Astromart

June 5, 2007 02:37 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Anything else I'm missing?

What the others have said is correct but 'll give two more bits of advice:

1. Your eye's - After you get a "good" beginners book - learn the basics - Constellations, Brighter stars, reading star maps "upside down", visible objects, etc.

2. Get a decent set of Binoculars - 7x50's - as the next step - two eye's and two hands to hold are infinitely easier to "locate" things - and will feel more natural.

I'm not saying stop using the TV - by all means keep looking up - but these other "tools" will make your learning curve faster...

June 7, 2007 09:07 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

adapter question for diagonal ??

Posted By Adam Albino

Yes - Lots of company's make them. I use one from JMI...

June 21, 2007 02:49 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

.965 compression ring adapter for 1.25" focuser

Posted By Adam Albino

I believe that adapter is specific to Tak diagonals to convert them. I have seen a few compression ring ones from other sources but don't know of any commercial ones carried here (USA). I bet the Japanese manufacturers make them as .965 stuff is still popular over in Japan - but probably not imported regularly.

To solve this I bought a Tak compression diag and just replace my original 1960's one - It only costs like 60 bucks new - used here on Amart can be much less - and it has typical Tak construction and performance. Of course you can also just put an ad in and see if someone has the adapter your looking for.

June 28, 2007 12:54 PM Forum: Refractors

Zenithstar 105 Triplet

Posted By Adam Albino

I had one and it was less then perfect to say the least. Had sever coma due to being out of alignment. WO tried unsuccessfully - as well as myself - to collimate it several times. We got it so it could handle maybe 200+/- power, but that was it. I worked very closely with William and the WO USA folks - and I must say WO was as perplexed as myself (great Customer Service BTW...). Eventually WO ordered and "hand picked" (whatever that means) a zs110 lens for me. I swapped it out and all I can say is this is visually the best 4" scope I've ever owned. Interestingly they started offering the zs110 lens assembly as an "upgrade" shortly after - gave me the feeling the 105 was having "issues".

July 3, 2007 12:08 PM Forum: Equipment Talk