GOTO Solar scope <$200 with computerised mount!

[Poita (Peter)]

I've just received a scope that I intend to use for a PST mod, but much to my surprise, it comes with a solar filter as part of the package, and it works really well too.

I won't post the direct link to the sale as it might go past the TOS here, but I wanted to let people know that might be wanting to view the transit of Venus and finding no solar filters, Herschel Wedges etc. available any more.

This is the info page: http://www.celestron.com/astronomy/c...telescope.html

It is the Celestron 80GTL, it comes with a solar filter, a computerised mount and is an F11 80mm refractor, and does quite a decent job for solar viewing and imaging. Best of all it is about $195 or so shipped, which seems a pretty good deal.

I have nothing to do with the seller, all I can say was that the one I received was brand new, was shipped quickly and works a treat.

If you are looking for a low cost way to view the transit, this might be it.

Search ebay for "celestron 80 gtl" and you should find it.

[traveller (Bo)]

Thanks Peter, worth a look!
BTW,, did you end up buying that moonlite focuser?
Bo

[Poita (Peter)]

Yes I did! (Sorry)

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

I just checked it out and it has been discontinued

[Poita (Peter)]

It was discontinued a while ago, but they are on ebay currently for under $200 shipped.
Search ebay for "celestron 80 gtl" and you should find it.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Originally Posted by Poita

..... and is an F11 80mm refractor,

There seems to be some confusion in the adds. The picture illustrates a fairly long F ratio scope but the specs in the adds says focal length 400mm and focal ratio f5. The scope in the photo is way too long for 400mm f/L. So I dunno what you get.

Best to double check to see exactly what it is before you buy me thinks.

[astroron (Ron)]

Where does the solar filter sit on the telescope
I see no where does it say what kind of filter it is
Does the filter sit on the eyepiece
Cheers

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

There seems to be some confusion in the adds. The picture illustrates a fairly long F ratio scope but the specs in the adds says focal length 400mm and focal ratio f5. The scope in the photo is way too long for 400mm f/L. So I dunno what you get.

Best to double check to see exactly what it is before you buy me thinks.

You get the 80 GTL, which is an F11 scope.

The solar filter goes over the objective as it should.

The quick setup guide is here that shows pretty much what was in the box.

http://www.celestron.com/c3/images/f...etup_guide.pdf

[Poita (Peter)]

Full manual here:
http://www.optcorp.com/pdf/Celestron...L_22085-SA.pdf

Oh, and it is Baader Astrosolar film used in the included solar filter.

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Originally Posted by Poita

You get the 80 GTL, which is an F11 scope.

The solar filter goes over the objective as it should.

The quick setup guide is here that shows pretty much what was in the box.

http://www.celestron.com/c3/images/f...etup_guide.pdf

The 80GTL is only an F5 scope not an F11, this is stated on the Celestron web site as well as the description on the EBAY sales page in question. Be carefull what you buy and always check the manufacturers web site as well as seller descriptions when buying on the net.

http://www.celestron.com/portal/cele...telescope.html

[traveller (Bo)]

Originally Posted by Poita

Yes I did! (Sorry)

No need to apologize Peter, it's gone to a good home!
Bo

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Celestron appear to be confused. The specs in the PDF have it at f11 but the webpage f5.

The pic is definitely not an f5 scope though, unless they've stretched it.

[michaellxv (Michael)]

To clear up some of the confusion.
I also have the Nexstar 80GTL (L for long) and it is 80mm F11.
Celestron did also make an 80GT which was 80mm F5.
Both are discontinued, the current range being the SLT models.
Check here if you are interested in more details on the older models.

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

Celestron appear to be confused. The specs in the PDF have it at f11 but the webpage f5.

The pic is definitely not an f5 scope though, unless they've stretched it.

Maybe Celestron have update the wrong info due to it now being discontinued. I do appologise, I did find another page with an old reveiw showing it at 900mm long not 400mm.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Shorty or longie it's a good deal at that price. Too bad I'm broke.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Poita

Full manual here:
http://www.optcorp.com/pdf/Celestron...L_22085-SA.pdf

Oh, and it is Baader Astrosolar film used in the included solar filter.

Thanks Peter, that's a relief.
Cheers

[Poita (Peter)]

I'm not going to be using the mount for the scope, but I'm wondering if I might be able to adapt it to use as a time-lapse mount for the DSLR.
Might be a fun project.

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by carlstronomy

The 80GTL is only an F5 scope not an F11, this is stated on the Celestron web site as well as the description on the EBAY sales page in question. Be carefull what you buy and always check the manufacturers web site as well as seller descriptions when buying on the net.

http://www.celestron.com/portal/cele...telescope.html

I did check, and I have it in my hands, it is an F11 scope.

The GT was an F5, this is the GTL is definately an 80mm F11 scope.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Originally Posted by Poita

I'm not going to be using the mount for the scope, but I'm wondering if I might be able to adapt it to use as a time-lapse mount for the DSLR.
Might be a fun project.

It looks like an alt-az driven setup so you will get field rotation with long exposures.

I should add there's a way around that if you take many short exposures and use multi-point track and stack software to process the frames.

[Poita (Peter)]

True.
What I want to use it for though is to pan or rotate the camera slowly to do some of those long time-lapse type videos.