This is something a little different… a 1987 Meade MTS SN6. The MTS (Modular Telescope System) was offered as a 6″ f/5 Schmidt Newtonian, an 8″ f/4 Schmidt Newtonian, and an 8″ f/10 Schmidt Cassegrain on a fork mount with a pedestal base. You could then add several options to the base unit including finders, counterweights, and drives. The drive options included a tangent arm drive for the fork and either a synchronous drive for the R.A. or a complete LX3 drive system. The focuser is also a unique combination of slip and helical, 1.25″ and 2″, and it is designed to accommodate eyepieces or cameras. It is an unusual system, but very well designed, solid, and easy to use. This particular example started as a stock SN6 with the synchronous drive. It arrived in fairly good condition, but needed cleaning and the drive was jammed. So, it got the usual treatment; it was taken completely apart and cleaned, I added a center spot on the primary, fixed the drive (the motor mount was out of alignment), put it back together, and collimated it. I then added counterweights (it uses the same counterweights as the 2080), a Vixen finder bracket, and a homemade dew shield. I’ve had it out a couple of times for shakeout tests and it is surprisingly comfortable to use while seated, tracks well, and produces a fine wide field image. I’m going to have to at least tinker with taking a few pictures with it, but it is destined to be a visual star-hopper.
Fun stuff!
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