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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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Dear Cat Lovers,
Assuming the inherent risks of being overwhelmed by the connoisseurs’s mockery, I bought this critter from the chilean version of evil-bay for, say, some carrots and peanuts... As most of my scopes are homemade I don´t use nor have telescope manuals. Anybody has a scanned copy of this B&L Criterion 4000 SCT? I’m pretty interested to use the mount for AP. Seems that is a capable tracking mount, but I don’t know how to use it!!!! All the mounts I’ve made are azimuthal...
Thanks in advance,
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3607
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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I am not sure but I "heard" that it will fit an ETX 884 tripod??? bolt pattern.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007MA52
Look around these come up frequently used for much less.
Look behind me in my signature picture. Is that a Criterion Dynamax 8" SCT!!! OH NO!! 
--------------------
LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
Edited by Joe Lalumia (10/15/09 10:42 AM)
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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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Joe,
thanks for your fast answer. Horror of horrors, a Dynamax!!!!  
Jokes apart, I've checked (disassembled, as ever) the B&L fork mount and all parts are in great condition, thus my goal is to use the mount AS IS for tracking and getting some shots, but I don't know how to align it properly. Worst, we don't have Polaris down here.... Any manual, hint or instruction will be helpful.
Cheers,
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
Edited by Strix2 (10/15/09 11:04 AM)
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Doubleglaze
sage
Reged: 11/01/07
Posts: 201
Loc: Pacific NW
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I'll take a look for you this evening, my first scope was a B&L 4000, used it for 20 years. It's buried in the garage right now. I may have the manual still, if so I can scan for you.
The tracking motor never worked properly for me and after a few tries I gave up with it and just star hopped around and readjusted as needed.
Mark
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Vixen VMC260L / Sphinx SXD
Pentax 75 SDHF
Canon 40D / 50mm f1.4 / 100mm f2.8 macro / 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 / 200mm f2.8L
http://www.astrophotogallery.org/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/166
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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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Mark,
thanks in advance for your kindness 
I'll be waiting for your contribution... I got this scope very cheap, almost as a gift, because the former owner crushed the corrector plate, although he circumvented that lamentable issue with a really crude stratagem. Unfortunately, it doesn't works... After the most accurate collimation procedure I was able to perform (lasers and other gizmos included), the device gives terrible views, if any... Anyway, as I'm really stubborn, I will let flow my ATM juices just to rescue this OTA. In the interim, I will use the mount with one of my homemade concoctions just to get some pics...
Best regards,
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1143
Loc: Vancouver
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Did you say the corrector was crushed? Is that a single vein spider stalk holding the secondary mirror? If so, you may as well through the optical tube away, and just mount a small short F-ratio refractor between the forks.
The typical SCT has an F-2 spherical primary mirror, that needs to be "corrected" for spherical aberration with a "corrector plate"
No wonder it gives terrible views. Still the mount should be a good project.
Let us know what you do with it.
Steve
--------------------
TV Genesis SDF
Meade 127ED
Antares 152
Celestron C5
Celestron C8
Celestron C11
Coulter Odyssey 8
16 Dobsonian
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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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Steve,
Yup, it's a single vain stack holder... At F2 the device without the corrector plate gives horrible views, but I've read in this forum that the corrector plate was in fact just a flat optical window, although Uncle Rod Mollise (who fervently pontificate against this little SCT) assures that it has some shallow correction. Anyway, as time ago I've made a nice F5 shorty refractor, my idea is to mount this scope between the forks. But I'm not going to throw away this, my first SCT (almost). On the contrary, I will do my best to repair it. The primary and secondary mirror look fine and the focusing system is really nice. The mount is well designed and made. To me, this scope is valuable because it looks as a sample of the good-old-times when buying any gizmo made in USA gave us a real life-time warranty... Maybe I'm wrong and this scope was made everywhere... Thanks for your comments and suggestions.
Cheers,
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1143
Loc: Vancouver
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If the corrector was in fact "just a flat optical window"
with no correction, then it would work without the corrector and just the spider and secondary, However you have already said that it gives terrible view.
Don't waste your time trying to fix it. Salvage what you can, and use the mount for your refractor, and you will be happy.
Steve
--------------------
TV Genesis SDF
Meade 127ED
Antares 152
Celestron C5
Celestron C8
Celestron C11
Coulter Odyssey 8
16 Dobsonian
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4573
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Quote:
Did you say the corrector was crushed? Is that a single vein spider stalk holding the secondary mirror? If so, you may as well through the optical tube away
YEP. Afraid so. The short f/l spherical mirror means the images will be just short of SCARY. 'Course, that's not to say the B&L correctors always did much correcting, anyhow. 
--------------------
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: 4573
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Quote:
Steve,
Yup, it's a single vain stack holder... At F2 the device without the corrector plate gives horrible views, but I've read in this forum that the corrector plate was in fact just a flat optical window, although Uncle Rod Mollise (who fervently pontificate against this little SCT) assures that it has some shallow correction.
