1751 replies to this topic

[ngphotog]

My week old Nexstar 8se!! Other items: StellarVue 9x50(F50M), 50S mounting brackets, JMI controller bracket. Lots more to do as time goes on I suspect.

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[Starlighter]

Nice setup.

How easy was it to mount the Stellarvue? I'm thinking of purchasing one.

I tend to prefer the look of the JMI controller bracket over my Wing Thing. Yours tends to look like it mounts more perpendicular to the arm. I had a heck of a time fooling around with mine to make it straight up and down and it's still slightly canted to the right.

[Tel]

For what its worth Starlighter, I also have a JMI HC holder on my N8i. Once bolted together at the desired angle, the fitting to the mount arm requires no screws. You merely compress the sprung steel within the hand and slip it into the gap left by the HC. You then just mount the HC in the holder.

The downside is however, finding the holder's taper in the dark ! I'm in fact thinking of red light illuminating mine because I find it a frustration to use for this reason.

Regards,
Tel

[ngphotog]

StellarVue went on with the regular screws where the factory red-dot went. This purchase was influenced by Hal and a few others and man am I glad I did that. The 9x50 made life much much easier. 2 minute aligns...

[Starlighter]

Well, if it's that easy to mount the Stellarvue finder, looks like I'm making another purchase.

Thanks Tel and Sam for the info.

[fireman]

OK, After reading Dee's instructions VERY carefully, I'll try this again.

Here is my Nexstar 5. All I've added is the 9x50 finderscope

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[BrianRG]

By way of update to my previous post, I've now added the following "aftermarket" accessories to my 8SE:

1. "Wing Thing"

2. William Optics 2" Carbon Fiber Diagonal

3. Stellarvue 9x50 RACI Finder

Brian

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[Starlighter]

Nice setup.

Do you find the Stellarvue to work better than the red dot finder? I think the red dot works well myself. My only problem is remembering to shut it off.

The tongue of the insert of your Wing Thing needs to be seated at the base between the two protrusions. That way it'll be a little straighter. I fooled around with mine and got it to be almost perpendicular.

[BrianRG]

You're right about the Wing Thing, Starlighter. I eventually did get it to seat correctly.

I think the red dot finder works well, too. Ideally, I'd like to have both the RACI and the RDF, but the way Celestron positioned the accessory screws on the SE series makes that difficult -- although they're positioned fine if you're using the OTA on a GEM. So I'm going to add a mounted laser pointer to use for quick targeting and alignment.

Brian

[Starlighter]

I've seen some people move the red dot finder to the other side affixing it there with double-stick tape. That route doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. Unless there's a way to use the single remaining screw, I doubt I'll buy an additional finder. The red dot works just fine for my application and I wouldn't want to lose its quick function. But that big RACI does look great mounted on your scope.

[StarWars]

Very Nice!!

[BrianRG]

Here is my 8SE's OTA in its alternate incarnation -- mounted to my Vixen GP2 with RA drive. For the most part, when the 'scope is mounted on the GEM, it's possible to use both the RACI finder and the RDF (or some other unit finder). With the addition of the RACI, the two-inch diagonal, and the larger eyepieces, I suspect the GP2 is approaching its rated load limit of 7kg.

Brian

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[rick rian]

Here's one from two summers ago ... I need to get newer shots!

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[BrianRG]

Rick:

How do you have your Dew Buster controller attached to the mount?

Brian

[rick rian]

Rick:

How do you have your Dew Buster controller attached to the mount?

Brian

Hi Brian,

I am using a 2" x 3" velcro pad ... sticky surface to the mount and sticky surface to the back of the controller. Use the "furry" type velcro and it will work like a charm. The plastic "bristle" type velcro holds TOO well.

Hope this helps ...

[BrianRG]

Thanks, Rick. I'm all over that idea -- good thinkin'.

Brian

[rick rian]

You're welcome sir ... good luck!

[Elusivephotons]

I have done the exact same thing in the same location and it does work great.

[Starlighter]

Brian,

How did you mount your 8 SE to the Vixen? I was thinking of doing the same with my 6 SE.

[BrianRG]

How did you mount your 8 SE to the Vixen?

Hi, Starlighter:

The dovetail bar on the SE series OTA fits right in the slot on Vixen mounts. No muss, no fuss!

Brian

[Starlighter]

Great! Thanks.

Once mounted on the Vixen, I assume you find it a lot easier to simply point it at something. That's the single drawback to the Nexstar system.

[BrianRG]

Once mounted on the Vixen, I assume you find it a lot easier to simply point it at something.

You got it. For me, if I know where I want to go, or simply want to randomly scan the sky, nothing beats an EQ mount with RA drive.

Brian

[ace50252]

My upgraded 6SE with a dew shield, Stellarvue 9x50 finder scope, and my GPS.

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[BrianRG]

I added a Jasper Always green laser pointer and Jasper Swivel Mount to my 8SE (I also posted close-up pictures of the mount on the Equipment forum). I find that the combination of laser pointer and RACI finder really facilitates alignment. Plus, once I've got an object in the telescope's eyepiece, I can turn on the laser and easily show the area of the sky where the object is located.

Brian

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[Starlighter]

I had no idea the GPS unit was that large. How long does it take to grab the signal and input it into the computer? I thought about getting one, but I don't know if it's worth $200 + tax + shipping just to get the correct time and date. Unless I take my scope to a distant location, the latitude and longitude remain the same. I see where Orion sells a GPS unit for $149, but I assume it will not work with a Nexstar.