13 replies to this topic

[Reksbar]

Hello,

 

First post on Cloudy Nights...

 

I recently found a Monolux Telescope No. 4309-30x while cleaning out my parent's estate.  I tried to upload a photo of the telescope and instructions.  Hopefully it worked...

 

Anyway, when looking through the scope I only see heavily blurred images - like I'm in a very deep fog.  I see the color of what I'm pointed at but cannot get it to focus no matter what I turn/adjust on the scope.  I found a person on eBay that is selling another identical telescope and asked him for assistance.  He replied that he has the same issue when looking through it.  When I look through the "wrong" end of the telescope I see what I'm pointed at and it is minuscule, but clear.

 

I'm hoping someone has some experience with this particular telescope or can help me understand how to use it properly.

 

Thanks for any assistance you can provide!

 

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[wrvond]

If the glass is clear - no scratches or fungus - then most likely you are trying to focus on a target that is too close. Pick something further away and try it again.

[Reksbar]

Thank you!  If I might ask, how far away from me would the object need to be?  For example, I went out to the street and looked at a home 1/10 of a mile away.  Still fuzzy.  Then pointed it to the sky - which today is nice and blue at -5 degrees...   The sky was blue and it actually did look rather clear.  I will try looking at the stars/moon tonight to see if that works.  As you can tell, I know absolutely nothing about this telescope and can't seem to find any good information online.  I appreciate your assistance!

[wrvond]

Looking at stars will be focused at infinity, so that's the easiest place to start with this scope. If you can get sharp points of light you'll be on your way. The moon will be a great subject to view.

[Reksbar]

Thank you!  The moon should be at 95% tonight and no clouds here - should be a good night to try it.

[Reksbar]

Well, as luck would have it, the clouds rolled in just as it started getting dark.  Ugh....  Hopefully tonight will offer clear skies!

[Reksbar]

Cloudy again tonight.  However, there was a break in the clouds so I attempted to view the Moon!  It was pretty clear to the naked eye.  Looking through the telescope it was blurry.  Turn it around, clear but tiny.  Took the lens out and turned it around.  Same result.  Not sure what to try next or why I can't seem to get a clear view with it.

 

Any and all advice is appreciated.

 

Is there a better forum to post this where someone that has used one of these may see it?

Edited by Reksbar, 04 February 2023 - 09:03 PM.

[wrvond]

Classic Telescopes is your best bet.

 

https://www.cloudyni...sic-telescopes/

[MJB87]

Moving to Classic Telescopes for a better fit.

[mdowns]

Hi Reksbar,welcome to cloudy nights,glad you're here.Scopes with telescoping tubes like yours focus by sliding the thinnest tube into the next until clear.Have you tried that?

[Kasmos]

Thank you!  If I might ask, how far away from me would the object need to be?  For example, I went out to the street and looked at a home 1/10 of a mile away.  Still fuzzy.  Then pointed it to the sky - which today is nice and blue at -5 degrees...   The sky was blue and it actually did look rather clear.  I will try looking at the stars/moon tonight to see if that works.  As you can tell, I know absolutely nothing about this telescope and can't seem to find any good information online.  I appreciate your assistance!

You don't turn anything to focus. Pull the draw tube out to it's longest point then slowly push it in to focus. Seeing how it magnifies 30x it might be a bit challenging to keep still so resting it on something will help keep an object centered. Also, you don't need to point it at an object in the sky to test it. Someting down the street will be much easier to find in the field of view.

[Reksbar]

Oh boy... lol, never even gave that a thought to slide it in and out.  I guess I thought it was more like my binoculars. 

 

Just tried it looking down the block again with it and it works!  Thank you very much for your assistance.

 

This forum is awesome!

[grif 678]

Yes. you push it all the way in for storage, pull out to focus. Now you should be able to see things close to you also.

[wrvond]

Oh boy... lol, never even gave that a thought to slide it in and out.  I guess I thought it was more like my binoculars. 

 

Just tried it looking down the block again with it and it works!  Thank you very much for your assistance.

 

This forum is awesome!

I'm sorry, when you wrote that you were adjusting the scope, the only adjustment possible is in and out. Had I realized you weren't looking through it and sliding it in and out, I could have saved a bunch of time.

 

BTW, binoculars focus by sliding the eyepiece in and out, as well.

Edited by wrvond, 06 February 2023 - 12:11 PM.