Posts Made By: Thomas Lawson

Hello All,
I know this is old school but it's new to me. I have an LX-50 & want to hook up my Mag 1 but have 3 questions.
1: I got Meade to send me a user guide but it doesn't show how to hook up the wire(s). The box has 2 ports on it a RS-232(I don't know what this is) port & an encoder port. The scope has a port for an auto guider,handbox,& encoder. There is also an encoder port on the left fork of the scope.
2: Can you see the encoders on the scope when you look at it or do you have to take it apart? I ask this because like a moron I didn't hook this all up when I picked up the scope. The dealer said it would work & they are well known(River's Camers) so I'm hoping I didn't get ripped off.
3: If the encoders are not there is there anyplace you can still buy them?

Thanks in advance for your help for a new amature astronomer,
Thomas E Lawson

Hi all,
I am thinking of buying this tripod & the owner said it's a celestron C-14 heavy duty tripod with some modifications. But I couldn't find it on the web. I attached a small photo of the tripod.
If it is from a C-14 do you think it would be possible to attach a standard Meade wedge for a LX-50 to this? Or is the center bolt a different size?
Thanks for all your info,
Thomas

Hi All,
Anybody ever use these? Do they work good? I have never used pads do you use them only when on asphalt or even when you are on dirt/grass?
Thanks,
Thomas

Hi All,
I just got the Rigel Starlite & like it very much.
Thomas

Hi All,
Just thought some might want to see the powerpack I bought at Sears for $89.99.
The battery is a 20 Ah/Hr with a built in 400 watt inverter. All in a small package. Here is a link for the Mfg's page & a samll photo:
http://www.xantrex.com/products/product.asp?did=737

Hi All,
Has anyone seen/owned one of these:

http://www.digitalastronomy.com/html/focus-master_telescope_focusin.asp

I am thinking of buying one because they say it will hold Coronado Ha filter. I planed to buy a Coronado Ha filter but their adapter plate alone costs $529.
I thought this would make a cheaper alternative. I have to call Digital Astronomy tommorow. The guy there is going to find out what size Coronado fits into it. I will post it here when I find out. I could also use the focus aid because a lot of my pictures come out blurry.
There is a lot of other cool stuff on their website.
Thanks for any input,
Thomas

Dan,
I was at NEAF & asked about this. I was told that the older ones Marked with JAPAN had a 5th lens in them & were better optically. Regular Plossls have 4 lens in 2 groups. Meade added a 5th lens & the SUPER name. Later they switched to the 4/2 set up like all Plossls but didn't drop the SUPER.
The person said they did this while still making them in Japan. I don't know how to tell if an old one is 4 or 5 lens short of taking it apart.

I am going to BFSP. This is my first time there...actually it's my first time at any starparty. Now if I could just get my DSC's working. :S
Thomas