8/18/2023 0 Comments Orion sky quest xt8In the FieldĮven for a beginner, the XT8 Classic is a dream to use under the stars. My unit arrived with good collimation from the factory, and I never needed to adjust it more than once or twice a year.Ī collimation cap is sufficient for this purpose, though some prefer to use a laser collimator and Cheshire eyepiece for greater precision. The primary mirror is center-marked to aid the process. The XT8 Classic uses knurled bolts for tool-free collimation of the primary mirror, and hex screws for the secondary, all standard for this type of telescope. This is called collimation, and it is a source of anxiety among new telescope owners. The mirrors of a reflecting telescope must be in alignment with the optical path for it to work properly. If you have any issues with the size or weight, you can simply bring the base out first and then carry the OTA out separately. It is possible for one person to lift the assembled telescope and carry it outside, as I did dozens of times. Whichever one you get, you will want to set the scope outside in daylight to get this aligned the first time you use it, as it will make aiming the telescope much easier. Most units are supplied with a red dot finder, though some may come with a 9×50 finderscope instead. I found they worked well, and I never felt the need for any sort of counterweight. These springs serve the dual purpose of keeping the OTA from falling off the base and adding tension to keep the scope balanced while in use. This consists of a pair of springs attached to the OTA which hook onto bolts in the base. The XT8 uses a system called CorrecTension to marry these two parts together. To set up the telescope, all you do is place the OTA so that the large plastic bearings rest in the wooden cradle of the base. (Side note from Corey: My wife was SHOCKED when the thing arrived, it looks like a cannon.) The optical tube is over 45” long and appears even larger in the box. The optical tube assembly (OTA) comes fully assembled in its own box, and if you’ve never seen one of these things before, let me warn you that they are big. If you are ordering a brand new XT8, the base will come flat-packed with an Allen key for screwing together the various boards.Īs I recall, there are only five pieces to assemble, and the process is fairly easy.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |