1675 replies to this topic

[kit.kenneth]

I just picked up a SP-C8 from Goodwill:

 

 

Not sure if the s/n is in the registry, and it is 836364

 

 

I don't know if the previous owner did anything to it, but some of the screws look a bit crooked. I haven't had first light on this scope yet; is it generally advisable to bring old scopes to Celestron for service (they fortunately are close by)?

 

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[CHASLX200]

Looks ok to me.

[Kasmos]

 

is it generally advisable to bring old scopes to Celestron for service (they fortunately are close by)?

 

It depends on what is wrong with it, your skill level, and confidence to do the work. It's been reported that a routine cleaning and collimating by Celestron runs about $150. Like everything maybe more now?

[CHASLX200]

It depends on what is wrong with it, your skill level, and confidence to do the work. It's been reported that a routine cleaning and collimating by Celestron runs about $150. Like everything maybe more now?

Plus shipping both ways. I would do it myself. Scope looks fine as is or least try it out first.  Could be a freaky sharp OTA.

[kit.kenneth]

Thanks for the reply.  You are right; I should use it first and see if I even notice any issues.  The crooked screws I was referring to are like this pair (see picture).  They seemed to stick out more than I thought they should, but I am guessing they are for attaching accessories and not for holding the OTA together, so I probably worry unnecessarily.

 

 

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[CHASLX200]

Thanks for the reply.  You are right; I should use it first and see if I even notice any issues.  The crooked screws I was referring to are like this pair (see picture).  They seemed to stick out more than I thought they should, but I am guessing they are for attaching accessories and not for holding the OTA together, so I probably worry unnecessarily.

If they go in too far they can hit the mirror.

[RSX11M+]

I just picked up a SP-C8 from Goodwill:
  
Not sure if the s/n is in the registry, and it is 836364
 
I don't know if the previous owner did anything to it, but some of the screws look a bit crooked. I haven't had first light on this scope yet; is it generally advisable to bring old scopes to Celestron for service (they fortunately are close by)?

 I'd like photos of the screws if you can before commenting. These are really my only concern.
 

Thanks for the reply.  You are right; I should use it first and see if I even notice any issues.  The crooked screws I was referring to are like this pair (see picture).  They seemed to stick out more than I thought they should, but I am guessing they are for attaching accessories and not for holding the OTA together, so I probably worry unnecessarily.

 

kit.kenneth - Congratulations! Thank you for rescuing it. It will return the favor by bringing many years of pleasure.You've already received excellent help, so I'll try to fill in the edges.

Your scope was not previously in the registry, and looks to be circa late 1985 vintage. (perhaps what we call a "Christmas Scope")

From your photos I agree - it's in great shape (Like to see pics of the mount however) 

If you are already familiar with operating it, then definitely a good idea to take it out for a spin before servicing of any kind, by you or Celestron. From what I understand, Celestron is only servicing the OTAs on these older units, but I don't know the parameters.

However if you aren't familiar, and being you're in so-cal - I'd advise you seek out a larger star party to get some knowledgeable assistance. That, and the manuals (which are quite good) will keep you from making any nube mistakes you might later regret. The manuals should also help you identify missing items that might be required.

 

I would advise against any collimation or cleaning until you're more well acquainted.

 

Finally, have a thought about obtaining a case for the OTA. The finders are especially vulnerable to being broken off, and you wouldn't want to damage it in other more serious ways.

 

 

Best of Luck to you both - Clear Skies and thanks for Registering. 

[RSX11M+]

 

Upon re-examining this photo, I don't think these particular screws are "crooked" or cross-threaded.

 

They appear to be the holes originally intended to attach the OTA to a fork mount DEC adapter.  (there's a matching set on the opposite side) The holes for those mounts are not "Radially drilled", so the outer two of the 3 appear crooked. 

 

What to do:

 

These screws are probably short place-holders just to fill the holes. However, If your OTA was once Fork-Mounted, there is a concern that they might be the Original screws, and are too long to be installed without the DEC adapter. This might mean they protrude into the OTA and touch the Primary mirror or restrict it's movement.

 

Use a flashlight to examine the interior of the OTA (without disassembling it) to see if they stick out of the sidewall. If so - remove and save them, replace with shorter ones.

 

I myself use allen-head "Set Screws" in the holes, aside a short thread to friction-secure them in place. (No locktight near optics!) 

 

Sorry for the delayed response - some images and thoughts take a bit to sink in.

[kit.kenneth]

This is really helpful information.  Let me take a look and see.  It's going to be cloudy for the next few days, so probably not able to see much, but good opportunity to get the scope ready.

 

Thank you again!

 

 

 

Upon re-examining this photo, I don't think these particular screws are "crooked" or cross-threaded.

 

They appear to be the holes originally intended to attach the OTA to a fork mount DEC adapter.  (there's a matching set on the opposite side) The holes for those mounts are not "Radially drilled", so the outer two of the 3 appear crooked. 

 

What to do:

 

These screws are probably short place-holders just to fill the holes. However, If your OTA was once Fork-Mounted, there is a concern that they might be the Original screws, and are too long to be installed without the DEC adapter. This might mean they protrude into the OTA and touch the Primary mirror or restrict it's movement.

