8 replies to this topic

[Daniel Wood83]

Was looking for a scope for a family friend looking to get their daughter in to astronomy. I ran in to this fine looking specimen for $100. 

 

Looking to see if you have any info on heritage. It seems like a 90s design with black and gold. 

 

It was in rough shape but it looks great now. Tore the the whole thing apart every screw removed and every surface cleaned. 

 

Added flocking around the 10 inch area of primary tube, behind the secondary, and in the focuser. 

Added some flocking in-between the actual focuser and body of to clean up some slop in the mechanism. My only real complaint about this build is the focuser is all plastic. 

 

Stripped the mount of the almost glue grease and re-lubed. 

Edited by Daniel Wood83, 24 September 2024 - 01:35 PM.

[Daniel Wood83]

Album: Orion SkyView Deluxe 4.5" EQ

15 images

0 comments

[MisterDan]

Not sure when Orion introduced the SkyView Deluxe 4.5, but I can confirm that it was still being sold in 1999 (I have some '99 Orion catalogs immediately at hand; older &/or newer issues may still be around in my basement.)

 

The 4.5 sold for $459 in early '99, but Orion dropped its price to $388 during that Summer.

 

Standard equipment included 9mm and 25mm Plossls (supplied by the manufacturer; they were not sold separately by Orion) and a basic neutral-density Moon filter.

 

A polar-alignment scope was also included with the package in '99, but I'm not sure if that was always the case with this scope.  It may have been an option (or perhaps even unavailable) during part(s) of the SVD 4.5's timeline.

 

An optional padded nylon carrying case held everything ($98.50).

 

I do not think this was a Synta product.

 

I will check my catalog stash and see if I can relay more info re: the model's timeline, standard equipment, and accessories.

 

Congratulations.  You got a fantastic bargain and a fine telescope package.  I would have fainted, if I'd received a scope and mount like this as a teen.  I have every confidence that she will love it. 

 

Best wishes and thanks for sharing.

Dan

Edited by MisterDan, 23 September 2024 - 10:18 PM.

[Daniel Wood83]

This scope came with:

1. Drive motor

2. 6x30 finder ( nice quality metal body) 

3. 9mm and 25mm plossl

4. Polar scope

5. Moon filter

6. 2x Barlow Orion

Edited by Daniel Wood83, 23 September 2024 - 10:29 PM.

[Daniel Wood83]

So summer of 1999 did the tubes go from black and gold to white?  

 

I've seen these in white, but have the worse eq2 mount, and a cheaper looking finder scope.

[Daniel Wood83]

 

I do not think this was a Synta product.

I forgot to mention that on tear down the mount head had a couple spots with 'GS' imbedded on the cast marks. Assuming it's GSO?  The tube didn't show any markings that I saw. 

[MisterDan]

I forgot to mention that on tear down the mount head had a couple spots with 'GS' imbedded on the cast marks. Assuming it's GSO?  The tube didn't show any markings that I saw. 

GSO was my guess, too.  They were one of Orion's primary suppliers - just before Synta "exploded" onto the international market (largely due to their contracts with Orion and Celestron).

 

Thanks for that bit of insight.  I'd not heard or read any other descriptions of similar casting marks. 

 

Cheers and best wishes.

Dan

[Daniel Wood83]

I finally was able to get it outside last night right before I turn it over to it's new family. Collimation is good. It doesn't seem to like the Celestron Xcel eyepieces I have but looks crisp with some Celestron plossls. 

 

 

On an older thread there was a recommendation from Jon Isaacs that the Agenda EWA eyepieces work well at f8. So the family is going to get the set and hopefully they pair well. 

 

Seeing was only ok but was able to clearly see rings of Saturn up to about 180x power. After that tried the Barlow (the supplied one as well as my Celestron Xcel) and performance quickly dipped. So I think it will be a great first scope. 

 

It's not an imaging mount but just fine for visual once you account for slop in the rig. But it's not shaky just a bit sloppy between the gears. 

[Daniel Wood83]

So for $220 bucks got a great telescope kit and a full set of Agenda EWA eyepieces 6,9,15,20.