DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
My focusing diag went back yesterday. I'll give a report on the new one, when I receive it. I'm on vacation next week, so likely won't be until after that.
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
|
DocC
newbie
Reged: 09/05/09
Posts: 2
|
|
We've ordered enough galileoscopes so that each student in the eight grade can take one home. Haven't seen one yet, but I'm trying to anticipate so we can jump on the moon phase. To send them home I'm considering a bubble wrap + 3"x25" mailing tube 'case'. My question: will it fit? I'm concerned about the sighting ridges which look like they rise above the dewshield.
Thanks for any guidance you can give.
-Craig
|
erick
member
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 77
Loc: Bacchus Marsh, Australia
|
|
Craig, I'll measure mine up tonight and post back here unless someone else can post the dimensions before me. Eric
|
Zoeff
sage
Reged: 06/10/09
Posts: 256
Loc: Haarlem, Netherlands
|
|
Just did some quick measurements, the sights do indeed rise above the dewshield. Counting the bottom of the dewshield and the top of the front sights, they still stay below the 3 inch mark on my ruler but only just.
It'll be a tight squeeze but with a bit of effort it should be possible. 
--------------------
Telescopes: NexStar 8SE, 90ED f/5.5 doublet, Galileoscope
Accessories: Hyperion 36mm, GSO 32mm, E-lux 25mm, Hyperion 8mm,
DBK 41AU02.AS, 2x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Solar Filter, UHC Filter
My (astro-)photos can be found on flickr.
|
erick
member
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 77
Loc: Bacchus Marsh, Australia
|
|
There you go. I suggest a plug of bubble wrap at each end is all the padding you need, protecting the eyepiece and objective lens. The scope body is robust enough to survive un-padded in the cardboard tube.
|
DocC
newbie
Reged: 09/05/09
Posts: 2
|
|
Thanks!
-Craig
|
DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
My Daisy dot finder got switched on somewhere along the way, and the batteries died. Anyone replaced their batteries yet? I don't see an obvious way to open it up - I just see the adjustment screws.
David
(Still waiting for my diag to come back from Stellarvue...)
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
|
DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
Nevermind.....I didn't notice the roundish panel at the FRONT of the finder. I have new batteries now.
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
|
Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
|
|
I just got my G'scope in last night! Woot!
Now, to just check out thos emounts you mentioned at the beginning of the thread, so i can let my daughter use it, and not drop it, while daddy uses his big "space gun" to look at the sky (as my 3 year old is so apt to call it, lol)
--------------------
- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
|
DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
Have fun with it! I had mine out last night at darker skies and had some nice views. Mostly looked at Jupiter.
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
|
DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
I got oh so close to having a working helical focuser. I'd encountered a posting that used a light fixture that we apparently don't have in the US. So, I looked around some more as this was an ACE Hardware that I usually don't go to.
I came up with a few plumbing parts that looked like possibilities. Two of the parts appeared to be a good fit. One had a flange that fit nicely over the end cap that holds the scope together at the viewing end, and had a male thread. The other had a female thread and a 1.5" OD on the other end.
Well, I had to take the scope apart to get the close in piece onto the focus tube, and it went in with a snap, but I didn't see any damage (ABS is tough!). The other piece was ever so slightly larger, and would go over the rim and o-ring with no problems. The threaded part gave me about 1" of play. I rigged a couple more o-rings, one inside the contraption, and one over the o-ring/lip on the focus tube. It almost allowed both an inward and outward pull. No problem, I could always push it in, and use the threads to work it back out.
So, I mounted up with the 20mm GS lens in place, aimed at Jupiter, and started to focus. Problem, sigh. It needed to go in further. I tried my diag with the Barlow lens. Still needed to go in further. I worked with it for about an hour to no avail. There just wasn't enough inward movement with the threaded pieces in place.
So I proceeded to take it apart. That proved to be MUCH more difficult. I had to reverse that "snap" I'd encountered in getting the focus tube halves together in place. I ended up hack sawing the part I'd added and finally got to where I could get the two focus tube parts nested, and finally got them out.
I reassembled the GS, and it's none the worse for the stress, EXCEPT....now the focuser is even more contrary to get in and out, and the edges click against the inside of the scope more than before. So, at some point I'm going to have to take it apart again and smooth things out (I'm thinking teflon tape.
Oh, well....I've been told my focusing diag will be back soon.......
David
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
Edited by DavidD (10/23/09 12:55 AM)
|
The_Vagabond
member
Reged: 10/27/08
Posts: 22
Loc: Jacksonville, Florida
|
|
I've just ordered by GS, and am looking to address the diagonal problem using something other than barlow lenses. It seems to me that the GS operates best at lower than 80x; adding a barlow starts tipping towards higher magnification rather quickly.
What I want to do is come up with a solution that is simply and sturdy, something that the novice can use but be strong enough to take the punishment a novice might inflict on it.
So, before my GS arrives, quick preliminary question here; what sort of plastic is used for the main tube?
EDIT - Just found on the galileoscope.org site that the main tube is ABS plastic.
