74 replies to this topic

[Winks]

Are you saying this is all an illusion and the Newts are just part of the Matrix?

Only Dobs

[Cpk133]

Wait a minute..  do you really need another ra-ra thread for SCT users to have warm fuzzy feelings ?

Mutual man-hugs, lotsa "Yowza's", and back-slapping all-round ?

 

Really ? What about all the "big newt" and refractor types ? Leaving them out of the party ?

 

And those smug maksutov types, we know where their allegiances lie...

You’re welcome here on the island of misfit toys.  Your images are refractor like, but you have that obstruction and a corrector deep enough to hold a bowl of soup.  The refractors won’t play with you, you’re too stubby and that insulation.  The Newts laugh because your images come out your rear and you’ve been teased about your weight.  But here you’re special, like us.  

[sw196060]

And newts are these little critters that slither around in the substrate

That's why I like dobs.

[Winks]

That's why I like dobs.

I'm sorry

[Chris MN]

Been using Celestron SCT's since early 80's and enjoy the versatility.  Pictured here is the current imaging machine - a 2006 factory carbon fiber C11 rigged for DSO imaging at almost 3000mm.  I enjoy imaging those small, unique, odd shaped galaxies that command a long focal length.  Arp galaxies are a good example.  Wide field is also possible using Hyperstar although I have not ventured there.  Yet. 

 

Then I can shift to planetary imaging using a ZWO ASI678MC in less than 5 minutes.  

 

Then I can switch to visual.  The moon is an awesome sight using a Meade 56mm "smoothie".  Entire moon is visible using this awesome piece of glass.  I can grab a Meade RG 7mm ortho and really get a good look at the planets.  A Meade 14mm UWA "smoothie" provides mesmerizing views of many DSO's.

 

Focusing is done by Optec's Secondary Mirror Focusing System-an expensive but awesome upgrade.

 

The C11 can pull in some photons......

 

And is versatile (I know I repeated myself).  But more importantly, FUN!

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Edited by Chris MN, 08 October 2024 - 03:14 PM.

[flyboyu777]

Been using Celestron SCT's since early 80's and enjoy the versatility.  Pictured here is the current imaging machine - a 2006 factory carbon fiber C11 rigged for DSO imaging at almost 3000mm.  I enjoy imaging those small, unique, odd shaped galaxies that command a long focal length.  Arp galaxies are a good example.  Wide field is also possible using Hyperstar although I have not ventured there.  Yet. 

 

Then I can shift to planetary imaging using a ZWO ASI678MC in less than 5 minutes.  

 

Then I can switch to visual.  The moon is an awesome sight using a Meade 56mm "smoothie".  Entire moon is visible using this awesome piece of glass.  I can grab a Meade RG 7mm ortho and really get a good look at the planets.  A Meade 14mm UWA "smoothie" provides mesmerizing views of many DSO's.

 

Focusing is done by Optec's Secondary Mirror Focusing System-an expensive but awesome upgrade.

 

The C11 can pull in some photons......

 

And is versatile (I know I repeated myself).  But more importantly, FUN!

What is your "table" below the counterweight bar made of?  It looks like 2 pieces of steel!
 

[MGAR]

The SCT is fun and relaxing at the same time. Having a object in view for hours is great for visual and sketching.

 

You can also spice it up and scare the neighbors, turn it into a yard canon...

 

 

Of course cats love cats too!

 

 

Have fun out there!

Gary

[Chris MN]

Ha!  Simply two pieces of painted plywood.  The observatory dates from 1992 which is way before the days of amateur CCD imaging and all the cables.  I built a small cabinet around the pier with a small flat top (you can see it under the "new" plywood top).  Back in the film days of manually guiding, there were not many dangling cords (I had a C11 Ultima).  Fast forward to this rig and, as everyone knows, cords abound!  Some of these cords would catch on the original cabinet top.  Instead of rebuilding the whole thing, I just put these two pieces of plywood on the cabinet top when doing CCD imaging.  For non-imaging, these are removed.  Easy peasy.

 

All the shelves are removable including the original top.  That way I could completely remove the cabinet from the pier if need be.

