41 replies to this topic

[Universe XY]

One more for the CN Registry.

 

Made it safe by Fed Ex safe all the way from Virginia.

 

Wood box has seen better days but it's still intact. I can probably reinforce some weak points & glue the unlaminated parts & screw it together to reinforce it but that's for another time.

 

Lucky it's in very good to excellent condition. Objective could use a cleaning but not as bad as I had thought & it has a cover.

 

Still has little plastic bags, labels & the silica bag.

 

First issue is the weight stem that was in the listing photo & should have been in the box is not in it. I have a message into the seller.

It was a epay sale.

 

Actually the telescope & all the parts are pristine free of corrosion. Looks almost new & I doubt it was used much at all.

It would have been a shame to not save it. Mostly white dust & some cling of styrofoam.

 

Came with 4 all metal ep & a small sun filiter. I think the black sun screen is missing but the holder & a white square plate was included. Thing most of it is included.

Now hoping he can fid that missinf shaft & mail it to me,,,

 

I know it's not going to be the same as JT Orion & I really think the 80mm wide f6 is better but it will be interesting to see how this differs & I suppose it's more for planetary?

Oh well, it's here now so have to get to setting it up.

Really wish I had the weight shaft but I am aware that this can also work as a Azi in the meantime.

 

4 eyepieces all metal engraved with brass centers. dusty but suppose they will clean up. it's a ,965 so I need them. They should be decent if they are Carton but they are not marked.

 

Also the bottom of the wooden tripod legs are just threaded screws with no rubber attached. I guess something can be rigged for that???

Still the wood is really nice looking & the metal is all fresh & clean.

Edited by Universe XY, 22 February 2025 - 08:07 PM.

[Kasmos]

In case you didn't realize it, if you remove the .965" Visual Back from the focuser, it will accept a Vixen 1.25" VB.

 

BTW, I have the Swift 859 version of this scope

[Universe XY]

In case you didn't realize it, if you remove the .965" Visual Back from the focuser, it will accept a Vixen 1.25" VB.

 

BTW, I have the Swift 859 version of this scope

Not sure of the optics but it sounds very promising. I would like to test the 4 ep that came with it.

Have to check over everything * wipe down the dust of may half a century/..

 

Tomorrow is a new day/// Thanks

 

You mean that piece that threads into the focal tube?

 

I'm not concerned about using 1.25in ep right now.

I'm going a bit slow to clean up the lens minimally & access the condition when the years of Styrofoam dust & time is removed.

The K20mm has a tiny chip on the outside lens on the top.

all of the ep tops were loosely threaded when I took them out. Not sure how that happens & dust may have gotten inside.

 

Update:

 

Eye Pieces cleaned up pretty nicely.

 

Inside looks like copper not brass holding the lens. All metal & couldn't find any markings.

 

Objective cleaned up I think enough to use without taking the lens out.

Don't know but looks like it screws out & there appears to be some foil on the edge so not wanting to go where I don't know what to expect.

 

Diagonal mirror has dust but don't want to play with that.

 

At this stage probably just try to set it up.

Edited by Universe XY, 23 February 2025 - 06:49 PM.

[Universe XY]

Finder is in EXC Cond. No need to clean.

 

 

Found some other sort of thing seen in the photo to the left of the diagonal. (Inverter)?

 

This was a happy surprise.

 

Mount & EQ is in v good shape but it missing the weight shaft & the weight stop is somehow on where the nut should go.

Arggghh... A few things to figure out.

 

All in all it looks like it's good but I guess the objective is still unknown...

Edited by Universe XY, 23 February 2025 - 07:38 PM.

[deSitter]

Finder is in EXC Cond. No need to clean.

 

finder 20250223_161546.jpg

finder 20250223_161957.jpg

finder 20250223_162025.jpg

finder 20250223_162054.jpg

 

Found some other sort of thing seen in the photo to the left of the diagonal. (Inverter)?

diang n CN 20250223_161129.jpg

 

This was a happy surprise.

 

Mount & EQ is in v good shape but it missing the weight shaft & the weight stop is somehow on where the nut should go.

Arggghh... A few things to figure out.

 

All in all it looks like it's good but I guess the objective is still unknown...

Everything looks like quality and the objective is likely good.

 

-drl

[Universe XY]

Got it on the tripod in Az. I think that's what it was set up as.

Took a while to coordinate the legs with only one person it was a struggle.

Didn't put the telescope in the mount.

