Astromart

February 11, 2005 04:03 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Help an equipment junkie narrow to one scope

Dave,

I'm north of Detroit with a little bit better skies (surrounded on three sides with recreation areas and parks)...Having a refractor, and newt and a cat, I'd favor the newt as most bang for the buck, and check out the ARGO Navis. I don't use it, having a GoTo GEM, but I've heard great things about it. My $.02

February 16, 2005 09:08 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Disgusted --- Bought a Planetarium!!!

Posted By Gerald Kuchera

Are there any modern plantariums as good as the Spitz Jr I wonder? :S

August 9, 2005 02:22 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Observing chair at last!

Posted By Gerald Kuchera

Floyd,

Did I miss something or didn't you already have a Stardust chair? Still pursuing the perfect astro chair, eh?

Gerald

August 12, 2005 01:27 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

New Orion scopes

Posted By Gerald Kuchera

I'd be tempted to see if they sell a Celestron C-8, er, I mean an Orion O-8!
2 inches more aperture.

It's exciting to see Celestron/Orion alliance.

Fight off that evil doer Meade !! wink

August 20, 2005 02:50 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

8x50 Finder - A little help please

Posted By Gerald Kuchera

Dave,

Antares sells an 8X50 with about 7 degrees FOV also. Some with illuminated Red Dot.
I'm using an Antares on one scope and it's nice. Got a SV finder, haven't used it yet though so can't comment.

Orion makes some erect view finders and have an easy to adjust bracket. You might check them out as well.

September 15, 2005 04:13 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

To Flock or not to Flock

Posted By Gerald Kuchera

Flocking an entire solid tube is a complete and utter waste of time and effort.

The purpose of flocking is to reduce local incident light coming from local sources, such as a next door light. Here's Roland's answer to a similar question: Message #351945

Flock only those surfaces near the entry for light in your tube. Or, better yet, make a flocked dew shield. If there's a gap at the tube's bottom a baffle will work just as well. Or, throw a dark carpet on the ground beneath your tele, and whala! Ground flocked. And if large enough, can help cushion your feet and anything you might drop.

Now you can spend your time more productively, like dreaming of buying more premium eyepieces!
8)

September 22, 2005 01:47 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Toucam 740 and Mac OS X

Posted By Gerald Kuchera

It's a mystery:

OSX is More stable, no viruses, immune to worms and spyware and they can't make a stink'n driver!!

Well David, there may be hope. Have you checked IOXperts website? They produce OSX drivers for webcams among other things. It may work for your webcam.

http://www.ioxperts.com/products/webcam.html

September 28, 2005 01:48 AM Forum: Equipment Talk