 

The small box with the light bulb is my "warm box".  It gets cold in MN and the Icron 2204 apparently doesn't like cold.  So the Icron is in that box (there is a top for the box) and when it gets below 25 deg F, I turn on the bulb and presto!  A nice warm environment for the Icron.  Incandescent bulbs do have a purpose other than just light!

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[Terra Nova]

Well.... All are FUN!

 

When you have a 5, 6, and 8,

IMG_20230319_144049512~4.jpg

the 6 often gets overlooked.

 

The C5 is my most expensive telescope. And probably gets used the most.

 

But if only one, the 6 might be the best compromise. 

I’ve always heard good things about the newer C6s. In my new condo-lifestyle, a C6 would probably be the best way for me to go if I ever wanted anything bigger than my 4” Vixen refractor.

[Terra Nova]

I have 2 C5's and a small Mak. They are the only "store-bought" telescopes I own, other than spotting scopes (and I have qauite a few telescope telescopes).

 

The one gripe I have about them is that their stumpy little tubes are almost impossible to sight along and hit a target! Dang near impossible to use on a tripod shorter than 6 feet without breaking your neck.

 

And yeah, yeah, yeah, I have low power eyepieces and RACI's too, so don't even go there. You still have to point the stumpy little things at the target close enough for the finder to pick it up - and yes, I've been pointing scopes at the sky for over half a century.

 

But, if you add a laser sight to them then they ARE FUN!

 

No laser, no SCT for me.

GLPs are definitely something that makes my astronomy life easier. Especially when the GLP on the scope is paired with a nice binocular in hand. That’s the best combo-finder that I’ve ever found.

[Terra Nova]

My last two, (M10 and C8). Neither are an option at this stage of my life.

 

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[Terra Nova]

And newts are these little critters that slither around in the substrate

Yep! They’re slimy little creatures!

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[Terra Nova]

Only Dobs

Dobs? Yikes!

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[rfcooley]

MAGAR

 

"You can also spice it up and scare the neighbors, turn it into a yard canon..."

 

A humorous note on how much fun this hobby can be and why SCTs are so much fun!

 

This actually happened! 

 

I had a neighbor call the local Sheriffs department on me and report I was assembling a large mortar and l had lots of spy equipment (SCTs) in my backyard and garage!

3 squad cars showed up!  We all had a good chuckle as they put their weapons away. I wondered then if I could charge the offending neighbor has a "peeping Tom/Tomisina or maybe disturbing the peace, filing a false police report or something. What were they doing looking in my backyard anyway they live a few doors down? How did they even see I was working on a large Dobs in my backyard?  I guess their too busy minding everybody else's business and don't have time for minding their own. Needless to say, other neighbors have had issues with this person, we considered a block party when they moved out of this "crime laden neighborhood". 90% of the neighborhood is retired. Fortunately we do not have an Homeowners Association, I am so glad, these kind of people make life miserable for everyone else.

 

Clear Skies, Never Lose the "Amazement"

 

RF,

[Bomber Bob]

Pure CAT Fun...  my used & abused '86 C8 delivered better than FedEx last night -- even my wife was impressed by edge-on Saturn at 350x.   And, without coaching, she saw Titan + 2 moons (she asked about the faint "stars" close to the Rings).  Most nights, she pops out long enough to make sure I'm okay, but there's something about Saturn...

[Doug Culbertson]

I'm a refractor fan too.

But this is my most used set up.

A C8, and a 4 inch refractor at the same time.

Best of both worlds.

It's light, easy to set up, and is very versatile.

 

Steve

Is that the original WO EZTouch mount made by AOK Swiss? I used to have one of those and found it to be a great little mount. Nice setup BTW. 

[Echolight]

I’ve always heard good things about the newer C6s. In my new condo-lifestyle, a C6 would probably be the best way for me to go if I ever wanted anything bigger than my 4” Vixen refractor.

The C6 is probably about the same weight as the bare tube of the 102SS.

 

A C6 would probably show more nebulosity and be a better high power lunar scope.