Looks like it's cloudy again. Hoped to look out the window but now it's dark.

First time with something like this. Missing one small washer on the tripod tray under the wing nut.

Grease in EQ is still supple & movement smooth.

 

Looks nice...Hope it works well...

 

There was a black cardboard washer which I put on top of the mase to protect it & a big washer for underneath.

Anyway that's where I thought they should go.

I will check the diagrams but I went through the parts so much when I was considering it that I could feel it out.

 

I need to figure how to get the weight stop off where the nut should go.

I think it's threaded but it's hard to turn. I'm not sure if that is threaded the usual way or the opposite so I don't want to end up making it tighter

If someone knows it would be great. There is also a long screw & bolt that goes thru the center near the bottom of the mount. I have not installed that all the way.

 

Well, getting there,

Edited by Universe XY, 24 February 2025 - 12:49 AM.

[Universe XY]

Does Anyone have a estimate of the date of this scope & the original price?

I'm thinking 1969 to 1971?

 

Must have been at least $300???

[deSitter]

You've gotta set it up in EQ mode.

 

-drl

[Universe XY]

I need to get the weight shaft. It was in the listing & the weight shaft stop is stuck in the wrong place.

Nothing is perfect I guess but after 50 years it's hard to find..I hope the seller find the weight shaft.

So far he's not responded.

 

So sad that somehow he didn't get that important piece in the box...

 

Edited by Universe XY, 24 February 2025 - 01:36 AM.

[strdst]

My guess is kids used them as shot puts and lost/left them somewhere in the back forty.  

[Kasmos]

Not sure of the optics but it sounds very promising. I would like to test the 4 ep that came with it.

Have to check over everything * wipe down the dust of may half a century/..

 

Tomorrow is a new day/// Thanks

 

You mean that piece that threads into the focal tube?

 

I'm not concerned about using 1.25in ep right now.

I'm going a bit slow to clean up the lens minimally & access the condition when the years of Styrofoam dust & time is removed.

The K20mm has a tiny chip on the outside lens on the top.

all of the ep tops were loosely threaded when I took them out. Not sure how that happens & dust may have gotten inside.

 

Yes.

 

BTW, I usually use .965" EPs on my 60mm scopes, I just thought you'd like to know.

 

Also, the incorrectly installed counter weight nut should come off like a normal nut.

Edited by Kasmos, 24 February 2025 - 04:38 AM.

[Universe XY]

Got it on the tripod in Az. I think that's what it was set up as.

Took a while to coordinate the legs with only one person it was a struggle.

Didn't put the telescope in the mount.

Looks like it's cloudy again. Hoped to look out the window but now it's dark.

First time with something like this. Missing one small washer on the tripod tray under the wing nut.

Grease in EQ is still supple & movement smooth.

 

Looks nice...Hope it works well...

tripod 20250223_181623.jpg

mount cn 20250223_172644.jpg

 

There was a black cardboard washer which I put on top of the mase to protect it & a big washer for underneath.

Anyway that's where I thought they should go.

I will check the diagrams but I went through the parts so much when I was considering it that I could feel it out.

mount cn 20250223_172625.jpg

 

I need to figure how to get the weight stop off where the nut should go.

I think it's threaded but it's hard to turn. I'm not sure if that is threaded the usual way or the opposite so I don't want to end up making it tighter

If someone knows it would be great. There is also a long screw & bolt that goes thru the center near the bottom of the mount. I have not installed that all the way.

mount cn X 20250223_172636.jpg

 

Well, getting there,

Got the weight stop off. Was not easy. Used wd4o over night & then wrapped it in a chamois leather as a sort of protectant & then got it with a wrench wiggiling it back & forth. Then I took it off by hand!!!! OOOOh sweet success. Then I needed a nut & the strange piece w a handle fits!!!!

 

Now I just need the weight shaft which was in the photos of the listing...arrrghhh,,

 

I can try it at least a bit more than holding the 910mm by hand...

 

[Universe XY]

You've gotta set it up in EQ mode.

 

-drl

Getting close & have everything but the weight shaft...

 

Good news is I took it out last night & wrapped flannel around the center as a sort of fulcrum. Tried to balance it on things but finally just held it up to sky by hand. It found Jupiter & the 4 moons but with a 20mm & 45X holding a 910 mm scoe still was futile but I watched it wiggle in & out of the view & it looked good!!!

Edited by Universe XY, 25 February 2025 - 05:48 PM.

