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Posts Made By: Walter Locke

May 19, 2002 09:00 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Mounting a Tak onto a Televue Mount

Posted By Walter Locke
Does anyone out there know how to attach a Takahashi telescope (in this case a FS102) onto one of Televue's fine alt/az mounts? Does it require adapting or can it be readily attached? Also, would anyone have any first hand experience with Universal Astronomics new Unistar mounts? Thanks for the help!

June 4, 2002 04:05 AM Forum: Takahashi

Focal Reducer Mystery

Posted By Walter Locke
I am in a bit of a dilemma. I need to find out if a Takahashi focal reducer that bears the inscription "For FC 100" and "f/5.9" can work properly on a Takahashi FS 102. I would welcome the expertise of all of all of you Takahashi astrophotographers out there! Thanks for your help.

August 29, 2002 12:12 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Vintage Newtonians

Posted By Walter Locke
Lately, I've been giving some thought to picking up a quality scope to fill the gap between my Tak FS102 and my 16" Dob. There is a multitude of scopes on the market these days, from Russian Maks and Chinese refractors to American SCTs . They fail to ignite any passion within me, alas. They are mostly cheaply made with frequent quality control issues, as well. The image of a Cave Astrola has been haunting my dreams, however. A majestic Newtonian riding high upon a rock-solid GEM. It makes the mouth water to think of it! My question is, are these venerable Cave and Criterion scopes of yore as good as their reputations, and are they still available at reasonable prices? Which are the units to hunt for? Let's hear from all of you rock-ribbed Newtonian lovers out there!

Walter

January 7, 2003 03:24 AM Forum: Film Astrophotography - Imaging and Processing

Preferred Digital Camera

Posted By Walter Locke
I am considering buying a digital camera for the purpose of doing some astrophotography with my Tak FS-102. What is currently the preferred choice of digital cameras in the neighborhood of $750.00 or so?

May 8, 2003 03:31 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Questar Mirror Composition

Posted By Walter Locke
Questar used to offer Cervit mirrors as an option on its scopes. I believe Questar now uses Astrosital as the premium option. Why the change, and are those vintage Questars with cervit mirrors at a disadvantage somehow?

Thanks,

Walter

September 1, 2003 01:21 AM Forum: Eyepieces

New vs Old Pentax EPs

Posted By Walter Locke
Has anyone had the opportunity to compare and contrast the performance of the new Pentax eyepieces against the old Pentax XLs? I curious to know how they stack up.

Thanks and best wishes,

Walter

September 28, 2003 04:26 AM Forum: Takahashi

Re: Alternative Dust Cap for FS102

Posted By Walter Locke
You know, James, you're right. There is a market for a light-weight, close fitting replacement for the man-hole cover Takahashi installs into their FS 102 scopes. Maybe someone will recognise the market potential and produce one out of aluminum or plastic for $20.00 to $50.00. I know I'd buy one!

Best wishes,

Walter

December 14, 2003 06:21 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Konus Motormax 150 Mak Cass

Posted By Walter Locke
Hello All,

This scope is now available from Konus. I'm looking at it as an inexpensive alternative to other Maks (that and the fact I couldn't find anyone to sell me his/her TEC 6). The Konus is a 6" Chinese Mak on a motorised "EM 10" GEM. It looks like a good deal at $819.00, and since Orion has had pretty good luck with its 127mm Mak I'm giving this serious consideration. The proof is in the optics, of course, but what do you guys think? Has anyone actually seen this rascal or does anyone have any opinions about Konus, Chinese scopes in general, or...? I'm looking forward to hearing from you experts out there.

Walter

February 17, 2004 12:23 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Rainy Day Projects

Posted By Walter Locke
It has been a miserable winter. Today I found myself pulling out my equipment and stuff and pawing through it. I wound up putting a quick release bracket on a finder scope. After that I sorted through all the little odds and ends in my cases and boxes. How do the rest of you occupy yourselves on dreary days like these? Besides creating posts like these, I mean. Help!

Walter

April 10, 2004 05:40 PM Forum: Politics

We're In Big Trouble!

Posted By Walter Locke
We have invaded a sovereign nation under the flimsiest of pretexts, squandered the international respect earned by two centuries of good works, made fools of our allies, and completely lost the world's sympathy and good will from the attacks of 9/11, yet we in the U.S. still bicker about whether we had the "right" to attack Iraq. Unless we put our foreign policy...and moral compass...back on track, we can expect more terrorist attacks on this great nation by individuals who believe they're completely justified in their actions. Our government must take responsibility for the situation in the Middle East and put an end to the fighting. It's time to get in contact with your congressmen and leaders to express your concern and outrage. It's time to put aside partisan loyalties and make our voices heard. Let's do the right thing and ask the government to do the same.

Walter Locke

Funding Member

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