Inherited Bushmaster Mars 1400

[Terryzarzoff]

Hello everyone,
I have always had an interest in astronomy but never had any gear.
Recently I inherited a Bushmaster 1400. I think it's complete.
I have never used a decent telescope before.
A. Is this a decent telescope?
C. What happened to B?
B. Ah.. there it is.

Seriously... What now? How do I proceed or should I ditch this one and get another, now that I have seen the Moon very close up and want to see more things.
I lived in Brisbane so if there is anyone in the Wynnum area that can help me out or point me to a mentor (of sorts), I would very grateful.
The Sky's NO limit.....
Terry

[The Mekon]

A. Is this a decent telescope?

Imagine a decent telescope rates 100 points

Deduct 10 points for every one of the following:

1. Pictures of space on the box.
2. Barlow lens included.
3. Coloured tube
4. Any easily identified plastic parts.
5. Tripod legs have more than one section.

Now deduct 1 point for any magnification claims over 100X ( eg, 575x deduct 57.5 points.)

Any points left or are you in negative territory??

If your scope still rates 100, post a picture and someone will give you an honest opinion.

[Liz]

Hi Terry :welcome:
Doesnt look too bad, some info below ... perhaps hang on to it for awhile and see how you go. ;)

http://www.bushmaster.com.au/products.php?command=viewproduct&productserial=105&categoryserial=11

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/archive/index.php/t-27817.html

[Analog6]

Doesn't look too shabby at all, you lucky person. Enjoy it for a while and then you will know what more you might want in the way of features.

[Lui819]

Hi, I can't find the instructions for this telescope. Anyone could help me? Thanks

[brian nordstrom]

;) Really , really hard to judge this scope without photos , please post a few of the scope from a distance at different angles and a few close up of the finder and focuser and a couple looking down the tube towards the mirror at the bottom ,,,, oh yes the box and any stickers will really help .

I am interested in seein this .

Brian.

[Ausrock]

Wondering if the OP is one of the original Zarzoff Brothers:D........they were a great band.

[AEAJR]

I know nothing about that scope. Post some photos if you can.

Is this what you have?
http://www.mossgreen.com.au/view-auctions/catalog/id/70/lot/23031/BUSHMASTER-MARS-1400-telescope-with-tripod-amp-additional-lenses-Original-box-amp-instructions-Also-includes-a-selection-of-astrological-reference-books-amp-charts-Excellent-condition

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/archive/index.php/t-27817.html

MARS-1400 MIRROR REFLECTOR TELESCOPE 467 Power high resolution, shot tube, havy duty aluminum tripod, deluxe equatorial lmount.
MIRROR DIAMETER: 150mm
FOCAL LENGTH: 1400mm
MAIN TUBE POWER: 233X
MAX POWER: 467X
ACCESSORIES INCLUDED:
A) 6mm eyepiece,
B) 20mm eyepiece,
C) Lunar filter
D) 2x barlow lens, (optional)
E) 1.5x erecting lens. (optional) Recommended uses:Professional astronomical viewing and terrestrial viewingProduct code:MARS-1400

That would give a Focal Ratio of 9.3 if I am doing my math right.


Well, compared to nothing it might be terrific. Are there better scopes? Well, how much money do you have? There are always better scopes.

If it has a 150 mm mirror and a 1400 mm FL, like the specs above, it could be quite good, assuming the optics are in good shape.



Your biggest challenge will likely be learning to use the equatorial mount. This is a little on setting up equatorial mounts. This may not be your exact scope or mount but it will be close enough.


How to align an EQ mount
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plx6XXDgf2E

How to use an EQ mount
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7HVDKAZ6eM


I say, give it a try. Point it at something during the day and work with it in the daylight first. Remember that lower number eyepieces are higher power. So start with the highest number eyepiece you have and work your way down as you get used to the scope.

If you have a finder scope, get it aligned in the daytime. Get something centered in the low power eyepiece of the scope that is at least 1/2 mile away. I like to use the cross piece on a power pole or telephone pole.

Now adjust the image in the finder scope so that the object is centered. If the finder has a focus, get it focused. You will then be pretty close. Use the finder to target some objects during the day and see if they are within the view of the highest number eyepiece. That should be good enough for now, but feel free to go to the higher powered eyepieces and refine the targeting of the finder.

Now you are ready for night time.

Point it at the moon and get used to it on the moon. Learn to track the moon. Try the different eyepieces on the moon.

Try Jupiter if it is visible from your site.


But do all the set-up during the day and get used to using it during the day.

[AEAJR]

The other thing you will have to do is to check the alignment. There are a variety of tools and techniques you can use. I would not try to do this until after you have learned other things and actually tried to look through the scope. If you can see a clear image then the collimation may be close enough.


but, this video may be helpful in understanding collimation. The scope he uses to demo is the one I own.


How to Collimate an Orion Reflector Telescope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAVGcGEBmCE


Here they really mess one up and then put it right
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G98RTP6jbY

Collimation using a Cheshire Eyepiece
http://www.astronomyhints.com/collimation.html

Again, I would not worry about this until you have done the other thing. If you can get a reasonable image focused during the day then your collimation might be close enough for now. don't mess with it until you have done the other things.

[The Mekon]

Ok all, this is an ancient thread, some posters have clearly not noted the date of the OP. Recent revival on 10th May is calling for an instruction book. Currently one of these for sale on Ebay with no instruction book - coincidence? The telescope appears to be a short focus 150mm reflector with a fixed barlow, hence the f ratio of 9.3. All mounted on an EQ2 or similar. Not hard to work out how to operate, but I have seen plenty of these low cost, short reflectors on spindly mounts owned by newcomers who could not get them to work. I would not recommend one to any prospective purchaser.

[AEAJR]

You are correct. Thanks.