[Universe XY]

Finder is in EXC Cond. No need to clean.

 

finder 20250223_161546.jpg

finder 20250223_161957.jpg

finder 20250223_162025.jpg

finder 20250223_162054.jpg

 

Found some other sort of thing seen in the photo to the left of the diagonal. (Inverter)?

diang n CN 20250223_161129.jpg

 

This was a happy surprise.

 

Mount & EQ is in v good shape but it missing the weight shaft & the weight stop is somehow on where the nut should go.

Arggghh... A few things to figure out.

 

All in all it looks like it's good but I guess the objective is still unknown...

The silver tube in the diagonal rotates. Tried to screw it in to tighten it but it's not working well. It could spin & the eyepiece would move.

 

Have to figure that out & it only works with the diagonal...found that out last night.

 

Also the finder has 2 standard & one strange set screw I have not seen before. It;s bigger than the others & has a spring & brass cap that puts tension on the finder.

 

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by Universe XY, 25 February 2025 - 05:58 PM.

[deSitter]

The silver tube in the diagonal rotates. Tried to screw it in to tighten it but it's not working well. It could spin & the eyepiece would move.

ep clean CN 20250223_153037.jpg

 

Have to figure that out & it only works with the diagonal...found that out last night.

 

Also the finder has 2 standard & one strange set screw I have not seen before. It;s bigger than the others & has a spring & brass cap that puts tension on the finder.

Use some superglue to hold the nosepiece in the body.

 

That is a 2-axis spring-loaded adjuster. The spring/piston pushes on one side of the finder at a position 225 degrees from the two perpendicular adjustment screws. That allows complete 2-axis adjustment with only 2 screws to adjust. Generally, a rubber O-ring goes around the finder body in a groove, and the O-ring nestles into the fluted front of the bracket. A part of it might be missing. Generally they are chromed. The ones I own have a chromed cap with a threaded hole in the center. This screws onto the piston for a flush external fit.

 

-drl

[Universe XY]

Use some superglue to hold the nosepiece in the body.

 

That is a 2-axis spring-loaded adjuster. The spring/piston pushes on one side of the finder at a position 225 degrees from the two perpendicular adjustment screws. That allows complete 2-axis adjustment with only 2 screws to adjust. Generally, a rubber O-ring goes around the finder body in a groove, and the O-ring nestles into the fluted front of the bracket. A part of it might be missing. Generally they are chromed. The ones I own have a chromed cap with a threaded hole in the center. This screws onto the piston for a flush external fit.

 

-drl

Looks like silver chrome inside the opening where the spring piston screws in & not the white body of the finder tube.

Not so worried about that.

 

I would like tp secure the chrome metal body in the diagonal & I need that darn weight shaft.

[Kasmos]

Sounds like someone screwed the diagonals chrome barrel in too tight and stripped the treads.

 

If you decide to Super-Glue the barrel, dissasemble and remove the prism. This is because while it is drying Super-Glue can often give off a white vapor residue that could permanently fog the prism.

 

BTW, where did the large long chrome nut come from?

[Universe XY]

Sounds like someone screwed the diagonals chrome barrel in too tight and stripped the treads.

 

If you decide to Super-Glue the barrel, dissasemble and remove the prism. This is because while it is drying Super-Glue can often give off a white vapor residue that could permanently fog the prism.

 

BTW, where did the large long chrome nut come from?

Someone didn't know what they were doing as they screwed the weight stop on the mount bolt.

I got it off & the threads are ok.

 

Not sure where the long screw & bolt goes. Most of the mounts just have a nut. There was no but but that long piece with the fancy end had 2 holes. The screw fits & the screw also fits in the bottom of the mount maybe for if you want to use it as a Azi.

 

Those pieces are not in the Monolux Carton diagram. I think they were extras ordered. They have a tag on the Styrofoam for your additional accessories.

 

I got it together without the weight enough to use it tonight on the balcony.

20mm did fine. Was having trouble with 12.5mm. 

Could only get the side to side cable to work. The other cable didn't want to go on tight enough so I moved it up &down by hand which was tedious & tiring.

Made it hard to locate things. It was just a test & I'm happy everything works pretty well.

 

I'll have to get the finder set up in the day. I never saw one with a piston before. There is a collar inside under the mount. It's hard to get the screw in the hole as there is strong tension with the spring. Really tired after struggling with the spring & by time I got it in to set the finder Sarn Sirius went under the trees. 

