Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
- skywatcher1983
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Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
I bought a 2nd hand 6SE off eBay and quite honestly its rubbish. Its doesn't produce anything like what I'd call a sharp and in focus image. I'm using the focus knob BTW! This is after I've had the scope serviced, cleaned and collimated. With the standard 25mm Celestron eyepiece, the moon is blurry and I can't make out good detail of landmarks and craters. Planets produce a hazy tail which I think is to do with atmospheric distortion.
I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this is normal for this type of scope. Could things be improved with a better eyepiece or the digital monitor which outputs the signal to a laptop? I'm worried that maybe that's as good as it gets in which case I'll be looking to sell it and try another type of telescope.
Thanks v much
I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this is normal for this type of scope. Could things be improved with a better eyepiece or the digital monitor which outputs the signal to a laptop? I'm worried that maybe that's as good as it gets in which case I'll be looking to sell it and try another type of telescope.
Thanks v much
- Greenman
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
Something is amiss, I have no problems with my SE6 on lunar or planetary shots. The focuser takes time to get used to, but the issue could be on the eyepiece. Have you tried it with other eyepieces?skywatcher1983 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 26, 2021 6:56 pm I bought a 2nd hand 6SE off eBay and quite honestly its rubbish. Its doesn't produce anything like what I'd call a sharp and in focus image. I'm using the focus knob BTW! This is after I've had the scope serviced, cleaned and collimated. With the standard 25mm Celestron eyepiece, the moon is blurry and I can't make out good detail of landmarks and craters. Planets produce a hazy tail which I think is to do with atmospheric distortion.
I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this is normal for this type of scope. Could things be improved with a better eyepiece or the digital monitor which outputs the signal to a laptop? I'm worried that maybe that's as good as it gets in which case I'll be looking to sell it and try another type of telescope.
Thanks v much
Cheers,
Tony.
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Tony.
Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.
AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.
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Latitude: 52.219853
Longitude: -1.034471
Accuracy: 5 m
Bortle 4 site. https://maps.google.com/?q=52.21985,-1.03447
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
who collimated it ?? you need to do a star test , you say it was collimated but the problems you discribe points towards that it isn't ...
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
Good point get some Bobs Knobs and collimating it is pretty easy - even for me. On my second hand one I found the stock screws were very tight, I actually (carefully) released them with a bit of WD-40. I’m not recommending that process (getting WD-40 on your optics would not improve thangs) it worked for me, but I’m impatient and impulsive.
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bobs-k ... ation.html
Cheers,
Tony.
Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.
AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.
Celestron AVX Mount; X-cel LX eyepieces & Barlows 2x 3x, ZWO 2” Filter holder,
Cameras: main DSO ASI533MC; DSO guide ASI120MM; Planetary ASI224MC; DSLR Canon EOS100 stock.
Filters: Astronomik IR cut; Optolong L-Pro; Optolong L-Enhance.
Binoculars: Celestron 15 x 70.
Latitude: 52.219853
Longitude: -1.034471
Accuracy: 5 m
Bortle 4 site. https://maps.google.com/?q=52.21985,-1.03447
Tony.
Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.
AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.
Celestron AVX Mount; X-cel LX eyepieces & Barlows 2x 3x, ZWO 2” Filter holder,
Cameras: main DSO ASI533MC; DSO guide ASI120MM; Planetary ASI224MC; DSLR Canon EOS100 stock.
Filters: Astronomik IR cut; Optolong L-Pro; Optolong L-Enhance.
Binoculars: Celestron 15 x 70.
Latitude: 52.219853
Longitude: -1.034471
Accuracy: 5 m
Bortle 4 site. https://maps.google.com/?q=52.21985,-1.03447
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
I too would tend towards collimation. 2nd place problem may be a bad eyepiece. As mentioned, have you checked collimation on a bright star? Just point to Sirius or Procyon and rack it out of focus. If it looks like a perfect donut then you are pretty close to collimation. If you have a higher magnification eyepiece, do the same with it.
You mention it was serviced, was it done locally via pickup and dropoff, or did you ship it somewhere to be serviced. Very, very likely the collimation got kicked out if it were shipped.
You mention it was serviced, was it done locally via pickup and dropoff, or did you ship it somewhere to be serviced. Very, very likely the collimation got kicked out if it were shipped.
