Hello Friend,

Over the course of the year, our technician   sees all kinds of telescopes coming in for service.

 In many of the instances, the problems could have been prevented in the first place by some
simple preventative maintainance.

For example, we recently had a customer that brought his SCT Optical Tube in for servicing.
Turns out a Field Mouse had gotten into the Telescope (through the rear cell) because there was no
cap in place. The Mouse had decided to store some grain in the tube.
So that requires dissasembly of the tube, cleaning it out, and then recollimating it.
How to prevent this? Keep any open part of your telescope covered when you store it in
the basement or the garage. Especially if you don't plan to use your instrument for several months.

In another instance, another customer had some condensation form on the corrector plate of his new
SCT telescope, and decided he would wipe it off with a J--cloth. In the process, he scratehed the corrector
plate.  How could this have been prevented? Simply by using an inexpensive dewshield ora  Dew prevention system used
on the telescope.

Or how about the Plumber that took apart his son's telescope to fix it because the image would not focus. ( he removed the primary mirror, and then the secondary, cleaned the dust specs off .and put them back in place ). Now the instrument was way out
of alignment and required collimation.
However, he did not refer to the instruction manual supplied with the instrument
that indicated that to reach focus, start with the lower power eyepiece. He had started with the higher power eyepiece, and
what's worse, inserted the 3x Barlow that came with this particular instrument, whose brand shall remain nameless, but is likely the brand most of us who have been in the hobby started with.....so you guess.
How could this have been prevented? Read the Manual provided with your instrument!Apparently, most Males don't like to do this, but I'm an exception. I even like to read cereal boxes front to back.....go figure.

Computerized Telescopes:

If you own one of these,  and it has an upgradeable database (ie you can update the firmware via your PC, usually for free from
the manufacture's website), then we recommend you do this at least every 6 months. The benefit is that any minor corrections
in the database or other issues, will likely be updated. That way, you are always up to date with the Software.
Just like you do with your Windows software from Microsoft, however that's another story..............

You may need to purchase a connector cable for your instrument, and in some cases it is provided with the instrument
when you purchase it.

So there you go, just a few tips to keep you happily observing away this Fall and Winter.

If you have a tip, or a story to share regarding your own instrument, feel free to send it in to:  info@khanscope.com

Clear Skies,

Ray Khan

PS Khan Scope Centre offers a full range of services for both Binocular and Telescope Repairs. This includes Cleaning,
Collimation, and Electronic Repairs, for all makes and Brands of Telescopes, whether or not your purchased it from us.
Contact us for more details, Toll Free 1 800 580 7160 or Local 416 783 4140 or email: info@khanscope.com

PPS Happy Guy Fawkes Day!  You know who he is don't you? If not, here is a clue from History: Parliament Buildings.

visit our website: at  www.khanscope.com

We are Open 7 days a week.

Khan Scope Centre
3243 Dufferin Street
Toronto, Ontario. Canada
M6A 2T2