Category: Equipment Swap (Sold Items)

For Sale: Handmade 10 inch f/4.5 Dobsonian Telescope. The optics and spider came from Coulter. The body from me.

The scope has a focal length of 1140mm. It comes with a 2″ focuser and a Telrad finder. Ebony Star Formica is used on both axes. With a focal length of just 45 inches, it’s a little short so I always use the repurposed recycle bin (pictured) as a stand and it is included. The scope is a little top heavy but the elastic band seen in the photos acts as a variable counterweight and has perfectly counterbalanced every eyepiece, even 2 inch eyepieces, I’ve tried with it. It recently helped me complete the Astronomical League Messier Observing Club.

Asking $300 and I am happy to let you try it out first. Contact Jim Dixon at jamesdixonlr at att dot net.

UPDATE: I’m going to loan these to CAAS member Andrew Hradesky for him to test drive them.

This is a ZWO manual filter wheel. It has 5 positions for 1.25″ filters. Includes 2 adapter tubes (also 1.25″) that are shown in the picture below.

You take apart the 4 screws and easily change out the filters into numbered positions that you can see on the dial ring to change them during use.

However, you’ll probably want to leave one slot open so you’re able to view unfiltered, so technically there is room for 4 filters if you decide to leave one open. And of course, you can screw on any filter to the eyepiece itself and view with it through the empty filter slot.

Here you can see the other adapter ring. The right one slides down into your focuser drawtube. The left one can hold your eyepiece.

Also included are 9 filters. All of them are 1.25″ and made by Orion, intended for visual use. Complete list shown below. All of them are in perfect condition. Don’t let the dirty cases fool you!

• #23A Red
• #25 Red ​(ideal for viewing Mercury, Venus, Mars)
• #8 Yellow
• #38A Blue (enhances planetary weather details for most planets)
• #80A Blue ​(ideal for viewing Moon, Jupiter and Saturn)
• #82A Blue (just a contrast boosting filter)
• #58 Green ​(ideal for viewing Mars, Jupiter and Saturn)
• #56 Light Green (ideal for viewing Mars)
• #21 Orange ​(ideal for viewing Mercury, Mars, especially Jupiter)

Here is a nice guide by Orion that shows detailed uses for these filters.

The filter wheel retails for $88 brand new. This wheel was used maybe 5-10 times for photographic work, maybe opened about 2-3 times. The filters are all in excellent condition. No fingerprints or scratches. Only the cases are in shabby condition, having been around since the 80s. Maybe get some new ones?

Asking $75 for the whole set, including filter wheel and filters. If you are not interested in the filters, I’m asking $50 for the wheel alone. Otherwise, email me and we can discuss. I’m happy to let you pick and choose which filters you want, and keep it about $3 for each one.

• “LightSwitch” Technology
• “Astronomer Inside”
• Coma-free optics
• LS with automatic alignment
• 12 volt power pack adapter and extension cord
• Dew shield
• Series 4000 eyepieces and 2x Barlow
• Complete set of filters
• Laser alignment collimator
• Laser pointer

– This telescope is solidly built and smooth in operation; an ideal instrument for someone that wants to enjoy astronomy without getting a PhD in astrophysics; manually scan the sky or let the built in computer handle the details.  It boots up quickly, acquires GPS coordinates, finds level and north and self-aligns in a few minutes and will provide a complete tour of that evening’s visible sky.

The hand-held AutoStar III GoTo keypad has a database of over 100,000 objects; all with in-depth descriptions. Just select an object and push the “GoTo” button. Then watch the telescope automatically put your object in the eyepiece.

8 C size batteries will run the telescope for 3-5 hours. In addition, I purchased the external AC battery pack and 12 volt car adaptor.

This package includes a rigid single fork mount and an adjustable, steel leg tripod.

With high transmission coatings the LS gives you the sharpest, brightest optical system for its size; performance only seen in systems costing much more.

Greg Oehm

773-817-4707

gregoehm@hotmail.com