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
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Next task is to try it out with my home made baader solar filter.
Here are the photos of before, during and after.