I just got this refractor and mount this weekend. It is not portable. It is not pretty (nicks and scuffs on the OTA and the mount). I think it is somewhat unique however and I don't mind the three trips it takes to set up and the three trips to break it down.
The picture shows the 'new' scope side by side with a NP101 on a DM4.
A few words about the achro. I have no idea what it is. It is supposed to be an f10 6". That would give it a focal length of about 1500. The mount was made by William Ball in 1990. It is a pretty clever design. The braces at the bottom of the mount pop off and fit on the pegs in the legs. It makes it pretty easy to carry. It is smooth to operate with the alt axis needing a little work. The metal rings are a little pitted and I would expect it will smooth up more with a little cleaning. Even changing out 2" eyepieces did not result in the scope moving. The old Unitron focuser is actually good. Focusing is smooth. Supposedly, the scope was owned by Dr. Henry E. Paul at one time according to an astronomy professor at Denver University, a prior owner of this scope. That would make the objective lens 50 years old if true. It makes a good story anyway.
It shows less CA than the Celestron 4" and nighthawk I used to own. The extra 2" of aperture really does help in town when it comes to DSO's. It is kind of like owning a 60's Porsche. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it has class!
Mike
The picture shows the 'new' scope side by side with a NP101 on a DM4.
A few words about the achro. I have no idea what it is. It is supposed to be an f10 6". That would give it a focal length of about 1500. The mount was made by William Ball in 1990. It is a pretty clever design. The braces at the bottom of the mount pop off and fit on the pegs in the legs. It makes it pretty easy to carry. It is smooth to operate with the alt axis needing a little work. The metal rings are a little pitted and I would expect it will smooth up more with a little cleaning. Even changing out 2" eyepieces did not result in the scope moving. The old Unitron focuser is actually good. Focusing is smooth. Supposedly, the scope was owned by Dr. Henry E. Paul at one time according to an astronomy professor at Denver University, a prior owner of this scope. That would make the objective lens 50 years old if true. It makes a good story anyway.
It shows less CA than the Celestron 4" and nighthawk I used to own. The extra 2" of aperture really does help in town when it comes to DSO's. It is kind of like owning a 60's Porsche. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it has class!
Mike
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