[robz (Robert)]

Well, firstly, a sincere thanks to all that have provided information, assistance in my feeble attempt at getting back in to astronomy.

I firstly purchased an 8 inch old model Orion newtonian on a non driven Gazer mount at Cash Convertors...........at least a start?............no,.........neede d a good mount, so I blew my entire tax refund check on a Skywatcher EQ6 PRO GOTO when I really should not have with all the expenses due on the horizon.

The 8 inch was properly collimated with a top quality Howie Glatter collimater (thanks Shane)...........first light..............S*** HOUSE image.
Was the collimation out?...............no, it wasn't.

Have since tried collimation on at least 20 occasions using well known and effective methods with simple tools (peep hole eyepeice/cross hairs etc) and triple checked mirror centre spot.
All was in order......................but stars would not focus cleanly and despite buying two new, good quality 2 inch whopper eyepeices.........severe coma and astigmatism........even after hours of cool down time.

I put the problem down to the focusser. However, after applying some much needed, stratigically placed shims in the focusser housing,there was no image gain noticeable............again with perfect collimation.

After at least a dozen different views on separate nights and early mornings, Jupiter looked ordinary and showed very little detail except for one band and some comet tailed spikey moons.If the planet was not slightly off centre to the field of view, it would blurr out.........pathetic

D.S.O.were o.k................if you looked in the midde of the field of view.

With a $25,000 dollar plus daughter's wedding due in just over 2 months,there will be no chance of buying another scope at any price.

I can tell by my wife's unconvincing tone of voice that she really doesn't want me to buy a scope despite her constant reassurance that I should buy what I want and : ''just be happy for a change''........I know her too well after 30 years of marriage.

So friends, I'm not looking for sympathy, please believe that.

I envy all of you that own a large dob, or cat. or a great refractor. I wish I could share your enjoyment of owning such great gear.

The money spent on the 8 inch newtonian I don't care about.......someone knew what it was like when they sold it to C.C.........and that's probably why it didn't sell (and was no doubt bought and returned numerous times without me wising up to the fact that something fishy had to be up with this scope).
By the time I had the chance to pull it apart and clean the mass of dust off the optics, the warranty/return period had expired.

The EQ6 mount has not even seen daylight, but will be sold in due course, and, as I don't have the originall packaging anymore, I will not get back what I paid for it............such is life.

I hope that one day I can return and buy my dream scope and share my delights with you all..................I've been waiting since my late teens and am now 53...................say no more.

Regards,
Rob.