What to do about scopes

[Lognic04]

Hi all, :hi:
I have been thinking recently about selling my takahashi MT-160 to make an 8 inch f2.8 astrograph/buy a widefield frac, OR adding a moonlite to my tak so i can finally get proper infocus stars/full automation.
I am currently in a widefield/nebula/ha mood :lol:
What would you do in my situation?
:thumbsup::thanx:

[LewisM]

Oh gawd...how many times I offered :) :lol:

I do have an autofocus system (Pegasus) I have been considering to sell. Make me an offer I won't refuse :) (it even has a Tak pinion sized collet, so it is ready to go)

[Atmos]

You can go widefield by going down the black hole that is mosaics :lol:

[Lognic04]

cmon Lewis... :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Its not that, my autofocus system i think works fine, its the crappy focuser is wobbly and has a ton of backlash. Also how would you mount the pegasus?



with these crappy stars, in my dreams :lol:

[LewisM]

I told you I'd adjust the focuser free, but would you listen? Noooo.... :P

It's REALLY simple to adjust. REALLY

[glend]

If you sell a nice Tak to build a DIY scope, it would certainly be a bad investment decision. You will never, ever, get back the cost of the build; so think about that.
There is a new Celestron 8" RASA, which would give you that speed, and potentially have resale value, but they are not available in Australia yet.

[Lognic04]

Could you send instructions possibly?

also i think part of the wobbliness is the bent pinion and crappy mounting of the stepper.

[LewisM]

No - it's a matter of feel and checking which of either the grub screw, teflon pad, bottom tensioner screws etc is the issue.

Pinions are easy to straighten - another thing I can do easily.

Take the focuser off, post it up, I'll fix it free of charge and post it back to you. Turn around of maybe a day maximum.

Considering it's sordid history, ANYTHING may be wrong with it Logan. It's the THIRD Tak focuser from "HIM" I have heard of that was BADLY adjusted or messed with (just ask Matt about Phil's CN212 focuser as received ex-Bentleigh)

[Lognic04]

Thanks Lewis. My issue is currently my stepper mount relies on using the 2 pinion tensioner screws to hold the stepper. Its either that or araldited to the tube!

[Lognic04]

Anyways, anyone else think I should switch scope?

[dannat]

yep grab a royce conical short f/l mirror with the cash from sale & build a scope up around it

[Lognic04]

Question is how can i make it rigid enough for imaging at f2. something?

[LewisM]

Carbon fibre

[dannat]

get it 3D printed in carbon/titanium

[LewisM]

Or you COULD actually take some baby steps and get a GOOD 8" Newt and a GOOD mount.

Just sayin'...

[Lognic04]

I am planning on getting a new mount definitely, but i like imaging witht he tak for now!

[dannat]

this should be stiff enough, SDM103