[Chaos-l] ES Comet Hunter Repair Experience

[Mark Montazer]

Do the central hex screws, within the larger out thumbscrews, tighten
properly (e.g., locking the outer thumbscrew)? When I would go to tighten
the hex screws they would grab the thumbscrew and spin them, thus ruining
what collimation I did have and never holding well when travelling.
Everything locks up tightly now, but I haven't taken it on a road trip yet
to determine how well it holds.

The focuser on mine travels well. The locking screw, when tightened, forces
the knobs to spin and not modify focus. The tension screw does 'slow down'
the action of the focuser. I'd definitely email ES support about the
focuser issue. Though I gripe about the time it took to convince ES that my
issue was valid, they resolved it quickly and thoroughly once I did (phone
calls, emails, instructions, free parts.)

I too am annoyed that, when switching back and forth from camera to visual,
that I have to unscrew/screw-on the extension tube (not always easy in the
dark.) This difference in focal lengths can't be avoided, but there's an
adapter that will make life easier for us which comes in at about $25-50.
It's has a 2" nosepiece on one end, 1.5-3.5" of tube, and a compression
ring on the other end. This way we can use only the built-in focuser tube
with compression ring.

Love that fingernail crescent pic.

Mark



On Sun, Dec 2, 2012 at 1:28 PM, Tony Garcia <randomcoffee at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> I have had no problem with adjusting collimation, all of that has been
> fine. It does seem to always lose collimation between sessions and I wonder
> if in my case the screws could be a little tighter.  On the other hand I am
> now using a high end laser collimator so that could be collimation snobbery
> on my part!
>
> The focuser has caused me some issues.  It doesn't adjust in out-travel
> very well, for a while not at all. But I have discovered the cure was
> careful adjustment of the various friction screws.  The last time I did
> this I almost dialed it, it's much better, but in the field I'm finding
> it's still not quite right.
>
> Jayme was suggesting I call it in as a warranty issue and I am still
> considering that but I think it's just a matter of adjusting the screws so
> Ill give that another try.
>
> I am at times annoyed around having to screw on the tube extender on the
> focuser for visual or unscrew it for photography(especially in the dark
> with cold fingers!).  It's a minor annoyance but it makes me wonder if I
> could eliminate the annoyance and my minor focusing problems by completely
> replacing the focuser with a higher end model.
>
> Overall, I've had a very good experience with the scope, its light and
> travels easily and I've used it quite a bit.  As you can see I've also had
> a few "made in china" issues but all of these have not been big issues and
> I've had some great views through it.  Here is a moon shot I took at medoc
> recently through the scope.(attached)
>
> Upon re-reading my email, maybe the theme on my particular scope's
> assembly was that the screws were "too loose".  I suppose that is better
> than the too tight experience.
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 6:38 PM, Mark Montazer <mark at montazer.org> wrote:
>
>> Just wanted to contribute my experience with Explore Scientific to the
>> group as I know at least one of us (Tony G) has an identical scope to mine.
>>
>> I purchased a new ES Levy Comet Hunter earlier this year and though it
>> was generally fine, I was having trouble with collimation. My experience
>> with customer support could have been better. It took a really long time to
>> convince them that something was wrong but once I did the process went
>> smoothly and rapidly.
>>
>> The symptoms were that the locking screws within the primary adjustment
>> thumbscrews were not functional and adjustments didn't feel natural. After
>> receiving a new set of components from ES, I removed the mirror-cell from
>> the tube and disassembled it.
>>
>> The first thing I noticed was that the mirror retaining clips were really
>> tight. ES customer service said the mirror be slightly loose and able to
>> turn a little. The next issue was that the opposing adjustment screws were
>> installed far too tight by the factory. They were actually bound to the
>> adjustment screws and would back out when making adjustments.
>>
>> After a quick mirror de-dusting with an air bulb, I reassembled
>> everything according to ES customer support directions. Collimation (with
>> both peephole eyepiece and SCA laser) went very smoothly. It went from way
>> off to the best collimation yet in a matter of a minute or two. Preliminary
>> results look very promising.
>>
>> The problem shouldn't have existed in the first place, but at least
>> everything got resolved. Hopefully my experience can be of use to someone
>> else in the future.
>>
>> Mark
>>
>>
>
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