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Pages: 1 Gui Marques member Reged: 08/15/12 Loc: Quebec/Canada Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6"       #5397304 - 08/31/12 08:44 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hello, I've recently bought a catadioptric NexStar 6SE, and I'm considering an OTA upgrade. My question is, if I find a used NexStar 8" SE OTA, can I just slide it in to replace the 6SE OTA on its mount ? I've read that both scopes (NexStar 6SE and 8SE) share the same tripod, but I'm not sure about the arm mount. This question is specific about compatibility issues, I'm still debating with myself about the portability trade-offs. The 8" has more light gathering, but the 6" is a true grab and go workhorse...tough call. Thanks, Gui Post Extras:       burb scope sage Reged: 04/18/08 Loc: Canton, MI Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Gui Marques]       #5397333 - 08/31/12 09:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I believe you are correct. However, there is a plastic bezel for the 6 inch diameter tube that might need to be removed / replaced with one fitted for an 8 inch diameter tube. I like the idea though. Use the 6 incher for grab & go, use the 8 inch for light gathering power. I have an old C-8 that I may de-fork and throw a dovetail on to use with the NexStar. Post Extras:       mitaccio sage Reged: 03/17/09 Loc: Oahu, Hawaii Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: burb scope]       #5397391 - 08/31/12 10:01 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I just made the change you are talking about. I am very happy with my change. You will need a bezel for the 8". All else is the same. Post Extras:       LakeHavasu member Reged: 07/21/09 Loc: Lake Havasu City, Arizona, U.... Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: mitaccio]       #5397682 - 09/01/12 05:00 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   OK folks, I have the 6SE and have also thought about an upgrade. What are we actually talking about when it's said "You will need a bezel for the 8"? Is this a part on the mount/computer arm or something attached to the scope? Post Extras:       Gui Marques member Reged: 08/15/12 Loc: Quebec/Canada Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Gui Marques]       #5397731 - 09/01/12 07:51 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Does anybody have a picture of this bezel, or could point out where we could buy one ? I've found this post, where it looks like the bezel is part of the clamping mechanism in the arm mount, but it still not clear. Thanks for all the info, Gui Edited by Gui Marques (09/01/12 07:52 AM) Post Extras:       RTLR 12 Post Laureate Reged: 12/04/08 Loc: Capistrano Beach, Ca Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Gui Marques]       #5397741 - 09/01/12 08:18 AM Attachment (35 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here you go...The bezel is held on with 4 screws and is only cosmetic. You can remove the 6" bezel and just leave it off. Stan Post Extras:       Gui Marques member Reged: 08/15/12 Loc: Quebec/Canada Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: RTLR 12]       #5397750 - 09/01/12 08:41 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Stan, I appreciate it ! I'd guess this bezel would also help preventing dust getting into the arm mount ? In any event, does anyone know if it is possible to buy a 8" bezel ? EDIT: some further info here Gui Edited by Gui Marques (09/01/12 08:45 AM) Post Extras:       Peter9 Post Laureate Reged: 10/30/08 Loc: Yorkshire - Born & Bred Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Gui Marques]       #5397779 - 09/01/12 09:15 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Gui, The problem is that the larger curvature of the 8se prevents the dovetail bar from fitting fully into the jaws of the retaining clamp on the mount. If you put a couple of 1/4 inch plastic spacers under the dovetail bar (one at either end), the 8" O.T.As dovetail bar will fit fully home into the clamp with the 6" bezel in place. Regards. Peter. Post Extras:       Gui Marques member Reged: 08/15/12 Loc: Quebec/Canada Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Peter9]       #5397930 - 09/01/12 11:17 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Peter, as I saw in your post on the older thread, it seems this would be the best alternative. Gui Edited by Gui Marques (09/01/12 11:18 AM) Post Extras:       Dunkstar member Reged: 03/26/12 Loc: Under the sky Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Gui Marques]       #5398095 - 09/01/12 12:59 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It depends on your mount. Some of the later mounts will take either without modification. I have one and can slide the ota along enough so no dovetail protrudes from the bezel. This may actually be too far and I've never tried balancing but with a 2 inch SCT diagonal fitted it can clear the base by about 1/4 inch when aimed at zenith. Post Extras:       Gui Marques member Reged: 08/15/12 Loc: Quebec/Canada Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Dunkstar]       #5398228 - 09/01/12 02:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That's interesting, I've bought mine about a month ago (late september 2012). Is that what you mean by later mount ? You mean you were able to slide the 8" OTA into the 6" mount with no modifications ? When I look at the bezel, I can see it follows closely the curvature of the 6" tube. This leads me to believe it may indeed not fit the 8" OTA. Thanks for the info, Gui Quote: It depends on your mount. Some of the later mounts will take either without modification. I have one and can slide the ota along enough so no dovetail protrudes from the bezel. This may actually be too far and I've never tried balancing but with a 2 inch SCT diagonal fitted it can clear the base by about 1/4 inch