TheSkySearchers

That should be a very fine refractor

I ordered gear which arrived today. The OTA is an Astro-Tech doublet EDL series 125mm, f7.8 (975mm fl), which resolves at 0.93", reaches 13.1 magnitude, 159mm o.d. dew cap, 130mm o.d. tube, tube length 845 to 1010 with dew cap extended, 5.6 kg on the tube alone with 6.7 kg including rings and dovetail. Guaranteed 0.95 Strehl, 2.5" dual speed 10:1 rack and pinion focuser which rotates.

I also ordered a hard case and an Astro-Tech 2" dielectric diagonal.

The 50lb box in my work room:



The parting of the sea of plastic peanuts reveals the diagonal and scope boxes.



After minor assembly here's the stuff.



Everything appears to be in good order awaiting first light.

Congratulations. Very fine instrument!

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Tue Oct 25, 2022 4:57 am The OTA is an Astro-Tech doublet EDL series 125mm, f7.8 (975mm fl),

I'm curious what you'll think of the fine focusing on it. My AT102ED seems a little stiff to me, but maybe I've been spoiled by my Crayfords.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Tue Oct 25, 2022 12:22 pm

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Tue Oct 25, 2022 4:57 am The OTA is an Astro-Tech doublet EDL series 125mm, f7.8 (975mm fl),

I'm curious what you'll think of the fine focusing on it. My AT102ED seems a little stiff to me, but maybe I've been spoiled by my Crayfords.

I think there's an adjustment for that.... I'll put it through the paces at first light or sooner.

Congrats nFA! Should be quite capable scope.

What a joy. Did you sniff it to get that "new scope smell!"

Looking forward to your first light.

Cheers,

That looks nice nFA!
Congratulations on the new addition.
Hopefully the skies are good for testing soon.

Other than the jet stream conditions are favorable tonight.
I have the 105/1000 and 100/1000 set up, great views from both telescopes.

This Vixen A62SS f8.4 just came in !

I'm curious what you'll think of the fine focusing on it. My AT102ED seems a little stiff to me, but maybe I've been spoiled by my Crayfords.

I think there's an adjustment for that.... I'll put it through the paces at first light or sooner.

As shown in this underside photo, there is a fine adjustment via the knob shown on the left and course adjustment via one of the Allen set screws. My focus adjustment was too loose after delivery and I had to tighten the set screw.

This is my AT80ED in the photo but I have an AT102ED too.

8” f/15 D&G Refractor on a DM-6 Alt/At Mount

That is quite the refractor, I imagine the views are superb.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Tue Oct 25, 2022 4:57 am I ordered gear which arrived today. The OTA is an Astro-Tech doublet EDL series 125mm, f7.8 (975mm fl), which resolves at 0.93", reaches 13.1 magnitude, 159mm o.d. dew cap, 130mm o.d. tube, tube length 845 to 1010 with dew cap extended, 5.6 kg on the tube alone with 6.7 kg including rings and dovetail. Guaranteed 0.95 Strehl, 2.5" dual speed 10:1 rack and pinion focuser which rotates.

Everything appears to be in good order awaiting first light.

VERY nice, nFA! Can't wait to read first light report!

Dave

gjcarter wrote: ↑Sun Nov 27, 2022 8:39 pm 8” f/15 D&G Refractor on a DM-6 Alt/At Mount

Wow! You need to post an observing report

Dave

gjcarter wrote: ↑Sun Nov 27, 2022 8:39 pm 8” f/15 D&G Refractor on a DM-6 Alt/At Mount

Just fantastic! An 8" refractor is something we don't see everyday. I remember the old ads for Brandt objective lenses in the Sky & Telescope magazines in the mid 1970's but they are long gone:


And I also occasionally see ads for Istar-Optical, who is still in business:
https://istar-optical.com/achromatic.html

However, this D & G Optical is a new one for me:
http://www.dgoptical.com/

That is a beautiful telescope you have there gjcarter, thanks for posting that nice photograph, and I hope to see an observing report with this huge refractor from you soon too.

Here's my new setup...Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro with a Bresser Messier AR-127...

this mount is rock solid , fine setup , thx .

Nice yard canon!

Razz wrote: ↑Sun Dec 04, 2022 7:47 pm Here's my new setup...Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro with a Bresser Messier AR-127...

Looking good, Bill! Is it balanced that way?

Probably not. It's close to how I had it set up in the house and it was balanced. I just did a quick set up outside today to get the finder scope adjusted. Clearoutside is predicting clear skies for me next Saturday and I'm just trying to get set up. It's odd that you asked that. Do you see a problem? If so, let me know.