g__day
14-10-2006, 10:06 AM
Well it feels like welcome to the bigs (after 6 years with Newtonians, a year with a MAK, 3 months with a ED 80), I finally "invested" in a decent size SCT.
I choose the C9.25 for a few reasons:
1) it has fairly stellar reviews
2) its a tad bigger than the 8" so there is more light reach (about 30%)
3) its not "too big" to piggy back a Megrez 80mm on a CG5 goto mount (though I'm pushing it I'd guess)
I selected the carbon fibre (CF) version as I figured it would retain focus through significant thermal variation - and that it certainly does. As an added bonus it certainly feels light and looks way cool!
Now I selected the CF verison, but I wanted to match it to the CG5 mount - which is were the first challenge came from - the first of three challenges actually. The CF version is only supplied with the CGE mount fitting - which is twice as wide as a CG5 fitting. It took quite a number of e-mails and calls to several retailers and the importer to confirm you simply needed to purchase a CG5 mount fitting - No Celestron won't sell the CF version with a CG5 fitted - go figure!
My first worry - the scope mount bar appears to have two holes at the rear (spaced about 4cm apart) and one at the front to attach a CGE bar - how was I to attach a CG5 bar? Solution - after unscrewing the bar I was relieved to find the scope has four holes at the rear (two blocked by allen key threaded screws - easy to remove) - two for the CGE bar and two for the CG5 - so fitting a CG5 bar to this scope is trivial!
Challenge two - mount the Megrez! I had it mounted with 5" rings to a bar to 4" rings to connect the MAK to the Megrez. I asked Bintel if they could sell me a longer bar - but they correctly informed me the bar was too narrow for the CG5 / CGE holes at the rear. Think, think, think...
I realise the CGE bar would be perfect to mount the Megrez too, by moving it to the top of the scope, and simply drilling two holes where the 4" rings need to go - easy peasey!
Challenge 3 - finding screws to mount the CGE bar at the top. The screws supplied are way too short! This was the hardest puzzle. The bottom bar attaches with simple 3/16" screws - the top uses speciality screws. I took one to the local hardware store and it left them bam-boozled, they tried everything. So eventually they refered me to E&I fitters in Gladesville. Who were able to tell me they thought it was it was American 10 / 32 NSF threaded - but there bolts and nuts of that size wouldn't work. So they sent me to Lee's in North Parramatta - a total Godsend! Lee's told me it was actually 8 / 32 NSF threaded (8 guage (thread thickness) * 32 threads per inch) and they had plenty in stock in stainless steel - so $7 later I am in action. Cut them down a centrimetre and its good to go!
Except now the scope at the top weights too much - so I sandwich an old 5kg weight from my dumbells between two 5kgs weights on the bar. Huston we have lift off!
A bit of figuring to align the scopes - and its magic.
But I crash at 9pm exhausted from too many long days. Anyway I wake at 3am and look at M42 - and am blown away!I tested the scope with a Vixen LVW 22mm lens on Orion, NGC 1890, Sirius, Betelgeuse, M45, 46, 48 50 and 93 - my god I am impressed. The difference between the C9.25 and a 5" MAK is simply incredible. The focus is a bit more challenging on my CG5 mount - a slight bit of vibration - need to weld supports on my pier! I definitely think a motorised, computer controllable focuser is my next purchase.
Anyway a huge thanks to Steve at MyAstroShop Harbord, who offered excellent service - price matched my best price and really went above and beyond to get me going. All round I'm stoked and know who I'm getting more of my gear from!
I choose the C9.25 for a few reasons:
1) it has fairly stellar reviews
2) its a tad bigger than the 8" so there is more light reach (about 30%)
3) its not "too big" to piggy back a Megrez 80mm on a CG5 goto mount (though I'm pushing it I'd guess)
I selected the carbon fibre (CF) version as I figured it would retain focus through significant thermal variation - and that it certainly does. As an added bonus it certainly feels light and looks way cool!
Now I selected the CF verison, but I wanted to match it to the CG5 mount - which is were the first challenge came from - the first of three challenges actually. The CF version is only supplied with the CGE mount fitting - which is twice as wide as a CG5 fitting. It took quite a number of e-mails and calls to several retailers and the importer to confirm you simply needed to purchase a CG5 mount fitting - No Celestron won't sell the CF version with a CG5 fitted - go figure!
My first worry - the scope mount bar appears to have two holes at the rear (spaced about 4cm apart) and one at the front to attach a CGE bar - how was I to attach a CG5 bar? Solution - after unscrewing the bar I was relieved to find the scope has four holes at the rear (two blocked by allen key threaded screws - easy to remove) - two for the CGE bar and two for the CG5 - so fitting a CG5 bar to this scope is trivial!
Challenge two - mount the Megrez! I had it mounted with 5" rings to a bar to 4" rings to connect the MAK to the Megrez. I asked Bintel if they could sell me a longer bar - but they correctly informed me the bar was too narrow for the CG5 / CGE holes at the rear. Think, think, think...
I realise the CGE bar would be perfect to mount the Megrez too, by moving it to the top of the scope, and simply drilling two holes where the 4" rings need to go - easy peasey!
Challenge 3 - finding screws to mount the CGE bar at the top. The screws supplied are way too short! This was the hardest puzzle. The bottom bar attaches with simple 3/16" screws - the top uses speciality screws. I took one to the local hardware store and it left them bam-boozled, they tried everything. So eventually they refered me to E&I fitters in Gladesville. Who were able to tell me they thought it was it was American 10 / 32 NSF threaded - but there bolts and nuts of that size wouldn't work. So they sent me to Lee's in North Parramatta - a total Godsend! Lee's told me it was actually 8 / 32 NSF threaded (8 guage (thread thickness) * 32 threads per inch) and they had plenty in stock in stainless steel - so $7 later I am in action. Cut them down a centrimetre and its good to go!
Except now the scope at the top weights too much - so I sandwich an old 5kg weight from my dumbells between two 5kgs weights on the bar. Huston we have lift off!
A bit of figuring to align the scopes - and its magic.
But I crash at 9pm exhausted from too many long days. Anyway I wake at 3am and look at M42 - and am blown away!I tested the scope with a Vixen LVW 22mm lens on Orion, NGC 1890, Sirius, Betelgeuse, M45, 46, 48 50 and 93 - my god I am impressed. The difference between the C9.25 and a 5" MAK is simply incredible. The focus is a bit more challenging on my CG5 mount - a slight bit of vibration - need to weld supports on my pier! I definitely think a motorised, computer controllable focuser is my next purchase.
Anyway a huge thanks to Steve at MyAstroShop Harbord, who offered excellent service - price matched my best price and really went above and beyond to get me going. All round I'm stoked and know who I'm getting more of my gear from!