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Posts Made By: steve ott

June 22, 2005 08:43 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Eyeball fogging

Posted By steve ott
Jeff,

I posted that and responses didn't go far. I'm going to try it on the Tak group here and at yahoo. Will let you know.

P.S. Dmitri is the resident comedian wink

Steve O.

August 13, 2005 09:04 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Mount for a 4inch refractor??

Posted By steve ott
What would be the tube length and weight of this 4"? If not greater than f/8, and not too heavy, a gm-8 might do, a g-11 even better, but it's pretty heavy. A better bet would be the Tak em-10, which could be found on a-mart for a good price. AP mounts are more accurate than Losmandy ones, but not Tak, I don't think.

Steve O.

November 17, 2005 06:46 PM Forum: Refractors

Is it just apo fever?

Posted By steve ott
Steven,

Sounds like you need to keep your TEC 6 and get away from the light pollution in N. Ky. (Cin./Florence/Ft. Mitchell?) once in a while. You could join the Cincy Astronomical Society and go to their dark-sky site in Adams Co.
I have an FS 128 in north-central Ky., a small-town/rural area, and every time I look thru this scope from home, the phrase "jaw-dropping" comes to mind.

Steve O.

March 9, 2006 08:20 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

4-inch refractors

Posted By steve ott
Hi Inge

It's not just color correction that is a difference between achro's and apo's(and their corresponding costs), it's the contrast. Impossible to say if the gain in these two qualities is worth the price difference without looking thru a few. If you're set on getting a 4 inch, I would recommend the Tak FS 102 (f/8). I have seen them on A-Mart for as low as 1500.00. I have the FS 128 (f/8) and the contrast and sharpness are wonderful. The color correction in the 128 is excellent (if not quite as good as AP, TMB, TEC) and would be even better in the 102. Even at f/8, with the proper eyepiece, the 102 would give you a very sharp 3 degree field of view.

October 20, 2006 02:38 PM Forum: Refractors

APO Doublets Passe'?

Posted By steve ott
Hi Bob.

The FS 128 is a great scope. I have one on a GM8, not an ideal mount for the Tak; a bit wobbly when trying to focus at higher powers. But it tracks very well. Another scope you may want to consider (if you have the money) is the TEC 140. I believe it's only 2 or 3 lbs. heavier than the FS 128 (so should behave similarly on the GM8), has a focuser second to none, has a collapsible dew shield, making it about 3 ft vs. the Tak's 44 in. or so, and it will give you that extra 12mm of reach.

Steve O.

October 31, 2006 05:55 PM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

TEC 140 and TeleVue NP101

Posted By steve ott
The airy disc in a larger scope will be smaller than one with less aperture, which is why larger scopes can resolve better. Also, lack of rings (or very faint, thin ones) is the sign of an excellent optic: more energy is concentrated in the airy disc.
But I know what you mean, aesthetically speaking. The larger airy discs and thicker rings thru my Brandon 94mm (vs. the Tak) were very pleasing to look at.

Steve O.

December 5, 2006 03:39 PM Forum: Astro-Physics

GM8 Adapter for AP Tripod

Posted By steve ott
Hi Bill.

Yes, I have my gm-8 atop my AP wood tripod. The adapter you want looks like the top portion of the gm-8 or g-11 metal tripods:

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=1340&m=

Take the AP ring adapter off and put this one on with a large, thick washer and a bolt.

Steve O.

March 8, 2007 07:28 PM Forum: Takahashi

difference between the 150toa and the 150 fs

Posted By steve ott
Other differences:

(numbers are approximate)

diam. of fs 152 tube is 155mm
diam. of toa 150 is 179mm

weight of 152 (w/4" focuser) is around 23 lb.
weight of 150 is, I think, well over 30 lb. (closer to 40?)

152 tube length a bit over 53 in., dewshield not retractable.

150 tube length (dewshield retracted) 38in.

You'll need a substantial mount for either. Could spend the extra 1600.00 on a used G11 for your new 152 wink

I have an fs 128 (bought from Herb in 2003). It's contrast and sharpness take my breath away every time. Would be same with the 152, and images will be brighter.

Steve O.





July 25, 2007 05:06 PM Forum: Astro-Physics

Made in America Reruns

Posted By steve ott
My favorite parts were the dancing and Roland's lab coat.

Steve O.

(on the 130 EDF list since July 2000)

January 24, 2008 03:45 PM Forum: Audio

Budget HiFi systems?

Posted By steve ott
If one is willing to buy used, an excellent system can be had for < 5000.00. For example, over on Audiogon there are these:

Audio Physic Tempo IV speaker 1800.00
Prima Luna Prologue integrated 1375.00
Marantz SA11S1 SACD player 1750.00

plus a few hundred for cables/interconnects.

My system is very modest but sounds very good:

Luxman L-80V integrated (bought new for 400.00 in 1979)
Magnavox CD-350 (bought used for 100.00)

Spica TC-60 speakers (used for 400.00)

The timbre of acoustic instruments is wonderful, and the imaging and soundstage is even better. I like the sound better than many of the multi-thousand dollar systems I've heard at dealers (including gear from Thiel, Ayre, Martin Logan, Vienna, etc). It's probably my room, too. I think I have a very good room.

Hey; whoever started the audio forum here: thanks. (Herb?)

Steve O.

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