Would appreciate evaluation comments.....

Interesting. I would have thought someone would be using a small astro scope marketed as a spotter for range duty if nothing else.

Frankly I've been looking at replacing my old Korean made Tasco 34TZB 18-36x50 armored spotting scope with something more capable yet not breaking the bank.

I have a nice astronomy set up based on an Intes Micro MN56 Maksutov - Newtonian. But it takes awhile to drag it out, set it up, and let it equalize (temperature) with the environment. Having a smaller scope that would see prime duties as a spotter and double as a "grab 'n go" dark skies tube would be a nice way to go. That means it needs to accept standard 1.25" eyepieces among other things.

Anyhow.... I'm stll looking and weighing things.

I have a celestron spoting scope (not the 90 model) and it is a piece of crap the optics are grey and anything past about 75 yards you can not focus in on what you are looking at.
As a 50 yarder it is just ok.


Good lick on your search

Unless I'm mistaken, about the only "traditional" spotters that take astro eyepieces are the Pentax and one of the Hawke models. If there are any others they're below my radar

Celestron Regal spotting scopes take astro eyepieces. I have a Meade ETX 90 using off mount works as a high power spotter.
http://www.adorama.com/CNR65.html

I didn't see that Doug has these in stock.

There are some limitations unfortunately:

"What eyepieces will work best with my Regal F-ED spotting scope? Will all eyepieces focus with the scope?
Answer

The Regal F-ED series spotters have a 1.25� eyepiece holder and the OEM-supplied zoom eyepiece is easily removed from the scope by a twist of a knurled ring. Because 1.25� barrel-diameter eyepieces are very widely available, you can use other eyepieces with your Regal.

However, not all eyepieces will work with the scope because of the design of the internal focusing and 45-degree prism assemblies. This places the image plane for the spotter�s objective at about the back of the knurled ring. So the Regals have a small back focus distance.

Eyepieces that have long 1.25� nosepieces or barrels (with field lenses recessed about 1 inch or more) generally won�t be able to achieve infinity focus with the Regal spotters. Nor will 1.25-inch- type T-adapters or Barlow lenses work with the scopes.

The OEM zoom eyepiece has both a short nosepiece and its field lens at all magnifications is close to the end of the nosepiece tube. Eyepieces that will work with the Regal will have similar physical characteristics. As an example, most eyepieces of the Celestron X-Cel series have these characteristics and will work with the Regal F-ED series."

http://www.celestron.com/c3/support...&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=2329

Are they as robust as a standard spotter? Are the waterproof?

Hi Bob, I thought that MN 56 looked familar. Did you get all your house things done mooreorless?

There are some astro based spotters that are waterproof or even armored. The C90 version I illustrated above is not although it is kitted with a backpack. But for use at a range it shouldn't matter.

Steve,

It was a struggle but a qualified yes. I had to have one area redone and unfortunately there is yet another that has developed issues that will also need to be readdressed. That said, the "heavy lifting" is indeed over

I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on the newly redesigned C90. It has morf'ed over the years from 1000mm to 1200mm to now 1250mm and the flip mirror is gone as well. There's even a few who have added 2" eyepiece capability which they laud.

Personally, these days, I won't buy optics that are not waterproof...if its not waterproof, its liable to fog...

If you do buy one, it will be interesting to hear how it performs optically for viewing bullet holes...

Pete,

Astro scopes (Refractors, Mak-Newts, Mak-Cass, Schmidt-Cass but not basic Newtonian designs) are well sealed and not prone to fog at all. The open Newtonions to include Dobsonian variants will see dew on their mirrors if preventative measures are not taken when setting them up for temperature equalization at the observing site.

Bottom line is the C90 Maksutov-Cassegrain design is not one that should prove problematic at all. It's size is not conducive to packing in on a hunt. But it is one that hopefully will be able to resolve fine detail at distance. Note that Steve posted above that his Meade ETX90 (like the newest C90, a Mak-Cass 90x1250mm f/13.8) is used as a high power spotter.

Bob, I am glad you have most of your house upgrade done, sorry to hear you have some trouble.

You will have to let us know what you think of the new C90.

Speaking of using other eyepieces in the Celestrons, I'll share this FWIW. I have a Celestron Regal 16-48x60 F-ED scope and I purchased a separate 25mm X-Cel eyepiece for it to see if it was noticeably better than the 16-48 zoom eyepiece that came with it. The 16-48 is outstanding on it's own merit, so I was just wondering just how good it could get if I used a fixed powere lens.
Based on my limited informal testing, I found the 25mm X-Cel not to be ANY better...none, nada, zilch. Sent it back for a refund.

Triggernosis,

Given what Ken of Ken's Rings shows here (6th scope down: http://www.kendauzat.net/tele/tele_main.html) and some comments I've found from others about their experiences with the new design C90, I may play with converting mine to handle 2" eyepieces (especially since I have a bunch I use with my big telescope). The rear of the C90 has male T threads so converting them with an adapter to accept a 2" eyepiece holder or 2" star diagonal would be easy. Too bad 2" erect image diagnonals are so spendy Vignetting apparently isn't a big issue.

Bob there is a Baader Amici Prism Diagonal[complete] on Astromart right now, only $290 bpshipping includes Baader Moon and skyglow filter The other two on there sold like hotcakes. I wish they sold a 45� or 60� instead of 90�

Well I have had it now for over a week and have added a 2" 90* diagonal to the kit. Bulkier than your traditional spotter and with more power (39X and up) but I'm finding the views crisp and clear especially with the wide FOV 2" eyepieces. I've no doubt this will perform just fine at the range which is what I primarily got it for. The fact that it will double as a compact lightweight "grab 'n go" for night skies is a big plus. Works for me!