Old Meade conversion to F2.

My Video how i've converted my 40 plus year old Meade 10 Inch Sct to a superfast F2.
Online C.A.D i used was Tinkercad.

[@user-gp3hv9fz2d]

I really like the final result. I believe, what you should do is to use a smaller sensor, OR, the simplest solution: at the end, crop the final image just to the point at which no coma is visible. I think, the coma corrector is for f/4 scopes, but seems to work well with f/2. So, as you have succeded on collimation, just crop the parts from where the coma starts to become visible, and outwards. Cheers from Greece.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thanks for watching. A smaller sensor like the 585 would help for sure. The new blur exterminator for pixinsight works fantastic with it now and corrects to the corners on a 533 sensor. Thanks again and clear skies.

[@lukomatico]

That's ace Rob mate!! It reminds me of an item that was called 'funstar' for the sct's, excellent use of the resources at your disposal!! Good luck for further revisions :-D

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you Luke mate really appreciate it. Its an interesting one for sure. You don't know until you try it. Clear skies mate

[@kc9161]

Thanks for posting this. I actually tried this approach on my new 8”Meade with ACF and learn that it wouldn’t work with their new RC like optical design. The image on my 533 was blur and moon shot has halo, even with a 2” GSO coma corrector. I’m trying a different approach to use dual 0.63 reducers from Celestron to bring it to 0.39X. Initial image seems much more acceptable.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Yes i can see how it may not work on an modern 8 inch. With the 10in the focal length is 500mm from mirror to corrector which is closer to the 800mm f4 aplanatic coma corrector im using. Still more experiments to do. Backfocus distance for one. Hope you get some clear skies for it. I plan on getting back on it soon as i can. Clear skies.

[@BlissWheelerMyProfile]

Good job! Pics were pretty darn good for no columniation adjustments. I have a 1960s vintage Meade 8 inch i think I will experiment with. Thanks for doing the video. Clear Skies!

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you. Hopefully my second mod will be better. Waiting on some clear skies. Its always maybe worth a little play with an old scope rarely being used. Clear skies

[@LogansAstro]

I’m impressed by the ingenuity here and as a proof of concept, i think the result is impressive. With more tweaks to the various components, i’m sure you could end up with a very capable F2 system. Tempting to try something similar with my Mead 10” but as it’s only a few years old, I’d be too nervous that i might wreck it. Sub’d to your channel so will be interested to follow the journey with this setup. Clear skies form the southern hemisphere.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you Logan. I will keep at it and hopefully end up with a half decent f2. As i say its an old meade and the optics are not the best. Once i do the second mod I'll upload the results. Clear skies bud

[@GrahamtheWood1]

I really enjoyed your video. Well done on your design, you're very brave to be disassembling your Meade! The result is really nice considering the lack of collimation, so I think you should be pleased. As always, we depend on the weather so hopefully the winter will bring clear skies. Great stuff, good luck for your project.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you very much Graham really appreciate it. Clear skies

[@blueridgedsia]

wow i always wondered if this could be done. I definitely suggest you export using a higher facet count in the future, it allows you to print much rounder parts. that means more thread contact with metal etc.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Hello thanks for your suggestion. I did actually try that but it wouldn't let me for some reason. Thanks again and clear skies

[@blueridgedsia]

some programs get finniky if you pick a value too high, there is a certain point where the facets are too small to appear on the print, it drastically increases file size which is why there is a max output limit@@sevenskiesastro

[@BrotherAlan]

Awesome! I bet there are a lot of people that would buy one from you. I have a 10" and 12" LX-200 classic and would definitely want one.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you Alan. Once i get it as right as i can i shall make the plans freely available. Clear skies.

[@Tony-Elliott]

Hi Rob excellent video mate and a brilliant bit of work on your Meade scope, it's great to see you trying new things and pushing your equipment to the very limits

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thanks Tony. Somethings are just worth having a go at. I will continue it later in the year. Clear skies buddy

[@tamrich7762]

Well Done Rob! Given a old scope a new lease of life, a lot of hard work which has paid dividends. All you need now is to fix your collimation problem. A wonderful image in the end as you mentioned you can always fix the comet looking stars in post processing. Definitely a labour of love.⚙️🔭

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you Tam. Definitely a labour of love ha ha. I will keep trying. Lots to do yet. So i plan is to sort out them minor issues and see what comes of it. Clear skies my friend.

[@tamrich7762]

Sorry forgot to hit the like button, done now.

[@sevenskiesastro]

@@tamrich7762 ha ha no worries bud

[@blaircolliver5194]

What a great experiment and design! Thanks for sharing your project with everyone.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you very much Blair. Just a proof on concept at the min. Will update in the winter but definitely potential is there. Thanks for watching and clear skies.

