csrlice12
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/22/12
Loc: Denver, CO
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: Meadeball]
#5487132 - 10/24/12 02:54 PM
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It was mentioned earlier in this thread. Is it true you can only manually "move" the scope up/down and NOT right/left, that you HAVE to use the motors to skew the scope right or left?
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Meadeball
sage
Reged: 10/22/12
Loc: Midlothian, Virginia
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: csrlice12]
#5487231 - 10/24/12 03:59 PM
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Correct; the manual advises you not to push the scope left or right as it will damage the drive gears. But you don't have to use GOTO commands either; the top slew speed is pretty fast. I agree it's a bit strange not being able to just swing the scope around by hand, but, well, it is what it is!
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skyglow78
journeyman
Reged: 12/03/10
Loc: Western Washington State
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: Meadeball]
#5493800 - 10/28/12 10:11 PM
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Hey, could someone confirm the diagonal that comes with this scope at Costco? The Celestron website only mentions a 45 degree. I'm trying to estimate the total cost of this scope as a decent starter setup for someone on a tight budget. I would prefer they were able to get views good enough to help maintain their interest though, so it sounds like another 50 bucks for a 90 degree diagonal would be recommended (if it doesn't include one), plus possibly another $100 for a couple Plossls to replace the current set. Do you agree? Oh, and does it come with a red dot finder? Thanks.
Edited by skyglow78 (10/28/12 10:14 PM)
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Raldo
member
Reged: 03/24/11
Loc: PR
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: skyglow78]
#5493825 - 10/28/12 10:33 PM
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Yes it comes with a red dot finder and the diagonal is a prims one. Exelent scope for 199.00. The weakest points, in my opinion, are the tripod and the eyepieces set. The rest is worth every penny.
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svrider1000
member
Reged: 06/28/12
Loc: Sylmar, California
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: skyglow78]
#5493874 - 10/28/12 11:17 PM
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Mine had a 45 degree and useless plossls maybe a newer person might be able to use them.
I am trying to get one of these again but for around $100 instead of $200.
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Locoman
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/09/09
Loc: Abilene, Kansas
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: ja313]
#5493887 - 10/28/12 11:32 PM
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Is the mount for the Nexstar 102 GT the same as the one sold with this ?
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tnakazon
super member
Reged: 06/26/10
Loc: Los Angeles
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: Locoman]
#5494038 - 10/29/12 02:30 AM
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Looking closely at the pics, it looks exactly like the same one.
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core
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/23/08
Loc: Mostly in Norman, OK
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: Locoman]
#5494050 - 10/29/12 03:01 AM
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Is the mount for the Nexstar 102 GT the same as the one sold with this ?
Almost - the SLT has an on/off switch, an AUX port, and internal space for 8x AA batteries. The GT is missing the switch and port, 8x AA batteries are in an external pack/pouch. Not sure if the firmwares are the same though.
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Locoman
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/09/09
Loc: Abilene, Kansas
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: core]
#5494301 - 10/29/12 09:37 AM
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Well, I just bought one for a $121.00 off ebay that's supposed to be a store return and in "Like new condition" and "still in perfect condition" so I'm keeping my fingers crossed hoping it's in working condition. I figure at least the OTA will be worth it. On celestrons web site it shows the 102 gt has a 40,000 objects in it's data base and the 102slt has 4,000 objects in it's data base.
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csrlice12
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/22/12
Loc: Denver, CO
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: Locoman]
#5494368 - 10/29/12 10:16 AM
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Quote:
Well, I just bought one for a $121.00 off ebay that's supposed to be a store return and in "Like new condition" and "still in perfect condition" so I'm keeping my fingers crossed hoping it's in working condition. I figure at least the OTA will be worth it. On celestrons web site it shows the 102 gt has a 40,000 objects in it's data base and the 102slt has 4,000 objects in it's data base.
Noticed that at Costco in the store too, the display said 4,000, but the box says 40,000; so I'd go with the box.
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gmussman
member
Reged: 09/21/12
Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: csrlice12]
#5508810 - 11/07/12 06:16 PM
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Just putting my 2 cents in -- late, I guess. I just bought one of these second-hand. I actually like the optics quite a bit, but the focuser is complete *BLEEP*! I have big problems with image shift, Synta grease/glue gets all over my hands ... yuck.
