1083 replies to this topic

[Laz]

Orion sells 100mm rings which fit this scope

[labmand]

Thanks Laz, I have used a digital level for the Alt with a
Az circle, this coupled with a Orion 8x50 raci finder, very
easy and fast to find objects, just didn't like doing the look ups for current alt/az readings but have not tried
the app you mentioned, will have to check it out.

I roll a dew shield with black art paper and tape it together. It retracts backwards onto the tube so I can still use the lens cap. Yes I added an az circle plus an alt scale and bubble level,-- works well for finding dso's with Sky Safari app.

[Binojunky]

Thought about getting one, however by the time I pay for shipping to Canada and customs have their share it becomes a $200 OTA, not worth it, for me anyway , what annoys me is that you see all sorts of great deals in the USA but in Canada its the old take it or leave it with the prices,DA.

[Laz]

blame your distant relatives for being loyalists

[labmand]

Think I paid about $30 for a digital level at Sears
most hardware type stores sell them I believe.

Thought about getting one, however by the time I pay for shipping to Canada and customs have their share it becomes a $200 OTA, not worth it, for me anyway , what annoys me is that you see all sorts of great deals in the USA but in Canada its the old take it or leave it with the prices,DA.

[JimK]

Does anyone know how much the OTA weighs? I tried to find out on the net but none of the specs list the weight of the OTA. ...

Per the Celestron manual (at this link) on pg 15, the OTA weighs 8 lb. Be sure to add the weight of accessories (finder, diagonal, eyepiece, rings/dovetail, dewshield, etc.) to get the full weight for your situation.

[gunfighter48]

UPS just delivered my 102 GT OTA yesterday. Nice scope!! This is my first refractor. I've had newts and SCTs in the past and present.

I didn't care for the OEM focuser so I ordered a GSO dual speed Crayford and it will be here early next week. I looked at several mounts and wanted a goto that I could afford. So I ordered a iOptron Cube Pro. The tube out of the box weights 6.5lbs. The new focuser adds about 5oz to that weight. I'll be using 1.25 eyepieces most of the time. So the Cube Pro should handle the weight ok. The advertised payload for the Cube Pro runs from 6 to 12 pounds. iOptron started out saying 12lbs and now says 8lbs. I've read a few reviews with the owners running 10 to 16lbs and they weren't having any problems with the mount. I'll see how it handles the tube length and balance.

I also ordered a longer vixen style dovetail and 2 100mm rings for it. I can then mount the tube in the rings and be able to balance it on the mount better. If this all works out it will be a great grab and go scope.

[Laz]

Sounds great, post a picture when done and let us know how stable it is on the mount. Howard

[lynntx]

I rec'd my scope on Wed. It was packaged very professionally in double box and everything looked good when I unpacked it. Still have not mounted it yet. We had couple nights of clouds since rec'd. It is a nice looking refractor for such a cheap scope. I have a 2" diagonal and pretty nice mix of eyepieces so I am looking forwarding to testing it out maybe this weekend. Light pollution over DFW is pretty bad, but I will check out some of the brighter targets.

[mdowns]

The one I ordered arrived the other day. I had just a moment to put it under the stars. As several had said earlier the included dovetail is woefully inadequate. Have ordered a longer dovetail and rings. The scope itself was actually surprising in its performance. With a 8mm Brandon and a 2x tele extender saturn remained sharp and detailed,very pleasing really.Between rolling thunderheads I also used a 20mm ES WA and got some teriffic starfields with pinpoint stars and excellent contrast.At the lower power color was very well managed though I did'nt get to try any higher powered views of bright stars. The stars btw, remained sharp to the edge of the 68* afov.This ota was bought to use as a loaner and when I replace the dovetail and add the rings I believe it will serve very very well in that capcity.

[jag767]

Got mine ready for tonight!

[CollinofAlabama]

Jag767,

Is that an Astrozap mount? A nice setup for a weekend night out!

Thanks

[jag767]

Jag767,

Is that an Astrozap mount? A nice setup for a weekend night out!

Thanks

Nope, cg5 mount. Yeah I really enjoy it as a portable setup. Still trying to figure out a nice fairly local place to go with it but I think it will serve me well!

[DaveG]

Nice! Did you paint the OTA? I really like the white around the dew shield.

[jag767]

Thanks! I was going to paint it but i had a bunch of rolls of colored electrical tape and the white caught my eye. Impossible to tell its tape even right next to it. Just pop the ring off, wrap it and tuck the excess under it. Put it back on and there ya go!

[DaveG]

Here's my 102GT, ready to go tonight.

Attached Thumbnails

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[Starlon]

Huh. I also jumped on the sale. It's a good scope - good price. But look what I just found: http://www.telescope...xstar102gtco...

[JoanneC]

I ordered one of these today to ride on my Voyager mount as a grab n go scope. This will take the place of my AT72 which is now setup on me new Edge.

[gunfighter48]

I finally received everything I ordered to setup the C102 GT. I bought a Vixen style 11" dovetail bar, two 4 in rings to mount the scope in, a Williams Optics 9X50 correct image finder, a GSO Crayford Dual Speed focuser and rings that fit the focuser for 50mm finder scopes, and the iOptron Cube Pro mount. The dovetail bar and rings put the scope far enough away from the legs so that the tube misses the legs (just barely) when in the vertical alignment position. I have to turn the focuser so the knobs are to the outside of the scope tube. Once the alignment is done then I can turn them to the correct position for observing. The scope rings make balancing the tube much easier. I mounted the rings about 9" apart to help eliminate tube flexing. With the 2" diagonal the tube weighs about 10.25 lbs and with the 1.25" diagonal it weighs about 9.75 lbs. So even with my heaviest eyepiece the OTA weight is still under 12 lbs and the mount does just fine with the weight. The manual that came with the mount still list the payload as 12 lbs. The Cube Pro is pretty much maxed out with the 102 tube but will work fine for a grab and go scope. The red thing on top of the mount is a 2 way spirit level that I got at Lowe's. I mounted it with some double sided taped foam squares. Should make leveling a whole lot easier than using the bullseye level that comes on the mount. The mount has to be level to get the best goto pointing out of it.

I haven't had a chance to get it out and observe with it but tomorrow night is supposed to be clear again so I'm hoping to get some time at the eyepiece then.

[batfire]

It seems that tube is now even a better price:

Celestron 102mm NexStar GT Optical Tube Only
Item # CE-102-98 Availability: In stock
Regular Price: $119.95 Special Price: $59.98

Seems like a half price blowout now.

[jag767]

Wow! I wish I needed another one for that price! 102mm f10 binocs?

[pdxmoon]

Ok, for $60 I had to do this. I'll see how it rides on my Vixen Polaris. In alt az it should be able to take the payload.

It's a 4", and this should help me understand what I can see with that aperture. I understand I'll have CA, but at this price I can deal with it.

100mm rings on order. Since I can only use one scope at a time (I have one mount) the OTA can borrow the upgraded diagonal from the 80ED.

[JoanneC]

Always happens....
The day after you order something it goes on sale...

[Binojunky]

Ordered one myself, heck at 60 bucks its as cheap as chips,DA.
(got to stop buying astro gear, got to stop buying astro gear)

[FeynmanFan]

Call me crazy-I've already got a 4"-but for $60, with free shipping, I couldn't help myself. They're giving these things away!