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Posts Made By: Michael Tencza

March 16, 2008 08:52 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

2" Foscuser for Orion 6" f/8 Reflector

Posted By Michael Tencza
Recently I bought an Orion 6" reflector and would like to exchange the 1.25" rack and pinion focuser for a 2" crayford with microfocuser. The model I have seems similar to the 6" XTI classic but can be used with rings on an equitorial mount. Before I try to reinvent the wheel I would like to see if anyone has been successful with theirs and find out what they did.

March 24, 2008 06:36 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Re: what's the difference?

Posted By Michael Tencza
One thing I can say from experience is that a powermate will work well with TV plossls whereas other barlows will not. Both my Klee and Celestron Ultima barlows cause vignetting in these eyepieces, but the 2.5x powermate I have doesn't. I will leave it to someone else to explain why.

March 27, 2008 02:39 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Collimating Spot on Reflector Primary

Posted By Michael Tencza
Just curious. Some venders put marks in the center of their primary mirrors for collimating purposes. Is this part of the mirror not important for astral viewing due to the central obstruction or is there another reason one can do this?

April 26, 2008 01:37 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

2" Compression Ring For Crayford Drawtube

Posted By Michael Tencza
I recently replaced my 1.25" R&P with a single speed 2" Crayford from Orion. It works well but employs two set screws to hold the 2" to 1.25" adaptor as well as 2" eyepieces. I have already replaced the adaptor with a compression ring type and would like to do likewise with the part that holds the set screws at the end of the draw tube. This piece is threaded and is easily removed from the drawtube. Does anyone know of a replacement part for this piece with a compression ring?

May 1, 2008 04:37 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Celestron Ultima 2x or Televue 2x Barlow?

Posted By Michael Tencza
Which would you choose and why to amplify volcano top UO orthoscopics and an 8mm Brandon in an f/8 6" Newtonian?

May 19, 2008 10:54 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Free LED Astronomy Flashlight!

Posted By Michael Tencza
That's right. Inside Kellogg's Frosted Miniwheat they are giving away an Indiana Jones plastic spoon illuminated by a red led. Take off the spoon end and you have an astronomical flashlight. It has a better pattern than my Orion led flashlight and best of all is free.

May 26, 2008 04:06 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Primary Mirror Cleaning

Posted By Michael Tencza
Barring major catastrophes how often should one clean their primary mirror. I can see at least two small bits of debris on the mirror that I assume do not affect performance appreciably. I have a 6" f/8 Newtonian and this would be a bit involved.

July 3, 2008 11:57 AM Forum: Eyepieces

11, 12, or 13mm Nagler: Which one?

Posted By Michael Tencza
I'm in the market for a Nagler in the 11-13 mm range. From what I have read so far I am leaning toward an 11 mm T6, but would like to hear from those with experience with these eyepieces.

July 27, 2008 01:26 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Equitorial Mount for 8" f/5 Reflector

Posted By Michael Tencza
Here I go again, a new project. I am interested in an 8" f/5 reflector set up on an equitorial mount. This would be for visual use and I am quite happy with only an RA drive for tracking. I would like people's opinions on the most cost effective and sturdy mount for this purpose.

July 30, 2008 10:03 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Televue "Smoothie" Plossls

Posted By Michael Tencza
What is the difference (aside from the lettering) between the old TV "Smoothie" Plossls with the circle N Japan marking versus the circle R (registered trademark?) marking?

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