61 replies to this topic

[CHASLX200]

Gonna see what wins soon.  

[Mike W]

Click bait?

[CHASLX200]

Click bait?

Why in the devil would you type such a  thing? I just jumped on the scope and gotta go get it Tues and will do a side by side as soon as i can man. Never had a Portaball jamal.

[starman876]

You sure it is a Zambuto.   Porta Ball used a lot of different mirrors

[Kitfox]

Why in the devil would you type such a  thing? I just jumped on the scope and gotta go get it Tues and will do a side by side as soon as i can man. Never had a Portaball jamal.

 

So you are the one who beat Scott in NC and I to this beauty!!!  And yes, it is a Zambuto, starman876.  And in great shape based on the pictures.

[CHASLX200]

Gotta wonder if the mirror will fit the Meade 826 cell and if the FL is the same or a bit shorter it should plug and play.  I am up sanding the bedroom for primer and can't sleep anyways.

[starman876]

well, all the luck in the world to your venture.   

[CHASLX200]

well, all the luck in the world to your venture.   

I don't need no luck buck..  Everyone knows what a Zambuto does but i wanna see if it is a step up from the very good 826 blank.  Been slapping floor down and leaving for the scope soon.

Edited by CHASLX200, 06 May 2025 - 07:32 AM.

[jragsdale]

Didn't you just have a 12.5" Zambuto?

[CHASLX200]

Didn't you just have a 12.5" Zambuto?

Ya.  I gots it home. Sure is small and light. Just stuck the whole thing in the car. Mirror needs cleaned.  Has a film on it. I will clean it in Sept when Jup is back.

[deSitter]

I don't need no luck buck..  Everyone knows what a Zambuto does but i wanna see if it is a step up from the very good 826 blank.  Been slapping floor down and leaving for the scope soon.

 

Chas, please leave that Meade be! it's fine as it is! The Zambuto scope is already good itself as well! Nice score!

 

-drl

[NinePlanets]

Chas, please leave that Meade be! it's fine as it is! The Zambuto scope is already good itself as well! Nice score!

 

-drl

Wholeheartedly agree!

Your 826 is a great scope. No need to alter it.

[starman876]

do what you want  Chas.  You have the right to mess with anything.

[CHASLX200]

do what you want  Chas.  You have the right to mess with anything.

Not sure that i will. If it is close then no need. If i like the motions of the ball then it stays.

Edited by CHASLX200, 06 May 2025 - 10:48 AM.

[deSitter]

do what you want  Chas.  You have the right to mess with anything.

 

Well of course, but the Meade now has historical value in itself.

 

-drl

[starman876]

Not sure that i will. If it is close then no need. If i like the motions of the ball then it stays.

the PortoBall I had was a wonderful scope.  Of course it was 12.5" so it would show more.  What it did show was amazing.   The movements of the smaller 8 might be easier, You like a mount that is rock solid, The portaball will not give you that. What you will like is carrying the scope outside setting it down and using it,  You will just need to carry out the little base the scope sits on.  

Edited by starman876, 06 May 2025 - 11:27 AM.

[CHASLX200]

the PortoBall I had was a wonderful scope.  Of course it was 12.5" so it would show more.  What it did show was amazing.   The movements of the smaller 8 might be easier, You like a mount that is rock solid, The portaball will not give you that. What you will like is carrying the scope outside setting it down and using it,  You will just need to carry out the little base the scope sits on.  

Well the last thing i was looking for was a another scope with the house all tore up.  But i got a PM and it was close and a good price. If the scope is hard to center at 500x and jerky motions the mirror goes into the Meade OTA. It seems smooth moving it around.

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Edited by CHASLX200, 06 May 2025 - 06:12 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Collimation is funny since you do it in front of the mirror. I can reach down and look at the same time. Thing is dead nuts on. But i gotta clean the mirror.  Looks to be made in 2001 and been sitting a long time. Been clear the last 4 months and now cloudy.

[CHASLX200]

Looking at the moon and OUCH.  Nuts sharp.  2.5mm and still going strong.  7mm and 5mm Delites give the best images in 8 seeing.

[starman876]

Looking at the moon and OUCH.  Nuts sharp.  2.5mm and still going strong.  7mm and 5mm Delites give the best images in 8 seeing.

How do you like the movements at high power?   The moon is easy.  look at something more challenging. 

[CHASLX200]

How do you like the movements at high power?   The moon is easy.  look at something more challenging. 

It's jerky perky at 650x.  Maybe use Zaino on the ball jamal. Not sure if the mirror even comes out. Someone said they were glued on.  

[starman876]

It's jerky perky at 650x.  Maybe use Zaino on the ball jamal. Not sure if the mirror even comes out. Someone said they were glued on.  

The mirror does come out. It is not easy.  Putting it back is even harder.   If I were you (which I am not)  just leave it alone.  Do not make the ball more slippery.  As you change eyepieces that weigh lees or more the ball will move.  You need some friction to make it work. 

[CHASLX200]

The mirror does come out. It is not easy.  Putting it back is even harder.   If I were you (which I am not)  just leave it alone.  Do not make the ball more slippery.  As you change eyepieces that weigh lees or more the ball will move.  You need some friction to make it work. 

Well i am gonna have to clean the mirror in a few months when Jup is back.  Motions at normal pow wows are fine. 650x in anything is never gonna be super smooth.  I was just playing around since the seeing was good. 2.5mm does fine when optics are super good.

[starman876]

Well i am gonna have to clean the mirror in a few months when Jup is back.  Motions at normal pow wows are fine. 650x in anything is never gonna be super smooth.  I was just playing around since the seeing was good. 2.5mm does fine when optics are super good.

you take out the mirror by completely unscrewing the three collimation knobs on the mirror.  Then be careful removing it from the ball.    Re installing it is tricky. It is hard to align the threads of the collimation knobs while holding the mirror parallel with the rest of the three collimation knobs. .  Patience and trial and error will provide success.  Good luck.  the battery( fi there is one) maybe glued to the cradle for the mirror.  You might have to remove it with the cradle. 

Edited by starman876, 07 May 2025 - 10:08 AM.

[CHASLX200]

you take out the mirror by completely unscrewing the three collimation knobs on the mirror.  Then be careful removing it from the ball.    Re installing it is tricky. It is hard to align the threads of the collimation knobs while holding the mirror parallel with the rest of the three collimation knobs. .  Patience and trial and error will provide success.  Good luck.  the battery( fi there is one) maybe glued to the cradle for the mirror.  You might have to remove it with the cradle. 

I will just clean it inside the ball.