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gjg
member
Reged: 05/22/06
Posts: 78
Loc: Altadena, CA
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I just received my MN76 yesterday. Since I received th scope, LA has been socked in with clouds. Go figure. Monsoon moisture has made its way here. I guess this new scope curse is more powerful than I thought 
I have a few questions about my scope however.
First, the secondary mirror adjustment fixture seems different than what is described in the Mak-Newt Collimation article here on CN. Mine has a single thin screw in the center which a flat-head screwdriver can adjust. What does this do? Is this for alignment around the central axis? It also has 3 small allen bolts that adjust the alignment (pitch and yaw).
I was able to look at Jupiter last night for awhile in between clouds and did not think the collimation was spot on. But the seeing was really bad so I wasn't sure. Today I used a Howie Glatter laser to collimate and found the secondary needed a slight adjustment, but the primary was perfect after adjusting the secondary. Unfortunately, I can't field test tonight because of the complete cloud coverage. The instructions that came with the scope recommended star testing/collimation versus laser collimation. What are the other MN owners using? I've always found my Glatter laser to be pretty reliable.
My other question has to do with the finder mounting bases that come supplied on the scope. None of my RDFs will actually fit within these bases. In the end, I removed the top bridge plate from the rings and used one of the bolt holes on the rings to mount my Starbeam. What are other users using to make the supplied mounting bases work? Did removing the top bridge plate adversely affect the MN mounting stability?
Last question: The scope comes with nice rings, but they are not the rotating ring variety. I've heard that rotating rings are actually much heavier. Is this true? What type of rings are others using?
I bought the Teton version of the scope which comes with the blue paint and the Feathertouch focuser. This is my first Feathertouch and it is very nice. They have done a terrific job with this type of focuser.
Thanks for helping me with my questions. I look forward to the responses.
Greg
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alannasu
member
Reged: 02/07/07
Posts: 23
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Hello gig.
I own the Intes-Micro version of this scope.
I’ll answer the questions I can:
Quote:
What are the other MN owners using? I've always found my Glatter laser to be pretty reliable.
I, too use a Glatter. I also use a Cheshire Collimator. The problem with any laser collimator, is that the laser could be out of alignment. This means you have to collimate the collimator.
Quote:
The scope comes with nice rings, but they are not the rotating ring variety. I've heard that rotating rings are actually much heavier. Is this true?
Yes, because there are more parts.
Quote:
What type of rings are others using?
It came with non-rotating rings, which fit over rings attached to the OTA. This prevents the OTA from sliding up & down.
I took off the tube rings & built a Dobsonian mount for it. I use a RoundTable platform for tracking.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy your scope. Mine blew away my Meade 7” Mak-Cass.
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little_ hubble
member
Reged: 04/19/08
Posts: 16
Loc: Aschaffenburg, Germany
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If you want to look inside your mn, no ploblem thanks to roy. You´ll find some answers here:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=cat&Number=2304026&Forum=,,All_Forums,,&Words=&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Main=2304021&Search=true&where=&Name=12492&daterange=&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post2304026
Some owners have issues with rotating secondaries. This can be easily solved by providing preload between secondary holder and center post e.g. with springs or o-rings (my way). Even collimation of the secondary will be a lot easier. recommended. Just remove the focusser at the base and you can grab the secondary. No problem, if you use a pair of gloves.
Wish you lots of fun with your scope,
Martin
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spencerj
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 577
Loc: Derry, NH
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If you are familiar with your Glatter and know that it is reliable, there is no reason not to use it to align your secondary. Then either a barlowed laser or cheshire for the primary.
At F6, I find my MN66 easy to collimate and very tollerant of slight errors. Once set, collimation holds very well. I still check it before I take it out most nights, but rarely have to make an adjustment.
The finder brackets are not very useful. Right now I have one removed and have mounted a telrad. With the beautiful wide field views, a RDF is really all you need.
Enjoy the scope.
--------------------
--Jason
"I am the victim of a series of accidents, as are we all." --Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Intes-Micro MN66 with Moonlight CR1 focuser
TeleVue 102
PST
Unistar Deluxe with TeleVue Sky Tour
CG-5 ASGT (quieted and tuned-up by Trapezium Telescopes & Services)
10" Orion Dob
WO 66 SD (stays in my truck for spontaneous observing sessions)
15x70 Oberwerk Binos
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gjg
member
Reged: 05/22/06
Posts: 78
Loc: Altadena, CA
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Thanks for the replies. That thread from Roy looks like it has a lot of useful info
Jason, how did you mount the Telrad? Did you use the adhesive tape or did the holes already in place for the finder bracket mounts work?
The Glatter laser I have has a barlow attachment that make sit useful for both secondary alignment and for the primary. It was interesting that after I adjusted the secondary, the primary alignment was bang on, no adjustment needed. That is great, because if the primary holds its alignment well, that makes observing from night to night a real pleasure.
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spencerj
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 577
Loc: Derry, NH
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I put a piece of electrical tape over the holes and used the double sided tape that came with the telrad.
--------------------
--Jason
"I am the victim of a series of accidents, as are we all." --Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Intes-Micro MN66 with Moonlight CR1 focuser
TeleVue 102
PST
Unistar Deluxe with TeleVue Sky Tour
CG-5 ASGT (quieted and tuned-up by Trapezium Telescopes & Services)
10" Orion Dob
WO 66 SD (stays in my truck for spontaneous observing sessions)
15x70 Oberwerk Binos
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