Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
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Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
In 2017, I bought my son a Celestron 130 SLT; he had shown an interest in astronomy, and I have a lot of memories of me and my dad with a cheap refractor scope in the back yard growing up. I thought it would be nice to have some of that with my son.
Well, it is now a few years later, he is 18 and off to college, and he left the scope here. No surprise though, as we were really only able to go out once and look at Jupiter. The rest of the time was night after night of messing with the scope trying to get it to align so we could actually use it. The only real memories we have is me spending hour upon hour outside getting more and more frustrated with it, countless emails and posts and infinite adjustments and so on.
I tried it again the other night just as a lark; three hours of 'alignment failed' messages reminded me why it now just sits downstairs unused.
A friend is building a dobson box, and all of our discussions about tracking systems and so on has gotten me excited about being able to look at a planet or two myself some time, so I'm thinking about buying a new scope again.
I would like to buy something that will let me point it at a planet, and then it will automatically stay pointed at that planet. I really don't care about reflector size at this point, the 130mm mirror on my celestron seems to okay, but I'm definitely willing to give up size if I can have functionality. I don't need to see any deep sky objects or binary stars or anything fancy, it would just be nice to be able to be able to get it to stay on a planet or maybe a star.
My second requirement is that it must come from a company with good customer service. I pointed out loose screws and mis-assembled hardware, instructions that do not match the actual product, contradictory instructions, and have spent countless hours failing to get it to work, only to be told that all of that is normal, the problem is that I need to keep practicing.
Other than that, I really don't care about brand or country of origin. I just want a decent quality scope that tracks objects in the sky. Hell, I'll even sacrifice quality for functionality.
My experience is limited to when I was a teenager with a no-name refractor scope, so I really don't even have brand recognition going for me in my search. Celestron *seemed* to be a solid name when I got the one I have now, but shame on me for not doing better research first.
I'd like to stay around the same price (~$600 USD) for a new one.
Can anyone here make a recommendation based on actual experience (and not a mfr's claims?)
Thank you.
The original thread trying to get the 130slt to work:
(http://www.astronomyforum.net/celestron ... maybe.html)
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
I have one and used it quite a bit for many years. I just use it occasionally now. Bit by the
Every now and then I would have trouble alining it, but not long after I got it I bought a skyportal wifi Module and connected to SkySafari On my iPad. Completely eliminated the hand controller from the picture.
A lot of folks will recommend a
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
AF is no longer being maintained and is overrun with spam bots and assorted trolls of all types. It is not a safe place to be, and most of the active members there have migrated here.
The 130 SLT does get good reviews from reputable sources. Your post here today suggests that you never really got the 130 SLT to work, but I read through the AF thread you linked to, and your final posts there indicated that the scope was working: "However, every time I've taken the scope out, I have had zero problems aligning using either 2- or 3-star alignment methods... The scope, however, is working fine, and we are quite pleased with the performance."
That was over two years ago, so what happened in the meantime to sour you on the scope? If you went on to have more difficulties and ultimately gave up, or simply just didn't like that particular scope, and want something different, I can understand that. Whatever the case, you don't want a repeat of a frustrating experience.
The problem is that with your stated budget, requirements for a
Orion has the StarSeekeer line of
Your $600 would go further with a non-motorized scope. A
I'm sure others will be along to add valuable information.
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
If I were you I would really consider this
https://www.highpointscientific.com/cel ... cope-11036
I have the 6 and 8 and they are great scopes, can't go wrong
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
-Jeff
Member; ASTRA-NJ
Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
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- notFritzArgelander
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
One thing, though.... In setting up you have to be sure that your mount is level and it helps that you are pointed North. I use a spirit level and my cell phone compass to do this and when I do it never fails to align. Have you tried leveling your mount? If you haven't it might surprise you by working.
Celestron is solid usually. Orion has a good reputation for customer service.
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
Steve
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
Choosing a wrong star during 2-3 star alignment, not choosing a bright enough star during sky align or taking to long when doing alignment.
Time should be accurate within a few seconds and if viewing from the same location you just need to input time and date as the coordinates will be the same.
Not enough power for the mount, batteries will not last long and if cool out will power out quicker. Rechargable will not supply enough power.
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
Joining a local astronomy group or just attending any outdoor event should get you the help you need to assure your telescope is operating properly.
Spending the money on a few accessories might make it easier to use (Once you determine that there is not something wrong with YOUR 130 SLT.
Use what you have.
You may find a buyer at one of the events and you can see what others are using to find exactly what you need to make this hobby enjoyable.
I have a friend who bought a $5,000.00 camera (Canon) and hates to even use it because he does not understand how to set it up.
He bought a small point and shoot and he takes the best group photos whenever we have any event (Birthdays, sitting on the deck of the boat, evening dining out.
Everyone asks him to share his photos, which he freely does and enjoys.
So, this may not your best telescope, but it is what you have.
Give it another chance, who knows, you may have been doing just one thing wrong and it has made this less than a fun experience.
I, for one, am glad you have not totally given up.
for now, things may be a little out of focus, but one turn of the knob and your perspective may change in a most exciting way.
