[glend (Glen)]

The 8" Cassegrain arrived today, and it had some surprises in the box. First of all it is not the standard GSO white, but a high gloss black livery (as shown in the Orion video review), and the inclusion of both the substantial Losmandy lower bar on risers, and the top mount Vixen bar on risers, was welcome. Certainly this appears to be a step up in quality to the 8" RC which I had owned previously. I have attached some photos for you to perv.
Nothing else in the box, apart from the focuser extension tubes, but it was well packed on foam cradles, double boxed, bagged, etc. Just a comment on the focuser extension tubes (1x 50mm and 2x25mm) , they are substantial tubes with walls 7mm thick with ring baffling on the interior - again much more substantial than those thinner ones provided on my RC.

The scope tube itself is 53cm long - from back end of primary end to the front secondary ring section.
So off to the CGX it went and they seem well matched, as you can see in the photo. You will see in the photo from the top that these scopes now come with a Serial Number, which is nice to see. The tube is heavily baffled and the primary mirror is sparkling clean, not a trace of dust under bright light. Focuser looks like the standard RC one as expected, and the usual primary adjustment and lock screws are present - but I will never be touching those. Rumour has it that the CCs are well setup from the factory and collimation will be pretty close to perfect out of the box (if Larry Carlino can be believed). Any adjustment will be done at the secondary in a star test situation.
I need to work out which spacer rings I have to use for visual setup with my 2" diagonal and EPs, and hopefully that will happen tonight.


I will have more to say on the 8"CC after I do a star test and try it out tonight (hopefully). Very pleased with it so far.