Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
Hi everyone,
finally today I got the Crayfor SC focuser and I can go with phase 2 PST Mod on the Vixen A80M.
I already tested it briefly... now I'm processing the images. They won't be great as we had a sunny but very windy day. It seems that my "first light" has to be done with the wind
Anyway... here are a few pictures of my Frankenscope
Isn't "she" (it's a "Vixen") lovely?
I'll post first captures later, after processing.
Andrea
finally today I got the Crayfor SC focuser and I can go with phase 2 PST Mod on the Vixen A80M.
I already tested it briefly... now I'm processing the images. They won't be great as we had a sunny but very windy day. It seems that my "first light" has to be done with the wind
Anyway... here are a few pictures of my Frankenscope
Isn't "she" (it's a "Vixen") lovely?
I'll post first captures later, after processing.
Andrea
- Merlin66
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Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
Well done!
Looking good....
The Stage 2 mod results even with a BF5 are always better than Stage 1!!!!
(The next thing you need for aesthetics to to make a tube adaptor between the SCT focuser and the end of the OTA - a lever clamped on the PST adjusting ring and a slot in the tube would give that "streamlined, professional" look)
Just my 0.02euro
Looking good....
The Stage 2 mod results even with a BF5 are always better than Stage 1!!!!
(The next thing you need for aesthetics to to make a tube adaptor between the SCT focuser and the end of the OTA - a lever clamped on the PST adjusting ring and a slot in the tube would give that "streamlined, professional" look)
Just my 0.02euro
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Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
Hi Andrea
she looks great. Congrats on the mod. I'm interested too in the first pics you have been able to capture
she looks great. Congrats on the mod. I'm interested too in the first pics you have been able to capture
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
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Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
Looks good Andrea! I take it's pretty easy to unscrew the etalong assembly from the black box of the PST?
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Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
It took me days to do it. It's been the hardest thing to unscrew in my whole life!
But once done you feel like Superman... with a cryptonite piece in his hand
But once done you feel like Superman... with a cryptonite piece in his hand
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Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
The original "ol' gold" PST etalon were relatively easy to remove; the first couple of batches from the Mexican assembly plant were overloaded with loctite and are VERY difficult to separate..the latest PST's don't seem to be as bad....
"Astronomical Spectroscopy - The Final Frontier" - to boldly go where few amateurs have gone before
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
Mine is very very old... I think one of the first (serial 94052) and it's been very very hard to do. Particularly the Etalon.
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Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
Is the etalon unscrewed from the black box using the boa constrictor / rubber strap tool then if it's a toughy to get out?
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
I didn't use it but more brutal methods. But I think that with the rubber strap it wouldn't unscrew.
Just my opinion. But probably it was because mine is a very old one.
Just my opinion. But probably it was because mine is a very old one.
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Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
OK.
I haven't found an PST etalon yet that would not unscrew using two industrial strength BOA wrenches.....
I haven't found an PST etalon yet that would not unscrew using two industrial strength BOA wrenches.....
"Astronomical Spectroscopy - The Final Frontier" - to boldly go where few amateurs have gone before
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
Re: Vixen A80M Coronado PST Phase 2 Mod... done! (finally)
I'm sure about it It was quite easy to unscrew the gold tube, the BF, etc. only the etalon was very very difficult but I think it was just mine