Tony
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
And, if I remember correctly, the Celestron electronics had a nasty habit of running home if the battery failed. The location that you carefully inputted last time out reset itself to Los Angeles.
Steve
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
Balance the tube as well as possible, do not weight it towards the rear too take up slack this will do nothing other than put strain on the plastic gears.
Take up any backlash using the settings in the hand controller. You will only need to do this once.
Set the tripod up and make it reasonably level.
It does not have to be perfect as the mount does not know where it is until you have done an alignment so perfectly level to start makes no difference with a az/ alt mount.
When you do approaches on alignment stars finish with up and to the right, this is standard for Celestron mounts of all types (alignment marks are for
I would also suggest not to use Polaris as a alignment star unless you are doing a 3 star alignment.
Use a reticle eyepiece to center stars accurately.
Even with everything perfect these mounts will rarely put an object in center of view but it will normally be in the field of view. You can tweak to center and the mount will track fine from there.
These mounts are very, very simple and overthinking them will just lead to frustration
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
2. Backlash with the controller... I wanted to wait and do that after I understood what else was wrong, didn't want to add another variable. Celestron wasn't able to tell me exactly what that setting controlled. In my professional life, anti-backlash settings are expressed in 'degrees of main drive motor rotation between positive preloaded drive train and antiloaded drivetrain.' Celestron was not able to tell me exactly what the units were on their settings, nor a process to know how much to adjust. But again, I've left that setting alone.
3. Level the tripod. I have levelled it using the built-in spirit level, and have also levelled the tube to within 25microns per cm. That made no difference. Oddly, celestron told me that I I made it *too* level, but dismissed the part about how "it still doesn't work." Regardless, I am confident that it is indeed level.
4. Stars move up and to the right for alignment. Yes. I am certain to do this, as consistent load on the drive motors ensures consistent positioning.
5. Not using polaris for aligning. I have never been told this before - this is one more item that the manual I have does not mention that seems like a pretty important omission. Last night polaris was one of the stars I had used, but I had also tries arcturus/vega as well.
6. Reticle eyepiece... I wish I had known all of the additional equipment required for this; I would have bought it all at the beginning! I don't know if I want to sink any more money into this silly thing; I really just want to get rid of it and replace something that doesn't have so many issues.
7. >"Even with everything perfect these mounts will rarely put an object in center of view but it will normally be in the field of view." I've been told this before, but can never get a quantified answer... Last night's one successful alignment was not able to put the moon into the
I appreciate the input, I really do. I just really want to replace this with something that does not take 3 years to become proficient with!
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
It is not that hard to learn how to star hop to your target using manual mount and in the process you will learn the sky. Consider that all the hours went into fighting electronics you could spend enjoying the sky.
When my 10 years old daughter wanted to observe, I got a 90mm refractor on a simple manual AltAz mount. She had it on Moon in 10 min after starting to use the scope, and learn how to find brighter
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
With a tracking motor you can do good planetary viewing as well as observe many other objects.
The optics are quite good and the mount is an excellent mid level workhorse mount and will last for years
https://agenaastro.com/celestron-omni-x ... 21088.html
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
Last night I ran a few tests and found that as long as I position the scope with speed setting 6 or lower, I can rotate the altitude axis and never slip by more than 1.5 degrees.
With the tube mounted and balanced, i can raise it 60 degrees and lower it back again, and it will only be off 1 degree at most. But doing it with a
My theory is that with auto 2 star it is slipping while slewing to the second star, and that is why it always fails alignment. Probably been the problem all along.
Ah, well. Meade is having a sale, and some good ideas to chase down on here.
Thanks again.
- notFritzArgelander
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
It sounds like the clutch needs to be tightened. It is a 13mm nut behind the screw to tighten the dovetail.rpdayton wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2020 2:32 am Thank you all for your help,
Last night I ran a few tests and found that as long as I position the scope with speed setting 6 or lower, I can rotate the altitude axis and never slip by more than 1.5 degrees.
With the tube mounted and balanced, i can raise it 60 degrees and lower it back again, and it will only be off 1 degree at most. But doing it with a goto move ignores the speed setting, and over 3 tests found it slipped 2, 7, and 12 degrees. There is apparently no feedback loop to ensure accurate positioning.
My theory is that with auto 2 star it is slipping while slewing to the second star, and that is why it always fails alignment. Probably been the problem all along.
Ah, well. Meade is having a sale, and some good ideas to chase down on here.
Thanks again.
It should be tight enough to hold and require a bit of pressure to make it move.
Remove the two small star head screws to remove the outside ring and then unscrew the dovetail tightening bolt completely to access it.
A little tightening does a lot so be gentle
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
celestro customer service assured me that being that loose was normal, so i never gave it another thought.
Going back through all of those old emails is really making me think I need to just steer clear of them on my next purchase. I jokingly mentioned elsewhere that I think they also do customer service for lawn mowers and dishwashers... now I'm not so sure that's a joke.
We've already promised this one to a friend's kid... they're picking it up today in fact. Is there a breakaway torque spec on the slip clutch? Maybe I can mess with it after a collimate it this morning.
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
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Re: Buying a new telescope, looking for recommendations
Refractors None
SCT C5 on a SLT mount
Mak 150 Bosma on a EQ5
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