But, for the record, I'm doubling down and putting on a crayford (not moonlight or feathertouch. I'm not that crazy). Total price is still alot less than the ES 102 achromat, though I'd actually like the faster focal ratio.
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Meadeball
sage
Reged: 10/22/12
Loc: Midlothian, Virginia
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: gmussman]
#5508944 - 11/07/12 07:50 PM
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Gmussman, you're the first person I've seen on this or several other forums complain about the focuser on this scope. On mine it's very smooth and has no perceptible shift -- no overly abundant amounts of grease either. It's an all-metal focuser you see commonly on much more expensive refractors. Maybe you got a bad one or one that was abused or "re"-greased? Have you tried adjusting the spring-loaded set screws underneath? I'm just a little astounded because while there were areas of the scope that I criticized in my own review a year ago, the focuser was one part I praised up and down.
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Locoman
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/09/09
Loc: Abilene, Kansas
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: Meadeball]
#5509064 - 11/07/12 09:24 PM
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The focuser on mine works surprisingly good.
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Dave Hederich
sage
Reged: 09/12/07
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: Locoman]
#5509079 - 11/07/12 09:37 PM
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C4-R owner here. There are adjustments on the focuser to make it work more smoothly, and the Synta grease can be cleaned off and replaced pretty easily. I've come to like my adjusted, re-greased rack and pinion focuser so much that I've never even considered a Crayford.
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gmussman
member
Reged: 09/21/12
Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT *DELETED*
[Re: Dave Hederich]
#5516902 - 11/12/12 10:16 PM
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Post deleted by gmussman
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gmussman
member
Reged: 09/21/12
Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: gmussman]
#5516907 - 11/12/12 10:17 PM
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Meadeball, do you mind posting a link to your review? Caveat for my comments: I'm a newbie and its my first refractor. I'd like to hear how you evaluated it. Thanks!
Edited by gmussman (11/13/12 01:36 AM)
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Meadeball
sage
Reged: 10/22/12
Loc: Midlothian, Virginia
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: gmussman]
#5517286 - 11/13/12 05:13 AM
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Sure thing. Here's a link to my review, which was over on the Refractors forum:
Meade's Nexstar 102 GT review
I also submitted a review to Celestron, which they posted on their product page. Here's the URL to that. (It's the second of four -- the author is "M." -- but all four reviews are worth reading):
Meade's review at Celestron.com
Have fun,
Meade
P.S. gmussman, I just PM'd you with a little info.
Edited by Meadeball (11/13/12 05:17 AM)
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svrider1000
member
Reged: 06/28/12
Loc: Sylmar, California
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: Meadeball]
#5533109 - 11/21/12 11:04 PM
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I got another Nexstar 102GT. I found one for $100 and am loving it until my 6SE arrives on this Monday. My only complaint is the length of the scope. I have to crouch down really low to see some objects.
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Meadeball
sage
Reged: 10/22/12
Loc: Midlothian, Virginia
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: svrider1000]
#5533118 - 11/21/12 11:15 PM
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Quote:
My only complaint is the length of the scope. I have to crouch down really low to see some objects.
Same here. Until I can afford upgrading the mount, I've been contemplating a few ideas to extend the height of the tripod. I measured the diameter of the legs and found that the upper leg sections are exactly the same diameter as shower curtain rods. They sell some pretty nice, durable (i.e. thick-walled) stainless steel ones at Home Depot for next to nothing price-wise; I could replace the upper leg sections, which are pretty short already, with sections that are about a foot taller. Shouldn't be too hard to cut and tap holes and such. If it doesn't work out, I haven't wasted a lot of money. Sure, it'll affect the stability somewhat, but it's already a bit twitchy. I'm looking into counterweights to address that issue.
I'm also considering another approach and coming up with some kind of stand or blocks or whatever to place the scope on. Someone on another forum said he had good results placing the entire scope on top of a sturdy circular outdoor dining table; he was able to keep the tripod fully "nested" (lowest height) and in doing so wound up with a very stable mount that was always high enough. I'm looking for something transportable though.
Just a few thoughts -- I'm very interested in hearing others.
Meade
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Locoman
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/09/09
Loc: Abilene, Kansas
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Re: Nexstar 102 GT
[Re: svrider1000]
#5533121 - 11/21/12 11:18 PM Attachment (24 downloads)
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I put the mount on my Hal 130 tripod and with my C6 sct it is Rock Solid.
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