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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1148
Loc: Vancouver
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For many years I have known about the virtues of owning a grab and go scope. I have an older White tube C5 that I use on a cheap AZ3 mount.
Last month during a week of hot stale weather I collimated the C5 at 265 X. The steady air really makes collimating a breeze. The little C5 is such a great performer, I am surprised that more people don't use them as a grab and go.
It gets used more than any other scope I own, On the light weight AZ3 I can pick this little scope up in one hand, and head into the backyard, even for quick peak at Jupiter on work nights. The tube is only 11 inches long, but It has a 1250 mm F/L and 5 generous inches of aperture, so medium to high power viewing of the Moon, or Planets does not require too small of an exit pupil.
This little scope holds it's own when compared to my 4 inch TV refractor. Last night at a freinds place, it showed more details on Jupiter than his 4 inch achromat. The great red spot is easy, and the equitorial bands wil show their scalloped edges during good seeing. Shadow transits are beautifull.
It's with out a doubt the best grab and go I could ever hope for. No it's not a good scope for scanning the Milky way at low power, but I can't see the Milky Way from my back yard.
I would like to hear from others that use the C5 as there grab and go scope.
Steve
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TV Genesis SDF
Meade 127ED
Antares 152
Celestron C5
Celestron C8
Celestron C11
Coulter Odyssey 8
16 Dobsonian
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Eddgie
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/01/06
Posts: 2704
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I have a C5. I don't use it much.
The scope actually has excellent optical quality.
In fact, because I wasn't using it, I sold it. The buyer saw some small flaw on the mirror, and I gave him his money back.
But after selling it, I had already begun to question that decision. The optics were SOOOO good.
So, when it came back, I just kept it. I decided that while I don't use it much, it is SOOOO small and light that it makes sense to keep it around simply because when I DO use it, it always performs really well.
I keep in on a Vixen Polaris with Vixen HAL 110 legs and a motor drive that uses a single 9Vdc battery and will run the mount for hours and hours. I can carry the mount WITH counterweight, telescope, 9vdc power, AND 4 eyepieces outside EASILY in one trip. And the little scope works so well at high power that the RA drive really is greatly appreciated.
I had an 80mm ED scope also, and sold it after doing many comparisons to the C5. The C5 was better at just about everthing except wide field, but like you, I am more inclined to use the C5 for higher power observing.
Excellent little scopes if you get one with nice optics.
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Celestron C14, CGE (Big Al)
Astro-Physics 6" f/8 (Buffy)
Televue 101 (No name, but I call it my Widescreen HD Space TV)
The night sky is my mistress. She seduces me away from all other lovers.
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mjtripper
member
Reged: 04/08/09
Posts: 60
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The C5 is a great little scope, I really liked mine. With a focal reducer you can get a little wider views and it does high power for planets well. The only reason I sold mine was I upgraded to a C6 which still works well for me as a grab and go but is a little bigger, longer, and heavier so might not work for everybody. Plus the fov is even a little narrower yet.
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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1148
Loc: Vancouver
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This is actually the 4th C5 I have owned.
The first was an even older 1250mm "Telephoto lens" or so it was labeled, it had the Celeston name on it, and "special coatings" I purchsed it used and was told that it had been found in an "FBI lot sale". I used it for a year or two, and then sold it to get a newer one, and came across an optically excellent white tube version. I loved that scope and used it for a few years before selling it to get my 4 inch TV. A few years later I missed the portability factor and purchased another white tube C5. This time it was not nearly as good as I remember the first white tube. I had found out that the previous owner had taken it apart and it never went back together exactly the same way. I re-aligned the corrector plate, and that improved it quite a bit, but it was still not as good as my original white tube, so I sold it off at a loss, and found another one that the owner had promised had never been tampered with, and had vouched for the quality of the optics. That's the one I still own.
Yes I know 5 inches can be small for deep sky stuff, but when I compare it dollar for dollar to other small telescopes it is a real winner.
I have tried many short tube refractors in the 70,and 80mm ranges and they just don't come close [for me] for views of the planets, and brighter deep sky objects.
