Night Crawler 3" version

[Paul Haese]

I finally got my Night Crawler 3" version yesterday. It took some time to get it sorted through customs but thanks to the advice of a fellow facebooker it was on its way to me after 5 days in customs.

First up the box this thing comes in is huge. About 14" cubed. I opened the box expecting one thing and pulled out a massive piece of kit.

Back focus taken up is about 130mm. Nearly 6" across. The photos tell the story. I found the manual controls easy to use and the main thing for me is that I don't need to buy an adapter. It comes with several adapters, power supply and manual. I am expecting this thing will carry the STXL easily and it now supersedes my 3" Optec rotator.

[RickS (Rick)]

Looks very nice, Paul! Look forward to progress reports

[codemonkey (Lee)]

Congrats Paul, I'm also keen to hear how it works out for you. I just got my Lite Crawler today, fingers crossed we'll see some clear skies soon!

[Atmos (Colin)]

It looks a tiny bit chunkier than the Atlas! Pretty sure I don’t have the back focus to use one but it sure would be nice at times to have the auto rotator function.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Wow looks like it would weigh more than my scope

Automatic field rotation would be a dream come true

[xelasnave]

As I opened this thread it started to rain.
Alex

[poppasmurf (Shane)]

mmmmm astroporn

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by Atmos

It looks a tiny bit chunkier than the Atlas! Pretty sure I don’t have the back focus to use one but it sure would be nice at times to have the auto rotator function.

Yep, it's a lot bigger than an Atlas. The back focus is about the same as using a rotator and focuser with an adapter each side and one joining them together. The beauty of it though is a reduction of two cables in the mix.

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Wow looks like it would weigh more than my scope

Automatic field rotation would be a dream come true

It's not light, but using an AO with a narrow field of view requires the use of a rotator.

Originally Posted by xelasnave

As I opened this thread it started to rain.
Alex

Funnily here it has been clear since it arrived. Though it will be a month or so until I do final commissioning of this system. I need to do wiring, testing of all the components together before driving it down to the observatory and putting the whole system on the mount. So it might rain then.

[Peter Ward]

Holy Mole' !

Not inexpensive.....but a very impressive bit of engineering. I'd expect
it will make remote imaging decidedly easier.

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Funnily here it has been clear since it arrived. Though it will be a month or so until I do final commissioning of this system. I need to do wiring, testing of all the components together before driving it down to the observatory and putting the whole system on the mount. So it might rain then.

I wish you all the best Paul.
I have lost count of the months that have passed since I started putting together my humble set up.
Getting a van and camping out west for the winter has more appeal.
Although have had some wonderful nights here in Tabby, but the gear is in Sydney.
Thank goodness I was able to get my 80 mm binos back from my brother in law.
I forgot how wonderful just doing a quick scan could be..had to be quick they have no mount and give me a work out.
I is wonderful to follow your progress.
Alex