1436 replies to this topic

[astroman68]

I'm starting a post here to see how everyone else sets up their equipment, please post your pictures, etc, here.

My setup is a C8-NGT with a skywatcher capricorn 707 and meade 12mm illuminated reticule for guiding. My cameras are a Praktica TL5B SLR and a canon 300d DLSR for prime focus astrophotography.

Clear Skies, Paul

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[eric_zeiner]

Here you go.

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[Hal Pollner]

Here's my new 8SE, which I've had since July 10.

The first accessory I installed was the most important accessory for the way I use my scopes...a Green Laser Pointer! This one has a push-on, push-off switch, which will keep the beam in the sky while I manipulate the slewing buttons on my hand controller. The lasers on my other scopes have the momentary switch, which is not as convenient.

This is an indispensable navigational aid; projecting a laser beam and watching as it approaches and targets my alignment stars. Looking through a Red Dot finder or a Telrad is just too uncomfortable.

Next, I ordered the "Wing Thing" to further enhance my comfort while operating the Hand Controller.

My third enhancement was the addition of a 2" Meade UHTC diagonal, to enable me to use both 1.25" and 2" oculars.

More changes to follow!

HAL

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[fishnbanjo]

Not shown is the Dew Shield and still waiting to get the Wing Thing.

[GordonCopestake]

Heres my Nexstar 6SE. A few small mods:

Oversize focus knob (beats the little plastic nubbin supplied!)
182mm Synta tube rings (for better balance with a DSLR or binoviewers)
an Antres 9x50 RACI finder (1000x better than the plastic red dot finder)
2" Antres diagonal (I had a hard time finding a 1.25" SCT diagonal!)
Synta binoviewers (cheap and cheerful)

Even fully loaded it's lighter than any GEM i've owned!

[Hal Pollner]

HEY GORDON...

Looks good, and that focus knob is a practical improvement!

I think I'll turn up an oversize focus knob on my Lathe!

Hal

[ace50252]

Here is my 9.25" and the AT66ED in dual saddle configuration. I have since added the AT80D and waiting for the triplet lense to arrive from Hong Kong.

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[ace50252]

And annother with dual refractors. AT66ED with the Orion 100 ST.

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[ace50252]

I also have a snap of the 6SE geared up and ready to go. This OTA can work on the other mount for imaging.

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[ace50252]

And another view.

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[astroman68]

Looks like this post I started has got the ball rolling.

Partically the variation and setup of equipment
Keep them coming.

Regards, Paul

[GordonCopestake]

Hi Hal,
it is a big improvment on the original. Although it's a little too large with a 2" diagonal (i really only need a 1.25" diagonal but nobody seems to sell a 1.25" SCT.) The larger section is great for fine focus and the smaller section if fine for whizing to close focus quickly. It's a recommended upgrade. From memory the brass shaft is 15mm OD. Mine just has 2 little grub screws to hold it in place.

[bkushner]

Here's my new 8SE, which I've had since July 10.

Will it ever see light?

[ace50252]

Here's my new 8SE, which I've had since July 10.

Will it ever see light?

It might after a couple of years because it's going to take him that long to build the knob.

[Hal Pollner]

HEY BRIAN:

For your satisfaction, no...it will never see light.

As you know, I never buy telescopes to use...only to HAVE.

HAROLD (Here's lookin' at YOU, Brian!)

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[strgazr]

lol great pic Hal looks like you got the good stuff

[Hal Pollner]

Well...you know...I mean like hey, why not, Man?

HAL

Want your camel to gallop? Just whip him 3 times on the withers with your riding crop and shout: "HUT HUT HUT!"

[b1gred]

topic?

[Magellan]

This is my heavily modded Nexstar 102SLT

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[Starlighter]

Where can I purchase a "Wing Thing" and will it work with my NexStar 6 SE?

[b1gred]

They sell it at "S&S Optica" 303-789-1089. They're not open on Monday. You can ask them if it'll work with the 6SE.

[Starlighter]

Thanks Randy. I'll give them a call. I would think it should work with six incher. Aren't the remotes identical? How does it mount?

[BrianRG]

The 6SE and the 8SE use the same mount, so it should work.

Brian

[b1gred]

There you go.

There is a shaped plate that fits in the Hand Controller slot and a knob that tightens the plate against the angled flange on the Wing Thing. You can angle the WT to any convenient position. The HCs are the same, so there's no problem with it fitting.

[BrianRG]

Time to breathe some life back into this thread. Here's a picture of my 8SE I took tonight in my backyard while I was waiting for it to get dark. We finally got a clear night again in NE Ohio, but there's a little too much skunk activity tonight for my liking. This scope is 100% stock (aside from the dew removal equipment), but Hal has inspired me to replace the RDF with a SV F50. The 24mm Pan matches up great with this scope.

Brian

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