Posts Made By: Tom Lacovik

I found a site that wants $10 for the telrad switch. But is there a cheaper source for electronic components (one that maybe doesn't refer to the component as telescope equipment ?

Hi Guys,
I'm in danger of being top heavy on my 13.1" dob. So I need your help in choosing a LIGHT RA finder in the 50mm range. My decision will be based more around weight than any concern for optical excellence or durability (i have no such demands for a finder, i just need to see the blurry spot in one, to know i found a galaxy).

I am aware of 3 models, but can't find weight stats for all of them, nor is it clear if some are weighing their holders or not. If you have one of these, would you mind filling out the weight stats to preserve this precious info here for future generations to enjoy? (well, okay, that was grandiose... i mean, 'it would help a lot'!)



thanks!
Tom.


Orion 9x50: 17.2oz / 487g

Antares 7x50: 18.4 / 522g (yikes!?)

Zhumell 8x50: ??? no info...

Any help appreciated. Thanks.
Tom

about to take a dip in the water with binoviewers. read some reviews and talk about how you should get ones with self-centering eyepiece holders otherwise it's easy to get the 2 eyes out of collimation. oddly, the threads i was reading, didn't list the brands that were self-centering, which left me some googling to do.

burgess comes up when you google 'self centering binoviewers' but 2 things strike me: first, the design looks exactly like orion's and many others (with the 2 rows of dots on the barrels...it's clearly the same chinese factory right?). second, they SAY self centering, but then the design has 3 set screws per side for you to try to center/collimate the eps... does this not seem contradictory - like what is the opposite of self centering if not 6 set screw design?

however their page says this is a new design with a bigger 24mm prism and thicker side walls so those set screws don't fall out.

if i don't splurge on denks, is this a good model to get my feet wet with BV or perhaps the William optic package is better? can anyone help compare or advise?

Thanks. Here's the links...
Burgess:
http://www.burgessoptical.com/Accessories/Binoviewer24.html

looks like stellarvue but $100 more:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/stellarvue-binoviewer-with-2-e3023-eyepieces-bv3.html

which looks like the celestrons at the top of this page, mind you there are Standard Denkmeiers here for $299..hmmm?
http://www.scopetronics.com/binoview.htm


and then there is william optics which don't LOOK LIKE they are made by that one factory feeding all these brands, is that better or worse, i don't know (doesn't mention self centering, but looks like one set screw which could make it really hard to collimate/center the 2 eps i would guess)
http://www.williamoptics.com/accessories/binoviewer_features.php

that's all
which binoviewer brands have self centering eyepiece holders?

thx

I've placed a wanted ad in the binoviewer section of the classifieds, and 2 days later i see it's gone. Am I violating some principle here? I've re-scanned the terms of use and found no mention of rules regarding want ads. In fact, there is a wanted ad there from another user (for a different brand of binoviewer). But not mine.

Why?

thanks.
tom.

hi. i have a pst on a camera tripod. weight wise it's fine since the pst weighs almost nothing. and it's nice for that reason. grab it throw it outside for a quick look and back in.

but a camera tripod is hard to aim and of course, no slow motion knobs.

so what is a cheap (that's important in this case)/simple idea for this dedicated purpose?

alt/az with knobs or should i put it on a eq mount?

thanks
tom.

i'm thinking of taking my 6" mak traveling (morocco!) which is airline portable but the mount/tripod etc is not. very not.

so i'm thinking of making a collapsible dob mount for it. not super tall so i'm counting on finding some outdoor tables to use when i'm there.

not perfect but usable is my goal.
first i need inspiration. i need some pictures or links you may have in your bookmarks.

please share. thanks!
tom

I've always been a reflector kind of guy, but now I'm thinking about getting a grab n go refractor, that might travel in a compact carry-on case. No photographic needs, just compact compact compact.

The things is though fellows, that 80mm just doesn't get me excited. Wide field views, sure, but I just think you need some aperture.

I saw there were some Borgs that were 100mm and broke down into 3 pieces. That's the kind of thing I'm wondering: what other refractors do that trick?

Is there something in the 90-100mm range that can break down into small managable/packable pieces?

My preference would be for a decent achromat or perhaps ED if the price is right... basically thinking $900 or less for a complete portable setup.... how would you solve that particular matrix of requirements? (you know you want to!)

ok, GO!

Tom.

Hi.

Potential dumb question alert.

I have a 4.5" newt that I want to put on an alt-az mount that uses a vixen dovetail system.
Also, I have an 8" dovetail bar with slots cut into it.

Clearly I have to drill the OTA, somewhere, but where (vis a vis balance etc)?
and do I have to tap the holes, or do I simply put a nut on the inside of the OTA and put a couple screws threw the dovetail bar.

In short, what's the right process? Thanks.
Tom.

Hi. I live at 45N but will have 2 weeks at a 32°N dark sky site (morocco) during a trip from Feb 14 to Feb 28. I have a 4.5" altaz mounted newt and a planetarium program on my iphone.

I'm looking to make a list of BOTH 'can't miss objects' at any Northern latitude - to show to the people i'm travelling with (so faint super fuzzies in a 4.5" need not apply), as well as some possibly not 'show stoppers' but things that i don't have access to at my normal 45° latitude that i can hunt down on my own after they've gone to bed.

What are your top 10 or top 20 things to see at that time (feb 20ish) and place 32N°?

Thanks!