Posts Made By: Floyd Blue

Ok, so I was bored and had to do something. I decided to make something that I had been thinking about for a while.
One of the things that is poorly thought out on the DSI camera is the filter slide, when the slide in not used, there is a gapping hole on each side.
Well, there is a new nose available for about $40, but I thought, why spend that much? So I had been designing a plug to take the place of the slide when it is not in use.
I made two of them in a few minutes with a table saw, scrap wood and a Forstner drill bit.
I cut the block ends at an angle to match the angle of the slide body. Then I drilled a 1 1/8" hole in the center and painted it all flat black. Then I covered one side, the side that faces the chip, with side sticking black felt.
It fits right into place with no light leakage.
Here is a picture of the plug. The flash does not show it as nice as it looks though.
When installed it looks like a part of the camera and it cost $0 to make.

The new DSI III Pro arrived today and I got a change to see an image during the daylight with it. So I know this one works. Now to take some darks and all and be ready to go out with it when I get the chance.

Layers works for me. I use Haines thermal underwear, then a Polar Fleece two piece suit (sometimes a pair of sweat pants on top if it is really cold), then a down jacket followed by a complete down suit or my snowmobile suit and insulated boots over thick hollowfil socks.
I can stay outdoors in 10-15°f weather then with out a problem.
I also use a cheap sleeping bag in the chair to zip up in for a warm up. I got a pair for $10 each at Big 5 Sporting Goods on sale, they are great.

Open Cluster NGC-7789
GM-11 Gemini mount
Meade DSI Pro II
WO 80mm APO f/6
Autoguided
R=44m G=44m B=44m no luminance used
Just finished this from an earlier imaging session in November. Thought I would catch up on old sessions.

Well, in defense of Meade, the 4000 UWA EPs were pretty good as were their Research Grade Orthos.

Teton Telescopes has a sale going on the HR-TMB Planetary EPs, $59.00! 8O That is under $65.00 shipped for any f/l. I just ordered the 6mm, the only one that I am missing in the TMB set.
For the money, this is one of the best deals going on Planetary EPs. You can get a whole set for the same cost of one of the High End Planetary EPs, and they are quite good.

Hi Bill, your comments are appreciated.

I agree, there needs to be a place to speak without undue moderation. It needs to be free of bias and allow for both sides to speak their minds. However it should be on topic and that means for the forum being used and this is where I have to draw the line and determine what is relevant and what is not.
I believe that any thread that just discusses the merit of an EP, the relative value of it or even whether it can be compare to another is relevant. Any topic that begins to take on a skewed side and steers it toward legal issues or a vendor or a person, is not relevant.
To make this clear I would like to state what is allowed and not allowed.

You may talk about any EP make or design to discuss it and it's merits or weaknesses.

It is ok to disagree with anyone as long as it does not degrade into a personal attack on an individual or company. Each person will be allowed his say as long as it stays civil.

If you have a problem with a vendor over an EP, this may be stated as long as it is just a statement of fact as to what occurred as long as it does not make any accusations.

If you do not like a product you may say so as long as you qualify it with an explanation so it does not appear that you are just making an unfounded statement to start an argument.

Anything that is said about a product should be first hand information if possible, so that rumors do not take hold. This is not to say that you may not repeat information, but it would be better if you are stating what you have experienced so that it is clear who is saying what.

You may not give out personal information about others without their permission regarding threads on the forum.

You may not quote others unless they have given permission to be quoted on the forum, so that no one will be misquoted and start a problem.

Using the forum to further a cause or personal agenda is not on topic for this forum.

Slandering a person, vendor or manufacturer is not allowed on this forum, though discussion of them is allowed as long as it is on topic.

The last thing that I want to do is to be a dictator. But someone has to decide when to stop a thread.
If you feel that a thread is not proper, PM me. The same if you feel that a thread is good and you wish it to continue. But in the end I have to make a decision as to whether a thread is getting off topic. That is my duty.

I want it to be clear that I started this last thread. It was a short informative post to tell about a sponsor having a sale. In a short time it went beyond it's intended path and became something entirely different. Vendors had to protect themselves and I too had my privacy violated and this was definitely not the intent of the thread. Because I started it, I take responsibility for the repercussions and also for the control of the thread and outcome.
To Mark, I give my apologies for what stress the thread imposed on him.
To everyone else, I apologize for having to end the thread, knowing that some would like it to continue.

Your Moderator,
Floyd Blue

ID, well let's see,
Impossible to Defend
Incomprehensible Dogma
Not sure just what it means, but I am sure that Intelligence is not a part of it!
Why not just ask, what is the meaning of life? 8) Much easier to answer really and a bit more interesting.

Well, observing this time of year usually is hit and miss with a lot of miss. So, this is a good time to do all the maintenance so that all is ready when the weather breaks.
As seen on another forum, mold and mildew can get a start in wet and cool weather, so this is a great time to inspect all the glass in EPs, cameras and scopes.
One thing about mold and mildew is, it needs something to feed upon. So removing oils and tears from the EP lens is a big thing, especially when they sit in a box for a while during the off season. If caught early, most will clean off well, but left for months it can be a disaster! 8O
Another thing that must be removed it pollen and other airborne saps that you get during the year. They too make good food for the mildew and molds. So, get that off now and save some headaches later.
Look at the mirror and see if it has a coating of pollen or other organics while you are looking and don't forget the secondary!
Clean and lube the focusers and get the finders all cleaned and ready, not as expensive to replace a finder, but mold and mildew like them as well as anything.
Don't forget the batteries, keep them well charges so they don't go flat.
Clean the bearings on that Dob and make it smooth again.
Do that modification you have been thinking about, make that case fit properly or the nice EP tray you wanted to make for a year or two.
It may not be as exciting as going out under the stars, but it will make your next night out even better. 8)

Hi all,
I would like a little input on the following two versions of the Running Man. I am trying to see what processes give the most realistic image.
This one I did in my normal way that I would do most images.