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[erikruud]

Hello,

If you read my initial post in the “New Member Introductions” you will see how I came to be the owner of a new Bushnell Voyager 70mmX800mm reflector.

The scope originally came, with three eyepieces (12.5,8 & 4 mm’s), a diagonal, an erecting eyepiece, a different Alt-Az mount with lighted degree scales, a red dot finder, a compass, and a hand held talking SkyTour device. The mount has a slow motion adjustment for the azimuth but not for altitude. There is no clutch, just a thumbscrew to engage or disengage the slow motion control. The altitude does have a thumbscrew to lock it in place.

My first light experience was a bit mixed. I was able to get good views of the nearly full moon using all three eyepieces. I was also able to view Jupiter and four of the moons with the 12.5mm. Trying to get a better view of jupirt with the 8mm and 4mm did not work out. The mount was to wobbly.

My second night of viewing was slightly better and I was able to keep Jupiter in view and get it focused with the 8mm and 4mm. We could even see one of the bands as a faint line.

At this point was able to identify two problems. A large amount of slop in the azimuth axis that translated to about a degree of movement in altitude made it hard to set the correct altitude and it also cased the altitude setting to jump if the slow motion control was used. The other problem is that the red dot finder has a lot of play in the adjustment knobs that makes it hard to keep aligned.

I am going to update this thread as I try to whip this scope into shape.

Thanks for listening,

Erik Ruud
41.9N 88.3W

[erikruud]

I have started working on fixing the red Dot Finder.


This is the finder as it came with the scope.


In this image you can see the slop in the vertical adjustment. This is easily corrected by tightening the thumb wheel. There is some blue thread lock that I had to break loose in order to tighten the wheel.


This slightly fuzzy picture shows horizontal axis problem. the hole for the adjuster is too large and a little too far forward. This causes a small vertical movement when you turn the wheel. I am still tring to decide the best way to fix this. If I can find a suitable bushing (a brass eyelet may work, I will enlarge and recenter the holes and run the screw through the bushings. If I can't find a suitable bushing, I think I will enlarge the holes and epoxy small washers in place to take out the slop.

I also plan on flipping the screw and wheel so that the adjustment knob and the dimmer know are on opposite sides of the finder. It is too easy to turn the adjuster instead of the dimmer.

After correcting these problems, I will have to use some thread lock to secure the thumb wheels again.

Thanks for listening,

Erik Ruud
41.9N 88.3W

[erikruud]

I went to American Science and surplus and picked up this surplus eyepiece for my scope.

So far I have only been able to test by looking at stuff down the street from my house but the images are sharp and clear. I find myself wondering when one of the neighbors will call the police because I setting the scope up on the driveway and pointing it down the street.

For my scope I did not have to sand the barrel down as advised. It actually fits perfectly into the focuser and diagonal that came with my scope. I'll have to get the calipers out and measure the ID of my focuser.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Erik,

I like upgrades and improvements that are accomplished by the do-it-yourselfer!

Most people would have just bought another red-dot finder, but hell...it still works, kinda. All it needs is some attention and it will be as good as new. The images help us follow along with your projects and thanks for posting them. The washer idea sounds good. Gee, I hope you are not like me....I have an entire room with nothing but various types of fasteners and other small hardware bits!

The eyepiece looks like a winner. I just may stop in and get one myself too. My favorite eyepiece is one I adapted from a busted pair of binoculars. 10x and wide field...for nothing!

Keep us updated on your progress.

[erikruud]

I do have a large Rubber Made tote full of various small parts that I have accumulated during various projects. I am definitely a DIY type of guy.

A search at Ace hardware turned up some nylon flange washers that are sized for a #6 machine screw. They are a snug fit on the M4 metric screw from the finder. I also purchased a longer M4 machine screw because the thickness of the washers did not leave enough thread for the know to be attached securely. The total investment was about $0.83

I drilled out holes with .221 drill so that the washers fit without any play. The washers fit tightly on the screw, but the turn easily in the enlarged holes.

After the modifications I can dial in the finder with no problems and it stays where I set it.

I tested it out Friday night and it works very well. I put the dot on a target and it is in the eyepiece every time.

I have some pictures that I will post a little later.