139 replies to this topic

[precaud]

spider is upside down and backwards.

 

It can't be, otherwise it would block the 2ndary.

 

AFAIK, there is no reason to worry about offsetting the 2ndary for visual. And the only reason to do it for AP is to make the light cone concentric with the OTA. Correct me if I'm wrong on the latter.

[Geo.]

The previous owner made this really nice rotating ring assembly but unfortunately threw out all the original parts to mount the tube to mount, so I can't return the scope to original.

The original parts were just metal straps.

[BigC]

 Still hoping to buy a DS-16 EQ mounted,mostly for visual use. AND  build a modest observatory this summer.

[Loren Gibson]

 

You cannot see the mirror clips even with the focuser racked all the way in unless you move your eye off axis and force yourself to look for the edge of the primary.

 

My DS-16 was that way too, that's why I moved the primary back. Am I too cynical thinking that's how they dealt with TDE...  

 

My DS-16 was indeed that way. In fact, the secondary mirror had a beveled edge around the circumference of the coated face, so the optical diameter was perhaps 1/4" (or thereabouts) smaller than the full diameter of the glass, which I think was nominally 4.0 inches. The full diameter of the primary was not seen from the focal point.

 

That secondary mirror had a coating problem. I was able to exchange it for another, and the replacement did not have the edge chamfered. My recollection is that I could barely see the full 16" of primary from the focal point with the new, unbeveled secondary, and it was at that time that I decided to move the secondary and the focuser further away from the primary.

 

Loren

[Gil V]

There is a 16" on CL right now. Ohio, I think.

[TOM KIEHL]

There is a 16" on CL right now. Ohio, I think.

http://mansfield.cra...4978634108.html

[clamchip]

The next time a DS-16 becomes available locally I'm  going to buy it.

I really blew it before and I learned from those experiences,

IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN NO MORE FIDDLE FARTING AROUND DS-16 YOUR MINE

Edited by actionhac, 27 April 2015 - 10:34 PM.

[rquiroga]

I used to own a DS-10. I enjoyed the views it gave me of DSO's it gave me until the day I separated my shoulder and lost a lot of strength in my left arm and found out I no longer could set it up.

[starman876]

 

 

I never had a 2nd thought about owning the back breaker DS16 or the smaller DS10 back in them days as i was never happy with any fast Newt back in them days.  

 

... a message from the Department of Redundancy Department...

 

Are you suggesting that Chas is redundant?  That he repeats himself?  That he says things over and over again?

 

Let's clarify.  The same thing over and over again.

Edited by starman876, 12 August 2017 - 07:13 PM.

[clamchip]

I purchased a local DS-16 and I'm excited.

It's big, I mean really BIG.

The amateur I bought it from bought it new and its in beautiful condition, all except for the

primary, the coatings look odd, tea colored, or yellowed, in appears to have enhanced coatings.

The mirror box is from Lumicon, and it does look like their 'enhanced coating' I didn't know

Lumicon sold primary mirrors, it may be one of theres and not a Meade mirror.

I'll take pictures soon.

Robert 

[rolo]

had a couple both were decent. And yes BIG! Equatorial or DOB?

[clamchip]

This one is the original equatorial with drive, It's really a time capsule from the mid 80's it's in perfect condition.

The primary is a strange mystery with it's yellow tint, its not smoke, its not tarnish, its not oxidized. I think it's a

enhanced coating.

I'm going to put the OTA on my 2 inch shaft Star-Liner eq because the Meade mounting is a little stiff, old grease.

I'll center dot the primary to take advantage of my modern collimation tools.

And then I'm going to unleash this 16 incher on the winter universe, nurse Mendy, you got that defibrillator ready?

Robert

[rolo]

It’s a light bucket for sure. The last one I had, had the Parallax rotating rings which were a blessing!

[apfever]

Is this the original blue solid tube thick paper OTA on the short 1.5" GEM with three counterweights?

You know the rules - PICTURES.  

[clamchip]

Is this the original blue solid tube thick paper OTA on the short 1.5" GEM with three counterweights?

You know the rules - PICTURES.  

Yes it is!

I'll try and get some pictures soon.

At first when I bought it I was wondering if I made a BIG mistake, but now over the past two

days looking over the parts I think I've bonded with the BIG girl.

 

Robert

[tim53]

...or as we 'lovingly' referred to them at the time: Diebel Specials.

 

-Tim.

[DS-16A]

I am still the original owner of a Meade DS16A, so if you need any of the manuals, I can copy and get them to you. 

My original mirror was not very good, so out it came and sent to Galaxy Optics for re-figuring and re-coating, along with downsizing the secondary to 3.1". Now a great performer. 

[clamchip]

I tried to capture the coating, you can see the rainbow of color.

Head-on there is a slight yellow tint, and its blotchy.

The red arrows point to my signature clamchips

Robert

 

[rolo]

Here's a pic my of old 16" Starfinder EQ with my granddaughter back in 2012. Note the massive Parallax rotating rings...

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by rolo, 24 October 2018 - 06:34 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Coma city kitty.  Better call on a Paracorr.

[rolo]

Actually, it was excellent on axis and very good with Naglers. At least a Parracorr could improve it which is more than I can say for you . 

[clamchip]

I'm having trouble taking pictures because of the tight space it my shop but I snapped a 

few today. my wife can help me haul dem bones outside for better pictures soon.

Notice the mount, there was a time these DS-16 mounts were the choice mount for the

popular 6 inch f/15 achromat. I'm going to keep this scope original and whole one piece

because it's in such fine condition. Not many exist today, the mirrors go to dob projects

and the mounting get used for large refractors.

I was thinking about a Bianchi sedan to replace my Volvo wagon. Funny, the car gets smaller

and the scope gets bigger here at camp Clamchip! The seller brought the DS-16 to my house

in a Honda! its really not as big as it looks.

 

[rolo]

I picked one of those blue version up in Chattanooga many years ago. Yours looks like it’s been well cared for too. Make sure you give it plenty of time to cool before going to high mags. You got yourself a nice light bucket! 

Edited by rolo, 24 October 2018 - 08:41 PM.

[apfever]

strictly curious< could you weigh just the OTA,  what you would pick up to put on the mount. You'll need a bathroom scale, those usually hit the 300lb capability though it shouldn't be that much.

[CHASLX200]

Actually, it was excellent on axis and very good with Naglers. At least a Parracorr could improve it which is more than I can say for you . 

At the time i used one there was no Paracorr and Nags were still pretty rare blare.