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Posts Made By: Ron Bee

July 9, 2005 08:04 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

I would like some opinions on a grab and go scope

Posted By Ron Bee
Hello there Wayne,

If you haven't seen the Meade 127ED, you might want to have a look first. It's no small telescope ;-).

Given your budget, a 4-incher like a used TV-102 ;-) would be really nice on a GEM like Orion. The combo is small enough and light enough to go anywhere yet with enough aperture to observe much stuff ;-).

Ron the 4-inch Tall Evangelist B[ee]

July 14, 2005 02:32 PM Forum: Refractors

planetary detail smaller ED vs larger achro

Posted By Ron Bee
John Nilsen said:

Hi, will a four or five inch f/9 achro provide more planetary detail than my current Orion 80ED? Or should I go for a 100ED? Thanks to any who can reply.

If your budget allows it, given your choices I'd go with an APO like the 100ED, John.

Ron the 4-inch Tall Evangelist B[ee]

July 16, 2005 12:47 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Vixen ED103S and ED115S

Posted By Ron Bee
Perhaps Vixen thought that the f/5 wasn't a very good idea ;-). The new 115S is a reasonable f/7.7.

Ron B[ee]

July 24, 2005 02:44 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Opinion on Mars images please...

Posted By Ron Bee
To me, indubitably A, Paul. Tremendously fine images by the way!

Ron B[ee]

July 25, 2005 01:05 AM Forum: Refractors

TV/Tak

Posted By Ron Bee
Well, on a side-by-side I must say I prefer the TV-102 focuser than the Tak FS102 ;-). I find the Tele Vue focuser smoother and the Tele Vue's larger rubberized knob better feeling to the touch and grip. I guess it all comes down to personal preference.

Ron the 4-inch Tall Evangelist B[ee]

July 28, 2005 11:19 PM Forum: TeleVue

orion sells TV eyepieces?

Posted By Ron Bee
I think they started a couple months ago. But I heard from old-timers saying they used to sell them "eons" ago.

Ron B[ee]

July 29, 2005 03:40 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Mars Type B vs #21 filter

Posted By Ron Bee
Hi Michael,

I haven't tried the polarize filter, been wanting to get one for the Moon though.

Mars is very high now in the sky in the wee morning hours ;-).

Best of seeing to you,

Ron B[ee]

August 4, 2005 06:48 PM Forum: Refractors

Tak FS / FC or TV or Vixen... $^%$! confused! Help

Posted By Ron Bee
Erik Hammarlund said:

I'm strongly considering moving into the 4" refractor world. I look at the classifieds and the scopes are all essentially the same: Tal FS102 or FC100; TV102, and the odd older TV or newer Vixen. Is there some simple, easy, explanatino taht someone can give me to show the difference between FC ans FS and Tak and TV?

Thanks... smile

You're "strongly considering moving" to the 4-inch APO refractor much wisely Eric ;-). Don't know which Vixen you're referring to but I can't imagine you will be disappointed by either the Tele Vue TV-102 or Tak FS102/FC100.

As to the difference, the obvious is the TV-102 is lighter and has skinnier tube. I like the focuser on my TV-102 better with the rubber gripe but others like the Tak's; so it's a matter of personal preference. The older FS102 and FC100 did not have a sliding dew shield (the Tak FS102NSV does which is actually more comparable to the TV-102i), a real plus with the TV-102. Also the TV-102 OTA package comes with a hardcase.

Regarding the newest Vixen, please be aware that the plastic focuser knob has changed to a smaller and skinnier size and seems to feel slippery and harder to grip to me in use (the older plastic focuser feel much better).

Ron the 4-inch Tall Evangelist B[ee]

August 5, 2005 04:20 PM Forum: TeleVue

Ranger upgrade to 76

Posted By Ron Bee
Scott Anderson said:

Would the "bang for the buck" be there for visual use?

Scott

Hello there Scott,

Well, "bang for the buck" seems to be the phrase reserved for Dob ;-). As such a good quality 8" Dob such as the Discovery might qualify as "bang for the $$$" ;-).

But since you asked in the Tele Vue eGroup, going up 6mm even if it's an APO will hardly be much. in my opinion, unless portability is your most important criteria, I'd say the bigger "bang for the buck" would be a *leap* to the 4-inch Tele Vue TV-102. The view will be a lot more detailed than 70mm (brighter too) and the resolution on the planets and the Moon at bare minimum but satisfying ;-). Nowhere would it be more noticeable than with Mars which is giving a good show now! The 4-inch aperture will bring many, much ;-), many DSOs to within your grasp if you have fairly dark sky from your home, yet still small enough to travel without taking up a lot of room to a dark site.

You can still keep your Ranger for quick look and airline travelling.

Best wishes to your quest.

Ron the 4-inch Tall Evangelist B[ee]

August 6, 2005 07:09 PM Forum: Refractors

My new Tele Vue NP127

Posted By Ron Bee
Michael Sutherland said:

Beautiful.

Won't you, just for a little while at least, miss the little guy? cwy

Happy trails with your new scope.
Mike

Thanks Mike.

Not yet missing the "little guy" ;-).

Ron B[ee]

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