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Delivery of the scope this AM.
some preliminary observations.
The box is huge (4.5' x 1.5' x 1.5') that is comes in and the unit is double boxed with plenty of styro foam packing. I have done a visual check and everything is sound. The scope comes with two dove tails and rings, 1x 2" extension, 2x 1" extension, battery holder and cable for the cooling fans, varies bolts to hold the dove tails and rings together and a 3" focusor.
The focusor is huge and will most likely easily handle the QSI. Perhaps even much large format cameras too. There is no movement when the focusor is locked off, even when applying a fair bit of force. Very solid and looks dependable (tests will prove one way or the other though). It will eventually get replaced but only for automatic focusing reasons. the whole focusor runs very smoothly and certainly is a massive improvement from the previous version.
I took a look out over the valley with it. The scope is slightly out of collimation and will require some careful work to get it right. Even slightly out of collimation I could see leaves on trees at 4 km away. With collimation it should come up quite nicely. Obejects viewed snapped into focus and appeared quite sharp.
I am not overly keen on the metal tube though. It has a seam and this is likely to move a bit. I will watch to ensure that focus and collimation do not shift with changing temperatures in the test. I suspect though that if ever they make carbon fibre tubes this is one thing I will replace or I will look at making it a truss tube myself with carbon fibre tubes.
This scope could not be carried on a G11. That mount is too small for this scope. Something a little beefier is required. The tube is quite large and would present considerable lever action in wind. Certainly the new EQ8 should handle it, so too NJP, EM400, Titan, PME, PMX, Mountain Instruments, ASA and any of the other quality mounts.
Just some images of the packing included
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