10 replies to this topic

[Trevor Durity]

Hi guys,

 

As title says. I only do a big astronomy purchase every 5 or 6 years. This time it was a Heliostar 76, solarquest, asi174 and various accessories like barlows.

 

Got a text saying the scope had been delivered. Nobody came to our door even though it was a signed for delivery. This is how we found the scope - dropped over a wall onto the hard ground - despite the DO NOT DROP written on the package. No obvious external damage but I'm worried about the internals as I can't get the whole disc on band even visually. Very uneven illumination at the centre no matter how I tune. One side gets good but I tune and the other side goes out.

 

 

 

I can only add a couple of images per post it seems so I'll share a few more images from the scope in following posts.

 

Would be great if someone could give some advice.

 

I have talked to the delivery company and will test more when we have more Sun. They're due to call me next Wednesday to see if it needs to go back and hopefully can some get reimbursement from them. Was hoping it was fine but I'm not having any luck imaging. See following posts.

 

Thanks,

Trev

[Trevor Durity]

Here's a couple of shots with the 174. I eyeballed with a 20mm EP to try and get a decent image. Then I switched the ASI174 in.

 

Couple of screenshots from Sharpcap and a quick AS stack. I didn't fine focus - was just trying to get whole disc even.

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by Trevor Durity, 10 May 2025 - 11:51 AM.

[TOMDEY]

From your pictures... the boxes don't look like they were abused "dropped over the wall" --- looks more like they (or he) put them on the ledge, climbed over, and then gingerly placed them on the ground. If it's not working right --- probably was like that when it left the factory or dealer.    Tom

 

PS: Most, nearly all... mid-priced H-alpha solar scopes have a "sweet spot" that is less than the entire solar disc. Each one is different in that respect. Rotation the interface can often optimize this to your satisfaction. The only H-alphas specifically guaranteed for uniformity (of critically-tuned image) over wide field --- are the  "Research-Grade" DayStar Quantum... which are made to order and very pricey.    Tom 

Edited by TOMDEY, 10 May 2025 - 12:00 PM.

[Tapio]

Agree with Tom.

 

If you can't adjust the field of view more evenly, I would recommend contacting the dealer or Sky-Watcher support.

[Trevor Durity]

Oh it was dropped alright - marks from the gravel on the bottom of the box. Reason we know he didn't come to the door is that we were expecting the delivery and placed a note with both our phone numbers attached to the doorbell. They skipped the signature. It would be really hard to climb over from the other side without a step ladder.

 

The reason I'm worried is that I can often get part of the image satisfactory. If I tune more the other side goes out.

 

This is a super quick IMPPG invert just to show illumination and details. Note I'm new to imppg this was just a quick attempt.

 

 

Barlowed inverted

 

 

 

 

 

[JerryStellar]

That is a significant investment so I’d say if you have any concerns at all return it.
If it happens to be fine, they can determine that at the retailer and resale it as an open box.
Jerry

[havasman]

I took an old pillow and made it a game for my delivery folks to hit it when they drop a package over the courtyard gate. They hit it consistently and damaged goods are a thing of the past. I was returning from a bike ride just as the FedEx guy pulled up with a package and he asked me where the pillow was when I had not left it out. So I know they notice the prompt.

 

Edited by havasman, 10 May 2025 - 01:05 PM.

[C0rs4ir_]

Im glad this kind of "delivery" is illegal where i live. But scopes like this usually come in packages that can be dropped from 2 meters alt. Package in package is standard and the scope should survive this.

[gstrumol]

I believe your issue may be common with this scope, namely, not being able to get the full disk inside the sweet spot.

 

I know it's not ideal, but you could get each half disk inside and then combine them after all the postprocessing.

[Trevor Durity]

OK a bit of new info. I tried again with the 174. Didn't have much luck. I've now tried my larger sensor 1600mm (only 15FPS though).

 

Here's a quick video of me going through the entire tuning range and back again. Sorry it's shaky as I was moving the etalon knob.

https://youtu.be/WSt6MYVBArY

 

As suggested by others I swam around the field of view to find a decent spot. found that I get a bit better image on the extreme bottom right of the large sensor still not great - I can't get to this with the smaller 174 obviously. My main focus is imaging active regions so would like to get the 174 with a barlow working but no luck so far. The video is from the centre of the view.

 

 

Thanks for looking

Trev

 

 

 

 

[Trevor Durity]

Im glad this kind of "delivery" is illegal where i live. But scopes like this usually come in packages that can be dropped from 2 meters alt. Package in package is standard and the scope should survive this.

It was definitely packed well.