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Posts Made By: Mike Gibson

July 16, 2003 05:12 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Meade LX3 8" quatrz

Posted By Mike Gibson
These can be repaired with new parts, many of which are still available. I fixed someone's LX5 quartz drive by replacing the SAA1027 stepper motor chip, all of the 4000 series logic chips, burnt caps, and diodes. Wrong power supply fried the board.

I don't know the LX3's layout, but start with the power supply, switching, and hand paddle. Verify that power is OK before swapping out logic chips.

If the LX3 uses the SAA1027 chip, it is available at:

http://www.optecinc.com/astronomy/prices/astronomy_price_list.html

Happy Soldering (and desoldering)!

July 16, 2003 09:04 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

MEADE AR6 question

Posted By Mike Gibson
Mike - from the LXD55 Yahoo Group, looks like the OTA diameter is about 158mm. The dew shade I.D. remains a mystery!

July 17, 2003 03:19 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: AP 5" Refractor

Posted By Mike Gibson
Yes, you just boosted my confidence 100% by calling AP. I have an AR5; it is not a bad OTA for use while waiting for an upgrade in focuser. The paint job is good and it is baffled, even in the cheap focuser.

So, yea, I would think $1200 - $1500 is a fair price as long as the triplet and cell parts are all stock and assembled correctly.




July 17, 2003 04:38 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Ultimate high reso observing challenge

Posted By Mike Gibson
Interesting challenge, but I'll bet Dawes' Limit can be bested by excellent optics and conditions. Now where are my star charts and Argo Navis.....

July 17, 2003 07:42 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

What is bad seeing?

Posted By Mike Gibson
Try this link:

http://uk.geocities.com/dpeach_78/pickering.htm

July 18, 2003 01:28 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Can O Worms

Posted By Mike Gibson
Not to worry, as the C9.25's light gathering advantage is far more significant than the impact of scatter and light pollution. Bigger scopes do fine in the 'burbs, and have enough extra gas to make blocking filters a viable option if needed.

Since you have almost decided on the C9.25, it would be rude to extoll the virtues of the fantastic TV102, which would get used more often!

July 18, 2003 06:35 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

telescope Warm up

Posted By Mike Gibson
That depends on a lot of factors. In general, telescopes conduct, convect, and radiate heat at rates based on color, materials, and design, and warm up would be similarly impacted (thermal inertial). I failed Thermodynamics, but recall that heat energy soaks faster (or at least more efficiently) going from hot to cold depending on the size of the mediums for same delta T's.

There is a tug-of-war between competing thermal effects, including overshoot as outside temps drop (or rise). I use a Radio Shack digital indoor/outdoor temperature meter to see how close the primary optic is to ambient air temp, but they never are equal.

Best not to store optics at cold temps and introduce them to warm, moist air, as this can cause other problems (dew).

July 19, 2003 08:47 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Focal reducer

Posted By Mike Gibson
Focal reducers usually are positioned inside the focal plane to project at the FR's reduction ratio. They are readily available for CCD cameras, CATs, and refractors as reducer/flatteners (e.g. Takahashi, Astro-Physics) down to .33x reduction, with photo-visual limitations.

If the Intes FR has standard SCT threads, it is possible to use the FR with an additional 36.4mm LAR adapter which converts the Orion Mak's visual back to standard SCT male threads. There may be some vignetting depending on the configuration.

Background info:

http://ganymede.nmsu.edu/holtz/a535/ay535notes/node26.html

July 19, 2003 09:01 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Who makes Telrad?

Posted By Mike Gibson
Good question, as Steve Kufeld passed away several years ago. Can anyone confirm that the production location remains as before?

I have one from 1999 (never used) molded with "STEVE KUFELD PINE MTN CLUB CA 93222". More info at:

http://www.company7.com/telrad/

July 20, 2003 03:24 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Dobs and Light Pollution

Posted By Mike Gibson
You will get significant DSO improvement with a Starmaster 12.5 ELT compared to the 4" apo under mag 4 skies. A dark site is always desirable, and you will still be challenged with finding the objects with light pollution while star hopping. Digital setting circles can ease the burden (Sky Commander, Argo Navis, NGC, etc.).

The SM 12.5 isn't bothered as much by reduced light transmission from broadband filters, so they can help. This scope is a quick setup or roll out and keeps your feet on the ground.

You didn't ask about GoTo, but there are other 10" - 12" options that can take the pain out of finding DSOs for the price of a new 12.5 ELT. But they won't have a CZ mirror.


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