SingAstro

OK will go. Can just join the classroom without registration ?

fast forward now to 2019 today amazon started their .sg website , not strictly needed to use their phone app and prime membership trial for selected products , minimum spending for free shipping (within singapore) remain at $40 sgd so you may need to find a filler item they don't have any telescope ...

Can try making a DIY lens shade to cover the front of the scope , and maybe DIY a flock sleeve for the baffle tube that goes inside the mirror. Search around on cloudynights forum , there were some threads from year 2013-14 with photo comparison. Modifying the baffle tube to be less reflective can h...

Change the ball shaped 90 degree "diagonal" to a 1.25" mirror diagonal and 32mm plossl.

Total cost $12 + $20 if bought online from overseas.
Big improvement over the original stuff that came packaged "free" with the Astromaster.




https://i.imgur.com/dDJTfL9.png

Just make sure to avoid the powerseeker127 because it is bird-jones lens inside. It's something bad. If you slowly hunt for a proper parabolic newtonian it is possible to still fit inside the same budget or price.

The aliexpress photo show glued objective , so perhaps expect slightly more edge abberations than air-spaced.

If you were comparing the nexstar SE series , then the 4-5 vs 6-8 have different mount although they look similar.
The jump from 5 to 6 is not just the telescope bigger but also the mount.

Somebody sent me this PM @ cloudynights
not sure if admin fixed it yet

the last registered account was late May , no new account registered here June July August

Mr Chia , the specs are as follow

145mm tube diameter , exclude dovetail , front cap , finder shoe
38cm length
3.4 kg weight
1770mm fl for 2" , 1540mm for 1.25" visualback