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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
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Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem...
      #5613594 - 01/09/13 11:59 AM
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Hi. Recently I purchased a used SV80S (LOMO 80/480 optical group) that suffers from a flaccid dew shade. That is, whatever is used to keep the dew shade properly extended during use has lost its Mojo. Apparently this is a common defect of these scopes.

For those of you who have had a Stellarvue scope with this affliction, how have you corrected it? What is the "little blue pill" equivalent for addressing this symptom. If you could walk me through the fix, I'd be greatly obliged.

Thanks!

- Jim

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Binojunky
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 12/25/10

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5613610 - 01/09/13 12:11 PM
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When their scopes are new Stellarvue suplied spare strips of felt to replace the worn stuff that is original, its a matter of holding the collar on the rear of the dew shield and unscrewing the dewshield itself, being carefull not to unscrew the lens cell at the same time,carefully remove the dew shield and the offending strips of sticky backed felt will be reveiled.
Put the new stuff on top on top of the original and ease the dew shield back on without curling back the new felt,I found the procedure a tad fiddly and uses a thin flat edged screwdriver to help.
Sticky backed felt can be found at the local craft shop of give Stellarvue a ring, they should be able to send you some, a far simpler way is to just use a rubber band behind the dew shield to stop it dropping down when elevated, good luck,DA.

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Binojunky
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 12/25/10

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Binojunky]
      #5613613 - 01/09/13 12:13 PM
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PS Jim, hold the dew shield and unscrew the collar, this will prevent any chance of unscrewing the lens cell, its been a while since I performed the procedure, sorry, DA.

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Rich V.
Post Laureate
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Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Lake Tahoe area, Nevada, USA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5613626 - 01/09/13 12:20 PM
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Have SV send you a piece of their sticky-back black flocking material. The LOMO objective cell has this material wrapped around it to make a tight friction fit against the inside of the dew shield.

Unscrew the dew shield from the retaining ring, cut a few small pieces and attach them on top of the existing material, evenly spaced around the lens cell radially. You'll have to experiment a bit; it doesn't take a lot of material to do the job.

When you've added the right amount, the dew shield will fit nice and tight again.

Rich

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
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Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Binojunky]
      #5614012 - 01/09/13 04:20 PM
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Thanks guys. I'll see if I can track down some sticky sided black felt flocking on my own.

Regards,

Jim

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Denimsky
professor emeritus


Reged: 01/21/07

Loc: BC, Canada
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5614077 - 01/09/13 04:53 PM
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I got the extra felts and instruction for free after contacting StellarVue.

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Mary
sage


Reged: 01/29/08

Loc: Highlands Ranch, CO
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Denimsky]
      #5615185 - 01/10/13 10:22 AM
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Jim,

I just put a rubber band behind the dew shield....

Mary

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
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Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Mary]
      #5615431 - 01/10/13 12:27 PM
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Thanks Mary.

I'll do that on an interim basis. I do want to "restore" the scope to its original functionality though at some point, though. I'm planning on using it for an article I'm working on, and want it to look pretty in the pictures.

I've also asked Starlight for a quote on a replacement clamping screw for the bent one. Little by little I'll get the scope back in fighting trim.

Regards,

Jim

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Mary
sage


Reged: 01/29/08

Loc: Highlands Ranch, CO
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5615681 - 01/10/13 02:52 PM
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Sounds like you have a good plan Jim! It will be a beauty when you are done! I am very interested in your upcoming article!

Mary

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stratocaster
sage
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Reged: 10/27/11

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Mary]
      #5615920 - 01/10/13 05:23 PM
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Jim, did you purchase this scope as a result of looking through a fellow observer's SV LOMO when you viewed the pup?

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Jared
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Reged: 10/11/05

Loc: Piedmont, California, U.S.
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5615989 - 01/10/13 06:17 PM
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One other thing to check on your scope... The SV8S0's (at least the ones with the LOMO objectives) have adjustable back plates rather than lens cells. When I bought mine it was off by quite a bit--enough to actually be visible at the eyepiece, and that takes a lot with a refractor. I'd recommend checking your collimation with a nice 2" laser collimator such as a Howie Glatter or a Farpoint. It's an easy adjustment with a good laser and should be relatively permanent. it's definitely worth double checking yours since you know it has been banged around a bit (based on the one bent screw).

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Jared
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Reged: 10/11/05

Loc: Piedmont, California, U.S.
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5615991 - 01/10/13 06:19 PM
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Forgot to ask. What color tube did you get? Just curious--I wouldn't want to think you were copying me...

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
*****

Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Jared]
      #5616202 - 01/10/13 08:17 PM
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Would I do that , Jared? It's blue.

Stratocaster:

Yep, I bought this one after using Jared's a couple of years ago to observe Sirius B.

Regards,

Jim

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Scott in NCModerator
Mad Hatter
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Reged: 03/05/05

Loc: NC
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5616241 - 01/10/13 08:44 PM
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Quote:

Would I do that , Jared? It's blue.




C'mon, Jim--not descriptive enough. Inquiring minds want to know: Stardust Blue or Midnight Stardust?

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
*****

Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Scott in NC]
      #5616566 - 01/11/13 12:55 AM
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Plain old Stardust blue. In fact, the dew shade and tube are slightly different texture and hue, leading me to suspect that the underlying materials may differ a bit.

Regards,

Jim

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Mary
sage


Reged: 01/29/08

Loc: Highlands Ranch, CO
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5617010 - 01/11/13 10:46 AM
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You mean Beautiful Stardust Blue!!!!

Mary

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
*****

Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Mary]
      #5617033 - 01/11/13 10:56 AM
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Of course that's what I meant, Mary.



I've also asked Starlight about a replacement coarse focus knob as the one on the unit I received has faded to eggplant and plum on its way to gold due to UV exposure (probably set up indoors at a window for extended periods).