Edited by The_Vagabond (10/26/09 04:14 PM)
|
The_Vagabond
member
Reged: 10/27/08
Posts: 22
Loc: Jacksonville, Florida
|
|
As stated in my previous post, what I want to achieve is a modification that can be done by the average person with some average tools. In my experience, any modification to any telescope is possible, all it takes is the right amount of work. However, it is easy to overlook what the beginner may or may not have on hand. I'm sure that the approach that I'm looking at (shortening the tube) can be accomplished by anyone with even modest tools, But what about the person who has very few?
I also worry about straying too far afield from the spirit of what the Galileoscope represents. It is, ultimately, a beginners telescope, and perhaps more a "volkscope" than the ubiquitous 60mm. Don't get me wrong, adding a few accessories is a wonderful idea. However, where does one stop? I worry that, in the end, all that might be left in such a conversion are the optics. I'm sure that is the fate that is awaiting a number of these telescopes. For me, though, the challenge exists in what can be done with the instrument as is, and how can this be applied so that others can make those same changes, and can be done without Herculean effort.
--------------------
I have loved the stars too dearly to be fearful of the night...
|
DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
The entire scope body is ABS (oops.....I see you know that now). Note that the body is tapered, though, so cutting off the end will also increase the diameter. There is also a "stop" that keeps the focuser from sliding all the out.
My experience in using the diag with the Barlow lens has been quite positive. I've not confirmed anything, but I "think" the diag makes the Barlow around 2.5x. Using a 20mm lens (either the one with the scope, or a Plossl) gives me around 66x magnification. Could be 75x. I can confirm it's more than 50x. I don't have any other lenses, but I'd say viewing in this configuration is comfortable.
I have been trying to NOT modify any of the original scope parts. I've added things on, and replaced the lens (though I still use the 20mm original at times). I haven't cut into any of the parts, though I know that would be a possibility.
Now, if you can figure out a way to focus I'd be much happier......
David
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
|
DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
My diag finally returned this week! This one has no blemishes on the prism. The helical focus is making the GS fun again. I get close with the tube focus, then use the helical to fine tune. This isn't a cheap upgrade, but here's the link if anyone else is interested:
http://www.stellarvue.com/diagonals.html
4th one down....
David
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
|
nugget
member
Reged: 07/30/09
Posts: 51
|
|
Ok so after trying a couple of times to use my GS I found not having a diagonal is a pain. So I was wondering since I've heard that there is just not enough "in-focus" travel would I be able to add an extender then a diagonal to solve this problem? I'm trying to think of something that would help without completely decimating the original body. Or maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
--------------------
Current Gear:
-10x50 Alpen binoculars (Wal-Mart clearance $15) and Tripod adapter
-50mm GalileoScope Kicks and giggles
-76mm Celestron FirstScope IYA 2009 Kicks and giggles too
|
Zoeff
sage
Reged: 06/10/09
Posts: 256
Loc: Haarlem, Netherlands
|
|
Quote:
Ok so after trying a couple of times to use my GS I found not having a diagonal is a pain. So I was wondering since I've heard that there is just not enough "in-focus" travel would I be able to add an extender then a diagonal to solve this problem? I'm trying to think of something that would help without completely decimating the original body. Or maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
Unfortunately it's the other way around, by in-focus they mean that you'd need to move the focusing tube inside the body.
Some have taken apart a star diagonal to directly connect a eyepiece to the mirror. This seems to reach infinity focus.
--------------------
Telescopes: NexStar 8SE, 90ED f/5.5 doublet, Galileoscope
Accessories: Hyperion 36mm, GSO 32mm, E-lux 25mm, Hyperion 8mm,
DBK 41AU02.AS, 2x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Solar Filter, UHC Filter
My (astro-)photos can be found on flickr.
|
DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
Read posts up higher. Unscrew the lens off of a Barlow and screw in onto the diag. This will change the power by something more than 2x of the eyepiece, but lets you use a diag. Much more comfortable viewing.
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
|
DavidD
member
Reged: 07/23/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
|
|
I don't know how much the GS needs to focus with the diag without the Barlow, but, I have a 20mm Plossl I use. It has a barrel on the bottom that unscrews. I wonder if taking that off and dropping just the lens in the diag will be enough.
Since I'm happy with the Barlowed diag, I'll likely not try it.
BTW, I have no issues with viewing through the GS with the Barlowed diag and a 20mm Plossl. The "limit" for magnification is higher than what that combination gives.
--------------------
Sky-Watcher GreatStart 114N-EQ2
Galileoscope
Stellar diagonal w/ helical focuser w/ OPT Barlow
OPT diagonal (w/ Barlow)
20mm OPT Plossl
Sony P71 w/OPT Camera Adapter
Photo tripod
Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars
Dakota 8x32 binoculars (focus is now broken)
(Old Edu-Toys scope to use for something else -
well, now it's just a tube!)
|
nugget
member
Reged: 07/30/09
Posts: 51
|
|
Ahhh ok well thanks for the help guys... I guess I'll just have to suffer till I get money around for a nice scope. Tax season starts soon so I'll have another job for a few weeks to save some money from so I hope it will be soon enough for me to get a new scope.
--------------------
Current Gear:
-10x50 Alpen binoculars (Wal-Mart clearance $15) and Tripod adapter
-50mm GalileoScope Kicks and giggles
-76mm Celestron FirstScope IYA 2009 Kicks and giggles too
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
[Re: 
Edit
Reply
Quote
