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Show off your NexStar

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1751 replies to this topic

#1 astroman68

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 03:26 AM

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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#2 eric_zeiner

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 10:57 AM

Here you go.

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#3 Hal Pollner

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 11:11 AM


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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#4 fishnbanjo

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 11:28 AM

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

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

#5 GordonCopestake

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 01:59 PM

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!

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#6 Hal Pollner

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 07:18 PM


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
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#7 ace50252

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 07:50 PM

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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#8 ace50252

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 07:55 PM

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

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#9 ace50252

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 07:59 PM

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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#10 ace50252

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Posted 21 July 2007 - 08:22 PM

And another view.

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#11 astroman68

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Posted 22 July 2007 - 02:32 PM

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

Partically the variation and setup of equipment :goodjob:
Keep them coming.

Regards, Paul
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#12 GordonCopestake

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Posted 23 July 2007 - 02:35 AM

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.

#13 bkushner

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Posted 23 July 2007 - 06:25 AM

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


Will it ever see light?
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#14 ace50252

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Posted 23 July 2007 - 09:12 AM


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. :lol:
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#15 Hal Pollner

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Posted 23 July 2007 - 09:21 AM

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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#16 strgazr

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Posted 25 July 2007 - 08:45 PM

lol great pic Hal looks like you got the good stuff :lol:

#17 Hal Pollner

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Posted 02 August 2007 - 07:15 PM


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

HAL

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#18 b1gred

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Posted 02 August 2007 - 08:39 PM

topic? :rules:

#19 Magellan

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Posted 04 August 2007 - 12:12 AM

This is my heavily modded Nexstar 102SLT

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#20 Starlighter

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Posted 05 August 2007 - 02:49 PM

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

#21 b1gred

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Posted 05 August 2007 - 06:18 PM

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.

#22 Starlighter

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Posted 05 August 2007 - 07:10 PM

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?

#23 BrianRG

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Posted 05 August 2007 - 08:05 PM

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

Brian

#24 b1gred

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Posted 05 August 2007 - 08:16 PM

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.
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#25 BrianRG

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Posted 10 August 2007 - 11:09 PM

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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