Need help setting up Celestron 127EQ with missing parts

[RamJacCorp]

I just received a used Celestron 127EQ, and am extremely excited. Problem is, it has no tripod or equatorial mount hardware, so I don't know if I'll be able to make it usable. Celestron doesn't sell the parts I need. Online, the parts cost almost as much as buying the whole kit new! I was hoping that I could rig something up to attach the scope to my old Velbon photo tripod. Is this possible? If anyone has any potential solutions, I'd be really grateful to hear them. Here's a link to the telescope: https://www.celestron.com/products/powe ... -telescope

[Bigzmey]

Welcome to the forum RamJacCorp! I would not invest too much effort or money in this scope. Celestron 127EQ is of Bird-Jones design and as such very difficult to collimate and generally a poor performer. This is one of very few models which we recommend beginners to avoid. Here is thread providing more details on this topic.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5803

So, there is a good reason why the mount alone costs almost as much as the complete package. This is because the scope has very little value.

[Lady Fraktor]

Welcome RamJacCorp, unfortunately as Bigzmey has pointed out this is a telescope that is not recommended for beginners and more advanced users will avoid.

If you have a set of binoculars they will give you better views and some nice close up views of the lunar surface.
To mount it on your tripod you could modify the top and use some wood and two large Jubilee clips to hold the tube in place though there is no guarantee this would work without seeing the tripod head.

Good luck and hopefully you can get a better telescope that will not frustrate you to the point of giving up on this great hobby.

[JayTee]

The two posts above are absolutely true. But if you are set on using this telescope tube then here is something you could do.

When I need used parts I have found there are several places you can go, like the Astro classifieds at Cloudy Nights and Astromart, and don't forget about ebay. I have gotten a lot of good usable equipment off of ebay. You are looking for a Celestron setup with an SLT go to mount. This is one of a couple of different paths you could choose to use your telescope tube.

Cheers,
JT

[OzEclipse]

Sorry but I have to agree with the others. All very experienced observers. I have been collimating reflector scopes since 1979, 45 years. Bird Jones are really hard to optically align and get a decent image. Spending money on parts is false economy. Work out a budget and let us know and we’ll see if we can recommend something with decent performance, good value for money and in your budget.

Joe

[Richard]

I agree with all the comments , I have had many BJ scopes probably 10 or so , some ok but lots bad , all were on bad eq mounts , these are relatively cheap telescopes and generally come with bad mounts/tripods
You could perhaps mount to a camera tripod with some mods , but it will not be stable and will frustrate you , it will shake like crazy and with no slow motion controls its a no no
Unfortunately the telescope (OTA only) has virtually no value as the mirror, focuser are only for that scope
The only option if you are handy man is to build a Dobs mount for it which is a lot of work so unless you test it first then no

[Graeme1858]

I just received a used Celestron 127EQ, and am extremely excited.

My first telescope was a 127 EQ Bird Jones Newtonian and whilst the quality was not good I did have a few wow moments with it! It certainly got me hooked and I progressed onto bigger and better telescopes after that.

I'm with Richard, If you have had a look through it and it's half decent, build a Dobsonian mount and see if you too get hooked and want to take the hobby further.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Welcome to the forum.

Regards

Graeme