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Meade DS80 vs concrete floor

Started by Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_* , Sep 21 2003 05:26 PM
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9 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 21 September 2003 - 05:26 PM

Hi all, my first post.
I was setting up my scope recently when all of a sudden one of the cheap cam-type clamps on the tripod let go. The scope proceded to meet the floor with a heart attack!:shocked:
The dew shield cracked in three places. No big deal. My problem is the optics seem to be out of collimation.

I read here recently (a few months ago, maybe?) something about collimating a refractor. Nothing in detail, or I would have saved the info.
Does anyone know how this is done with a refractor? Any sites you could direct me to that explain the procedures?

Thank you all for any help you could give me! :bow:

Tom

#2 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 22 September 2003 - 10:27 AM

I know there is a procedure, but I'm not sure where to find it on the web.

My objective is collimatable (is that a word?) but the manual says nothing about it at all.

#3 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 22 September 2003 - 05:00 PM

Here is a web site with the four setps for collimating a refractor.

http://www.astunit.c...s/collifrac.htm

Hope this helps.

#4 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 23 September 2003 - 06:30 AM

After reading that procedure, I hope mine is correct from the factory. :thinking:

#5 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 23 September 2003 - 06:07 PM

Thank you for the help!
Now can you tell me what it all means? :o :question:

Tom

#6 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 23 September 2003 - 06:08 PM

Heheheh!! I know the feeling you're having! :foreheadslap:

#7 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 23 September 2003 - 06:19 PM

I decided to disassemble the scope to see if there was anything I could do. I took the dew shield off and found the optics cell (?) was held onto the tube with ONE screw! There were two other holes machined into the cell and tube, but no screws! Must be the Meade quality control I've heard so much about. The cell actually rocked on the end of the tube! :ooo:
Anyway, I found some short screws and reattached the cell assembly. It's now rock-solid. Just have to wait for the rain to end to see if there's any improvement :bawling:

I'll let you know what happens! Thank you!

Tom

#8 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 31 October 2003 - 08:23 PM

WOW! My fifth post! I should be a moderator!!
Just got in from finally testing the scope. Looked good!! Until the clouds asserted themselves!
Gotta move to more scope-friendly climes.

RE: my accident with the concrete. I totally dismanteled(sp?) the scope and tripod, cleaned out the ear wax from the drive motor gears, and re-lubed with SuperLube. Nice stuff!!

Installed two extra screws to hold the optics cell in place.
Tightened up the mount. The tripod and mount still suck!!

Did the easy alignment and the moon came right into the field of view! WOW!!Nice!! Tried Mars, same thing! YOWZA!! Never did THAT before!!! And it was SHARP!!
Mars soon drifted near the edge of field of view, tho. Why ain't it tracking???

The clouds rolled in and I had to pack it up. One leg of the tripod decided to extend while I was carrying it inside. Like I said, the tripod SUCKS!!!

In conclusion, the optics of the old DS80 are nice! Wish I had the DS90, tho. Or even an LX90! But I can dream....

Tom

#9 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 31 October 2003 - 08:59 PM

That's the funny thing about Meade scopes, once you break it and fix it, it usually works better. There is one guy here that completely rebuilt his little Meade reflector, and he likes it now!

Going up to 90 isn't that big a difference, you might want to consider fixing what you have and save for a 100mm or larger.

Good Luck!
Kent

#10 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 02 November 2003 - 02:00 PM

I thought I had everything taken care of when I disassembled it. :o
Guess not, as the tripod legs were the cause of the accident in the first place :foreheadslap:
Saturday morning I went out with the scope again but couldn't view much since the clamp on one leg came apart. It's rough trying to observe on your knees! :bawling:

Thanks for the advice about a 90mm. I'm going to keep this scope and like you said, save for something larger.

Tom
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