There are many great reports about the C6. If I was in the market I would probably go with the 6 inch, however for what I use it for the little C5 is wonderfull.
Steve
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Eddgie
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/01/06
Posts: 2704
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The first C5 I owned was not as good optically as the second. The second one have really excellent SA correction. The first one I owned was only fair in that regard, and it also had a slight turned edge.
I on on record as saying many many times that optical quality of SCTs can vary, and the tale of the two C5s (both your two and my two) are evidence of that.
I have done side by sides with my Televue 101, and the second little C5 comes closer than most people would believe. It is a testament to how good a mass produced SCT CAN be. Sadly, I have owned some that show how mediocre they can be too.
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Celestron C14, CGE (Big Al)
Astro-Physics 6" f/8 (Buffy)
Televue 101 (No name, but I call it my Widescreen HD Space TV)
The night sky is my mistress. She seduces me away from all other lovers.
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albert1
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 1372
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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I feel almost the same way about my little C90 Astro I keep in the trunk, but I would like one of those C5's as a larger grab-n-go. I'm not crazy about the helical focuser on the C90. I know I can use a SCT Crayford but I'd rather put the money into a C5.
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Albert
1 Great 'ole Newt
6 Good 'ole Newts
3 Great 'ole Cats
1 Lousy 'ole Newt
One of these days I'll try a Refractor better than my 90mm finderscope
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TONGKW
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/16/07
Posts: 572
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My C5 with a Kenko AltAz mount and a Benro carbon fiber tripod is my very light weight grab-and-go and airline portable set up. The weight is only 12 lb overall with the weight of the C5 alone at 6 lb only. The C5 is much more portable than a comparable refractor.
K W TONG
Telescopes: C8+CG-5GT, TSA102+HEQ5 PRO, MK67+Voyager, NexStar 6SE, C5+Mizar K, WO ZS80FD+Kenko NES, Megrez 72FD+Kenko KDS, Mini Borg 50, PST
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TimD
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/16/05
Posts: 908
Loc: CA USA
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I love my little C5. It has always served me well! I got one that has great optics all around. I have looked through one that was off a bit so I know there are some out there. Such a nice sized and well built little scope. I wish the fit, finish and build of My ETX-125 was as sturdy as my trusty OL C5!
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Takahashi TSC 225
WO Megrez 102
Meade ETX 90, ETX 125
Meade LX90
Classic Orange tube C14, C90, C5+
Etc,Etc,Etc!!
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Eddgie
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/01/06
Posts: 2704
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I recently found a C90 on Craigs List. It was filthy, but in otherwise good condition. I unscrewed the primary housing and cleaned the mirror and inside of the corrector, and put it back together, and it cleaned up really well.
HOWEVER, like you, I did not like the helical focusing. I re-greased it so that it turned smoothly, but I found it hard to focus without shaking even when using it as a daytime spotter.
I sold it for more than I paid and replaced it with a Meade ETX 90. I prefer the focus knob. It makes a GREAT daytime spotter. I went this way after pricing ED spotters. OUCH, those ED spotters are EXPENSIVE.
The C5 focuses far better than the ETX too. The focuser is extremly light and smooth. The ETX by comparison was heavier and looser. It seems much harder to get into perfect focus with the ETX. The C5 really snaps into focus.
A C5 with really fine optics is a great little scope. So small and so CUTE. Even the assistant astronomer was upset when I sold the C5, and was happy to see it come home. That must say something. It is one of the few telescope I sold that she was sad to see go. She was genuinely happy when it came back.
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Celestron C14, CGE (Big Al)
Astro-Physics 6" f/8 (Buffy)
Televue 101 (No name, but I call it my Widescreen HD Space TV)
The night sky is my mistress. She seduces me away from all other lovers.
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dvb
different Syndrome.
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 3038
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Thanks for the report, Steve
I had been thinking of selling my C6, but maybe I'll hang on to it for a while - competing candidates for grabngo are an 8" f/4 CF reflector and 4" apo. I'll let them fight it out for a few more months.
