You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar

Telescope Specific Forums >> Celestron NexStar Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Pages: 1 Jammer53 super member Reged: 12/18/12 Loc: Central NY Attaching OTA on a 6SE       #5718002 - 03/07/13 09:45 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi folks. I just received my new Celestron 6SE and after unpacking and starting the assembly process using the quick start guide I'm at the point of attaching the OTA to the mount. This may seem like a pretty dumb question, but, is the black knobbed "thumbscrew" that tightens down on the dovetail the only thing that holds the OTA to the mount? I don't know that I'm comfortable trusting one screw to hold such a valuable piece of optical equipment in place. I only say this because it doesn't seem to have a "stop" that would keep it from sliding out the bottom of the mount if the screw somehow came loose. Which brings me to my next question. How do I know where on the mount to stop the OTA in the slot? Isn't there a point where it should stop on it's own? Sorry if these seem obvious, but this is my first scope in a long time, and a lot of money invested so don't want to take any chances. Thanks. Jim Post Extras:       dragonslayer1 sage Reged: 02/25/12 Loc: SLC, UT Re: Attaching OTA on a 6SE [Re: Jammer53]       #5718019 - 03/07/13 09:58 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I had a 4 SE and that was the knob that holds it intact and worked great, and you just have the ability to slide OTA further up or down for your preferance. Post Extras:       Thanatos78621 member Reged: 05/09/12 Loc: Elgin, TX Re: Attaching OTA on a 6SE [Re: dragonslayer1]       #5718169 - 03/07/13 11:06 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jim: Both are good questions. It's only the screw holding it on but once it's tight it'll be fine. My 8SE was the same way and that single dovetail locking screw held it perfectly even after adding a DSLR and T mount.. As for where to position the telescope, the further back on the OTA you mount, the less likely you are to have the diagonal hit the base when pointing nearly straight up. With that said its better to find a point so that OTA is balanced at the center of the arm. That'll help with tracking and reduced the stress on the gearing. There have been several threads in past for this forum that cover how to balance the SE OTA. Post Extras:       Arctic_Eddie Post Laureate Reged: 12/30/07 Loc: St. Petersburg, FL Re: Attaching OTA on a 6SE [Re: dragonslayer1]       #5718176 - 03/07/13 11:08 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Be sure the knob is on the underside as that's the most secure position. Make sure the vertical arm is on the left viewed from the rear. Depress the elevation dovetail to about -30 degrees and slide the scope into the slot then tighten the knob. View it from the front to assure that the rail is totally in the slot. Post Extras:       Jammer53 super member Reged: 12/18/12 Loc: Central NY Re: Attaching OTA on a 6SE [Re: Arctic_Eddie]       #5718627 - 03/07/13 03:02 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks guys. Here's what I did. There are two "arrow" stickers that when you turn the axis with the dovetail slot almost perfectly level, then the arrow lines up perfectly with the arrow on the top of the mount arm above the hand controller. I haven't installed the 1 1/4" diagonal (45?) yet nor the 32mm Celestron Plossl. I bought this from the original owner so it was very lightly used. I think he got it as a gift, messed with it for a month or so, and then sold it to me. As a separate issue, there is some dust and what looks like a smudge about 5" long on the front lens. What's the best way to clean this? I have a microfiber cloth that I use to clean all of my electronics such as a monitor or flat panel tv. You get it soaking wet with warm water, wring it out as much as possible and then wipe it down. The little bit of moisture left behind will dry almost immediately without leaving any residue. Kind of like a chamois. Would this be safe to use on the lens without causing any issues with damaging the coatings? Thanks. Jim Edited by Jammer53 (03/07/13 03:08 PM) Post Extras:       Midnight Dan Postmaster Reged: 01/23/08 Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl... Re: Attaching OTA on a 6SE [Re: Jammer53]       #5719134 - 03/07/13 07:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Jim: First, the front lens is called the corrector plate, and some dust and a smudge will probably not hurt the views at all. If you feel you need to clean it, I'd follow the instructions here on Dr. Clay's Arksky site: http://www.arksky.org/asoclean.htm If you don't have all the ingredients for the solutions, just use the recommended alcohol and distilled water. The main part of the instructions are the technique of how to clean it gently so you don't damage the coatings. -Dan Post Extras:       Jammer53 super member Reged: 12/18/12 Loc: Central NY Re: Attaching OTA on a 6SE [Re: Midnight Dan]       #5719404 - 03/07/13 09:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Dan. If a I could use an infant's aspirator to gently blow away any dust particles. You know, the little rubber ones we used to suck the snot out of our kids noses. But in reverse. LOL. Seems that Dr. Arksky isn't too keen on cleaning the corrector unless it's absolutely necessary, which I don't think it is in my case. Post Extras:       hopskipson professor emeritus Reged: 06/24/10 Loc: Queens, New Yawk, Light pollut... Re: Attaching OTA on a 6SE [Re: Jammer53]       #5719919 - 03/08/13 07:13 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Just make sure there isn't any snot in it first ! Post Extras:       Pages: 1

Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Extra information 5 registered and 14 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  KWB, WaterMaster  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 336 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Celestial Events*General Astronomy* -----   Beginners Forum   General Observing and Astronomy   Outreach   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Speciality Forums* -----   Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo   NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum) and NEAIC (Northeast Astro Imaging Conference)   AstroArt   Astronomy Clubs and Star Parties   Astronomy Software & Computers   AstroWebsites   Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others   Space Rocks   Stellar Media*Swap and Shop* -----   Shop and Swap Audio Components*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   IYA Archive Info

CN Forums Home