Image of the day

Captured by
John Roach

Jupiter IO Transit 12-10-26

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Michael Tencza

May 21, 2009 01:11 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

CNN talks to Dr. Christy, and Dr. Hansen too

Posted By Michael Tencza
Very interesting reading, but I could not find any reference to Dr. Hansen in the link provided and I would like to read that also.

May 23, 2009 12:09 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

If I only had one telescope.

Posted By Michael Tencza
In our club one of my favorite telescopes started out as a 12XTi Dob. Over the past two years the owner had the mirror refigured, replaced the secondary with a Protostar and replaced the focuser with a feathertouch. All of this cost about two grand and I have to say it is a very easy telescope to use and the viewing is excellent. Of course it would have been nice to just buy a telescope of this quality from the beginning and I'm open to hearing some vendors that may fit the bill. I think the same optics and focuser in a truss system would be ideal, then all I would have to do is save up for the tracking.

June 3, 2009 05:25 PM Forum: Eyepieces

"Expensive" EPs worth it?

Posted By Michael Tencza
It is first important to spend within your budget, second to get the best you can afford. There are differences in the viewing experience even between two premium eyepieces. Personally I traded up from a 12mm Radian, 19mm Panoptic to 13T6, 17T4. The differences using the same telescopes are real and for me worth the price. Remember you will only spend once for fine eyepieces, but if you choose wisely you will enjoy them for many years.

June 8, 2009 01:30 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Matched Eyepieces for Binoviewing?

Posted By Michael Tencza
Thank you all for your responses. Once again I learned a lot on this site.

July 9, 2009 01:08 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

GSO focuser visual back

Posted By Michael Tencza
I have one on my 4" refractor and will check for you when I get home tonight.

July 16, 2009 03:09 PM Forum: Refractors

True APO ??

Posted By Michael Tencza
Practically speaking, based on what I have read here, "true apo" should be reserved for instuments with color correction necessary for astrophotography and would probably require a well designed triplet configuration. ED doublets, however, and even long focal length achromats might in some cases have good enough color correction for visual use. I will leave others to explain the technical information. Currently I am very happy with my 100mm f/9 ED refractor for visual use.

September 22, 2009 04:25 PM Forum: Refractors

EON 120 what a scope

Posted By Michael Tencza
Enjoyment of the night sky is what this hobby is all about and it sounds like you have achieved that end. I have a 100mm f/9 Skywatcher ED on a Celestron GOTO CG-5 that works very well for me right now, although maybe a 120mm could work even better.

October 14, 2009 07:01 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Review of Pentax Vs Russell Eyepieces

Posted By Michael Tencza
Every serious reviewer I have read has nothing but praise for Pentax eyepieces. When I share my XLs with people at star parties I have never met anyone who could not see obvious quality differences between the Xls and other eyepieces in all kinds and sizes of telescopes. This review to me is just another case of someone wishing an under $100 product performed like a $300 product and a waste of time for those who know better. I started my eyepiece journey at the bottom like Gregg and still enjoy collecting and using many of them to this day, regardless of their shortcomings. However, also like just about everyone else in this hobby who stuck with it for a while I ended up with a case full of Televues and Pentax' to use as my primary widefields. Why...because they work beautifully for me and I like them...that's why.

October 23, 2009 11:03 AM Forum: Reflectors

Refractor guy got first CAT - Success!

Posted By Michael Tencza
Glad to here you like it Brian. I am setting up a C8 also, but running into weather problems.

November 4, 2009 12:21 PM Forum: Refractors

Visual Test of Apo with Strehl Ratio 0.96 vs 0.99

Posted By Michael Tencza
My guess is the best practical way to judge different apo's is with photography. After all we have been told for a long time that the camera sees far more than our eyes.

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search