5"- 6" achro + mount around $1000.

[borispider]

I was reading a thread on CN and saw that Gord put together a 6" Istar scope
plus mount for around $1k(US?).

Gord can you expand on that? Especially with the OTA.
I saw a pic and it's a great lookin' scope.

[gord]

Hi, sorry for the slow reply. I hadn't got over here yet.

Yeah, probably less than $1k, but you have to consider some stuff I already have and was not counting (ex. diagonal, eyepieces, etc.). What I did for that much was the IStar lens, then building a tube, and an almost new EQ5 mount with drives.

You can get a look at what that looks like in that thread on CN. Here's that link for those that don't have it:

www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4249717/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

You can also see another look if the same stage of build in this thread:

www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4252178/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

The first images in this second thread are from later when I got the aluminum tube and A-P gear. In the first thread though, I put a link to the build thread also on CN where I was building my first test scope based on the lens. It's actually pretty decent. Not as nice as Jef (from France) on here, but pretty nice. I was originally planning on it be totally temporary, but now I'm thinking of making a remote setup at a family residence so I only need to bring the lens along with me.

The original (really cheap) build is based on a cardboard sono-tube. Weight is really low, and structurally it's plenty solid. Also has really good thermal properties. Cost only about $12.

I then used hardwood to make the more structural components, as well as a cradle using wood and some thin Al strapping. Since most of the stuff I already had (scrap wood, etc.), beyond the tube and some fastener hardware, the OTA cost basically nothing outside of the lens. I had the focuser as well, but you can get very cheap ones. In fact, an ok crayford is only like $100 these days. You can see some of the initial details in the build thread I mentioned. It is way out of date though...

The mount was from a fellow CN'er, and was a little less than $400 I think. Pretty close to brand new in condition though. And the IStar lenses as you know are less than $400. So, you can see how it can be done on a very tight budget. You do have to get a little creative and be willing to get your hand dirty. But it can be done with very basic tools (jig saw, drill, screw drivers, etc.).

Now my current setup is a little nicer and cost a little more. But surprisingly not that much. And I got almost all of it used as well. The A-P focuser was used ($250), and the tube was a special find. It just happened to be exactly made for the A-P gear and sized perfectly for the 6" F10. It could be replicated though for not a whole lot ($300-400?). And it's really top end quality. Think Astro-Physics.

And for anyone that is thinking of building a scope, let me say that building a refractor using a lens in cell like IStar offers is about as easy as it gets. Way easier than a newt in my opinion, and they are already considered fairly easy. All I can say is go for it!

Clear skies,

-Gord