A Celestron 150HD f/8 In The Classifieds

[JayTee]

As far as the upgrade of a non goto EQ6 to full goto the answer is maybe.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/6821 ... tcher-eq6/

At this point, if it tracks accurately that is all I need.

[notFritzArgelander]

As far as the upgrade of a non goto EQ6 to full goto the answer is maybe.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/6821 ... tcher-eq6/

At this point, if it tracks accurately that is all I need.

Fair enough and good for you. At this point I am doing research in case the AVX works fine and you don't need the EQ6. The full upgrade kit seems to be available

https://www.optics-pro.com/goto-kits/sk ... t-/p,22269

https://www.365astronomy.com/skywatcher ... it-for-eq6

[chris_g]

I seen and read the responses here @JayTee . If I were closer I'd have a truly hard time not poaching either. I have an EQ-6 that would love to give that OTA a ride with a camera attached, price is insane...

[Lady Fraktor]

Just so you know the difference, the 150HD is the original version of the 150mm f/8 Celestron.
The optics are quite good in these, the only minor disadvantage is that the lens cell is not collimatable.
The C6-R came out 2 years later with the collimatable lens cell and slightly better coatings. Other than that they are pretty much the same telescope.
The Orion EQ-6 is a solid mount for these telescopes and you will appreciate the capacity.
These mouns were a common upgrade over the CG-5 as it was just capable unless tuned up by the user.

If you have any specific questions JT just ask, I have been using and modifying them since 2004

[JayTee]

I found the spec sheet for the OTA. At 18.5 LBs, the AVX should be able to easily handle it for visual.
This is assuming I found the correct spec sheet.

[notFritzArgelander]

I found the spec sheet for the OTA. At 18.5 LBs, the AVX should be able to easily handle it for visual.
This is assuming I found the correct spec sheet.

Screenshot_20220827-142801_Drive.jpg

I've no doubt about the spec sheet. The thing of it is that weight alone isn't good enough. So I'd buy and then try. The AVX is rated the same as the CG5 and the HEQ5. My experience is that the CG5 underperformed and the HEQ5 over performed. I have no experience with the AVX. The comparison was the Edge HD 9.25 which is 21 lb. The CG5 was rated for 30 lb as is the AVX.

what makes refractors particularly persnickety if the length of the OTA. So while the weight by itself might be OK the length of the OTA means that any out of balance causes a larger torque at the drive head.

[SkyHiker]

OnStep could make it a full fledged goto. You just have to figure out some aluminum braces to attach stepper motors to. Aluminum is almost as easy to work with as triplex. Which might also work. Some OnSteppers have tried it, I didn't read it all.

[Lady Fraktor]

I found the spec sheet for the OTA. At 18.5 LBs, the AVX should be able to easily handle it for visual.
This is assuming I found the correct spec sheet.

Screenshot_20220827-142801_Drive.jpg

Yes it is the right sheet, the later version is called a C6-R (only 2 versions)
If you need the manual for the mount

29279_01-09.pdf

(1.18 MiB) Downloaded 22 times

[Bigzmey]

So, JT, how did it go?

[JayTee]

He is not a fast mover, today was go to the UPS store to get a quote on boxing and shipping costs. I get the feeling he needs all the money upfront. But it really does look like I have myself a new (to me) King Kong frac!!! Whoohooo!

Yay!

[JayTee]

The shipping headache has been solved, and a final dollar amount has been negotiated. Money will change hands on Monday, and shipping will occur on Tuesday! I won't make any declarations so as not to jinx the deal. But I'm starting to salivate (not yet a full-fledged drool)!!!

[notFritzArgelander]

The shipping headache has been solved, and a final dollar amount has been negotiated. Money will change hands on Monday, and shipping will occur on Tuesday! I won't make any declarations so as not to jinx the deal. But I'm starting to salivate (not yet a full-fledged drool)!!!

Best wishes for successful droolery!

[JayTee]

Here's a question, what specific eyepieces would get the most out of this telescope?

[notFritzArgelander]

Here's a question, what specific eyepieces would get the most out of this telescope?

Looking at what you have on hand, I think you are pretty well set up, except for critical lunar planetary. I'd add KK Fujiyama Orthos or Baader BCOs.

[Bigzmey]

Here's a question, what specific eyepieces would get the most out of this telescope?

Looking at what you have on hand, I think you are pretty well set up, except for critical lunar planetary. I'd add KK Fujiyama Orthos or Baader BCOs.

I think you are well set on EPs to, in particular if you got a good 2x barlow. I would start observing with a new scope and if there is a gap in your EP line up you will discover it soon.

[Pitter]

A little late to the party here, but I own this scope and can verify the optics are an insanely good bang for the buck. I bought mine about 5 years ago. Came with a Synscan EQ5 goto mount ($600 cdn). It's a heavy beast so I run it on my CGEM. It has become my main planetary AP setup.

[JayTee]

UPDATE:

I have tracking numbers. Delivery is projected for this Saturday.

Woohoo.

[JayTee]

Four boxes arrived about 90 minutes ago and it took me 60 Minutes to unpack everything, but it all arrived in flawless condition.

Words cannot convey the size of this telescope. The only word that kept coming out of my mouth was, "Whoa, Whoa, Whoa."

This incredible deal seems very surreal. It almost feels like I have been so blessed I have to start paying it forward.

All of this for the paltry sum of $200 (€197)

But the truth in gloating Act says I have to reveal the shipping was $520 (€512).

Even those two sums added together still make this the deal of deals.

Images of the unboxing.

Everything arrived in four boxes and one of them is very special.

I have never seen, let alone owned, a TOW missile hard case (and it shipped without any issues). As you can see the OTA fits perfectly in it

Lastly here is everything unboxed

This is my last post for this thread. The next post will be a first light.

Extremely excited,

[Bigzmey]

Even with shipping it is a great deal. Congrats JT! Missile hard case for the yard canon, very fitting.

How's situation with clouds?

[JayTee]

How's situation with clouds?

Cloudless, but pretty smokey. This won't stop me from going after Jupiter and Saturn this evening.