[Chaos-l] ES Comet Hunter Repair Experience

Mon Dec 3 09:49:26 EST 2012

Thanks Robert, that's actually how I'm connecting my camera to the scope
(E-Mount to T-Mount adapter->Hotech SCA T-Adapter with 2" nosepiece.) If I
get the 2" extension I linked to, I should be able to swap from camera to
eyepiece in a matter of seconds, rather than spending 2 minutes
screwing/unscrewing a focuser extension that's 30 degrees while
putting unnecessary torque on the tube/mount (i.e., potentially messing up
alignment and collimation.)

Mark

On Mon, Dec 3, 2012 at 9:38 AM, Robert Nielsen <robertnielsen at nc.rr.com>wrote:

> Mark,
>
> They make a similar nose piece with t-threads at the end for attaching
> cameras as well ...
>
> Robert
>
>
> On Dec 2, 2012, at 1:49 PM, Mark Montazer <mark at montazer.org> wrote:
>
> 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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