Astromart

January 16, 2007 12:48 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

new 12" dob

I remember two conversations with my wife, paraphrased of course:
(1) Honey, I just found a great deal on a 12" dob for XXX and I am going to get it. Wife: no your not. Me: Yes I am. Wife: No your not. (Notice, I let her get in the last word)
(2) Honey, remember that telescope that I said I was going to get? Well, it's here! (The pearls helped!)

February 2, 2007 12:42 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Any opinions on the Oberwerk 20x80 Lightweights?

Posted By Judson Mitchell

I do not believe that any viewing satisfaction can be had trying to hand hold any 20X binos. But, you may still want to reconsider your thoughts on the "weight doesn't matter" concept. This was particularly important to me when building parallelogram mounts. It was much easier for me to build then manage the binos on the mount. The heavier the binos, the more problems I had. In particular, my 20X100s (10 lbs) were much more difficult to manage than my 15X70s when changing from relatively horizontal viewing to more inclined. I suggest that lighter binoculars will be more easier to manage.

February 2, 2007 06:25 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Filters for Galaxy details

Posted By Judson Mitchell

It is always worth a try to observe some galaxies with filters, perhaps M33. But, it is likely with most, dark skies is the answer. However, if nebula still are in your future you may want to check out this link.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/raycash/filters.htm

February 6, 2007 12:14 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

High magnification issue ??

Posted By Judson Mitchell

Brook
Sometimes spider webs can look like scratches. Once looking down on my primary it appeared to be scratched everywhere until I realized that a spider had taken up residence in my OTA.

February 9, 2007 03:41 PM Forum: Reflectors

Big Dob owners.. how do u aim ur telecope?

Posted By Judson Mitchell

Osvaldo
I second the motion on a Telrad or similar 1X finder in combination with a correct image finder, however, my choice would be a finder with a 90 degree diagonal not straight through. The straight through is difficult to use IMO. Well, I have to admit that you still have to get down also for a telrad or other red-dot type finders. During poor transparency I find it necessary do the rough find with the Telrad, then the finder scope, and finally zero in on an object with a long focal length EP by star hopping. This usually requires having some decent star chart available. The ones I use are printed from a cheap program that was available from Tasco. It will show stars up to mag 12.

February 13, 2007 07:16 PM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Me ,my wife and my scope.

Posted By Judson Mitchell

Lucky Dude; I can't even get my wife to go near my scope.

February 20, 2007 03:49 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Eyepiece suggestions help

Posted By Judson Mitchell

The Stratus/Hyperion line of EPs provide great value for the money. At F5.3 you should find them to work quite well, plus they provide a FOV that in my scope (12" F/5 dob) exceeded the 68 degrees claimed. They move nicely on Astromart and will be easily resold if they do not meet your expectations. The wide field of view makes them very useful and pleasing.

March 1, 2007 02:19 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?