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Posts Made By: Steve Stonehill

December 25, 2003 04:04 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Jaegers 6" F8 delivers on Saturn, not Jupiter

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Bill,

Try this link. One of the moderators is a man named Sol Robbins, he is a real whiz on the subject of the Chromacor. The success people describe with 6" f8 Syntas should give you something to really think about. The designer of the Chromacor is readying the launch of the Chromacor III that he says will be a true plug and play device.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chinese_Refractor/

Happy Holidays,

Steve

December 27, 2003 05:14 PM Forum: Chinese Optics Imports

AP Lens Corrections

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Larry,

The RMS and PTV values are totally different things. When people mention 1/10th wave they better be talking PTV not RMS. 1/10 RMS would not be diffraction limited. A scope with 1/50 RMS may not be as good as 1/10th PTV but it would definitely be an indicator of a truly good scope. TMB guarantees, I think, 1/6th PTV or better as do some of the better Russian Maksutov makers. I'm not going to argue that the occasional Chinese scope isn't going to excellent but even guaranteeing that every scope will be truly diffraction limited over the entire lens surface seems like a bit of a stretch.

Clear Skies,

Steve

January 3, 2004 06:08 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

D&G 6-inch f/15 Refractor

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Chris,

I've never seen a DG in person so I can't comment on it from direct experience. I did however own a 6" f8 Synta that had a decent lens. I stopped it down to 4" which gave almost f12 and it still showed more color than my Vixen ED102 f6.5. Everything I've read would indicate that a 6" achro would have to be f20 or greater to eliminate false color. Have you given thought to a 6" Synta plus the Chromacor III that is coming out shortly? Or, better yet IMHO, an MN66 or c9.25.

Clear Skies,

Steve

January 3, 2004 10:38 PM Forum: Insects - Flowers and Other Small Stuff - Photos

WETA(hemideima thoracica)

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Kevin,

Very neat insect! Have you ever seen a Tuatara?

Clear Skies,

Steve

January 3, 2004 11:28 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

CG-5 ASGT MOUNT CONCERNS

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Ed,

I recently had to return a NexStar 9.25 GPS that costs considerably more than the ASGT. I don't think it's necessarily the cost. I think Celestron's production capacity might be greater than their quality control capacity. If you have problems with your scope I would suggest you contact their customer service and ask for Lance. He is dedicated and a wealth of knowledge and advice. I'm happy with the replacement scope but it too had a quirk that was able to be fixed by me with Lance's help. Hang in there and you'll probably be happy with the scope, just don't throw away your receipt too fast! ;^)

Good Luck,

Steve

January 7, 2004 02:28 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Best 4" APO

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Jose,

I have a Vixen 102EDSS f6.5 and the Vixen Fluorite f9. The f9 is color-free in focus and is an excellent performer. The f6.5 does exhibit color, to my eye, on stars of first magnitude and brighter. On planets the ED appears to give a slightly warmer image than the Fluorite but the difference between the two scopes is far less than some things I have read would indicate. The 102EDSS is no NP101, TMB 6.5, or Traveler but a used one is $1200 or less. They are a heck of a nice scope at that price and are very light in weight, about 7 lbs.

Cleart Skies,

Steve

January 10, 2004 01:19 AM Forum: Binoviewers

Binoviewer on your Refractor

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Don,

I tried the LOMOs I had straight through on both of my Vixens and they would reach focus. I would extend the tripod all the way and sit on a cushioned piece of wood. I hated it so much I didn't try it with the Denks or the BKs. I will never understand how the Japanese get used to no diagonals. BTW, now that you've had the 152 for awhile are you thinking about how nice an 8 would be? ;^)

Clear Skies,

Steve


January 10, 2004 04:01 AM Forum: Binoviewers

1.25" or 2" diagonal?

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Vince,

I use a 1.25" in my 9.25 with no problem in regards to focus but I'm not sure about the Nagler issue though.

Clear Skies,

Steve

January 11, 2004 04:00 AM Forum: Chinese Optics Imports

immediate resale of Burgess

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi Mike,

It's hard to believe that an ultra modern, progressive society like Red China isn't capable of meeting or exceeding quality levels set forth by such backward nations as Japan or the U.S. ;^) I really think that people bought into the hype being thrown up around these scopes and thought they were going to get a $300 apo. Oh how I wish it were possible! Bill should be commended for trying to bring a low cost, high quality scope to the marketplace. It may be possible that the Chinese company sold him a bill of goods and his enthusiasm for the project blinded him to the reality of Chinese quality control, or lack thereof. If I bought a scope that had scratches on the objective and was told it was due to the high level of polishing I think I might be laughing too hard to be angry.

Clear Skies,

Steve

January 24, 2004 06:43 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Looking for Honest Opinions

Posted By Steve Stonehill
Hi John,

I own 2 4" apos and a NexStar 9.25. The 9.25, when acclimated will show more detail more easily than either refractor. Your 6" DG will also outdo any 4" scope on any object except extended ones, period. The only reason I own 2 4s is so my wife and I can have two ultra-quick look scopes that are extremely portable and easy to set up. I have personally found short focus achros to be very disappointing so I didn't mind the extra expense for the apos too much. If you're looking for a scope to outperform the ones you currently own you should really set your sights on an 18" or larger Dob. If you want a quick look scope with ultra sharp premium optics then a 4" apo is a fine choice. Just don't expect miracles, the laws of physics still apply.

Clear Skies,

Steve

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