| The AR6 modification
by Warp. Just got in from a short 3 hour session with my recently completed tuned up AR6. Had fabulous views of the Beehive, Double Cluster, a couple of doubles, Jupiter, Saturn and the Orion Nebula. This was the first chance to get out with the AR6 since I completed several "enhancements" to it. The mount ran flawlessly putting all targets within the FOV (very close to dead center) of the 12.5mm Orion Epic EP. I stayed with this ep most of the night. One Star / Two Star alignment method used. This scope set-up is very, very solid - I'm looking forward to getting into some ccd work. Tracking held all targets within the center of the FOV for 15-20 minutes (this was a quick setup and alignment). That was a blessing as I had lots of neighbors over wanting to look. The AR6 had been flocked inside the OTA and the focuser tube with short pile cut adhesive velvet. The dew shield also was flocked and now has 5 light baffles. Focuser had been "squared" and objective collimated using a laser and cheshire ep. Near perfect airy discs when defocusing on stars. Using a Williams Optics 2" diagonal with 2" MV filter. Almost no extraneous color at all on stars and no halos around Jupiter and Saturn. Clear banding on Jupiter with some cloud patterns visible. Banding on planet and cassini division sharp as a tack. JMI motofocus on standard AR6 focuser worked like a charm. Still waiting on Burgess 200a Focuser - however, I may not need it. Image shift was barely noticeable with the stock setup. I also added about 2 pounds of weight to the focus cell to move the entire OTA assembly farther toward the sky in the rings. Although the horizons were very milky with light pollution, the views in the AR6 are DRAMATICALLY better than they were a week ago before the modifications. This scope is a lot easier to handle than the SN10 and the views are awesome. However, there is no comparison with the SN10 on DSO's and wide field viewing. DSO's that are normally highly visible in the SN10 just do not resolve in the AR6. Both scopes have their place and the focuser on the AR6 seems a lot better than the stock focuser on the SN10 (stay tuned... I'm about to mount a Williams Optics Newtonian Crayford on my SN10) - but aperture rules.... it is very clear if you look through the AR6 and then move to the SN10. If DSO's are your cup of tea... then make the leap from the AR6 to the SN10. You will not be disappointed. I would strongly recommend... based on what I've seen that if you are considering the AR5 (refractors are your weakness) save a bit and go for the AR6 - it's more aperture and the objective lens is set up so you can collimate it for perfect views - the AR5 has no adjustments. The cradle ring assembly is also heavier and has more capability for supporting other accessories. I see a place for both scopes if you can swing it. Sell the extra mount to finance the second OTA. And of course there is the issue of aesthetics... The AR6 certainly is an impressive looking piece of equipment when set up. Not that the SN10 isn't - but the AR series surely looks like a real telescope. Just my .02 worth... Enjoy and good viewing! Warp
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