 

Use a flashlight to examine the interior of the OTA (without disassembling it) to see if they stick out of the sidewall. If so - remove and save them, replace with shorter ones.

 

I myself use allen-head "Set Screws" in the holes, aside a short thread to friction-secure them in place. (No locktight near optics!) 

C8-DEC-hole-plugs.jpg

 

Sorry for the delayed response - some images and thoughts take a bit to sink in.

[CHASLX200]

I heard a not so nice sound one time when sometime screwed in a screw too deep and chipped the mirror.

[RSX11M+]

I heard a not so nice sound one time when sometime screwed in a screw too deep and chipped the mirror.

Was it as bad as the wailing afterwards?

[CHASLX200]

Was it as bad as the wailing afterwards?

Just about.

[Gary Esterly]

Looking for any information for a C8 with the serial number 915894. I'm hoping to pinpoint the year of manufacture to help with questions about the drive. Thanks.

[RSX11M+]

Looking for any information for a C8 with the serial number 915894. I'm hoping to pinpoint the year of manufacture to help with questions about the drive. Thanks.

1999-2000 seems most likely, based solely on SN.

 

Photos would help confirm or refine that. Our database has several models in the +/-2yr timeframe with Ultima 2000 being most prevalent and Celestar / Deluxe also reported. Ultimas in the database seem to populate the dates between Sep 1998 and Jan 2001.

[Gary Esterly]

Thanks again for your input. Here is a few more pictures. I am most interested in determining the model of the drive the base. I am working on interfacing the Astro Master unit with a computer. I am working with the usual Windows COM issues but I am slowly making progress.

 

 

[RSX11M+]

I would say that is a Celestar, probably a "Basic" model, as opposed to the Deluxe. A manual may be found here on the Company7 website.

[pierce]

no, its not a Celestar Basic, they don't have the two buttons and 5 LEDs on the left, and that is a standard Celestron wedge, not the WedgePod that came with the Celestar.    Indeed, it appears to be a Deluxe as per page 40 of the manual you linked... http://www.company7....ar8.pdf#page=41

 

that appears to be the optional Advanced Astro Master on the fork there in your first pic, whihc works with encoders and I believe functioned as a 'push to' system, not goto.

I found the Advanced Astro Master manual here, https://www.yumpu.co...perating-manual

Edited by pierce, 03 February 2022 - 12:23 AM.

[Gary Esterly]

Your right, the computer interface is not for a go-to set up, it's for push-to-

 

https://www.cloudyni...r#entry11678268

 

I appreciate any ideas as to the drive model, I'd like to be able to reference it accurately when discussing the technical aspects of the drive 

[RSX11M+]

There's another "Deluxe" feature that should be present if it is - Please post a photo of the schmidt corrector / secondary mirror assembly.

[akdwivedi]

i have a celestron C8 with older style corrector 9xxxx,, I dont know how old is it but certainly pre-fastar compatible correctors.

 

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[pierce]

Your right, the computer interface is not for a go-to set up, it's for push-to-

 

https://www.cloudyni...r#entry11678268

 

I appreciate any ideas as to the drive model, I'd like to be able to reference it accurately when discussing the technical aspects of the drive 

 

the drive model is a Celestar 8 Deluxe with the Advanced Astro Master controller and encoders.    The motors came with the scope, the astro master kit added the encoders (which were user installable).

[RSX11M+]

Your right, the computer interface is not for a go-to set up, it's for push-to-

 

https://www.cloudyni...r#entry11678268

 

I appreciate any ideas as to the drive model, I'd like to be able to reference it accurately when discussing the technical aspects of the drive 

 

There's another "Deluxe" feature that should be present if it is - Please post a photo of the schmidt corrector / secondary mirror assembly.

I reiterate - this photo will reveal a distinct "Deluxe" feature over the Basic model.

 

I never owned one of these, so my conclusions are based upon research. There are photos of supposed "Deluxe" scopes with and without your drive base's appearance. These may be accurate or a mis-attribution. However, the presence of a Fastar type removable secondary mirror holder confirms a Deluxe model.  The Advanced Astro Master (AAM) seems to have been added to other scopes, and in fact I may have misunderstood your original post as saying you were installing it.

Edited by RSX11M+, 04 February 2022 - 07:25 AM.

[Gary Esterly]

RSX11M+, here are the additional photos your requested-

 

I do appreciate your input and thank you for your time.

 

[CHASLX200]

Got this C8 last week.  It is a Nexstar 8i special edition.

 

Very good optics. Number is 956388.

 

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[RSX11M+]

the drive model is a Celestar 8 Deluxe with the Advanced Astro Master controller and encoders.    The motors came with the scope, the astro master kit added the encoders (which were user installable).

 

RSX11M+, here are the additional photos your requested-
 
  
I do appreciate your input and thank you for your time.

Thank you both for persisting - I now completely concur this could only be a "Deluxe" model.

Please provide some additional feedback on the ASIair unit once you've used it a bit.
 

 

 

Got this C8 last week.  It is a Nexstar 8i special edition.

 

Very good optics. Number is 956388.

 

You sir, are a maniac.   I am humbled.

 

As always, your entry is noted and appreciated.