when aimed at zenith. Post Extras:       Pete GLA sage Reged: 12/20/07 Loc: South of Detroit MI Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Dunkstar]       #5398526 - 09/01/12 06:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I bought my NexStar 8SE in 2007, then added a C6. I have no problem switching OTAs with the NexStar mount. The C8 fits perfectly against the bezel, the C6 there is a gap (~ 2mm) but the OTA is firmly in place and have no problems with GoTos or tracking. Pete Oops, I thought you bought the 8SE. Sorry...You will need to do some magic to fit the C8 with the C6 bezel. Edited by Pete GLA (09/01/12 06:41 PM) Post Extras:       Dunkstar member Reged: 03/26/12 Loc: Under the sky Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Gui Marques]       #5398591 - 09/01/12 07:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My mount is from a late 2010 6SE and the 8SE ota slotted right in with no modifications. The C8 almost doubles the light gathering area of the C6 so it's a worthwhile upgrade - only a more expensive route to a 8SE Quote: That's interesting, I've bought mine about a month ago (late september 2012). Is that what you mean by later mount ? You mean you were able to slide the 8" OTA into the 6" mount with no modifications ? When I look at the bezel, I can see it follows closely the curvature of the 6" tube. This leads me to believe it may indeed not fit the 8" OTA. Thanks for the info, Gui Quote: It depends on your mount. Some of the later mounts will take either without modification. I have one and can slide the ota along enough so no dovetail protrudes from the bezel. This may actually be too far and I've never tried balancing but with a 2 inch SCT diagonal fitted it can clear the base by about 1/4 inch when aimed at zenith. Post Extras:       barbarosa professor emeritus Reged: 04/11/10 Loc: "lamorinda", CA Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Gui Marques]       #5399677 - 09/02/12 01:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Go to the Celestron parts store and if you see a bezel for the 8SE buy it. If you don't see it then Celestron is not currently selling it. To my knowledge they have not offered bezels for many moons. If you call them they will tell you that you can order one through a dealer. A fool's errand. Most dealers will not order parts and those that do seem to offer only the parts that are available from the Celestron web store (actually an authorized dealer). Retail for special order parts is marked up as much as 100% over the web price. Putting spacers under the dovetail bar is the neatest solution. Celestron suggests several sources for used parts in a KB article or parts for older scopes. Cloudynights member Geo. (George Cushing) runs a "Telescope Scrap Yard" and has saved my bacon twice now. Post Extras:       burb scope sage Reged: 04/18/08 Loc: Canton, MI Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: barbarosa]       #5404521 - 09/05/12 09:16 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Instead of "spacers", look at threads about "Ron's Rail". I think that it uses 2 dovetail rails to allow the tube to be extended a little farther forward to accomodate heavier back-end accessories & cameras, and allows more room for the diagonal to clear the base. Post Extras:       Terrance professor emeritus Reged: 08/11/04 Loc: Near Portland Or. Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: burb scope]       #5405612 - 09/05/12 09:19 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have a Nexstar 6SE (which a bought new about 8 months ago), and then wound up acquiring a used older C8 tube whose pedigree is unknown to me, and which came without any dovetail bar. I put some rings on it, and it fits very nicely in my Nextar 6 mount without need to modify anything. Terry Post Extras:       Skip Starlifter Driver Reged: 01/23/08 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas, USA Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Terrance]       #5406425 - 09/06/12 11:53 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: I put some rings on it, and it fits very nicely in my Nextar 6 mount without need to modify anything. Hi Terry, Just guessing here without seeing your setup, but I would bet the rings have a lot to do with that. Can you throw us a picture of your scope? Post Extras:       burb scope sage Reged: 04/18/08 Loc: Canton, MI Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Skip]       #5406593 - 09/06/12 01:43 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yes, pictures please. I am very interested! Post Extras:       hazilim sage Reged: 09/11/08 Loc: Arizona Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: Gui Marques]       #5408715 - 09/07/12 04:37 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   GUI: A few years ago, I mounted a C8 on my 6SE mount. At first, it didn't fit. It also wouldn't align correctly, because the OTA was clamped in at an angle. I made some 1/8" thick aluminum shims, nearly identical to the ones described by Midnight Dan. This solved the problem completely. Later, I called Celestron, & they sold me a bezel for the 8" OTA. I replaced the bezel (4 screws), removed my shims, & remounted the C8 OTA. If you can purchase a "BEZEL C8" from Celestron, this might be the best way to go. But the shim technique is perfectly acceptable. My shims are available. Send me a PM if you want them. Bob Post Extras:       Gui Marques member Reged: 08/15/12 Loc: Quebec/Canada Re: Swaping NexStar SCT OTA's: 8" replacing 6" [Re: hazilim]       #5409455 - 09/08/12 12:38 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Bob ! PM sent. Thanks all folks for the feedback. The 8SE OTA is on its way, and my 6SE OTA is up on the classifieds. I'm sure when the new OTA arrives the weather will be lousy Gui Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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