Opinions on an Upgrade for Nexstar 8

[Airconvent]

Hi guys
I presently have an original Nexstar 8.
I would have liked to upgrade the controller to the new version with GPS support and sky align.
I'm wondering, since the N6SE and N8SE use the same mount, would it be possible to buy the cheaper 6SE, transplant my N8 OTA over.
I understand from Vince Snr I needed to buy some adapter bar to mate the old OTA to the new mount. Also, how much would a new N6SE OTA fetch here in Singapore? The cost of the upgrade would be :

Price of N6SE + Cost of adapter (including shipping) - Cost of N6SE OTA.

Then there is Phase 2 which is to buy the GPS module. This would give me "N8 CPC"-like performance..heh heh

Any opinions?
Thanks..

[weixing]

Hi,

I'm wondering, since the N6SE and N8SE use the same mount, would it be possible to buy the cheaper 6SE, transplant my N8 OTA over.
I understand from Vince Snr I needed to buy some adapter bar to mate the old OTA to the new mount.

The NexStar 6 SE mount use a dovetail system, so should be no problem if you able to fit a dovetail bar to your scope.

I thought VnrSnr also selling his NexStar mount.... Is that what you want?? Anyway, I got a friend should be selling his NexStar 6 SE mount as he is thinking of changing to a GP mount. I can ask him if you really interested, but VnrSnr low price is hard to beat... ha ha ha

Have a nice day.

[acc]

Rich the GPS module only saves you the hassle of entering the time each time you switch on the scope. Not good value for money IMO

[mySG_jy]

go get the stand alone GPS device that can give you the coordinate. it is multi-purpose, you can link with your PDA for nagivation or even connect to your PDA/laptop for some of the Star chart software.

I almost want to buy the GPS module for my NextStar 6 but i changed my mind. As Acc say, it only saves you the hassle of entering the time and coordinates. And it cost around US$150 if I remember correctly.

cheers

[rlow]

Hi Rich 1,

I have not used the 6SE but I have tested the N5SE before. I find that the stability of the 5SE single fork mount is compromised, it is not well dampened and it also not well built (plastic parts anyway). I am not sure if this applies to the 6SE as well.

The second point to consider is to check whether the fork arm for 6SE is of different length from the 8SE and whether the fork arm allows for full motion of the 8" ota on the 6SE mount, otherwise your diagonal may hit the mount base.

I suggest that you should check out these points before you consider to switch over.

Also, I would think that the CPC performance is more than just the GPS module.

[Airconvent]

Hi,

I'm wondering, since the N6SE and N8SE use the same mount, would it be possible to buy the cheaper 6SE, transplant my N8 OTA over.
I understand from Vince Snr I needed to buy some adapter bar to mate the old OTA to the new mount.

The NexStar 6 SE mount use a dovetail system, so should be no problem if you able to fit a dovetail bar to your scope.

I thought VnrSnr also selling his NexStar mount.... Is that what you want?? Anyway, I got a friend should be selling his NexStar 6 SE mount as he is thinking of changing to a GP mount. I can ask him if you really interested, but VnrSnr low price is hard to beat... ha ha ha

Have a nice day.

Hi Weixing
Do let me know how much you friiend selling. It has to be the mount + tripod + controller less the OTA. I'll check with Vincent but I thought he was thinking of buying it for the OTA only but does not have it yet?

[Airconvent]

Thanks CC, RichII,msg_jy

The GPS was something I was considering only for phase II (not confirmed). I would assume with it I could power on the system and the scope will do autoalignment like the LX200 GPS...and all I need to do is final alignment.
Its not essential, of course, but something I can consider if I strike the 4D or something......heh heh Otherwise I will not need a GPS unit. I already own one (brought to Mersing remember?) but I think the Sky Align does not need the coordinates to align.

RichII
The SE mount should be the same or better than my original mount. You have used my N8 at Mersing. The damping is ok for me as I use it for visual only. The folks at the Nexstar forum seems to think the N5, N6 and N8 all use the same mount. I'll confirm with them again. I know only the N5 and N6 will not hit the base if you use a 2" diagonal. The 8" is too big, remember? So must be careful not to point at zenith when 2" diagonal in use.

Now my only concern is EXACTLY how to mount the N8 OTA onto the N8SE mount....

RichI

Off Topic : CC, WX Problem of unable to post solved! Apparently I used the word "strike Lot-tery" and the system rejected my post because of it. After changing to generic "4D" it allowed me to do it. So if you receive a "Not Allowed" message when posting, its because one of the words is not allowed..heh heh

[weixing]

Hi,

but I think the Sky Align does not need the coordinates to align.

You still need to key in the coordinate, date and time, but you don't need to specified the alignment star... just any bright stars or planets you can see will do.

Now my only concern is EXACTLY how to mount the N8 OTA onto the N8SE mount....

Does your 8" SCT OTA have the dovetail bar screw holes which most Celestron 8" SCT do? If no, may be you'll need to use tube ring and a dovetail bar.

Have a nice day.

[ariefm71]

Now my only concern is EXACTLY how to mount the N8 OTA onto the N8SE mount....

Very easy, sell the N8 OTA and buy my N8 SE XLT OTA.

Arief

[Airconvent]

Now my only concern is EXACTLY how to mount the N8 OTA onto the N8SE mount....

Very easy, sell the N8 OTA and buy my N8 SE XLT OTA.

Arief

Haha....
Thanks for the offer Arief..the OTA is perfectly fine but I will consider a swap since they are the same exact specs except one is orange and one is grey...heh heh