Do refractor telescopes need collimating ?
271075
No, they are collimated at the factory and there are typically no "user serviceable" adjustments.
271076
Refractors do not usually need collimation. However, it is possible to check it, and occasionally it could be better. The lens cell usually has three pairs of screws in a push-pull configuration, that are in fact usually accessible to users/owners. Messing with the lens cell of your refractor is not a 'Bubba' kind of activity, but if you are a thoughtful, careful and meticulous type, it is not rocket science. Most people use 'star test' methods to check refractor collimation, as outlined in H.R. Suiter's book "Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes". This Cheshire is really most useful for collimating Newtonians, and possibly Cassegrain reflectors.
271077
No alignment of this type is required. In fact if a refractor is not working if must be repaired as there is no user alignment.
271078
Refractors do not usually need collimation. However, it is possible to check it, and occasionally it could be better. The lens cell usually has three pairs of screws in a push-pull configuration, that are in fact usually accessible to users/owners. Messing with the lens cell of your refractor is not a 'Bubba' kind of activity, but if you are a thoughtful, careful and meticulous type, it is not rocket science. Most people use 'star test' methods to check refractor collimation, as outlined in H.R. Suiter's book "Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes". This Cheshire is really most useful for collimating Newtonians, and possibly Cassegrain reflectors. Refractors do not usually need collimation. However, it is possible to check it, and occasionally it could be better. The lens cell usually has three pairs of screws in a push-pull configuration, that are in fact usually accessible to users/owners. Messing with the lens cell of your refractor is not a 'Bubba' kind of activity, but if you are a thoughtful, careful and meticulous type, it is not rocket science. Most people use 'star test' methods to check refractor collimation, as outlined in H.R. Suiter's book "Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes". This Cheshire is really most... » Read More Refractors do not usually need collimation. However, it is possible to check it, and occasionally it could be better. The lens cell usually has three pairs of screws in a push-pull configuration, that are in fact usually accessible to users/owners. Messing with the lens cell of your refractor is not a 'Bubba' kind of activity, but if you are a thoughtful, careful and meticulous type, it is not rocket science. Most people use 'star test' methods to check refractor collimation, as outlined in H.R. Suiter's book "Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes". This Cheshire is really most useful for collimating Newtonians, and possibly Cassegrain reflectors. « Show Less
2010917
Not sure that all folks do !! However, wider field of view on these means you can find your target quicker; plus less collimation issues here (why I'm not sure) means better and more reliable focus; plus these can be hand-held longer with less wobble due to relatively lighter weight and lower magnification.
2010916
I think the answer is that they have a slightly larger field of view and seem to also have less collimation issues. Reading reviews of all three I choose these and now that I have them in hand I am glad I did.
1962390
Everything will appear upside down due to the nature of a reflecting telescope. You would want a refractor with a similar mount.
1592309
I presume you've checked to make sure the you installed the lenses properly and that the lenses are clean. If this isn't the problem, it may need to be collimated although these telescopes are supposedly collimated before being shipped out.
1268924
As well as any other telescope. At least the mirror is protected from condensation by the front corrector plate. You can also get an inexpensive dew shield to keep the corrector plate from fogging up. There are dark filters that will also cut out light pollution.
1114271
Thank you for your inquiry. Because the Dobsonian base is not suitable for long exposure photography the optical tubes are optimized for visual use and therefore will not reach focus with most cameras and imagers. The best choices would be either StarShoot USB Eyepiece or the DeepSpace Video Eyepiece. Otherwise you can do what is known as afocal photography by clamping a small camera or cellphone and using one of our SteadyPix products and shooting the eyepiece image.
1691012
I don't think so. According to the Celestron website, it is only for SCT telescopes.
1505226
Greetings, Not. I am using this ZWO ASI120MC in refractor Scientific Explorer of 6 "
1666900
No. This is a very large Dobsonian Scope. It is heavy and is meant to be mounted on the pedestal provided. Read the specs on it.