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"But seeing through a telescope is 50% vision and 50% imagination." - Chet Raymo
Skywatcher 10" f/4.7 Newt on Matilda
Celestron CF 9.25"
Vixen CF 8" f/4 Newt
Meade 8" SN f/4
Celestron C6 SCT
Skywatcher ED100
Skywatcher ED80
EQ6 Pro "Matilda"
AT Voyager
Canon 15x50is
Mallincam HyperColor Plus
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Jae
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/13/06
Posts: 559
Loc: near Boston
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K.w. - where did you get that nice Kenko mount ?
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Jae
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Jeff Lee
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/17/06
Posts: 513
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I have an Orange C5 (Celestron Pacific) on an SLT Mount. Love this scope, optics are very good and its so small. I sometimes use it on a carbon tripod with a mount rated for 22 lbs....however, its my one-hand goto. I don't think I'll ever get ride of my C5...really good performance in so small a package.
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Jeff Lee
C90,C5,C8, 10 x 50's
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DSalters
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/03/07
Posts: 865
Loc: High Ridge, MO (St. Louis)
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With the C5, can the f/6.3 focal reducer be used and a 2" focuser added? I'm not too familiar with the focal reducer set-up and what it would take to use 2" EPs but this would help the need for wider FOV...
I'm (loosely) considering a C5 because it would be nearly as portable as my ST80 and yet gather more light and actually provide useful high-power views.
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Daniel Salters
Celestron C5
Bushnell Voyager 6" Dob
13" Dob (Under Construction)
EPs: Baader Hyperions and TMB Planetaries
"The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor." -1 Corinthians 15:41
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bykhed
sage
Reged: 10/22/07
Posts: 300
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Had amazing views of Jupiter last night with my C5. A breathtaking amount of detail for such a small scope.
-Matt
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Celestron C9.25 XLT
Celestron C5
Intes MK65
Denkmeier Binoviewer
Giro III alt-az on a Oberwerk tripod
"The evolution of the universe can be likened to a display of fireworks that has just ended: some few wisps, ashes and smoke. Standing on a well-cooled cinder, we see the fading of the suns, and try to recall the vanished brilliance of the origins of the worlds." - Georges Lemaitre
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4598
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Quote:
With the C5, can the f/6.3 focal reducer be used and a 2" focuser added? I'm not too familiar with the focal reducer set-up and what it would take to use 2" EPs but this would help the need for wider FOV...
I'm (loosely) considering a C5 because it would be nearly as portable as my ST80 and yet gather more light and actually provide useful high-power views.
The reducer? Yes. A 2-inch focuser? Like a Crayford? Maybe, if it doesn't interfere with the focus knob. Or did you just mean "2-inch diagonal"?
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4598
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Quote:
The first C5 I owned was not as good optically as the second. The second one have really excellent SA correction. The first one I owned was only fair in that regard, and it also had a slight turned edge.
I on on record as saying many many times that optical quality of SCTs can vary, and the tale of the two C5s (both your two and my two) are evidence of that.
I have done side by sides with my Televue 101, and the second little C5 comes closer than most people would believe. It is a testament to how good a mass produced SCT CAN be. Sadly, I have owned some that show how mediocre they can be too.
Well, 2 examples ain't evidence of too much, but, yes, here's been some quality variation over the years, less now by far than in the past. Most C5s I've used have been very good indeed...but not every single one. Same goes for any of the other telescopes.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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DSalters
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/03/07
Posts: 865
Loc: High Ridge, MO (St. Louis)
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Rod, I meant diagonal...but then again, I guess they make 2" SCT Crayfords, don't they?
I'm new to the Cat. world and am mainly curious if there is a combination that would allow me to use my EPs in 2" mode on a C5. Like Eddgie (believe that's who said this), I prefer to use my Hyperions in 2" mode and would like to do so if I get a C5. Also, if possible, I'd like to be able to use the focal reducer as well. Can all of this be accomplished without too much trouble and without compromising the views significantly? I'm not worried about a bit of vignetting, but not coming to focus or seriously degrading the edge of field views is not so good.
Thanks!
