beren's setup

[beren]

Gday here's some pics of my setup ........10"SCT/ 5"Mak-newt/ 80mm/120mm refractor

[Astrolounge]

very nice Stuart, had a chance to do much with the Mak? l've heard some very good things about them and may get one in the future, get some pics when you can. cheers Mick.

[Radar]

Awesome setup mate. What kind of mount is that reflector on?
Nice eyepeice collection to. And those refractors that are side by side, have you ever tried bino viewing through them?

[beren]

Thanks Mick/Ray :thumbsupmate:

Mick the MN56 is starting to produce some fine viewing, had some hassles getting the collimation right and the stock focuser is rough but finally things are right now although a better focuser isn't far away. I was alarmed when I unpacked it , the corrector plate was covered in felt particles on the outside and some on the inside of the tube . For a new scope to come to a customer like that regardless how good the optics or reputation might suggest is/was disgraceful. Although new I brought the scope through another person so it was a bit complicated to put forth to the supplier {Canadian store} a complaint. Fortunately most of the particles where easily removed using a blower brush, at some stage ill get the inside of the tube cleaned as well. Visually star tests look pretty good, imaging wise to use a DSLR might require some adjustment of the primary and secondary to achieve focus, i've done some lunar/plantery work with a ToUcam results look good although to get image scale I would need a 5xpowermate.For a small scope its quite solid and heavy but looks impressive especially the baffling system :thumbsupmate:

Ray the mount is a celestron CG5ASGT goto mount, I think its the cheapest one on the market today. I have only had it for 3 weeks, performs quite well so far. The idea behind buying it was to mount the refractors on it and for a quick portable setup and possibe widefield astro-imaging. Yeah bino-viewing sounds good , it would be good to try it first with another 80mmed OTA see if it would work :Chessy_Smile:

[CanisMajorTom]

Nice toys Beren. Those Orion refractors are popular. What is your opinion of them?

[beren]

Thanks mate the Orion80mmED {and all the equivalent clones} has to be one of the best buys out there, I'm very happy with mine. I'd think I would yearn for more aperture if it was my only scope but as a all-round scope that works in unison with my 10"SCT for visual work and astrophotography its fantastic, views are crisp and clean and I don't detect any colour fringing at all :thumbsupmate:

[CanisMajorTom]

Was just drooling over your equipment again. On the front of that reflector, what are all the holes for? :hmm:

[beren]

The scope is a Makustov-newtonian and at the front of the scope is a thick corrector plate or Meniscus [this is supposed to fix coma that's inherent with the standard Newtonian design], the housing with the holes is designed to let air circulate around the corrector plate to aid in the cooling of the scope when taken from storage for an evening observing.Here's a link with some more info on this type of telescope http://www.stellaroptical.com/newt.htm

:thumbsupmate:

[CanisMajorTom]

Thanks Beren.

I just read that link. That is quite an impressive optical system. How high would you rate the Mak Newtonian as an all round scope?

[beren]

Once I replace the stock focuser I will be much happier with the scope but at this early stage I've been impressed with the it's performance , look forward to get it out to darker skies :eartoear:

[AstroBob]

A Mak Newtonian? It seems I have much to learn. That link was an interesting read. I like the fact that telescopes are still being invented and optical systems are always being improved. I would never have thought of a system like that. Thanks for posting mate. :cool!: