New Orion XX12g
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 3:47 pm
Hi All!
Bought an XX12g a couple weeks ago. Have wanted a "nice" telescope ever since I was a kid...
Here's what I've done and am doing, and I've got to say I'm having a lot of fun and learning a lot:
First, I used the factory 28mm eyepiece. It's pretty good, but since buying a "better" eyepiece I can see the difference in quality the more I use it.
Then I bought an Explore Scientific 18mm 82 degree eyepiece, which I really like. I've done some basic calculations and am thinking that my next eyepiece to purchase will be an 11mm 82 degree from the same manufacturer. Later on, probably an 8mm and (maybe) a 5mm - but we'll have to see on that. I'm taking it slow and getting one at a time. I don't think there's any reason to get anything over 32mm or under 4mm, based on my current understanding - which may be wrong.
Tried my hand at collimating with the factory "peep hole" eyepiece. I didn't get very far with that, as it was difficult to "look, then walk to the back of the telescope and make an adjustment and then walk back and look again". What DID work was getting a friend to make small adjustments to the primary mirror screws WHILE I was looking through the peep site.
I also bought a Laser Collimator. I can see how that would be much easier, and after I used it I went back to the "peep site" as a check, and it was close. One thing that I am wondering about is that when I roll the Collimator while shining the laser on a far wall, it turns out that the collimator itself isn't "collimated". So I don't know "how good is good enough" when it comes to "Collimation of the Collimator". Hope that makes sense.
I also built a cart so I can wheel the telescope out in the evenings, and then put it back in my garage when I'm done observing. It seems to me that it's best to leave the telescope fully assembled, and only take it apart when I need to transport it a greater distance (helping to save on "wear and tear" is what I'm thinking). Frankly, I'm not happy with the cart, as it's not as stable as I would like, so I will try to come up with something better (and will share here when/if that happens).
There was a firmware update. I applied it yesterday. Had to go to YouTube to see an undocumented trick that was what made it work. Basically, you have to hold some buttons down at the same time that power is turned on.
Just starting to work with theGoTo features. Not much success there yet, but I already know that I need to be more precise.
I haven't done anything with filters, nor any solar stuff. I would like to.
I have GOT to figure out a better chair to use while observing.....
Further out, I'd like to start including some of my neighbors in some "Star Parties". Relations amongt some of the people in my neighborhood could be improved, and I'm thinking that sharing a nice telescope would be a good way to help that.
- Pat
Bought an XX12g a couple weeks ago. Have wanted a "nice" telescope ever since I was a kid...
Here's what I've done and am doing, and I've got to say I'm having a lot of fun and learning a lot:
First, I used the factory 28mm eyepiece. It's pretty good, but since buying a "better" eyepiece I can see the difference in quality the more I use it.
Then I bought an Explore Scientific 18mm 82 degree eyepiece, which I really like. I've done some basic calculations and am thinking that my next eyepiece to purchase will be an 11mm 82 degree from the same manufacturer. Later on, probably an 8mm and (maybe) a 5mm - but we'll have to see on that. I'm taking it slow and getting one at a time. I don't think there's any reason to get anything over 32mm or under 4mm, based on my current understanding - which may be wrong.
Tried my hand at collimating with the factory "peep hole" eyepiece. I didn't get very far with that, as it was difficult to "look, then walk to the back of the telescope and make an adjustment and then walk back and look again". What DID work was getting a friend to make small adjustments to the primary mirror screws WHILE I was looking through the peep site.
I also bought a Laser Collimator. I can see how that would be much easier, and after I used it I went back to the "peep site" as a check, and it was close. One thing that I am wondering about is that when I roll the Collimator while shining the laser on a far wall, it turns out that the collimator itself isn't "collimated". So I don't know "how good is good enough" when it comes to "Collimation of the Collimator". Hope that makes sense.
I also built a cart so I can wheel the telescope out in the evenings, and then put it back in my garage when I'm done observing. It seems to me that it's best to leave the telescope fully assembled, and only take it apart when I need to transport it a greater distance (helping to save on "wear and tear" is what I'm thinking). Frankly, I'm not happy with the cart, as it's not as stable as I would like, so I will try to come up with something better (and will share here when/if that happens).
There was a firmware update. I applied it yesterday. Had to go to YouTube to see an undocumented trick that was what made it work. Basically, you have to hold some buttons down at the same time that power is turned on.
Just starting to work with the
I haven't done anything with filters, nor any solar stuff. I would like to.
I have GOT to figure out a better chair to use while observing.....
Further out, I'd like to start including some of my neighbors in some "Star Parties". Relations amongt some of the people in my neighborhood could be improved, and I'm thinking that sharing a nice telescope would be a good way to help that.
- Pat