[@tomzukouski6041]

Great experiment ,impressive final images,mcgivering

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you for you kind words Tom. Clear skies

[@chandrainsky]

Very good indeed!!

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you. Clear skies.

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Hey Rob I think that's an excellent start mate if you pull it off you should pattern it this time & not miss out on the dew ring lol. I hope you manage to get the collimation sussed out but even if you do you still may have tilt on the camera to contend with but as you're using a 533 it may not be so noticeable. I'm using an APSC on my RASA so not only is the vignetting bad but so is the tilt but if I'm honest I'm not that bothered by it. Backspacing collimation etc is critical at F2 also as I'm sure you'll already be aware due to imaging with a Quattro. Look forward to seeing more & if you need any help or pictures etc sent then give us a shout, clear skies mate!!

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thanks Tich mate. Yes lots to do in that regard. The thing was to see if it would work as such. Poor man's rasa I would say but unless you try these thing you just don't know. I plan on printing an upgrade lol. Get the collimation right first then spacing. Still too near I think but lots to do. Still the principle works and it is an old scope. Not made with the modern processes. Will try again come winter. Clear skies bud

[@riaandewinnaar5040]

Nice!

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you. Clear skies

[@riaandewinnaar5040]

@@sevenskiesastro subscribed and will be following along ;)

[@yobb89]

very good experiment, looks like there is room to try different designs, , i've been looking at the celestron hyperstar to adapt to a meade acf, not sure why they are not compatible , maybe different sized holes in the corrector ?

[@sevenskiesastro]

Yes maybe but i have a guess copyright issues could be the cause. Celestron and meade had big falling out in the day so who knows. Dont own a celestron so i dont know. Thanks for watching and clear skies.

[@martinchapman6670]

Hi Rob, that was excellent, thanks for sharing, I have an old 8" LX90 OTA, I quite fancy giving that a go. I also use the same camera, can you tell us which coma corrector and tilt plate you used, please? Thanks again.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Hello Martin. I used my skywatcher aplanic coma corrector. It's made for the f4 quattro. I had it handy so gave it a go. I haven't made the tilt plate yet but will be adding that in the next modification. The final image is just as is with no collimation or tilt adjustments at all. Thank you for watching and I hope this helps. Clear skies.

[@martinchapman6670]

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.@@sevenskiesastro

[@riaandewinnaar5040]

I have the 10" f10 40 year old version too! Serial number 10870

[@sevenskiesastro]

Not a bad old scope but modern ones are way better i believe. Clear skies.

[@riaandewinnaar5040]

@@sevenskiesastro agreed. Since received the 14" LX200 ACF... Just getting back to astrophotography after life interfered a little! Thanks for taking the lead here. If you fine tune the colimation there, I would like to invest in the f2 camera adapter and coma corrector also if you willing to sell!

[@sevenskiesastro]

@riaandewinnaar5040 when i sort out the slight issues i will be putting the plans in the description freely availible. That will be when i do the follow on video. Clear skies

[@allenbaylus3378]

I am curious why there is no Hyperstar for older Meade Telescopes.

[@sevenskiesastro]

I think maybe the mirrors/correctors not the best. Ok for visual but too demanding for astrophotography. Clear skies Allen.

[@rogerkiernan8096]

Starizona used to do a Hyperstar for the LX200, I had one but sold it, now regretting doing so.

[@sdirocco63]

Just saw the video. I have an Old Meade LX 200 OTA that is just collecting dust and would like to try this MOD. Any chance you would share your 3d files

[@sevenskiesastro]

Hello Samuel. I will be putting the files up when i complete the project. Life has been really busy of late so not had much time to get back on it. Rest assured though i will post them when i finish it. Thanks for watching and clear skies

[@sdirocco63]

@@sevenskiesastro Fantastic! I get the whole life thing. Take things easy and Clear Skies!

[@SamStars8811]

Glad I found this video. I had watched one doing the same on a Celestron and knew other people must have tried it. (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaSymXSGbZKnpdk) I shall follow your journey and that may make me brave enough to have a go myself. Wishing you good luck and clear skies.

[@sevenskiesastro]

Thank you for your comment. Still work to do yet but not bad result all told. There are lots of the old scts about so I will carry on tinkering with it. Plans are in place for the second mod. Clear skies.

[@hunglikeamaggotseyelash]

That was clever stuff Rob. Are you going to reprint the holder or leave it as it is? And who was that sneezing 😂

[@sevenskiesastro]

Yes I will redo the holder and add a tilt adjuster. That was probably next door lol(sneeze) though I didn't notice at the time. Thanks for watching Tony and clear skies