15 replies to this topic

[paulsky]

Hello,
I want to ask you if the different C6 tubes that are sold are the same optical tube, optically and mechanically.
Nexstar C6/C6 SLT/....some other. ?
the same as with the C5, like the Nexstar C5/C5 spotting/....?
Thank you
Paul

[Nautilus]

We have been told by Celestron that they are all the same but with different paint, dovetail and finder positions. 

Scopes personally owned by us are the red highlighted ones.

 

Six inch tubes:

C6, 6SE, Sky Prodigy 6 , Starsense Explorer DX6, Evolution 6

 

Five inch tubes:

C5, Starsense DX5, Starsense Popular Science DX5, 5SE

Edited by Nautilus, 13 April 2024 - 07:58 PM.

[Eddgie]

Hello,
I want to ask you if the different C6 tubes that are sold are the same optical tube, optically and mechanically.
Nexstar C6/C6 SLT/....some other. ?
the same as with the C5, like the Nexstar C5/C5 spotting/....?
Thank you
Paul

The C5 OTAs have changed over time.

 

The design of the rear housing has changed a lot over the years, but the main change has been the front housing. The early scopes had a rear hosing that was several millimeters larger in diameter than the front cell, and the front cell was not threaded for a dovetail. The older versions had a unique dovetail that attached only to the rear cell. 

 

 

The later versions had a front cell what is the same diameter as the rear cell, allowing for a more conventional dovetail. 

 

 

The rear cells of all of the Celestron SCTs have changed cosmetically but the EdgeHDs have the most meaningful changes with the vents and the mirror locks.

 

For a given model though, the standard SCTs are pretty much the same optically. All C5s are more or less the same optically, as are the C8s, C9.25s, C11s, and C14s. The EdgeHDs are of course different. 

 

The other differences where in the holes machined into the cells. Alt Az scopes (CPC, NexStar, etc) had screw holes at an angle used to attach the fork mounting plates. These holes are absent on the GEM scopes but the Alt-Az scopes usually carried the necessary holes to mount a dovetail on them in the event you wanted to covert it to GEM use.  

Edited by Eddgie, 13 April 2024 - 02:35 PM.

[Nautilus]

My comments refer to the newer scopes.

The starsense scopes and the sky prodigy have the dovetail on the right hand side. The SE scopes on the left hand side and the C models on the bottom

[Nautilus]

The C and SE are actually the same as far as orientation of the dovetail to focuser and finder. 

 

The C models just have Celestron painted on them that is on the top and bottom when side mounted on the left. But like the SE, when mounted on the left, the focuser will be on the bottom and the finder on the top right.

but the dovetail is set at different locations relative to the scopes focuser.

C is below and SE is to the left hand side

 

A RACI finder addresses any issues in this regard.

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[Nautilus]

I think we are talking about a different matter

We have owned a number of SCTs over the past 5 years ( See post 2.)

As we prefer non motorized mounts the ones best suited where dovetail clamps are on the rhs are the Prodigy 6 and DX5/6.

Edited by Nautilus, 13 April 2024 - 07:59 PM.

[paulsky]

So for an SE mount, which C5/C6 models would be better in the sense of more comfortable, at least for right-handed people?
Thank you

[paulsky]

and the focuser at the bottom, is it comfortable?
Doesn't it interfere with the diagonal mirror?

[MarkMittlesteadt]

and the focuser at the bottom, is it comfortable?
Doesn't it interfere with the diagonal mirror?

I kind of prefer the focuser at the bottom of my C5. Mine is the black C5 spotting scope so it comes stock with the rail on the "bottom" which works perfectly on the left as well. I bought a longer rail, and moved the stock rail to the top for an extra mounting rail and handle. 

 

 

Edited by MarkMittlesteadt, 14 April 2024 - 08:51 AM.

[Nautilus]

So for an SE mount, which C5/C6 models would be better in the sense of more comfortable, at least for right-handed people?
Thank you

Either the C5 spotting scope or C6.  The focuser would be on the bottom with either one. It is not an issue.

Just turn the diagonal to your convenience.

[MarkMittlesteadt]

My 6SE had the rail on the left with the focuser on the right.

 

[Echolight]

My 6SE had the rail on the left with the focuser on the right.

 

Very interesting. I haven't seen one of these yet.

 

I wonder if someone relocated the dovetail..

 

Edited by Echolight, 14 April 2024 - 10:16 AM.

[Nautilus]

My 6SE had the rail on the left with the focuser on the right.

 

Correct Mark. That is where it would be with a 6SE OTA

[Nautilus]

Tube is orange with SE scopes

 Black with C models

white or light gray with Starsense

red with Prodigy.

These refer to models over the past 5 years only.

[Echolight]

Correct Mark. That is where it would be with a 6SE OTA

 

[MarkMittlesteadt]

  IMG_20240414_112751620~2.jpg

It's probably that the old owner moved the rail...or maybe I did. 

 

Been a while since I had my 6SE.