I have just bought another scope, so this one has to go.
It is the perfect scope for starting out imaging. I have taken a stock standard 8" newt and taken all the frustration out of it with the following modifications:
1. I have replaced the stock focuser with a beautiful red Moonlite with the DC motor focus option.
2. The finder has been converted to a finder/guider that will accept standard 1.25" nose-pieces of guide cameras such as QHY5's etc
3. The primary mirror has been centre-spotted with a Catseye spot, and has also been moved up the tube with longer collimation bolts and stiffer springs so that you can get focus with a DSLR. It can also be used visually with the addition of an extension tube.
4. I have replaced the standard tube rings with a pair machined out of 1/2" aluminium from Peter Tan in Hong Kong. These are seriously rigid. The original rings will also be included. Due to the cost of these rings I am prepared to make them optional to the sale. See below for price with and without these rings.
5. I have upgraded the normal primary and secondary collimation screws to knobs for much easier collimation.
6. I will also include $50 of Protostar flocking (three 20"x28" sheets cost me $US30 plus $20 shipping)
The two D-plates seen attached top and bottom of the rings in the photos are not included in the sale.
Apart from cosmetic paint scratches, the only fault is one of the 8 screws that hold the primary cell in place has had its head sheared off. This does not affect the functioning of the scope at all, and can easily be corrected by drilling/tapping another screw hole if.
Prices I paid for above:
Scope - 2nd hand from another IISer $270
Moonlite $364 plus shipping
Finder/Guider $40
Rings $190
Flocking $50
assorted knobs etc
Total over $900
Price: $500 including the rings or $400 without the rings
(shipping not included in this price.)
Last edited by adman; 24-09-2011 at 07:18 AM.
Reason: shipping
