Image of the day

Captured by
RICHARD COFER

VdB 141 Ghost Nebula

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: John Holt

March 8, 2005 07:13 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

It is rather sad!

Posted By John Holt
"In private messages I have been told that certain persons will no longer correspond with me or relate to me on this or any other forum."

----------------------------

Oh, good grief!
Just because you are misguided and wrongheaded in your obsession with snazzy optics smile ....well that's no reason for people to weird out on you!

Even though you couldn't pay me to look though a Zambuto mirror, and I still shudder to remember the trauma I suffered at the ep of an AstroPhysics, I hold no grudge against the heralds of such scopes. Or even their owners!


I think the whole thread was very interesting. The scope parts. Some of the people parts...proceded as normal, and were kinda sorta expected.

The truly misguided are those who have taken these discussions way, way too seriously. There's probably something else in life bothering 'em.

You're cool Floyd. So are these discussions.


April 23, 2005 07:34 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

ETX70AT

Posted By John Holt
"I realize that this isn't the greatest scope, but we have one and I am wondering if there is a filter for it so I can use it for solar viewing?"

-------------------

You can make one using Baader solar filter material. Lots of folks have done so. I've looked thru several ETX's with such filter's. Do a web search for home made baader solar filters, or such. The baader material is about the state of the art stuff for this. Looks almost like a kind of mylar, but it's specifically designed for solar, by Baader Planetarium.

April 25, 2005 01:01 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Where to find .965" orthos?

Posted By John Holt
Check with Siebert Optics, one of Astromart's sponsers. He offers .965" ep's.
The focal ratio of your scope may be relevant.

May 5, 2005 09:57 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Just a quick poll.

Posted By John Holt
4" f/4 newt. Still have it, but the optics are now 26 years old and look it.
Primary weapon is a 13" newt, with sometimes some 6" newt on the side.

Regarding learning curve: I eventually realized I had used way, way under powered guides and charting, for what the scopes were actually able to reveal.

May 8, 2005 03:03 AM Forum: Reflectors

Newts for CCD imaging

Posted By John Holt
Meade. Still supposed to have pretty darn good newtonian optics.

May 30, 2005 04:03 AM Forum: Eyepieces

EP testing, Please~!

Posted By John Holt
"I would appreciate anyone's views on any and all EPs on this forum."

=================================

9mm Expanse

I had read that this was the best of the Expanse line specifically with regard to fast focal ratios. So I buyed one recently here in the classifieds. It are optically keeno at f5. Focus is outward from most of my other ep's. Eyerelief is slim. But it is in fact a very good 9mm 66* afov ep for an f5 newt. I expect it will behave similarly in my f/4.5 when they meet.


end review

June 5, 2005 12:22 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Wide-field Complement to my C9.25

Posted By John Holt
"...but I'm open to suggestions."

=======================

Ok.
How 'bout a StarBlast ota? smile

June 6, 2005 02:26 AM Forum: Telescope Making

reverse crayford

Posted By John Holt
"What are the pros and cons for the use of a reverse vs. standard
focuser ?"

====================

I think it just comes down to cost. The JMI kits for their RCF are very affordable, for a decent, well behaved focuser. They are not a high end duo speed unit of course. But light and smooth. I have an f/5 scope with a pretty stout rack and pinion on it. The RCF on my f/4.5 is far easier to find critical focus with (even though the range of focus should be slightly smaller). An RCF on the f/5 is on my to-do list.

July 17, 2005 12:16 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Transporting my scope - van or trailer.

Posted By John Holt
Have you considered a pickup with a cap?
I've kept scopes in the back of these for many months at a time for years. Bungied down onto foam cradle. Never had a problem.

Lots of folks are using utility trailers.

July 25, 2005 12:02 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Perils of Trying a Radian...Or How to Add a Set Screw to an Astroscan?

Posted By John Holt
"Now I must figure out a way to add a set screw to the focuser tube so that if the 'Scan were to droop or rotate unexpectedly, it doesn't dump the TV."

=======================

How about a small hose clamp?
A piece of double sided tape can hold it permanently in place at the top of the focuser.

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search