar 3.5 purchased 1980
Leica Ultravid 10x50's
Oberwerk 20x80 Ultra Lights
UA UniMount Light Deluxe
Horrible Eyes
|
Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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Well JHollJr. I just don't know anything about the Losmandy Couterweight System. Now that you've mentioned it I will look into it. I wonder if that would also allow moving the OTA forward to clear the base when useing a 2 inch diagonal?
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Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
|
JHollJr
sage
Reged: 06/10/06
Posts: 204
Loc: Quantico, Virginia
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It would not allow moving the OTA forward, as I see it. I still think that Ray's brackets are the way to go for that, but I'm just looking for some alternatives, and still be able to use a 2" star diagonal and 2" eyepieces. It seems that the C8i wasn't really designed to be easily upgraded.
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Justin
Northern Virginia
Celestron Nexstar 8i SE
Questar 3.5 purchased 1980
Leica Ultravid 10x50's
Oberwerk 20x80 Ultra Lights
UA UniMount Light Deluxe
Horrible Eyes
|
Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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|
Quote:
I was wondering whether or not the Losmandy counterweight system isn't a more elegant solution than Ray's bracket.
Well, JHollJr I checked in with the people at Celestron today and they say there is no counterweight system for the NexStar 8i. To use the Losmandy would require drilling holes in the OTA. Sure don't want to do that. One other route would be to install a strip of velcro on the bottom of the OTA and using velcro stick a one pound counterweight on the velcro on the bottom of the tube. Then work with it to find where it "rides" the best???????? Or I could go with the Ray's Bracket.??????? But I think I'll try the velcro first.
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
|
b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16902
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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Because it's supported by only one arm, I wouldn't attempt adding weights to an 8i. The additional torque on the bearings of the single arm probably wouldn't be good for it.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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Quote:
Because it's supported by only one arm, I wouldn't attempt adding weights to an 8i. The additional torque on the bearings of the single arm probably wouldn't be good for it.
Right on Randy. So, It's Ray's Bracket for me. Seems thier site is down again too hmmmm 
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
|
Leo1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 918
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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|
Ok......I have contacted the www.buyastrostuff.com order desk and ordered the bracket. So, we'll see how it goes???
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 8i
Celestron 9.25 XLT CPC
Celestron Onyx 80EDF Piggy-backed on the CPC
JMI EV2CM Motor Focuser
Astro-Tech 2inch Diagonal
TeleVue 13mm Nagler 6
Televue 11mm Nagler 6
Stardust Observing Chair
TMB 9mm Planetary
TMB 3.2 Planetary
JMI Wheeley w/5 inch wheels
Kendrick Dew Remover Model VI
|
JHollJr
sage
Reged: 06/10/06
Posts: 204
Loc: Quantico, Virginia
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Leo,
I used my new C8i last night with a 2" Diagonal and Nagler 17mm, which is heavy. The scope aligned just fine and the tracking was good. Temporarily I think I'll just use it, but it might be overburdening the drive with the weight. Does anybody know about this?
--------------------
Justin
Northern Virginia
Celestron Nexstar 8i SE
Questar 3.5 purchased 1980
Leica Ultravid 10x50's
Oberwerk 20x80 Ultra Lights
UA UniMount Light Deluxe
Horrible Eyes
|
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