I have for sale an old Celestron StarGuide 60 telescope and mount (I think these were also sold as NexStar). The reason I have such a telescope was for a one-use only excursion to China for the 2009 solar eclipse. I bought the mount, removed the Celestron 60mm telescope and replaced it with a William Optics SD66 carrying a flip mirror and Canon 350D DSLR. The computer-controlled pointing and tracking worked perfectly for viewing and imaging the solar eclipse. The attached photo shows this configuration. It's sat in its box ever since - and I need the room so out it goes.
While I didn't buy it new, it's had very little use and is in very good condition. After I bought it and before I converted it I tried out the supplied 60mm f=700mm telescope and the 20mm and 10mm eyepieces and 90 degree diagonal and was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked. The eyepieces were quite adequate for the purposes and the mount was able to point and track to anything in its database. Imaging tests showed that the tiny gears were able to image at 400mm focal length for a whole 2 seconds before it started to trail - perfectly adequate for a solar eclipse, and not a problem for visual use.
The whole system is very light and makes a good beginners telescope if a 60mm of telescope is big enough for you, else you can modify it as I did to make a portable solar eclipse telescope.
At the moment the mount is configured with my modifications to hold the SD66. I can leave these in place, or return it to the original Celestron holding plate and telescope depending on what the buyer wants. (I'll also check that it still works before selling.)
The SD66 is NOT supplied, only the original 60mm telescope, plus it's eyepieces and diagonal (mount, tripod, battery box, manual, etc.). I never had the red dot finder for this telescope, but I think I have one which I can supply (but need to check).
Asking $150 + postage for this, but open to offers. Its box is 75x45x20cm and may be expensive to post so we would need to check first. I can possibly deliver to Sydney/Newcastle area. Contact me and we may be able to work something out if you're interested.
Last edited by sl; 11-01-2016 at 09:13 AM.
Reason: Sold