Actually exhausted. worked a lot on it today & it's pretty heavy. I'm not sure how you are supposed to carry it.

 

Beauty Shot...Probably the first time it's been together in 20 or 30 years. 

 

[Universe XY]

Data of shaft/ Scope OLd Thread:https://www.cloudyni...cope/?p=8144775

 

https://www.cloudyni...cope/?p=8145073

https://www.cloudyni...cope/?p=8146965

 

Manual for Monolux Carton.

Has the long stem bolt

 

https://web.archive....rton_manual.pdf

[Universe XY]

Use some superglue to hold the nosepiece in the body.

 

That is a 2-axis spring-loaded adjuster. The spring/piston pushes on one side of the finder at a position 225 degrees from the two perpendicular adjustment screws. That allows complete 2-axis adjustment with only 2 screws to adjust. Generally, a rubber O-ring goes around the finder body in a groove, and the O-ring nestles into the fluted front of the bracket. A part of it might be missing. Generally they are chromed. The ones I own have a chromed cap with a threaded hole in the center. This screws onto the piston for a flush external fit.

 

-drl

Wow, 2 axis spring loaded first I saw that.

I was adjusting altitude really well & then I tried declination (side to side?) couldn't get the sirius to line up to the center. The left screw just got really loose.

Then I tried to adjust the spring loaded & I unscrewed it out. 

Fussed with that w no luck. Took it inside before I lost the spring in  the dark. Always happens.  

It's hard to get that screwed in. It's not screwing in all the way. I backed up the other 2 screws.

I'm just going easy. There is a metal flat collar band inside the mounts underneath that's held close to the finder tube w the spring/screw.

 

Appears to be a solid smooth working scope.

 

Still not sure why I can't see much with the 12.5mm & 6 mm ep. 20mm is nice.

[Don W]

Finder is in EXC Cond. No need to clean.

 

finder 20250223_161546.jpg

finder 20250223_161957.jpg

finder 20250223_162025.jpg

finder 20250223_162054.jpg

 

Found some other sort of thing seen in the photo to the left of the diagonal. (Inverter)?

diang n CN 20250223_161129.jpg

 

This was a happy surprise.

 

Mount & EQ is in v good shape but it missing the weight shaft & the weight stop is somehow on where the nut should go.

Arggghh... A few things to figure out.

 

All in all it looks like it's good but I guess the objective is still unknown...

That’s a Porro prism used to give an erect image. 
 

Do yourself a favor and pack the sun filter up real tight and hide it. They can be very dangerous and break while viewing the sun. Personally I would smash it with a hammer, but I guess they do have some collectible value.

[Don W]

The weight shaft is 12mm thread and I have picked up several from eBay. They work very nicely with SkyWatcher AZ Gti mounts.

 

This should work from Aliexpress:

 

https://www.aliexpre...rch|query_from:

[Universe XY]

That’s a Porro prism used to give an erect image. 
 

Do yourself a favor and pack the sun filter up real tight and hide it. They can be very dangerous and break while viewing the sun. Personally I would smash it with a hammer, but I guess they do have some collectible value.

I have no intention of using the sun filter. Didn't even clean it but it should stay with the scope for originality.

Don't think I'll even use the sun projection screen &  rod but it's just part of the package.

 

Thanks for the info on the weight shaft. I still have hope the seller will locate it & send it to me. It was in the box when he sold it.

 

Now that I have it together I can get it fine tuned. It's a cool old scope & in very good condition.

[Universe XY]

The weight shaft is 12mm thread and I have picked up several from eBay. They work very nicely with SkyWatcher AZ Gti mounts.

 

This should work from Aliexpress:

 

https://www.aliexpre...rch|query_from:

Thanks, Really want the original & it's a shame the seller somehow misplaced it. I still have hope...

 

Threaded portion of that shaft doesn't look as long as the original.

 

a 1/2" shaft that is 9-3/4" long with 1-1/8" of that being the threaded portion.

Edited by Universe XY, 26 February 2025 - 03:55 PM.

[deSitter]

Thanks, Really want the original & it's a shame the seller somehow misplaced it. I still have hope...

 

Threaded portion of that shaft doesn't look as long as the original.

 

a 1/2" shaft that is 9-3/4" long with 1-1/8" of that being the threaded portion.

Consider yourself lucky that you have options. We're trying to help you. The threaded part on the shown shaft is plenty long. You might need more weight.

 

-drl