317436
No. The tripod is needed to keep the telescope stable. The tripod supplied with the telescope is actually very sturdy compared to some others. The legs are really strong and resist vibration caused by wind. I recommend the vibration suppression pads too. The computerised mount from Celestron has cheap gears so you may want to just buy the 4SE optical tube and then get a decent German Equatorial Mount second hand. The OTA uses a standard dovetail rail so the mounts are compatible. I recommend you save your money to buy good quality components - don't rush in and buy a cheap 'all in one' product. Try to buy a bigger OTA than the 4SE. Maybe a Newtonian if you want to do photography. No. The tripod is needed to keep the telescope stable. The tripod supplied with the telescope is actually very sturdy compared to some others. The legs are really strong and resist vibration caused by wind. I recommend the vibration suppression pads too. The computerised mount from Celestron has cheap gears so you may want to just buy the 4SE optical tube and then get a decent German Equatorial Mount second hand. The OTA uses a standard dovetail rail so the mounts are compatible. I recommend you save your money to buy good quality components - don't rush in and buy a cheap 'all in one'... » Read More No. The tripod is needed to keep the telescope stable. The tripod supplied with the telescope is actually very sturdy compared to some others. The legs are really strong and resist vibration caused by wind. I recommend the vibration suppression pads too. The computerised mount from Celestron has cheap gears so you may want to just buy the 4SE optical tube and then get a decent German Equatorial Mount second hand. The OTA uses a standard dovetail rail so the mounts are compatible. I recommend you save your money to buy good quality components - don't rush in and buy a cheap 'all in one' product. Try to buy a bigger OTA than the 4SE. Maybe a Newtonian if you want to do photography. « Show Less
832206
I don't believe the mirror on that scope is center marked. However you can use the collimation eyepiece to collimate it, it will just be a bit more difficult. If it were me, I would mark the center spot on the mirror myself. There are detailed instructions for doing so online and even several videos on youtube. Good luck!
2010274
I think a refractor telescope is hard to use and hard to see objects other than a bright moon. I would suggest looking into a reflector telescope instead. As far as the telescope itself, I think it is well built and good quality. It was just hard for our 9 yr old to use...and hard for me too.
1069995
Details on planets depend on several things: Telescope alignment, quality of eyepieces, distance to the planet, and the planet itself. If you don't have a laser collimator, get one. They are well worth the $50-$70. While the secondary on this scope will stay very nicely in place, the primary (being heavier among other things) will need regular alignment and a laser collimator makes this less than a 5 minute job. The eyepieces that come with this scope aren't the best. If you want to do decent planetary viewing, get a good 6mm eyepiece. (Expect to spend at least $100, and read reviews from users to get the best bang for your buck.) While you'll get some good views of Saturn and Venus, and some really excellent views of Jupiter, Mars (and Mercury) generally don't show much detail. Further, right now, Mars is a great distance away from us and getting farther away each day. Every planet will give the best views when it is closest to us with Mars and Venus showing the biggest improvements when closest. When a planet rises at sunset, it is closest, or at "opposition." This also puts the plent highest above the horizonn around midnight, but gives good views starting around 9 PM. Your best view of Mars will come again on May 22, 2016. Jupiter Feb 6th, 2015, and Saturn on May 23rd, 2015. But note even then, Mars will not yield much detail beyand a distinctly orange disk and a definite whiteish area at the pole. When searching for eyepieces, you might also want to investigate a good 14-16mm eyepiece plus a 10% transmission filter for really great lunar views! For solar/sunspot viewing, you will need a special filter that fits over the front of the telescope tube.
635964
You have to focus using the telescope. From the time you mount it the camera can only adjust ISO, the rest is fully manual.
198063
No. Unless you replace the lenses for ones with Bluetooth connection but, I don't think there's such a thing for telescopes.
1181966
Although I have not asked anyone at Orion, my opinion based on observation of the 2 units is by the time you were to buy everything to retrofit (just about everything but the tube), you would be well to just buy the entire new scope. Check with Orion for the facts.