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Telescopes

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I have several telescopes used through the years. Some are high end, some are inexpensive.

My primary narrow field scope is the Celestron Edge 11. My primary wide field scope was the Takahashi Sky90 for several years. Eventually I bit the bullet and replaced the Sky90 with the FSQ106.

Celestron Edge 11" HD with Homeyer Cradle

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Price (orig Cost):

 $1200 ($3700)

Notes:

Andy Homeyer used to make beautiful telescope cradles out of 1/2" aluminum to hold SCTs on their mounts, replacing the typical dovetail rails. These eliminated pretty much all flexure in the mounting.

Image 2 shows the C11 in the Homeyer cradle with an extra Losmandy dovetail visible. The Edge is strapped securely into the cradle, then the cradle is bolted directly to the Paramount Versa plate. My TPoint flexure (especially in the piggy backed refractor) was completely eliminated.

It also shows the FSQ106 piggy backed on top via a second Losmandy rail. The Optec focuser and STF8300M are on the back of the C11.

Image 3 shows someone else's C14 cradle without the OTA (mine looks slightly different). The cradle originally cost $800, but I am including it with the C11 since I can't use it for anything else.

Takahashi FSQ106EDX-III

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Price (orig Cost):

 $1500 ($3500)

Notes:

This is my premium wide field imaging scope. It is a 530mm f5 with FeatherTouch focuser.

The second image shows the current configuration. The Tak is piggy backed onto the Edge 11 using a Losmandy rail and Tak clamshell. I added screws in the clamshell base to allow alignment of the Tak with the Edge 11. Focusing is done with an EasyFocus focuser running a Robofocus motor. A Pyxis Rotator is next, followed by a QSI683 camera with filter wheel and off axis guider.

The third image shows the Robofocus motor connected directly to the FeatherTouch focuser via the knob axle (the knob has been removed). The EasyFocus controller and RoboFocus motor are included.

Takahashi Sky90

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Price (orig Cost):

 $300 ($1800)

Notes:

Doublet Apochromat.

50mm aperture. Large back focus adjustment. I should have the FSQ attachment, I have to look through my parts.

I used this for several years, first mounted on a NexStar 11, then on the Edge 11. I was very happy with the results. Eventually moved up to the FSQ106.

William Optics Zenith Star 80mm

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Price (orig Cost):

 $100 ($500)

Notes:

80mm f6.8.

Used as a guide scope before installing the dome.

Includes case, nice mounting rings.

SBig Guide Scope

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Price (orig Cost):

 $25 ($250)

Notes:

This is a small scope / lens similar to an St-i, with a mounting bracket and small USB camera. The product was intended to provide an easy autoguider in a small package.

Unfortunately, the image scales did not work at all for my setup. I expect it should work OK with a main imaging camera with 3 or more arcsecond/pixel.