Celestron Evolution 8 Telscope - Quality Control Problem?
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- After endless research about my "next scope" (this is normal, right?) I decided to go for the Celestron Evolution 8" SCT. The model has been around since 2014 and there are many unboxing videos on YT. Having encountered some problems when my new Evo arrived I thought I'd make another which shows the issues and (hopefully) their resolution by my supplier First Light Optics.
The Evo 8 box ships at a weight of 26 kilos. The scope components inside total about 18kg.
www.celestron....
Hey Graham, I was excited for you when I clicked the video then my heart quickly sank when I saw how your scope arrived. Hopefully this is just a blip for Celestron as it's not particular fair on customers. Very glad you were well looked after and a good replacement found fairly quickly. looking forward to seeing how you get on with it! :)
The first one seemed used. Good luck with the replacement!
Thanks! Looking forward to using it.
Its a used product sent by the supplier 😡👿
Yes I think so.
I had an 8 Evo also, and was amazed how much dust was inside the c plate and the mirror itself. I could assemble this scope in my living room and had a much much cleaner result. Thats no joke.
Wow they are so behind on production that they are cranking these things out too fast! This is very expensive equipment so we would expect much better. I recently just go into astronomy viewing and imaging and I am seeing all kinds of QC issues. I am happy that my new C6 is in good shape but even it came with a scratch that looked like the manufacture tried to cover up with black paint. But seriously a corrector plate that was scratched and NO coatings!!! I understand that defects happen but man this stuff is expensive and you expect much better! I am happy FLO took care of you. We need service like that here in the US!
Thanks for the unboxing video, as always your videos have been great quality :-)
Thanks very much. It's frustrating for sure and I'm hoping the hassle is over with now (fingers crossed until we get some dark skies to try it out properly). Given the scopes are well packed in shaped foam boxes I'm confident the issues were not caused in transit. I had a C6 a few years back and found it a great little scope, with a decent aperture and light weight - the edge of grab and go in my personal view. Definitely worth checking out the f/6.3 reducer if you haven't already.
@@JenhamsAstro I have the F6.3 R/C but now I also have a HyperStar 6v4 and it is amazing for imaging! No longer have a want or need for a RASA 8 :-) I still have my C90 for the moon and planets :-)
thanks for the video, similar experience but no corrector plate issues, can you look at my you tube video on what I have questions on? I think I actually see this in your first scope video, the glue or whatever that this video shows....does you new one have the glass looking glue stuff on the main mirror housing as does mine in video? thanks in advance ruclips.net/video/SHeZZzYzlrY/видео.html
Hi John, I don't think I saw any excess glue/grease or similar on my first scope. There were the corrector debris and the mount scuffs - bad enough. There were also some very small reflective (i.e. not fully painted) areas on the outside of the secondary housing, but nothing that protruded as in your video. The replacement scope also has no glue or similar "seepage/overspill" and is painted as you'd expect. Your "glue" may have no effect but certainly poor QC. Hope this helps, Graham
FLO always look after their customers. 👍
Nice new telescope Graham. You never need to worry when you buy from First Light Optics
True! FLO have been top of my supplier list for years now. It’s interesting to contrast what you get when you open up some manufacturers scopes compared to this one. For example when I bought a GT 81 through FLO a few years ago it came with a quality control label with inspection stamps etc whereas the Evo had nothing. I’m sure Synta have quality control processes but it’s nice to see some evidence that your individual scope has had a check at the factory. Mind you the list of other Synta’s I’ve had like a 127/ 90 et cetera have been good performers and I hope this new scope will be the same. Despite the short nights I managed to have a quick first check. Epsilon Lyrae split quite nicely so it seems like this one is pretty decent even if the collimation was a little bit off.
@@JenhamsAstro Yes I agree wholeheartedly regarding the acknowledgment of a QC check. Most folk tend to collimate their SC scopes on a star. How did you tweak yours? Lastly is it a standard SC visual back that can accommodate a 2” diagonal if desired? I hope you have many great nights with your new acquisition
@@Astronurd Thanks. I’ve got an artificial star (LED torch) but I found it’s best to do final collimation on a star. I’m undecided whether to buy some Bobs Knobs for this scope, I think I’ll see how well it stays put without them. The diagonal is the standard 1.25 unit so would need to go to accommodate a 2”.
Dude they have to ship the thing to you they can't snap their fingers and make it atomized right in front of you these tiny microscopic Little mix are part of the process of putting it in a box shipping it across country in a truck and then you unboxing it.
Looking forward to see pictures from that. I like celestron I have 2 scopes, one celestron and one skywatcher.
thanks. Could you tell me if the refractor telescope suffers a lot of damage if I want to observe from the seashore? I say this because of the salinity that can affect the lenses. Is there a trick to protect it and be able to go anyway?
