Experience with secondary mirror spider CYCK and aperture ring for SkyWatcher 150P Quattro

Hello Mr. Kloss

I have written a review regarding my order (secondary spider for SkyWatcher 150 P Quattro) and aperture ring. I am thrilled with the product and the results. I would have liked to have included my first light. Perhaps a review could be published on your website. In any case, I am attaching my first light with the new secondary spider.

Object: Sadr and surrounding area
The image consists of 51 lights of 120 seconds, ISO 1600, F/3.45, focal length 518mm. Camera: Canon RA, Software: PixInsight & Affinity Photo.

Telescope: SkyWatcher 150P Quattro with CYCK secondary spider
Mount: iOptron CEM26; Tracking PHD2

Review:
After receiving the secondary spider and aperture ring, I started tuning the SkyWatcher 150P Quattro. First of all, the positions of the primary mirror and the front cover ring were marked on the tube. Particular caution was required with the primary mirror, as it sat quite tightly in the tube. Using a small rubber hammer and a small piece of wood, the primary mirror mount was loosened by careful tapping evenly all around. It was important that the primary mirror was secured with one hand shortly before being removed to prevent it from suddenly falling out. The primary mirror was then placed on a soft surface and protected from falling objects. The next step was to remove the original secondary mirror spider. This was released by loosening the four outer knurled screws. Caution was also required here. It is recommended to hold the secondary mirror spider in one hand while loosening the knurled screws with the other hand. After removing the spider from the tube, the secondary mirror could be removed by carefully loosening the central screw with the spring. The secondary mirror was also placed on a soft surface and secured against falling objects. The three secondary mirror adjustment screws were removed from the old secondary mirror spider and set aside. They were later screwed back into the new secondary mirror spider. A short coffee break.

With renewed vigor, we continued with the disassembly of the focuser and the finder shoe. Now it was time to tune the tube. To prevent reflections inside the tube, the inside was cleaned of any possible dirt particles and prepared for covering with velour film. To define the length of the velour film, the new secondary mirror spider (without the secondary mirror) was inserted into the tube. The milled spider was intentionally positioned farthest from the telescope opening so that the inserted screws touched the through holes in the tube. This prevented the spider from overlapping the velour film. After measuring the length and calculating the width (tube inner circumference), the film could be cut to size. Gluing the film in place was not quite so easy. Several points had to be observed when gluing the film in place. First, the velour protective film had to be removed by about 1-2 cm. Then, place the film onto the spider, align it, and tape off the first few centimeters of the velour film. Then, remove some more of the protective film, continue to stick it on, and then smooth the film out by hand. As I continued to unroll and stick it on, I unfortunately didn't notice that the film wasn't running parallel to the spider and was therefore unrolling crookedly in the tube. This then resulted in the film ending up overlapping in the area of ​​the primary mirror mount. So, the taped film had to be removed again. So my tip: buy a second velour film beforehand. With foresight, I did just that. So, I cut the film again, and this time I paid attention to everything. I then used the cutter to cut out the openings for the focuser and the screw holes for the finder shoe. The finder shoe was then reattached to the counter plate inside the tube, and the counter plate was also taped over with velour. The focuser was then aligned and mounted on the tube. Next came the primary mirror. It was first cleaned of any dirt particles. The mounting screws and clamps were carefully loosened and removed, and the new aperture ring was attached. The screws and clamps were then replaced and carefully tightened. The primary mirror was then carefully remounted in the tube and screwed into place.

Next came the new secondary mirror spider, which had to be removed again in order to be mounted with the secondary mirror. The original screws and the central spring from the old secondary mirror spider were retrieved and reassembled with the three supplied springs. It was important that the secondary mirror position be correctly aligned with the focuser. The spider was then carefully inserted into the tube and lightly tightened with the new supplied screws and special washers. The spider was then evenly aligned with the telescope aperture using a caliper. After alignment, the screws were tightened evenly to ensure no distortion occurred on the tube and secondary mirror spider. Finally, the front protective ring was attached and screwed on. The alignment of the primary mirror with the secondary mirror was roughly adjusted and then centrally aligned using the laser collimator.

Disassembling and reassembling the new secondary mirror spider was not particularly difficult and is child's play for technically gifted people. Thanks also to the description here on this homepage.

The following night, I was able to test my tuning. My test subject was Sadr and the surrounding area. And I have to say, I'm thrilled with the improvement that came from converting to a milled CYCK secondary mirror spider.


Kind regards & CS
Clau Lombriser