I'd like to optimize my newtonians for visual use, and am seeking advice and experienced perspectives.
My telescopes are:
An Orion (Synta) 203mm f4.9 with 58mm secondary and an aftermarket Orion low profile Crayford 2-speed focuser.
And an Orion (GSO) 200mm f4 with 70mm secondary and stock GSO linear bearing 2-speed crayford focuser.
I'd like both to fairly well illuminate a Meade 28 PWA, with roughly estimated 40.7mm field stop. But also gain some contrast along the way.
My initial thought was to chop a few inches off of the f4.9 tube (I think I need just a bit over 2 inches, maybe 2.5", above the tube with low pro focuser for the focal point) and use the 58mm secondary (at least to start with), and transplant the f4 mirror into it.
I do like using the f4 on my Unistar alt/az mount for richfield. Where I can easily scan across and around zenith.
And then, maybe, cut the f4 tube in half or about 9 inches off the top. Flip the top upside down to have a bit of extra light shield. And then join them together with struts, à la Skywatcher flextube, to give it a longer space between the primary and secondary.
And make a dob base for it.
Of course I'd like a rotating UTA? Even if it could only rotate 30 degrees or so. Although I don't think I've ever seen this done.
And I'm not so sure any of this is the best way to go with the f4.9.
I'm still not yet sure the cells are interchangeable in the different tubes. So I might have to use the 203 f4.9 cell for the 200 f4. And go deeper into the ATM/DIY pool to make the 203 4.9 swim.
Eventually, I'd probably like to stretch it out a bit more, and use a lower profile focuser. So secondary size is TBD.
What do you guys think? Is this a reasonable path to optimize these scopes for visual?
Or should I just start from scratch with the 203 f4.9, as a strut or truss travel dob?