It provides ALL the correction. Without it, you just have...well...spherical abberation.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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dougspeterson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1041
Loc: Murrieta, CA
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I have had several 4000s on the interferometer and I can assure you the corrector is doing correcting. The amount of spherical abberation it is correcting is truly huge, as in useless without the correction, dozens of waves. The problem was the wavefront was choppy, rough, zoney, 1/4-wave plus on the samples I have seen/owned. Too bad, they were cute scopes, smooth mount, deserved to be done right.
--------------------
18" Dob
12" SCT
8" TMB F6 + Chromacor
6" F6 APM/LZOS Fluorite triplet, 32", 32lbs
2ea. 6mm singlets, one blind
"--Granted, that's a worse case scenario. The destruction might in fact be ... limited to our own galaxy."
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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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I’m not worthy, I’m not worthy, I’m not worthy... 
Sirs,
I´m really grateful for your posts....
Uncle Rod, indeed I’ve read your free opus “... used SCT buyers guide”. It’s a valuable and enlighting resource and better, your distinctive style of writing is really enjoyable!!! Of course, I’ve read your warning against this alluring little SCT, but I fear, it was too late... 
Doug, I agree with you, it’s a shame that such “cute scopes, smooth mount, deserved to be done right”. As an ATMer, I realized that they took lots of attention to mechanical details which are, in many ways, almost exquisite. Why they marred on optics? Really, I can´t understand that... Anyway, I’m stubborn enough to quit easily. I will try to fix this critter, no matter what’s going on... Do you know of a place where I can get a corrector plate for this scope, don’t you?
Regards,
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
Edited by Strix2 (10/16/09 02:54 PM)
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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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Steve,
I will try to fix it but, of course, I will check the mount with my refractor. Just today I've found a transformer from 220V AC to 120V AC (we run on 220V AC). Depending on weather I will check the mount's tracking performance this weekend at my favorite dark sky place. Greetings,
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4573
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Quote:
I’m not worthy, I’m not worthy, I’m not worthy...
Sirs,
you know of a place where I can get a corrector plate for this scope, don’t you?
Regards,
Strix
At this late date, probably hard to find one. Look in all the usual places for a surplus unit...Telescope Warehouse, etc.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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dougspeterson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1041
Loc: Murrieta, CA
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I picked one up used for a mere 90 bucks. Sometimes the spotter version is available. You may be able to make one good one out of two problem children. ebay.
--------------------
18" Dob
12" SCT
8" TMB F6 + Chromacor
6" F6 APM/LZOS Fluorite triplet, 32", 32lbs
2ea. 6mm singlets, one blind
"--Granted, that's a worse case scenario. The destruction might in fact be ... limited to our own galaxy."
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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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Sirs,
100 bucks will be a nice price, Chile included, for a spare unit... But I fear that this sort of scope is pretty uncommon, at least here, which explained why I jumped on the critter without hesitation... Anyway, if I'm not lucky enough to get a corrector or a spare unit, seems pretty easy to resurrect the tube as a 90mm f5 RFT
Best regards and have a nice weekend.
(going to the seashore )
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
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Doubleglaze
sage
Reged: 11/01/07
Posts: 201
Loc: Pacific NW
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Got the manual scanned now. Anyone who wants a copy send me a PM and I can email it around. 1.6 MB total size in a PDF file.
Mark
--------------------
Vixen VMC260L / Sphinx SXD
Pentax 75 SDHF
Canon 40D / 50mm f1.4 / 100mm f2.8 macro / 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 / 200mm f2.8L
http://www.astrophotogallery.org/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/166
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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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Mark,
thanks in advance
I'm almost ready to check the stepping motor, say, to switch it on. But I prefer to read the manual first, just in case. I will sent you a PM right now.
Best regards,
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
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Strix2
member
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 41
Loc: southern Chile (Osorno)
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Mark,
I just got the manual. Thank you very much. I'm really grateful for your help
Now, it's time to read and learn my first telescope manual 
(seems that I'm going to have a hard time finding the southern celestial pole...)
Best regards and clear skies,
Strix
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http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1117
PARAPHERNALIA:
a) Homemade stuff: 3" f/12 reflector; 4.5" f/12 reflector; 80mm f/11 refractor; 80mm f/5 refractor; 83mm f/12 refractor Astrix-Jaegers; 8" f/4 astrograph (on work).
b) Factory-made: Unitron 102mm f/15 refractor; Zeiss Jenoptem 10x50 binos; Jenoptik 10x30 binos; B&L Criterion 4000 SCT (on repair).
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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1143
Loc: Vancouver
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[quoteDepending on weather I will check the mount's tracking performance this weekend at my favorite dark sky place. Greetings,
Strix
Strix, I can only imagine what a wonderfull place your local dark sky site must be.
Steve
--------------------
TV Genesis SDF
Meade 127ED
Antares 152
Celestron C5
Celestron C8
Celestron C11
Coulter Odyssey 8
16 Dobsonian
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