Although the SE mount is fine if you like goto and tracking, the biggest issue fir me is the focuser is on top with my preferred for C6 Versago II manual mount.

It can of course use a lighter tripod than this though.

Edited by Echolight, 09 October 2024 - 01:05 PM.

[Winks]

I had an excellent C6. As I am starting to divest myself of much of my equipment - age related - I though about selling it. Instead, I gave it to my grandsons who are enjoying the heck out of it.

[Terra Nova]

Yeah, after going through a big downsizing and realignment of the collection, I have little stomach to acquire another telescope. I have more than enough to keep me busy from now on and as it is, my big scope doesn't see a lot of use. I really neither need anything else nor want anything else. And besides, I like the extra room! I'm happy to focus on what I have.

Edited by Terra Nova, 09 October 2024 - 07:31 PM.

[NinePlanets]

I have pretty much always over-built my telescopes. For instance:

* The OTA of my 8" Cass weighs 39 pounds (about 12 pounds more than a C11). It's mount weights near what I do.

* The OTA of my 10" alt-az Newt weighs 57 pounds. Yes - just the OTA. It's heavy and a pain to set on its rocker box.

* My 6" refractor is 8 feet of heavy, thick-walled aluminum with very heavy castings at each end. It is a struggle to lift it to chest high and a couple of weeks ago I found I can't get the mount on the tripod anymore so I might have to opt for making a light alt-az mount for it. (Yes. The hair is gray.)

* My short 4" comet-sweeping refractor weighs more than a C8 with wedge and tripod.

 

True, they are heavy, but man, do they perform! I struggle with wanting to dump the whole lot, but then I'll set one up and look through it on a good night and realize I can't replace that experience and so I retain the shed full of stuff...

 

But then last year I got my first ever personal SCT - an old orange C5. And then I got another just like it - one for each end of the house, east/west. Setup takes less than 30 seconds. Just drag one out the door to the patio and plug it in. Done. No adjustable observing chair needed. A fixed height stool works fine. And the silly things will even resolve some of the brighter globulars! FUN! 

 

But the views through the little C5's are just enough to make me thirst for the views through the things just inside the shed over there...

 

Awful quandary. 

Getting old sux.

Edited by NinePlanets, 10 October 2024 - 09:17 AM.

[Bomber Bob]

I didn't keep my C5s, but my Kenko SC125L F14 stays -- great views & ease of use.

[ngc2218]

...and, I have no problem with that.  This is a Hobby, after all.  I'm a Refractor Fan, but sometimes I have to escape from the laborious chemistry of glass types, mating elements, thermal properties of crystals, etc. over there, and come over here.  ALL of my SCTs have been Fun Scopes.  Yes, collimation can be tricky, and mirrors can shift or stick, but once all the bugs are kilt, what remains is a compact scope that can show a lot of stuff out there.

 

So, some Eye Candy of my Fun Scopes...

 

C5 ASTRO:

 

C5 Astro Restore S08 (OTA on Polaris).jpg

 

Meade 2045 ASTRO:

 

Meade 2045 Astro S12 (Meade 884 Tripod).jpg

 

Kenko SC125L OTA:

 

Kenko SC125L S22 - Restore (Assembled Complete LS ZM).jpg

For visual sure, for imaging, in my experience, horibble

[Pat Rochford]

Yeah, after going through a big downsizing and realignment of the collection, I have little stomach to acquire another telescope. I have more than enough to keep me busy from now on and as it is, my big scope doesn't see a lot of use. I really neither need anything else nor want anything else. And besides, I like the extra room! I'm happy to focus on what I have.

 

Come on Terra ... it's us you're talking to.  You're not fooling anybody here.  

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Edited by Pat Rochford, 10 October 2024 - 12:57 PM.

[Terra Nova]

Come on Terra ... it's us you're talking to.  You're not fooling anybody here.  

Only time will tell!

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[akdwivedi]

indeed fun scopes. I have refractors too but every time clear skies peak out of cloudy nights, its the c6/c8 which comes out for a quick viewing session. I dont think I have used anything else as much as I use the c6.