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Posts Made By: David Kiefner

November 17, 2003 02:58 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

One Fine Achromat !!!

Posted By David Kiefner


Hi Gang,
Just thought I,d throw my 2 cents in.I,ve had many high end scopes over the years and a few achromats. For my money the best achromats ever made or very close to it are the SPC,s that were made by Vixen for Celestron in the late 80,s or early 90,s. I had a SPC80 awhile back and the views were terrific.When Bob hill had his SPC102 up 2 weeks ago I couldn,t resist. The views of Saturn the other night at 224x were great.If you get a chance to pick one up grab it, you won,t be sorry.




As always, Dave

November 30, 2003 05:38 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Hey Guys Tell my wife (Leni ) I,m not alone!

Posted By David Kiefner


Hey Gang,
Hey guys, I need a little support here. I,m 55, kids out of the nest, grandkids, you know the story.But at a time in my life when you can really enjoy our hobbies.Well theres a little sign on my den that reads" Dave,s Boyhood Stuff" and in that room are all my old chemistry sets, microscopes,rock collections,old astronomy books I had as a boy,my first telescope proudly displayed,old Edmund catalogs along with all my present astronomy stuff.Well Leni says I can go into that room, shut the door and be in there for hours just looking and having fun and watching my copies of Science Fiction theatre, remember that series.She can,t believe there are others out there. Come on guys, help me out!!!





Dave


January 11, 2004 04:36 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Looking for "Expert " to repaint ota

Posted By David Kiefner



Hi Gang,
anyone know of a real pro who repaints ota,s or powder coats and has lots of experience on ota,s.Please let me know and give me an idea on price.




As always, thanks a ton,Dave




January 14, 2004 09:22 PM Forum: Refractors

SPC 102 What A Scope !

Posted By David Kiefner



Hi Gang,
just wondering if anyone else has one out there.I had mine out last night and the views of Saturn were simply breathtaking.Well over 200x and sharp as a can be.I,ve got the original package as it came in 1989 LNIB.I,ve had the GP mount and the SP mount from that era is of better construction and much smoother.Everytime I think of selling it and getting another $2000 Apo I just take er out and look at a few planets and and that does it.If you,ve got one also please let me know.




As always, thanks a ton,Dave

January 21, 2004 09:02 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Ok Gang, you talked me into it, another 80ED.

Posted By David Kiefner



Hi Gang,
Ok, ok,after reading all you rave about this scope I,ll try another.My first just would not come to focus and my second had a terrible squeal in the focuser I couldn,t get out.I,ve had the high end scopes but with the Minnesota viewing being what it is I,m just not sinking too much dough into high end stuff anymore.It should be here on the 4th and it will be interesting to do a side by side with a Tak78 and my SPC102.By the way I,m going to mount it on my SP mount,should be plenty stable.Hey everybody keep your fingers crossed, third time is a charm, I hope.Will let you know how it turns out.




As always, thanks a ton, Dave

January 25, 2004 11:26 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

I need a spelling lesson!

Posted By David Kiefner



Hi Gang,
I use to read these posts and look at the spelling & giggle to myself.Well Ok now I,m giggling at myself.Televue NOT Teleview!!!




Dave

February 1, 2004 03:58 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

ED 80 , 3rd Time a Charm !

Posted By David Kiefner



Hi Gang,
I,m expecting to recieve my ED 80 at the end of the week according to Orion.As I mentioned last fall I tried 2. The first just would not come to focus and the 2nd had a terribly squeaky focuser.Needless to say I soured on the scope but after reading multiple reviews and posts I ordered another with my fingers crossed.I thought the scope cosmetically looked very nice and if the optics and focuser are good on this one I,ll be a happy camper.With that said it will be a great bargain at even the new price.But with the weather being what it is now in Minnesota, I,ll probably get to try it out about May.





Dave

February 22, 2004 01:43 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

ED 80 3rd. Time is a charm !

Posted By David Kiefner


Hi Gang,
I recieved my 3rd ED 80 from Orion about 10 days ago.As discussed in a previous post my luck was not good but thought I,d try again.This scope arrived in perfect condition.The weather here in Minnesota has not been good.Tonight I mounted it up on my SP mount and did some quick viewing of Saturn.The views with a 7mm Ortho with a 2x barlow at 171X were very, very nice.No color,Cassini very nice and shading on the ball of the planet.My SPC102 gives me great planetary images and a little brighter but if you get a good one as I did on this 3rd try these ED 80,s are a great buy.I have other scopes so I,m not sure I,ll keep it but it won,t be for lack of optics.If I post it on Astromart at some future date,this one is a winner, Grab it.




As always, thanks a ton, Dave

March 12, 2004 09:42 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Orion Astroview Mount

Posted By David Kiefner



Hi Gang,
I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with that mount.I was thinking of picking one up to put my ED 80 on.Their inexpensive and I want it just for a quick look.Are the motions pretty smooth?




As always,thanks a ton,Dave

March 12, 2004 09:48 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

ED 80 Performance Update !!!

Posted By David Kiefner



Hi Gang,
I,ll have to admit you were right.I must have got lucky this time.The optics on this scope are unbelievable.The other night Saturn and Jupiter were just great.Even the detail on Jupiter.I,m not sure I,m going to let this scope go but as you all know I don,t keep stuff for long.This one will be hard to part with.Again a great buy for the money!




As always,thanks a ton,Dave

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