WO ZS66 as a finder scope and guide scope

[Baron von Richthofen]

Hi All
I have a WO ZS80ED and I am thinking of using a WO ZS66 as a finder scope and guide scope with it, do you think it is a good idea before I go out and buy on
Vars

[stephenmcnelley]

I had the exact same thought Vars, i cant see any reason why it would not make a decent little guide for smaller telescopes but i have not read or heard much about these f6.1 scopes myself either.

[h0ughy]

personnally sounds ok to me, but then I am a gadget man!! I cant remember but I think Atlas may have imaged through something like that too?

[stephenmcnelley]

Here is a review link for this little scope

http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/entry.php?sectionid=12&entryid=582&PHPSESSID=e5eb6f5feff57596fdcba52b9 b8a503a

[gbeal]

To me it is an overkill as a finder, but as a guidescope why not. In fact our own Louie images with his, check out a few posts about a month old in the DSO imaging section.

[Dennis]

How would the 66 be mounted on the 80? This may be a stumbling block, or is there a WO solution to this? Also, for a finder a FOV of 6 or 7 degrees is nice, what is the 66 FOV?

Cheers

Dennis

[Baron von Richthofen]

Hi
It has 4 degrees
Vars

[stephenmcnelley]

basic specs;


Aperture 66mm(2.6")
Focal Ratio F/6.1
Focal Length 400mm(15.7")
Objective Type 4 Elements Design
Fully Multi-Coated
Resolving Power 1.78"
Limiting Magnitude 10.8
Lens Shade Retractable
Focuser 1.6"(40.6 mm)Crayford Focuser
61 mm(2.4")Focuser Travel Length
360° Rotatable Design
1.25" Adapter Brass Compression Rings
L- type Mount L Bracket Based
Field Stops 10 Baffles
Dew Shield O.D. 3.3"(85 mm)
Tube Diameter 2.95"(75 mm)
Tube Length 13.6" (345 mm) Fully Retracted
16.1" (410 mm) Fully Extended
Tube Weight 3.7 lbs.( 1.7 kg)
Case Stylish carrying bag
Case Dimensions
(WxHxD) 19" x 11" x 6.3"
(48 cmx28 cmx16 cm)
(Water Resistance)

[stellarquest]

Hi Vars,Sorry, in the answer I gave under the thread Decision,decisions, I did not read this thread first.I have piggybacked the 66 on my 80 with a Toucam. Works very well when mounted on my EQ5. I use the WO split mounts for the 80, and then I put the guide rings on that assembly. This allows precise alignment for the 66 to the 80.Hope this helps.Cheers,Stellarquest

[Baron von Richthofen]

Hi Again
After reading all your replies I have decided to go ahead with a William Optics ZenithStar 66
Has any body got one for sale here?
Vars

[stellarquest]

Hi Vars,Glad you decided to go with the system. Please do go with nothing under the EQ5, you will need it. I am using Registax, and find it a great combo with the Toucam. I won't sell my scopes obviously, however at the moment I believe Andrews has the best price in town. Best of luck and congratulations.Stellarquest

[JohnH]

I use this little scope on top of my VC200L to guide my Sphinx mount using Maxim or PHD, I have an Orion StarShoot connected to it mostly but I do reverse things and image through the WO sometimes, indeed I bought the ED version to ensure the scope could do this double duty - well triple really as it is my grab and go scope also...

I am very happy with it - you will need a couple of extras though - the camera adapter is required (or a diagolnal) as a close mounted camera will not reach focus. A field flattener would be good - if I mount the Canon 20d to the WO i need to crop to about 75% of the image size to eliminate sa.

[Dennis]

Okay – here is a comparison between a 4 deg FOV and a 7 deg FOV centred on Orion’s belt.

I think typical 7 or 8 x50 finder scopes FOVs are between 5 and 7 deg.

Cheers

Dennis

[Baron von Richthofen]

Hi All
Now that a William Optics ZenithStar 66 is on its way I was wondering if a Mead f6.3 focal reducer would work on it so it would work better as a finder scope?
Vars

[Striker]

Not sure how you would put a meade FR on it when the WO only has a 1.6" focuser...may have to make up some adapters Vars.

[Baron von Richthofen]

The ZenithStar 66 has a SCT fitting so no problems

[Dennis]

Instead of a reducer, I'd probably fit a red dot finder to the WO 80 to get in the zone, then use the 66 to centre the object in the FOV.

By the way, I have never star hopped in my life, having used GoTo ‘scopes all the time in my 10 years in the hobby.

Cheers

Dennis

[Baron von Richthofen]

Hi Dennis
The problem is that the red dot finder is not a RA device
which I need because I am disabled, can’t get down and look
through a straight finder
Vars

[Dennis]

Hi Vars

Thanks for the update and so sorry to hear of the challenges you have to overcome at the ‘scope.

Might be worth taking a look at this post (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=13561&highlight=finder)by Bert (avandonk), who has successfully mated a GstarEX video camera to his finder scope.

Cheers

Dennis