I doubt you’d incur damage with occasional use as long as you manage dew in the normal way, and allow the scope to dry out indoors afterwards with dust caps off. You definitely need to avoid any risk of direct contact with spray if the wind it off the sea.
@@JenhamsAstro thank you
Hi, now retired I spent some savings on an evo 925, constant cloud is preventing me trying it out, so Im looking at youtube instead. MIne arrived in good condition. Ive replaced the diagonal with an Altair 2 Inch CF (with 1.25 adaptor, no 2" lenses yet), and the finder with a Baader skysurfer 3, and am sorting bags so I can take it all to dark sites. One thing Ive found with the 925, its impossible to have the optical tube balanced without the eyepiece colliding with the mount base when pointing near the zenith. Ive read forums saying that it should be fine front heavy though, so Im keeping it unbalanced rather than limiting slew angles. I might look into adding a right angle finder to add a bit of extra weight to the back end, and also save my back and neck . I had a brief view of the moon and jupiter through some gaps in the cloud cover, just long enough to do a solar system alignment on jupiter, of which I had an amazingly detailed view. Now just waiting for the oxfordshire skies to clear, get some proper alignments and start exploring and learning.
Hi Paul, I’ve moved my 8 along the dovetail so it’s in reasonable balance with 2” accessories although I too read the forums saying it’s fine if not as the innards are brass. When I first got mine I expected to put a RACI on but I tend to only use the finder for the alignment and the app thereafter, so I’ve stuck with just the RDF. The HC is back in its box. Hope you have some clear skies to give it a proper workout soon. Graham
@@JenhamsAstro Hi Graham, I got lucky(ish) with the sky tonight, lots of gaps between clouds, did my first skyalign which went well, though I will now get a crosshair eyepiece for better accuracy. After aligning I goto'd a few things which were all visible, but not all centered, and I saw the planet uranus for the first time. So a decent first night.
Having found the night light on skyportal, I might now put the hand control away too, but I do like the slew buttons, easier to find while at the eyepiece though practice will improve things Im sure. Will also need to invest in a neck cord for my specs too, for switching between eyepiece and smartphone lol.
+1 for the neck cord!@@paulmurphy2583
Jeez, looks like this was an ex display model sold as "NEW" where did you get this Jens?
I got it from First Light Optics, but I’m not sure if they had it in stock or whether they just put an order in from the distributor.
@@JenhamsAstro Itys not like them to send an ex display model unless clearly stated on their website. I make a point of stating that I want a factory sealed non demo unit every time I order anything so its clear from the outset. I assume maybe as this was at the height of Covid they were just trying to keep up with the demand during lockdown.
@@desbarry8414 Maybe yes. Fortunately the replacement was supplied quickly. I asked that they checked it first.
Plz observe sun ☀️
Lol
Latest 2 years of optics from Celestron has been really really bad QC wise. I had ordered their SkyMaster 12x70 binoculars and had to exchange them 3 times as they either had dust particles trapped inside or what looked like a particle sized spot of missing coatings on the lens. Just recently i ordered their zoom eyepiece 8-24mm and couldn't believe it! Same issues, dust particle trapped inside first one, exchange it, 2nd one same plus a coating spot missing, going on to exchange it a 3rd time!!! Unreal...
Agreed, disappointing.
Didn’t see this coming. Congratulations on the new scope. I hope it exceeds your expectations
Thanks Garnett. I’ll have a better idea how scope #2 performs when the dark skies return.
Graham, You're doing the Lords work but, how are you getting on with the Dob? I was elated when you previewed that as I am thinking about purchasing the same model along with a platform but haven't heard anything since, any update would be a godsend before I order. With regards to this video, I will no longer buy anything Celestron after a traumatic experience I had, this video is not an exception. Keep the vids coming, good job :-)
Hi Paul, after much deliberation I decided to consoldate my scope collection, which included selling the Dob and a few others, and buying the Evo. But I would say ithe dob was a great scope, I have zero "criticisms" other than it being bulky (no surprise there) and it doesn't track (solved with a platform). So if the 10" is right for you then I would not hesitate to recommanded the SL or equivalent Zhumell/Apertura.
Thanks for the reply Graham, appreciate your recommendation
Why do you need to use hand control knobs on a computerized telescope? Doesn't it find the object/target for you? I don't understand.
I think they include the hand controller because some people find it easier to sense the buttons when you’re outside at night but you absolutely don’t need it when I first used the scope I did the alignment using an app on my phone and the hand controller stayed in the box unused. But it is a little bit tricky in that you have to look at the screen on your phone in order to make sure you’re pushing the right button - you don’t have the feel of the button that you have with a hand controller. A small thing really. But to answer your question yes it does find objects for you once you have done an initial alignment.
