Help with setup of a Vixen VMC200L

[Brooksy]

Hi All,

I'm trying to view the sky through a Vixen VMC200L. My problem is that the only image I'm seeing is attached. I did a rough drawing of it in Paint.

Would this be something to do with collimation? I'm new to this stuff so any advice would be fantastic. :help:

[DavidU]

Do you have an eye p/c in it?

[Brooksy]

Yes, I've got 3 eyepieces (different sizes). I've also attached an extension and diagonal.

[dannat]

that picture shows a spider (the cross bits) with the secondary mirror holder. Are you looking thru the eyepiece holder without an eyepiece in place / or are you looking thru the front of the scope which is supposed to point to the sky?

Loo at the pic - do you have an eyepiece in place at the back of the scope? this scope has a diagonal which means you look down at the back to see objects with the scope

the scope pictured also has a flip mirror system - whereby you can look straight thru(from bottom right) or from the top down using a diagonal (top right)

[Brooksy]

Hi Daniel, yep the picture you've attached is exactly how I've got mine set up.

At the moment, I'm looking from the top down using a diagonal.

[DavidU]

Is it your scope?
if you have an eye p/c in and you see what you have drawn someone has covered or removed the secondary mirror
Can you take a pic of the scope? It may help us

[Brooksy]

Hi David,

Yes it is my scope. I just bought it on this forum actually. I've taken the diagonal out and my viewing is a lot better. I just saw Jupiter. I already knew that the diagonal was not in good condition (it was thrown in with the purchase) so maybe that's the problem. What do you think, am I on the right track?

[renormalised]

That being the case, get a new diagonal.

If the secondary was missing, you wouldn't see anything.

[Brooksy]

Cool, thanks, I'll do that.

[Terry B]

You should be able to bring the image into focus with the diagonal.
I have a VC200L and it has a 60mm diam extension tube that attaches to the back. This needs to be removed to use a diagonal.

[Brooksy]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for that. I still had the extension on the back. Will give it another go tonight.