506 replies to this topic

[slavicek]

Very nice Jan! I'd say almost bit of a overkill. This is all custom so it can be make here in the US too, if one is willing to spend the $$$. Either way, Jan you got me thinking about my next project - cover for my pier with RST-300.

[gpom]

Finally had the first night out with the TEC180. Spent the clear sky time fiddling with spacing and focus before clouds rolled in. I'm sure the moonlite focuser makes a huge difference, but I have to say the combination of the moonlite and the TEC is an absolute joy to work with. Once I got the back spacing figured out, I ran an autofocus with pretty much basic settings and the first run was just about perfect. The scope is a beast but overall wasn't too difficult to mount up. Next step is to build the observatory so I don't have to move it ever again

 

Can't wait to get some full imaging runs in and dip my toes into the visual side as well. I can say that the pup Cosmo approves of the setup.

 

[Psion]

I am curious to compare my excellent TEC 140ED with the CFF 160

[slavicek]

Finally had the first night out with the TEC180. Spent the clear sky time fiddling with spacing and focus before clouds rolled in. I'm sure the moonlite focuser makes a huge difference, but I have to say the combination of the moonlite and the TEC is an absolute joy to work with. Once I got the back spacing figured out, I ran an autofocus with pretty much basic settings and the first run was just about perfect. The scope is a beast but overall wasn't too difficult to mount up. Next step is to build the observatory so I don't have to move it ever again

 

Can't wait to get some full imaging runs in and dip my toes into the visual side as well. I can say that the pup Cosmo approves of the setup.

 

Unless you want to visually challenge yourself with splitting some tight doubles you will have till fall to have the planets show up after midnight (best time to observe them). In the meanwhile, get yourselves some Ortho eyepieces!

I myself have been fiddling with my 180 for few years and finally last fall it all came together and so I had views of planets no pic can show/compare.

Just saying.

[CHASLX200]

Jup is the real test. But it is too low now.

[Jan-S]

I would like to use a longer dovetail with the TEC tube rings and carry handle, for a 160 FL. The tube rings are attached to the current dovetail with two 1/4 screws per ring, i.e. four in total. The longer dovetail does not have hole pairs (i.e. near the edge of the dovetail) wide enough to match the twin 1/4 hole pairs in each of the TEC tube rings. It does have center holes. The TEC rings have center holes, also 1/4, too. These holes in the TEC rings are a bit less deep than the pairs - otherwise they protrude into the padding of the rings. Would two 1/4 screws, one at the center of each ring, be sufficient to hold down a 160 FL with accessories?

 

I thought to write TEC, but this way at least any info will be available for future reference.

 

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

Kind regards,

 

Jan

[Alan S]

You can buy longer dovetails from TEC that will have holes that align (unless you are already using their longest).  I like the dovetails they provide, they are slightly lighter than some of the other ones on the market, if that matters to you.