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Daniel Salters
Celestron C5
Bushnell Voyager 6" Dob
13" Dob (Under Construction)
EPs: Baader Hyperions and TMB Planetaries
"The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor." -1 Corinthians 15:41
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ensign
member
Reged: 12/16/08
Posts: 41
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I have a C5 that I picked up used for a reasonable price. I struggled for some time trying to find an appropriate mount. Tried a WO Photo/Video tripod for a while and found the tilt and pan head a pain in the butt to use.
A friend lent me his UA Microstar and that was more like it. I couldn't lock that mount down enough in azimuth to adjust the finder. Ended up with A Stellarvue M1 (on the WO tripod). This combination works like a charm.
I recently compared views in the C5 with my WO M110. A test object is Iota Cass. The C5 actually resolved the third star in the triple better than the M110. Wouldn't you expect that? As I understand it, Dawes Limit (R) is calculated as follows:
R = 11.6/D D in centimeters, R in arcseconds
where D is the diameter of the main lens (aperture)
R is the resolving power of the instrument
Since the C5 has 20mm more aperture, it should resolve better. Am I missing something?
The OTA in its toolbox-sized case meets all the requirements of carry-on luggage. The tripod/mount can be stuffed into checked luggage. This has to be a nearly perfect travel scope.
I use the scope a lot for quick looks - it takes only a few seconds to carry it out to the yard.
All in all, I'm very happy with this scope. Wow! I think this is my longest post ever! 
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- Mike
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Modified 10" Sky-Watcher Dob
William Optics Megrez 110/EZTouch
Nagler Type 4 - 12,17,22
Pentax XW - 10,7
William Optics UWAN 28
Siebert Observatory class 40
Other assorted items too numerous to mention
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niplater
super member
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 100
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hi,
here's a handheld ISS shot with my c5,with a canon eos 450d ,and a celestron f6.3 reducer.extremely happy with this scope!!
cheers,phil
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William Optics FLT110-TMB,Celestron C5
Vixen Great Polaris
TMB SMC5,William Optics SPL3,William Optics UWAN16,Televue 3x Barlow
Canon 450D,Philips Toucam.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14732
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
I recently compared views in the C5 with my WO M110. A test object is Iota Cass. The C5 actually resolved the third star in the triple better than the M110. Wouldn't you expect that? As I understand it, Dawes Limit (R) is calculated as follows:
R = 11.6/D D in centimeters, R in arcseconds
where D is the diameter of the main lens (aperture)
R is the resolving power of the instrument
Since the C5 has 20mm more aperture, it should resolve better. Am I missing something?
So often I see Dawes misquoted as the Resolving Power of a scope, it's amazing. I know, you can turn to any 10 out of 12 published works and they are going to tell you Dawes = Resoluton. Well, there's much more to it than that.
Depends on what you really mean by resolved (or what you really think it means). Dawes limit is NOT an indication of completely splitting two stars. Roughly, it is representative of the separation of two stellar disks such that the space between them, where they still overlap, is only about 75% as bright as the centers of the disks. Actually if you do the math, you would find that Dawes represents approximately a 10-15% overlap of the visible disks. In fact, depending on the color of the stars, it could be 30-35% overlap.
Dawes (116/Dmm) is an empirical measure of the separation of magnitude 6 yellow stars to the above criteria. Dawes has no other means of taking into account all the other factors that influence the size of the components in the Airy disk.
Rayleigh resolution (138/Dmm) is a measure of resolution that gives for a star at nm=550, the radius of the Airy disk. Furthemore, it states that the visible central disk will be one half that radius and therefore, two stars, a double, will be separated complete to the point of just touching. The type of scope, the diameter of the central obstruction, the magnitude and the color of the stars will all have an affect on either the size of the Airy disk or the central visible disk.
So, to think that resolution is a given is a misunderstanding. But Dawes is not the place to start.
edz
BTW, I've had a C5 for 10 years. I love it. Closest stars I've ever completely (and positively ) resolved were 1.3". Closest stars I thought I might have resolved but not positively = 1.1", best I could say would be thin black line but not sure if continuous thru disks. I've seen a notch in Zeta Cancri when it was at 0.96", and I've detected two disks, but with much overlap in lambda Cyg(0.9").
Try 52 Orionis, great limit of ability test for the C5.
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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