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
Welcome to the forum!
I agree something is amiss, 6SE should deliver nice views. Try to focus on a daytime target (tree or house in a distance).
It could be that focuser is malfunctioning and it does not move the mirror when your turn the knob. Another potential reason is that the corrector plate was installed wrong way after the service, or the screws holding secondary mirror are loose.
You can checkEP quality by holding it about 12" away from your eye and looking through it during the day. It should show smallish sharp upside down image of what you are looking at.
I agree something is amiss, 6SE should deliver nice views. Try to focus on a daytime target (tree or house in a distance).
It could be that focuser is malfunctioning and it does not move the mirror when your turn the knob. Another potential reason is that the corrector plate was installed wrong way after the service, or the screws holding secondary mirror are loose.
You can check
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
Definitely start with a quick star test as others have discribed.
The C6 is usually a very good scope that frequently gets compared to the 127mak.
Both my C6 and Mak put up nice images.
Oh, a few other things, was it properly cooled down?
I put mine out, then eat dinner and it's ready to go.
Also I have to use a dewshield on all my scopes around here.
The C6 is usually a very good scope that frequently gets compared to the 127mak.
Both my C6 and Mak put up nice images.
Oh, a few other things, was it properly cooled down?
I put mine out, then eat dinner and it's ready to go.
Also I have to use a dewshield on all my scopes around here.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
Hello Skywatcher
Did you have any problems with the dew? The humidity has been high in southern England of late.
I was down your way in New Milton in the week! The New Forest is lovely.
Welcome to the forum.
Regards
Graeme
Did you have any problems with the dew? The humidity has been high in southern England of late.
I was down your way in New Milton in the week! The New Forest is lovely.
Welcome to the forum.
Regards
Graeme
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- skywatcher1983
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
Bingo! The collimation was out again and I've just managed to do it myself 1st time successfully by pointing it at a bright star. Yes Bob's nobs really help. Thanks for your help.
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
Good to hearskywatcher1983 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:36 pm Bingo! The collimation was out again and I've just managed to do it myself 1st time successfully by pointing it at a bright star. Yes Bob's nobs really help. Thanks for your help.
Enjoy!
I love my C6
Clear Skies,
-Jeff
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- Greenman
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
Great stuff!skywatcher1983 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:36 pm Bingo! The collimation was out again and I've just managed to do it myself 1st time successfully by pointing it at a bright star. Yes Bob's nobs really help. Thanks for your help.
Cheers,
Tony.
Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.
AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.
Celestron AVX Mount; X-cel LX eyepieces & Barlows 2x 3x, ZWO 2” Filter holder,
Cameras: main DSO ASI533MC; DSO guide ASI120MM; Planetary ASI224MC; DSLR Canon EOS100 stock.
Filters: Astronomik IR cut; Optolong L-Pro; Optolong L-Enhance.
Binoculars: Celestron 15 x 70.
Latitude: 52.219853
Longitude: -1.034471
Accuracy: 5 m
Bortle 4 site. https://maps.google.com/?q=52.21985,-1.03447
Tony.
Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.
AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.
Celestron AVX Mount; X-cel LX eyepieces & Barlows 2x 3x, ZWO 2” Filter holder,
Cameras: main DSO ASI533MC; DSO guide ASI120MM; Planetary ASI224MC; DSLR Canon EOS100 stock.
Filters: Astronomik IR cut; Optolong L-Pro; Optolong L-Enhance.
Binoculars: Celestron 15 x 70.
Latitude: 52.219853
Longitude: -1.034471
Accuracy: 5 m
Bortle 4 site. https://maps.google.com/?q=52.21985,-1.03447
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Re: Nexstar 6SE disappointing performance
If somebody messed with the corrector plate (ie they removed and replaced it), it may not have been put back in EXACTLY the same orientation from which it left! This in addition to collimation can produce the poor performance you are experiencing. There sometimes are reference marks on the corrector and the associated ring onto which it sits - and sometimes there aren't. If not, the only folks (that I'm aware of) that can accurately position your corrector plate back in the proper position is Celestron.
Hope you get this sorted out.
Cheers,
JT
Hope you get this sorted out.
Cheers,
JT
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