1751 replies to this topic

[GazingOli]

Introducing my recently bought Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 on wedge (all second hand):

 

 

Selfmade dew shield. The Evolution mount also works fine for my selfmade 80/480 triplet apo 'Olifraktor'. I am using it mainly for EAA:

 

 

 

As I did not like to put the HC to one of the legs of the tripot, I made my own holder and attached it to the column of the mount.

 

 

 

CS.Oli

Edited by GazingOli, 28 August 2021 - 05:22 AM.

[brionl]

I've been browsing back through this thread for a couple days, and it's inspired me to post my rig. Of course, I'm in the SF Bay Area and we're having a long streak of rain/clouds now, so it's set up inside.

I bought my 8SE about a year after the '17 eclipse. Almost all stock, but I did get a T-adapter and various camera adapters, the Celestron acc kit with the various filters and eyepieces. Should be good enough for lunar/planetary/solar imaging, although I've mostly done visual so far. I've already got the solar filter, here's hoping the Sun starts to be more photogenic now that the cycle is churning up.

 

 

 

I did add a small patch of velcro to the back of the hand set, so now it doesn't spring off at the slightest provocation.

[Stargazer3236]

Reminds me of my Nexstar 8SE when I bought it over 4 years ago. I have since modded it through a few iterations. I was doing remote EAA imaging and that was cool, but it took too many accessories to be really grab and go.

[abomb60]

My relatively new Celestron 5SE that I've been modding and buying accessories for.  Currently running a ZWO ASI224MC for the first time tonight so we'll see how that goes.  Everything right now is being controlled by a NUC (in fanless industrial case mounted on a quick VESA release on the tripod leg) so that I can sit inside when it's too hot/cold or buggy out.

 

Current mods include the addition of StarSense, StarPointer Pro (the little red dot that came with it was so bad) and a Celestron focus motor that I had to retrofit a bit to work on the 5SE.

 

Edited by abomb60, 28 October 2021 - 05:11 PM.

[brionl]

So nobody's going to bite on my 40 year old 35mm film SLR? And I had my witty repartee all lined up and ready to go.

[abomb60]

My relatively new Celestron 5SE that I've been modding and buying accessories for.  Currently running a ZWO ASI224MC for the first time tonight so we'll see how that goes.  Everything right now is being controlled by a NUC (in fanless industrial case mounted on a quick VESA release on the tripod leg) so that I can sit inside when it's too hot/cold or buggy out.

 

Current mods include the addition of StarSense, StarPointer Pro (the little red dot that came with it was so bad) and a Celestron focus motor that I had to retrofit a bit to work on the 5SE.

 

IMG_2633.jpeg

And now the 5se resides on a new to me AVX mount purchased from another member here.  Hoping to pick up an Edge HD 8" before the end of the year.

 

[abomb60]

Another upgrade.  Custom made a 3d printed guide scope mount that uses the unused bolt holes on my AVX.  Currently using a SVBONY 30mm mini with an ASI120mm mini to guide with PHD2.  Did some testing the other night and got decent results with 300s exposures on M81.  This was using an ASI224MC uncooled planetary cam so the good results were a welcome surprise!  Have an ASI183MC Pro on its way to me now so looking forward to what that can do.

 

 

Edited by abomb60, 30 November 2021 - 12:31 PM.

[Jhargrove]

Its been 15+ years since I had a mall store telescope with cruddy gears that would skip..... So we finally decided to "do it right" since we got a little bonus cash.
*Celestron 6se (w/stock 25mm lens)

*Celestron Power Tank
*Celestron SkyPortal Wifi module
*Celestron X-Cel 2x Barlow
*Celestron X-Cel 12mm EP
*T-mount for my Canon DSLR

 

Will be adding dew heater/shields and controller as soon as I can find them in stock. LOL

 

[stringtheory56]

A couple of pics.

Not shown: StarSense camera, eyepieces, dielectric star-diagonal.

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[stringtheory56]

 

Updated pics, includes everything except eyepiece.

Edited by stringtheory56, 19 March 2022 - 10:24 PM.

[Hexley]

My youngest looking at the moon. She is the one who asks to use the telescope most. Loves medicine and the sciences so much.

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[TomH1954]

Which one?

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[firemachine69]

Hi,

I saw with a relative profit some witnesses of user with nexstar evolution mounts.

I am interested by such mount but wandering about the actual performance.

If I am aiming the following:

- pointing accuracy to be more or less 1 min of arc,

- tracking accuracy to be say the jupiter diameter more or less,

- full automatic settlement of the mount, well levelled before?

Does the evolution fullfill such targets?

Thanks a lot for your returns here.

The C8 is to be installed on, may be the C9 later and the nomade use is expected mainly.

Good skies

Stanislas-Jean

 

 

I think there's a language barrier, but I feel confident the Nexstar mount is NOT for you. You are expecting far too much out of an economy mount.

 

 

 

 

A couple of pics.

Not shown: StarSense camera, eyepieces, dielectric star-diagonal.

 

 

That Nexstar mount is crying from all that weight. 

[ChuppsterXLM]

 

 

Original NexStar N8 (circa 2000), mount motors are still strong but HC display is gone!

 

 

 

NexStar N8 & NexStar 4SE

[hurj]

Here is mine,

 

- Nexstar 6SE on wedge

- 6x30 finderscope

- 60mm f4 guidescope

...

...

...

- clouds on background

 

 

 

 

[firemachine69]

Putting this back into the proper forum... 

 

Insulated my OTA. Also note the nifty GPS module from another (somewhat) local CN member, and the HC holder (printed in resin). 

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Edited by firemachine69, 27 May 2022 - 07:11 AM.

[Mazzman]

First time I've looked at this page, so thought I'd put my baby up here. Still early days with this 2nd hand Evo 8 HD, but really happy with it so far, and still learning about it's pro's and con's!  

When funds permit, I'll be looking for a wedge, a motor focus and an maybe a focal reducer. Might upgrade the tripod, but I have to keep my eye on portability! Would love a Fastar F/2 converter, but they're mega bucks!  





 

[firemachine69]

First time I've looked at this page, so thought I'd put my baby up here. Still early days with this 2nd hand Evo 8 HD, but really happy with it so far, and still learning about it's pro's and con's!  

When funds permit, I'll be looking for a wedge, a motor focus and an maybe a focal reducer. Might upgrade the tripod, but I have to keep my eye on portability! Would love a Fastar F/2 converter, but they're mega bucks!  




278066113_5445366752187626_7665871253335477711_n.jpg
 

 

 

 

The HD tripod is not significantly heavier in terms of "feel". Highly recommended for any Nexstar or Evolution above 6 inches. Although, I'd look for a used one, I can't recommend it at the current retail price (over $800 including taxes and shipping up here), I paid about $600 with taxes and shipping for mine.

Edited by firemachine69, 10 June 2022 - 09:31 AM.

[Mazzman]

The HD tripod is not significantly heavier in terms of "feel". Highly recommended for any Nexstar or Evolution above 6 inches. Although, I'd look for a used one, I can't recommend it at the current retail price (over $800 including taxes and shipping up here), I paid about $600 with taxes and shipping for mine.

Agreed, will definitely go for a used one! Thanks for the advice  

[tphr1973]

My first astronomical telescope, a Celestron 6SE on a NexStar mount. Here it's set up at our primary spot ~2250 ft. elev., the fork in the driveway at daybreak following some pre-dawn planetary observing. One might suggest that I should've removed the f/6.3 reducer to get a bit more useful magnification as it was a rare morning with decent seeing. That ridge line in the background obscures the eastern horizon.

[Herb_H]

My Nexstar 8SE going strong after five years, still pretty much "out of the Amazon box" :-) ...

 

No gps no wifi no wedge no starsense, kiss plug in ac power cord, stock standard red dot finder, standard three star alignment all the time.

 

A few images I took with it about two weeks ago (moonless night, at the Anza Borrego Desert State Park in Calif) here :

 

https://www.cloudyni...ar-8se-imaging/

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[Koop]

Just getting started. I had a department store-type refractor twenty years ago, but mostly used it for terrestial viewing. UPS dropped this today and I'm venturing down the rabbit hole. Too bad we're in the monsoon season here in Mesa, Arizona - clouds and thundershowers at this time of year. The good news is, we have over 300 days with mostly clear skies per year.

 

Okay, first post here and format isn't right. I'll get there.

Edited by Koop, 29 July 2022 - 11:19 PM.

[gdiehl86]

I still have some projects in the works, but here are my favorites so far.
 
1. I created a 3D printed (Picatinny) red dot mount that matches the Baader rings and screws for a clean and sturdy look.
 
2. I added matching Celestron orange tripod knobs which also aids in visibility.

 

 

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[yasho78]

Here’s my new NexStar 8 Evolution. I am beyond excited. I have wanted my own Celestron 8” SCT ever since I used my high school’s classic orange tube C8 and the C14 Compustar. That was almost 30 years ago. I’ve owned an Orion 127mm Mak on a classic GEM for the last 18 yrs but it rarely saw light given how unwieldy it seemed. At my age, I think I deserve to enjoy the hobby more and work less. 
 

Things got off to a rocky start after I installed the red dot finder backwards. I had never used one before and who reads instructions anyway. Luckily for me, my lightbulb went on before my patience ran out. After finally getting alignment right, it was amazing to see objects automagically show up in my eyepiece. The dumbbell nebula, ring nebula and M3 were all easy and satisfying targets. As a bonus, the kids enjoyed it too. 
 

I’m looking forward to many years of use. Hopefully a lot more use than my Orion saw. 

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[gdiehl86]

So, I finally finished my Evolution HC mount after about 10 prototypes...

 

I took James Dedij's original file and modified it to extend through the mount's handle. It also has room for a full 1" Velcro strap. I added Stefan Dembowski's hinge to allow 180* HC rotation which is useful for star parties. Jame's original EP holder sits level with my version and the main piece does not require any felt lining. I'm happy to share files for printing.

 

Thank you to those two gentlemen for the grunt work and inspiration!

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Edited by gdiehl86, 08 September 2022 - 02:48 PM.