24 replies to this topic

[IlleSilentum]

Recently got a SW heritage 150p and was wondering about how much weight the focuser can actually hold before issues start arising in either the focuser, truss tubes, or both.
I have done a basic hoseclamp mod for the focuser if it makes any difference

[DOBguyinGA]

Good evening,

 

I have the Virtuoso version of your scope. The standard red dot finder has been replaced with an 11 mm to 22 mm adapter plate, a one inch riser, and a Crimson Trace firearm red dot. I also use a drop in focuser.

 

I have not noticed any deflection. I think those two truss rods are stronger than they look.

 

In case you are not aware of these hacks, you might consider using teflon plumbers tape on the threads to tighten them up a bit. A little bit of lip balm works too.

Edited by DOBguyinGA, 10 February 2025 - 08:44 PM.

[northernmike]

Good evening,

 

I have the Virtuoso version of your scope. The standard red dot finder has been replaced with an 11 mm to 22 mm adapter plate, a one inch riser, and a Crimson Trace firearm red dot. I also use a drop in focuser.

 

I have not noticed any deflection. I think those two truss rods are stronger than they look.

I would for sure like to see a picture of that please.

I would like a Svbony 182 RACI finder instead of a RDF , my neck would surely like that!
 

[DOBguyinGA]

Good evening,

 

There is a lot of confusion about the “Synta dovetail”. All it is is the standard 11 mm telescope dovetail found on any .22 caliber rifle. I used a 11 mm to 22 mm adapter plate. 22 mm is the standard firearm industry Picatinny rail used on American military firearms and many civilian weapons. There is an amazing number of accessories available in this size. So I added a one inch Picatinny to Picatinny riser, then I mounted my Picatinny rail Crimson Trace red dot to the riser.

 

This gets the red dot up from the tube. With the red dot about 2 1/2 inches above the tube my face never touches the tube now, and I never need to place my head in that crazy angle. The Crimson Trace has a strong red dot which is adjustable over a wide range.

 

Take a look at the pic below. Both items come from Amazon:

 

The adapter plate is labeled “Tactical Military Dovetail Weaver Picatinny Adapter Rail 11mm to 22mm Mount Base Scope Mount Converter for .22 Cal Rifle Gun”

Brand: ACEXIER Price $ 7.95

 

The riser is labeled “Picatinny Riser Mount 1" inch High Profile 45 Degree Angled Forward Extending for Micro Reflex Sight Red Dot Scope”

Brand: Jnrtifow Price $13.99

 

We have Prime so for $22 plus tax I can take a really nice red dot I already have and get something I can actually use on this scope.

 

I added an Astromania 9 x 50 RACI finder as seen in the second pic. The arm takes advantage of a 1/4 - 20 threaded hole in the green Vixen rail. The arm is just some scrap 2x2 I had. Somewhere on the OneSky thread in the Beginner forum there is a picture of this approach. It is not original with me.

 

I did need to add a universal base to mount the finder to the arm.

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Edited by DOBguyinGA, 10 February 2025 - 10:00 PM.

[IlleSilentum]

As interesting as those mods are, none of it is actually answering my question. For example, if I put an eyepiece into the focuser that weighs 700g (arbitrary number), would it be supported without issue?

[northernmike]

As interesting as those mods are, none of it is actually answering my question. For example, if I put an eyepiece into the focuser that weighs 700g (arbitrary number), would it be supported without issue?

Sorry, we got distracted!


My favorite eyepiece , the 24mm 82° Explore Scientific weights 704 gr and I added an Svbony helicoidal focuser that weights app.100 gr and so far , no weight issue for me.
And with my virtuoso , I also use a Canon dslr camera that weights almost 2 pounds with battery snd adaptors and still no issue.

Edited by northernmike, 11 February 2025 - 01:57 AM.

[IlleSilentum]

I see, so it can handle a lot more than I thought it could. Thank you for the info

[IlleSilentum]

Sorry, we got distracted!


My favorite eyepiece , the 24mm 82° Explore Scientific weights 704 gr and I added an Svbony helicoidal focuser that weights app.100 gr and so far , no weight issue for me.
And with my virtuoso , I also use a Canon dslr camera that weights almost 2 pounds with battery snd adaptors and still no issue.