The GoTo function is approximate, and you almost always need to centre the object before using higher magnification. Also, one might want to explore the area of sky nearby. In any case, I prefer the tactile sensation of the buttons on the hand controller. Slewing on a phone is tricky because you have to visually locate the virtual buttons.
It almost looks as if they tried to sell a used one as new.
I did wonder.
Hi Graham,
I highly recommend that you also check the movement of the mount along both axes. I bought this same telescope a few months ago and, although the optical elements were in excellent condition and well-collimated, the mount had (and still has) some mechanical issues
OK thanks, will do. What sort of problems have you experienced?
I'll keep an eye out for that issue when I've used the scope more.
How do you find the views in your 8" SCT compared to your Dob (once both cooled ). Talking about stellar images/ contrast etc. i am considering an SCT too, but I have read much about mushy views etc.. on forums. Thank you!
Hi David, it’s too early to say really. When the dark nights return I’ll be able to compare. I plan to use a f/6.3 reducer which should make the comparison fairer. I’ll let you know. Clear skies, Graham
@@JenhamsAstro which reducer is compatible ? the same as 8SE?
@@granorod6422 Yes, the same one. I’ve got one but haven’t used it much yet.
WAW. I just took delivery of my 9.25 Evolution last week and mine also had loads of debris inside sitting on the corrector plate. I used a hoover and managed to suck it all out. Also, I had scratches on the black ring and scuffs. I didn’t bother sending it back but I have asked for a compensation. Oh btw my scope had the worst collimation i have ever seen in an SCT. Luckily I had bobs Knobs installed so it was super quick to fix. Also, this scope is quite loud but I will take that as when compared to my old 8SE the pointing accuracy using SkyPortal app is absolutely spot on.
That’s very interesting. I doubt if the corrector issues would have impacted the scope’s performance and If I’d bought it as a used scope I would have cleaned it up and moved on, but this is serious money so I went for the return option, which FLO managed well. I’d be interested to hear how your claim works out. Hard to understand how QC could miss these issues. Graham
@@JenhamsAstro You are right it's an expensive scope and these issues shouldn't be there at all. I am waiting for a £ credit to be released in the form of an item of my choice. I agree, the debris inside the scope doesn't impact the views but it's a new scope and it should be there hence why I hoovered mine and luckily it felt down
@@Ajajambo I didn’t try the hoover option for the flecks and wasn’t keen to attempt cleaning up the glass - fairly sure I’d have messed that up!
@@JenhamsAstro let us know how you get on with it on planets and DSO
it is 1,25 inch eyepiece?
Yes, as standard, although I have now fitted a 2” visual back.
@@JenhamsAstro how did you go from 1.25 to 2 inches?
@@granorod6422 The Evo has an SCT thread on the back of the tube. Celestron supply a standard visual back to take this to 1.25” but you can unscrew it and fit a 2” instead. I used a Baader 2” Clicklock - see my Shorts video.
@@JenhamsAstro where did you get it?
@@granorod6422 First Light Optics
Hello Graham good luck with your new telescope looking forward to the next reviews i also went for a nexstar evo instead of skywatcher gti 😉
Thanks Dietger I’m looking forward to not having wires and counterweights. Is your scope working out well?
@@JenhamsAstro hello I going to get it this weekend looking forward to it. Mine is the 6 inch tough.No cables and also mobile which is also a plus for me.
@@JenhamsAstro hello can you align well with the skyportal app with me I always get" failed try again" the hand control succeeds immediately on 2 star align, do you experience problems with that?
@@dietgerherregodts2220 Hello Dietger, I’ve only tried it a couple of times so far due to the time of year. My first attempt did fail with that message, but when I retried it with a wider star separation and taking more care to centre each star it worked.
@@JenhamsAstro hello Graham I will try this as well although I think I did this the 1st time also I start with the 40mm plos. then a 12mm. and the stars as divided as possible. Thanks for your reply
I don't know who you got it off but I wonder if they have fobbed you off with a former display one and reboxed it?Oh I do know now First Light!
It’s hard to say, but I’ve always had great service from FLO. Hopefully just a one-off glitch.
Can you use a Celestron PowerTank 17 to run this in the field? No one has mentioned anything about this. Only that it comes with an AC adapter to charge the lithium battery.
Hi Chris, I have not tried this as so far the internal battery has been more than enough. I read some comments in CN saying it should be OK - the power tank will charge the Lithium, but I haven’t got an OK/NOK from personal experience. Graham