SecondScope

[RichardJ]

Hi,

Thought I would share this with you. I took the OTA of my Nexstar 4GT and put it onto the mount from my FirstScope.

The result is a great tabletop telescope. Just drop in an eyepiece and start observing. Mount moves very well and the optics are excellent. I use it to unwind after a busy day at work.

RichardJ

[mental4astro]

"SecondScope" - Ha, ha, I like it!

I'm ashamed I missed this little beauty! Nice bit of adaptation, Richo. Very portable and user friendly.

What happened to the OTA of the FirstScope? I may be able to find a home for it if it is not being used.

[RichardJ]

Hi Alexander,

Thanks for your comments. I really enjoy using it.

The OTA of the FirstScope is available. It is in mint condition. The optics are very average (I've looked through a couple of them and both were the same). It best views are at low power. Please PM with an offer if your interested.

regards,

Richard J.

[Steffen]

That's very clever Richard! And thanks Alex for bumping the thread.

How much does the FirstScope OTA weigh?

Cheers
Steffen.

[RichardJ]

Hi Steffen,

Not sure, it is very light. I have a scale at work and will get back to you with a weight.

regards,

Richard.

[RichardJ]

Hi Steffen,

The FirstScope OTA weighs about 740g.

regards,

RichardJ

[Steffen]

Thanks Richard. I'm thinking about using one as some kind of widefield/finder scope at the moment. But first I need to receive and set up my new mount, which apparently departed from Guangzhou this morning :2thumbs:

Cheers
Steffen.

[mental4astro]

I'm using one of these as a big fat finder on 'Odessius'. Its optics are good enough as a finder. You see it on the 'top' pole of the scope. I added a redspot finder to it too. The second pic is of it while mounted on the old solid tube Odyssey II before the rebuild. I also made the cross-hairs eyepiece from an old Kellner 25mm eyepiece, which is as long a focal length as practical for this focal ratio. It is light, punchy and gives me the same image orientation as the main scope.

If you are considering using this scope as a guide scope, I don't think it is the best option. Anything shorter than a 25mm eyepiece and the short comings of the mirror become much too evident. It is a shame as this scope would have a really good following if the mirror was a half decent parabolic. It really would be in a league of its own. Instead, it disappoints.