Ooc, how'd you get a 2" on a 1 1/4" scope, and is the secondary large enough to utilize it?

[northernmike]

Ooc, how'd you get a 2" on a 1 1/4" scope, and is the secondary large enough to utilize it?

Unfortunetly, you can't use a 2 inch EP with that scope , only 1,25"
Unless you find a way to fit a 2" in there you'll have to settle for 1.25"
But with good quality EPs like the Explore Scientific 24 mm 68° and the 82° line , the viewing experience is awesome.

[DOBguyinGA]

As interesting as those mods are, none of it is actually answering my question. For example, if I put an eyepiece into the focuser that weighs 700g (arbitrary number), would it be supported without issue?

Good morning,

 

Actually I think the question was answered, but I will do it another way. With all of the mods I have made to the scope, I have the pivot point set on the Vixen rail all the way forward, and still need to place one pound of welders magnets at the mirror end of the tube to balance it, and no deflection.

[SeattleScott]

There are two separate issues. The focus of the replies has been how much weight the truss tubes can support. But what about the stock focuser itself? Will it sag with a heavy eyepiece?

Obviously there are also balance concerns, although there are ways to mitigate that.

[northernmike]

There are two separate issues. The focus of the replies has been how much weight the truss tubes can support. But what about the stock focuser itself? Will it sag with a heavy eyepiece?

Obviously there are also balance concerns, although there are ways to mitigate that.

I solved the problem by installing a new focuser , the Helicoïdal type and it supports easily my 24 mm ES , even my Canon dslr.

And second : I concur with DOBguyinGA , if you adjust the dovetail bracket , the scope is balanced , that's what I did.

 

[SeattleScott]

I solved the problem by installing a new focuser , the Helicoïdal type and it supports easily my 24 mm ES , even my Canon dslr.

And second : I concur with DOBguyinGA , if you adjust the dovetail bracket , the scope is balanced , that's what I did.

 

Ok but the OP hasn't replaced the focuser. They are looking at information about how heavy of an eyepiece the stock focuser can handle.

[IlleSilentum]

Ok but the OP hasn't replaced the focuser. They are looking at information about how heavy of an eyepiece the stock focuser can handle.

This is what I'm also wondering about yes. There is very little information about it that I've been able to find, besides a video from a few years ago testing a 200g eyepiece with it. Considering how popular the 150 is as a beginner scope, you'd think there'd be more info about how much the stock focuser can handle, especially since a lot of beginners might get heavier eyepieces, focal extenders, and possibly phone mounts to go with it. I'm curious about how much the stock focuser can actually handle, with or without simple plumber tape/grease/hoseclamp mods, before the weight starts becoming more of a hindrance than can be accounted for in some manner or another.

[northernmike]

If you stick with the original focuser and use only eyepieces with barlow , no problem. The only thing you gotta do is make the focuser stiffer by adding teflon tape around the threads of the focuser, otherwise , you will have a bit of "tilt" problem , that focuser without teflon is way to loose.
But if you use a cell holder to take pictures , your entire outfit will rotate if you try to turn to focus .

On mine , I use a dslr , so the original focuser is useless for me.

[CrazyPanda]

The focuser will handle any 1.25" eyepiece on the market. It's not like it's going to break and fall apart.

 

The question is whether the upper cage will twist/bend out of alignment (and by how much at what altitude angle) with the cantilever of say, a 1 pound eyepiece hanging off the focuser.

 

I'd actually love to see someone stick a sheet of paper at the bottom of the tube, tape a laser to the ring, mark the paper where the laser hits without an eyepiece in the focuser, and then put in say 4oz, 8oz, and 16oz eyepieces in and see what path it traces on the paper from 0 degrees altitude to 90 degrees altitude.

Edited by CrazyPanda, 11 February 2025 - 03:20 PM.

[SeattleScott]

Not break, sure. But tilt or sag?

 

I don't have this particular scope. But I had a department store hobby killer once. I put in the cheapo barlow, the cheapo erector lens, and the eyepiece. There was noticeable sag going on. Perhaps more from the barlow and erector lens than the focuser? I could actually see Saturn at 600x. I wouldn't call the view crisp though.

