Celestron 10" Newtonian f4.7 any good?

[EzyStyles]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at purchasing the celestron 10" f4.7 newtonian.

http://www.celestron.com/c2/product.php?ProdID=63

I know it will be a much better scope than my current GSO 8" F4 with a smaller fov which is what I want. Any pro's/con's from ppl's experience? what is the weight of OTA?

many thanks

[iceman]

Didn't you sell your f/4 because of issues with coma and collimation? You'll have the same/similar issues with the celestron.

The GSO 10" will be just as good at f/5, so again a smaller FOV and easier to colllimate. Paul Mayo images deep skies with his 12" f/5 GSO. His results speak for themselves.

[EzyStyles]

i know i'm bad ... most of my coma issues were gone from the baader mpcc. that little gadget works magic with coma's. thanks mike. was also wondering if i can reach focus on the 10" f4.7 using the 10:1 focuser + 350d? and where is this scope made in?

[iceman]

I'm not sure on either question there, perhaps you won't know until you try it.

It's possible you'd need to move the mirror up the tube. You certainly would with the GSO.

[OneOfOne]

I have the 8" F5 tube and it is made in China/Taiwan and I believe the 10" is the same. I think they only make their SCTs in the states?

[netwolf]

I think the Celstron 10" F4.7 is the same as the Skywatcher 10" F4.7 that is sold on a EQ6 mount.

Regards
Fahim

[janoskiss]

Yes, I think it's just a Synta Newt like many other Newts around. But it is possible that certain branded ones have to meet stricter QC standards than others. OneOfOne's 8" f/5 seemed at least as good optically as the 8" f/6 GSO when we compared side-by-side at Snake Valley last year.

[EzyStyles]

yep. it is a synta alright. Was hoping it was made in Japan. thanks guys. hmmm i wonder if my EQ6 can carry this scope + ed80 + equipment?

[netwolf]

Eric, I think the EQ6 should be able to carry it as this is the Skywatcher combination that is sold.
See this guide from Myastroshop.
http://www.myastroshop.com.au/guides/sw252.asp

As I am beginning to learn though its not just weight carrying capacity one needs in a mount. The combination will work for short focal length photography unguided if exposures are short and guided if exposures are long. However for longer focal length ie higher magnification.

Regards

[Striker]

Just wanted to point out Eric that it's not going to increase your focal length by very much...from 800 to 1175...still going to be fairly widefield with the DSLR...great for large nebs.

Not so good for small galaxies.

I suppose that why SCT's are good..you can change your focal length by adding reducers.

[garymck]

I have an EQ-6 with 10" f4.7 newt (The Synta Version). I also have the ED-80. The mount will carry the combination IF you do some modification. The 10 inch is held onto the mount by a small dovetail that is similar in profile to a vixen or eq-5 dovetail. This is a weak point as the dovetail twists and the scope flops around. You need to replace the top dovetail mount on the eq-6 with a new one fitted with a losmandy or similar mounting rail. There are several threads on cloudynights.com relating to this. The mount itself can carry the weight (about 18kg for the newt + ed80 + rings etc), but the standard dovetail cannot. You will also need at least 4 standard counterweights to balance the scope if you mount the ed80 on top of the newt. If you cannot do this then forget about the combination, it just doesn't work (and I've tried it) You should try side to side mounting to if possible. Add a camera and you are at the limits for imaging. I personally would prefer an 8" f4 and would use 2" barlows to increase focal length. I'm actually considering selling my 10" to do just that!

Hope this helps. FWIW

cheers
Gary

[netwolf]

Sounds like Gary and Eric should do a trade. ;) Each wants what the other has.

Regards