Bintel BT-402 Mods

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by CoombellKid

You only going to notice
anything possibly when compared side by side under excellent seeing.

I haven't personally seen evidence in the field to support that oft repeated claim ( after having looked through half a dozen 16's or so) , and clearly all the owners I've met were relatively inexperienced with larger telescopes but very satisfied with what they were seeing ( satisfaction level , experience , quality perception and price are all entertwined functions).
They might become more critical with what they are seeing when they become more experienced ( ie understand more about thermal equiliberation and collimation) and look through some other quality telescopes.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Keith the extra struts pose no problem with weight as you can adjust the balance of the scope by adjusting the trunnions and then if theres more weight needed on the rear then use the mirror locking screws to support more weights.

I dont know why they put them mirror lock screws in there for as all they do is wreck collimation.....If your mirror springs have been changed as these have then the mirror dont move...........When i set up for a night of observing the collimation takes me up to 20 mins to acheive but when its pin point accurate and stays accurate that is when i,m happy...

The struts i used are lightweight alluminium and there brilliant.

Its up to you which path you choose to follow the purchase and mod or differ.

One day i might just take it over to a star party over on the coast to show others who are interested in modifications.

Cheers Kev.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

The last Mod should happen this weekend.

The rocker box is history, The 3/4 ply is in the shed which cost me $ 210
The cost is insignificant the look will be outstanding, I can post a picture it as
soon as its built.

ARRRRGH the maple stain and the varnish.

Why would i take this outside

Pics coming soon my friends....cheers...Kev.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

More on the 16" ....the rocker box finished by this wednesday.
So with a bit of spare time here is the polished 32mm copper Argo-Navis stalk.
So with the last quarter next weekend i should be able to take it out for a run.
Last pics next weekend with the all finished scope....cheers Kev.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Again this is the rocker box, it has had 2 coats of tung oil when i took these pics and it still needs 4 more coats to complete it then it should look stunning.
The gussets on the side will dramaticly reduce movement through the eyepiece..........next weekend final pics to end this thread.....cheers Kev.

[AlexN]

Smooth looking rocker box mate! No doubt it will be your pride and joy.