 

It sounds like perhaps the real issue is slop in the focuser, which is going to be an issue regardless of how heavy the eyepiece is. If one can use teflon tape to snug it up, then perhaps eyepiece weight isn't much of an issue, outside of balance?

[DOBguyinGA]

Good afternoon everyone,

 

This debate is actually getting a little tiresome.

 

I suspect I have hot rodded this scope at least as much as anyone else on this site.

 

I just weighed my scope, and it weighs 22.0 pounds. Per the Skywatcher specs here: 

 

https://www.skywatch...rtuoso-gti-150p

 

The scope weighs 19.15 pounds as-shipped.

 

This means I have added 2.85 pounds to the front end of the scope with my mods, not counting my one pound of magnets I attach to the mirror end to balance things out with the pivot point pushed as far forward on the Vixen rail as I can put it.

 

Yes, the focuser may sag a bit if Teflon tape is not applied to the original focuser. However, I use a drop-in focuser with the original focuser all the way in, and very snug. I hang a cellphone holder and an iPhone X on it to take photos with no problems.

 

If you use the original focuser as-is without the tape it might sag with a hand grenade of an EP. But with the availability of the drop-in focuser for around $33 who would do that?

 

To directly address the question my scope is 2.85 pounds heavier than the as-shopped weight, and I need to add one pound to balance it with the pivot as far forward as possible. Does any EP you expect to use weigh 1.85 pounds or more?

 

If not breathe and enjoy your new toy, or send it back for a refund.

Edited by DOBguyinGA, 11 February 2025 - 04:13 PM.

[25585]

Worst con is only having two rods, so no shroud can be fitted. Second worst is its focuser.

[DOBguyinGA]

Good afternoon,

 

I have a shroud fitted using 3 mm craft foam and hook and loop tape. It took me 30 minutes to install. My photos above show the shroud which collapses into the tube.

 

The focuser is an obvious problem. I have no idea why Skywatcher does nothing about the focuser.

[25585]

Good afternoon,

 

I have a shroud fitted using 3 mm craft foam and hook and loop tape. It took me 30 minutes to install. My photos above show the shroud which collapses into the tube.

 

The focuser is an obvious problem. I have no idea why Skywatcher does nothing about the focuser.

Thank you, great idea!

 

Many scope manufacturers treat 6" Newts as beginner/toys and furnish them poorly, a point Ed Ting has made. The Heritage are by themselves a cheap design, and only their mirrors redeem them. 

[Dobs O Fun]

<p>Moderator Note:</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The original poster asked what how much weight the focuser can hold.&nbsp; Please keep this on topic.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Addition mods can be discussed under a new topic.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

[DOBguyinGA]

Good evening everyone,

 

I fully understand the need for moderation, and I fully support it.

 

However, it is a little unreasonable for an OP to expect that someone who owns this particular scope has calibrated weights handy with currently valid calibration stickers traceable to national standards. Then what would the deflection test be exactly? Where would those weights be placed? How would the testing be conducted?
 

Given that the members of this site take their time to offer their expertise to others without any compensation or obligation it is unreasonable to expect them to meet some specific level of scientific rigor to answer a simple question. 
 

The only reasonable way to do that is to explain how much weight has been added to a scope without degrading the image in the eyepiece. Ultimately that image is the reason we all involve ourselves in this hobby.

[Dobs O Fun]

Recently got a SW heritage 150p and was wondering about how much weight the focuser can actually hold before issues start arising in either the focuser, truss tubes, or both.
I have done a basic hoseclamp mod for the focuser if it makes any difference

 

 

As interesting as those mods are, none of it is actually answering my question. For example, if I put an eyepiece into the focuser that weighs 700g (arbitrary number), would it be supported without issue?

The OP asked a simple question.  That is what this topic is about. 

 

Any discussion that the OP would ask about regarding modifications should be in a new topic.  It simply keeps things organized.

 

We (moderation team) ask that topics stay within thier own bounds.  Others use this as data later on.  Adding other data not requested frustrates the user base and the mod team.

 

Please assist us in answering OPs question directly or opening new topics to discuss other items.

 

Thank you 

[Dobs O Fun]

Moved to reflectors for a better fit.