Telescope Reviews: Got my Scope, First Light Report

Hi everyone, thanks for the input. I forget who said it, but yes, I'm having to use the scope manually because of the lack of a hand controller for the meantime. But I don't mind really, I like the idea of having to get to know the skies manually, though I think the learning may be enhanced if I can get the scope to point and learn with it, kinda like cheating on tests...as you write something down on your hand to cheat with, you've actually absorbed it and find that you've studied! LOL. OK, bad example.

Still, the straight through finder is hard on my neck.

@Shawn: yeah, not the best pic of anything there. It's done off my 5MP phone-cam propped up on my mac laptop from work. So yeah, I didn't do the scope or myself justice. My camera is sitting right here on my desk, I just got super lazy.

@HFJacinto: You took a great pic of your stuff, better than mine. You must actually be the pro photog, cuz I think I dropped photography to play with my scope the last few weeks! Anyway, you're absolutely right, I think the first thing I have to look into now that the nights are getting colder is that dew prevention system. I had to fan the front of my corrector plate and the eyepiece several times to get rid of the dew two nights ago. Eventually I got so tired of it, I gave up and dragged all the stuff inside and went to bed (I was tired anyway). I've been looking for dew controllers online and they're not really cheap either, what with the controller and the bands. I've said it before, astronomy's like starting all over in photography again, you gotta buy all the things that make the experience and productivity better, after you've spent some hard cash on the main instrument. Oh well.

You and I will have to get together sometime when we both can afford to be out later at night with no school the next day, and that invitation for next Friday sounds like the right time. I'll give you a shout on the phone soon. I'm looking forward to seeing the difference between the Plossl and the Hyperions and meeting you and your compadres.

@Greg: I think you're right about the collimation. I may do that very soonm, like this Saturday. I'm also thinking of replacing the collimation hex-screws with the thumb screws from Scope Stuff, since I may be collimating on a regular basis. At this point, that's the cheapest thing to try to get for my scope (haha). But seriously, the collimation may be off, since I continuously drag the whole kit and kaboodle in and out to the backyard each time I want to observe. Boy am I glad I didn't get anything larger.

I'm thinking that the RACI/Telrad problem is better solved by using a short FL refractor, maybe even an APO which is sort of affordable, after I get some money in my pockets again. That would kill two birds with one stone, I'll have a grab and go for when I want to just do some quick sessions. But I might get a Telrad, just to play with, since they're not too expensive, used.

So my needs are now prioritized as follows:
1) Replacement collimation screws
2) Dew prevention setup (I think at least 4 inputs needed)
3) 2" diagonal / Crayford focuser replacement
4) Short tube refractor for dual use as finder
5) Other EPs as warrant

Thanks guys.

--------------------
Krish Mandal

EQUIPMENT LIST:
15x70 Celestron Skymaster
Meade LXD75 8-in SCT ACF

Professional photographer and astronomy neophyte

My astronomy journal at http://nightskylog.blogspot.com