traveller
12-04-2012, 10:18 PM
I pick up this zoom spotter scope with an AZ mount for $5 at a garage sale about a month ago. I wanted to turn it to a grab and go for my 6 yo son.
After removing the zoom lens piece and adding a $20 rack and pinion focuser, I tried it with my 1.25" diagonal and EP, but no focus.
After a week of fiddling around, I realised it has a short-ish focal length (as determined by removing the focuser and holding an EP deep inside the tube).
Some masking tape, a hacksaw, cordless drill and some elbow grease later, I now have a 60mm f7(ish) short tube refractor.
Took it out just now and tested it on mars and saturn with a Vixen 9mm LV and the view was surprising good! Even put a 2.5X powermate on the 9mm on saturn for a bit of fun :).
Next task is to try it out with my home made baader solar filter.
Here are the photos of before, during and after.
After removing the zoom lens piece and adding a $20 rack and pinion focuser, I tried it with my 1.25" diagonal and EP, but no focus.
After a week of fiddling around, I realised it has a short-ish focal length (as determined by removing the focuser and holding an EP deep inside the tube).
Some masking tape, a hacksaw, cordless drill and some elbow grease later, I now have a 60mm f7(ish) short tube refractor.
Took it out just now and tested it on mars and saturn with a Vixen 9mm LV and the view was surprising good! Even put a 2.5X powermate on the 9mm on saturn for a bit of fun :).
Next task is to try it out with my home made baader solar filter.
Here are the photos of before, during and after.