1) I'm not sure what you mean by clamshell for the guidescope.?? I would never use rings but I'm not sure what you mean.
Like this (image for illustration, not endorsement of specific vendor)
?
2) Do you think the stray light is getting in near the focuser or into the top of the OTA?? I read somewhere that the stock focuser leaks.
I kinda like the diffraction spikes, but maybe that will wear off......??
I'm good with diffraction spikes, but newts have a tendency to show all kinds of obstructions, not just the spider vanes. Here's a particularly poor star rendition, but it shows the primary mirror clamps, possibly the focuser itself which obstructs the tube a bit, etc