What I'd really rather do is have Stellarvue just port my optics to one of the new OTAs in white with the 2.5" focuser, and call it a day. I can repair the FT and part it out to recoup part of the costs of my misadventure on the used scope that wasn't what it was held out to be condition-wise.

Regards,

Jim

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Binojunky
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 12/25/10

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5617116 - 01/11/13 11:43 AM
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Big fan of Barbie Pink myself, DA.

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
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Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Binojunky]
      #5617166 - 01/11/13 12:15 PM
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Yeah, me too.



Though it's more "pale Pepto pink" I'd say.

Regards,

Jim

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Binojunky
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 12/25/10

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5617552 - 01/11/13 04:23 PM
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Oh god I,m in love, all it needs is a Mink fur lens cap and its going to be a long loving relationship, now if only it can be trained to fetch a cold beer from the fridge?,DA.

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Scott in NCModerator
Mad Hatter
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Reged: 03/05/05

Loc: NC
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Mary]
      #5617553 - 01/11/13 04:23 PM
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Quote:

Plain old Stardust blue...
Regards,

Jim




Quote:

You mean Beautiful Stardust Blue!!!!

Mary



Mary's got the right spirit! In my book, Stardust Blue is never "plain old."

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astrogeezer41
super member
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Reged: 08/27/10

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Scott in NC]
      #5617761 - 01/11/13 06:41 PM
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Hi Everyone,
I like stardust blue too!
-Robert

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
*****

Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5647842 - 01/28/13 11:12 AM
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Okay, here's my update.

The "droop" is fixed. I used negative, adhesive Velcro strips (3 of them) and it works pretty well.

I also installed the replacement hardware from Starlight, and that, too, is perfect.

Sadly, in the oblique lighting coming into my shed across my workbench, what I thought was just a scratch in the tube paint turned out to be an actual dent in the tube. By reconstructing the packing (I save everything) I could piee together how it happened. The seller packed the clamshell loose in the box and wrapped the OTA with a a layer of bubble wrap. At some point in the juggling process by the shipper, the post on the clamshell was jammed hard against the tube, denting it through the layer of bubble wrap. The radius and position of the dent fit the clamshell post radius and orientation perfectly.

Sadly, this little scope will never achieve "very good" condition status through restoration as I'd hoped. Other quibbles uncovered in the servicing include the paint job. Stardust blue is lovely, but the paint on the dew shade and paint on the tube don't match. When I applied acrylic polish to the tube and dew shade, I discovered why. The dew shade is not clear coated. The tube is. This leads to different paint fading rates for the two components.

I should have my Desert Sky Astro mounts in a couple-few weeks, so first light for this tired little SV80S will wait for the DSV-1. It will never be worth much on resale beyond the optics value as the tube has some manufacturing/design and handling/wear issues, but hopefully it will perform as well as other 80mm LOMO optics I've seen.

Assuming it passes first light muster, I'll look for a case for it. Any suggestions for a padded soft case for the SV80S?

Thanks!

- Jim

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SteveG
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Reged: 09/27/06

Loc: Seattle, WA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5648787 - 01/28/13 05:33 PM
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Really too bad to hear. Hope the optics are good. I suppose you could remove everything, work out the dent and then take the tube & dew-shield to a powdercoater.

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Moonglum
professor emeritus


Reged: 06/01/08

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: SteveG]
      #5648885 - 01/28/13 06:17 PM
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Might be worth it to get a quote from Stellarvue for an entirely new tube in your choice of color. Could be less then $300, but I'm just guessing. Months ago I asked someone at Stellarvue for a replacement tube for a 4", but Vic was on holiday so I was told to call back in a week, but I never did. I was also told that Vic had "lots of tubes lying around".

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RTLR 12
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Reged: 12/04/08

Loc: Capistrano Beach, Ca
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Moonglum]
      #5648910 - 01/28/13 06:32 PM
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I sent my scope into Stellarvue in the middle of June to have the focuser changed. After some dancing and just too many "I'll get to it tomorrow" E-mails I finally received my scope back on October 1st with the original focuser intact, but with a different objective and serial number. It will not make the trip back to Auburn again.

Stan

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
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Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Moonglum]
      #5649046 - 01/28/13 07:33 PM
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Yeah, I sent Stellarvue an e-mail asking about various refurbishment options for the scope, and received no reply. Not impressed with their service, to be totally honest.

- Jim

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Scott BeithAdministrator
SRF
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Reged: 11/26/03

Loc: Frederick, MD
Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: jrbarnett]
      #5649234 - 01/28/13 08:51 PM
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Never send emails. Call and you will find them quite responsive.

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Scott in NCModerator
Mad Hatter
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Reged: 03/05/05

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Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Scott Beith]
      #5649293 - 01/28/13 09:23 PM
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Quote:

Call and you will find them quite responsive.



I've never been unable to reach someone who could help me whenever I've called them during office hours. And at least half the time that I've called I've been able to speak to Vic himself. Calling is definitely the way to go.

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Binojunky
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 12/25/10

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Scott in NC]
      #5650193 - 01/29/13 12:21 PM
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To be honest their was a time when they were realy on the ball with e-mails however I think they have got so busy they tend to be a bit overwhelmed.However I must say they have given me good service over the years.
Its not only their problem, up in Canada I have been interested in a particular scope and you would think its was like asking for the moon, either the US retailer won,t ship to Canada or I get zero interest from a Canadian retailer,DA.

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jouster
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 11/27/05

Re: Stellarvue SV80S Dew Shade "Droop" problem... new [Re: Scott Beith]
      #5651110 - 01/29/13 08:32 PM
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Vic responded promptly and very helpfully to my e-mails.

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