Posts Made By: William Earl

Jerry,

I use a TV Pronto with a 2" 26mm GSO eyepiece. I keep it set up in the dining room on an alt-az mount with quick release rings to watch birds in the feeder. At night I take it out and mount it in Losmandy rings on my LX50. It works very well in both setups. The daytime image is reversed left-right but you get used to that. Good luck and clear skies.

Bill

(nm)

Well, I called again and was told that I will be getting the diagonal tube mailed out today. The FF knobs apparantly come in in small batches, then Bill tweaks them, then they get sent out. Later and clear skies,

Bill

Steven,

All you need is a $20 case from Home Depot, etc.. I'll post you a photo of mine later. Clear skies,

Bill

Gerald and others,

I have heard all these great things about Vic @ SV and based on that I attempted to purchase a lens cell assembly (102mm f6.9) to upgrade my Burgess 1026. These were advertised on SV website earlier this year for ~$150 I think.

In June, I sent an email thru their "contact us" link. No reply. A few weeks later called them and discussed the issue with an employee who asked me to resend the email. No reply. Called and spoke to Vic who said he would pick one up at the warehouse in order to answer my questions about dimensions, etc. SV very busy. He tried to talk me out of buying one saying that I would not be satisfied and should "just buy a better telescope". I told him that I just was looking to turn the scope into a decent acromat for mid-power binoviewing.

Called again in early August. Vic asked for and confirmed receipt of another email concerning what info I needed. At the end of August I called again and resent email. SV was still very busy and had not gone to the warehouse.

Emailed again in mid September. No reply. Emailed again mid October and was finally notified that SV sold all the lens assemblies to someone offering to buy the lot. Asked him to put me into contact with the buyer. Have not heard back from him.

I wasted 4 months time thinking that SV was the answer. I guess great service is in the eye of the beholder.

Clear skies

Jon,

I would not even sell mine as is for $200. Have been trying to find a new objective so it can be used (for anything except low power - wide field). If I ever do find find an objective I will probably sell it then. Clear skies,

Bill

Wingko,

I have been to many public star parties (mostly sponsored via Sidewalk Astronomers) and really, any and all scopes are great. Interestingly though, the greatest response I have seen is when someone looks through a well made ATM scope. They seem to really get interested when you tell them that you personally built the scope and ground the mirror. I have seen quite a few people get into the hobby after experiencing the use of an ATM scope. The attached photo is my ATM model.

Clear skies,

Bill

Tim,

I finally finished my 12" f5 briefcase scope. Big box (6"x22"34") gets checked (51 lb) and optics (typical Orion aluminum case) stays on board with me. It carries Primary, secondary and a couple eyepieces. Big box also converts to an observing table. Can't beat aperture, especially if traveling to a dark site.

Bill