Posts Made By: Marc Whitsett

Don't want to appear dumb, but what are the advantages/ disadvantages to the 2.7 vs 4 inch focuser? What does the "inch" refer to: Backfocus? Would I prefer the extra cost with the 4 inch for a) binoviewing? b) CCD imaging?

Thoughts appreciated. Looks like a great scope....

Marc W

I have an irregular and somewhat unpredictable schedule; I find myself out of town frequently on short notice and don't have the ability to "call someone" to ask if I can use 40 square feet of real estate to sit in a chair and do star gazing (usually binos) for an hour or two. I've tried "hiding" on farmer's land, sneaking into parks, and even roadside parking only to spend most of my time fearing I'll be run off or hassled. I found a metro park (closed after 8 PM like most parks: they aren't dark friendly) and was star gazing just outside of the gates, but got run off and issued a citation (Perseid observing). Any thoughts about finding a place to star gaze on the run for an hour or two with a chair and binos without feeling paranoid, guilty of something, or otherwise feeling like a pest??

Thanks.

Marc in Cincinnati

Any thoughts on this ad? He is Non rated, with the price extremely low given the amount of stuff being sold on top of the CPC 1100? Just wonder if there is any way to know if it is legit?

I have to share this.

I generally prefer to view the sky by star hopping and knowing the sky: no guided mounts/ digital circles/ computers, etc. To me, this is 3/4 the fun. Whatever.

Well, my biggest pet peeve has been that I love to use my green lasers to initially point my scope(s) in the general direction of where I want to go. With my refractor, not too hard (points like down a barrel), but with the 10 inch dob...this has become a must as I have a neck problem, so looking up all night kills me.

In cold weather, my lasers die, generally below 25 degrees after about 20 minutes. Since I am out there no matter what the temp, it has been very frustrating to try and replace the batteries every 15-20 minutes to keep the lasers going. I have tried all types of lasers to no avail: once the batteries get cold, they die.

I have been unable to locate a power source for the lasers: they appear to be rather sensitive to voltage levels and they get expensive to make, and I have been unable to locate a third party external power source for any laser that is inexpensive (any thoughts on that?).

So I decided to try to use dew heating elements on the lasers. Well, they work. I have been out all night at 15-17 degrees and they stay on as if at regular temperatures. Such a small deal, but such an improvement in my star gazing experience in the winter.

Never let it be said that small things don't matter.

Cheers.

I really like my xt10i 10" dob f/4.7. Easy setup, great GoTo (spot on), but I want a better mirror :S .

Should I send in the mirror to make it a "better" mirror (if so, where to send?), or should I use it as my wife's makeup mirror and order a great mirror such as a Pegasus, Galaxy, etc???

Or should I sell the xti and get a used Starmaster[can u spell Zambuto?]/ Obsession/ Portaball???

I have that [expensive] "great mirror" thing going on...ugh. I can't really push the aperture beyond 12.5" due to weight/ portability/cost concerns.

Thoughts???

I just purchased a new dual 10:1 micro-focuser micro pinion assembly for my TV 102 refractor from a well known and excellent brand [can I name the brand?], and it has a fair amount of backlash.

It represents maybe 25-30% of the micro-focuser 360 degree turn. Despite attempts to improve with installation adjustments, that is the best I can do.

Is that acceptable? I'm thinking I should just buy the TeleVue Focusmate, as my current "standard" TV focuser has zero, and I mean zero, backlash.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks.

Just got a Sirius EQ-G Mount with a hand controller. All I want to do is slew and then solar track. I did a daytime alignment but the sun isn't listed as an object. I don't know how to proceed. I am an Alt-Az kind of a guy. If anyone is willing to communicate with me to help me, much obliged. Sorry if this is the wrong place to post.

Marc Whitsett

I am using a fairly new IS DFK 31AU03.AS USB Color camera just purcahsed off Astromart. I have a distinct artifact [appears to be a dispersion pattern] that I can not get around. I am using a TV 102, with a 60 mm Solarmax. When I use my cheapo Orion Solar System Imager it is not present.

If any one recognizes it, would appreciate advice how to get rid of it.

Not sure if I should post here.

I have a Pronto 70.4mm f6.8 that easily shows a full solar disc with a Solarmax 60mm with visual observing. However, the 2 webcams I have have an effective focal length of around 5 mm. The image is about 70-80% of the solar disc. I am trying to use ANY focal reducer that might give me the full disc, but I lack focuser in-travel, I think only by about 3-5 mm.I can't afford a DSLR at this stage, plus I have no skill with DSLR.

Am I screwed? Any experience or thoughts surrounding this appreciated. The interest is imaging the Venus transit.

Cheers. Marc Whitsett

Not sure if I should post here. Saw the thread re: backfocus...so...

I have a Pronto 70.4mm f6.8 that easily shows a full solar disc with a Solarmax 60mm etalon with visual observing. However, the 2 webcams I have have provide an effective focal length of around 5 mm. The webcam image is about 70-80% of the solar disc. I am trying to use ANY focal reducer to achieve a full disc image, but I lack focuser in-travel, I think only by about 3-5 mm. I can't afford a DSLR at this stage, plus I have no skill with DSLR.

Am I screwed? My current focal reducer is .5. Would a .8 reducer allow me to come to focus? I really don't want to take eyepiece pics with my point and shoot. Any experience or thoughts surrounding this appreciated. The interest is imaging the Venus transit.

Cheers. Marc Whitsett