Image of the day

Captured by
Byron Davies

NGC-7380

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: James DellaPenna

November 4, 2003 12:44 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Widefield question

Posted By James DellaPenna
Lynn,

The next logical step in obtaining a wider field of view for your 9.25 is use of the 6.3 focal reducer.

November 4, 2003 12:51 AM Forum: Refractors

Orion 120st and CG5 Mount

Posted By James DellaPenna
I have previously used an Orion 120ST on my CG-5 mount w/ AlsAstro wooden tripod & leg locker. The CG-5 is more than adequate for the 120ST.

November 27, 2003 03:29 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Fraud

Posted By James DellaPenna
I have dealt with "GreatEye" on eBay. For awhile he was selling quantities of the Meade 30mm SWA eyepiece for $150. plus $10. shipping. He also had very good feedback on the auction site. I purchased one of these and received the goods in 2 weeks as advertised and confirmed by former feedback. I also purchased the Apogee 30mm widescan (on clearance sale for $70.) at the same time to compare w/ the Meade. With the exception of Meade printed on the barrel of the one from China, both EP's were identical and looked like they came out of the same assembly line except for different colored coatings. I see others have purchased and sold the same EP from GreatEye. So did I.

The point I am making here is that if Michael Fong and GreatEye are the same person, he does not always fail to ship as promised. Perhaps that is part of his MO.

Jim

December 17, 2003 05:59 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

reducer/corrector

Posted By James DellaPenna
David,

When using the WO Crayford focuser, you must first place the focus tube at the half-way point. Then do a rough focus with the regular 9.25 focus knob. The WO focuser is subsequently used for fine focus only.

Each time you change eyepieces you will probably have to repeat this process. The Crayford focuser only has about 3/4" of travel and was never meant to handle the total range of focus possibilities. It was built just for fine focus and to avoid mirror shift problems particular to SCT's.

The reducer/corrector is not part of the problem.

December 17, 2003 06:08 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

8 inch or 9.25 optical tube assemblies

Posted By James DellaPenna
If you find such a deal on new equipment it will be a rare find. Most of the dealers have the business sense not to discount new product. A week or two ago there was a discussion that pointed out a dealer only makes a gross margin of about 10%-15% on something like Celestron scopes.

December 31, 2003 03:06 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Gotta ask a dumb question!

Posted By James DellaPenna
Thanks, Bill. I snapped the cap off and found the screws. Collimation of this scope was a very simple.

January 16, 2004 02:07 AM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Re: American astronauts will return to the moon...

Posted By James DellaPenna
I think he is referring to Americans who actually pay taxes. That's you, me, and that other guy over there in the corner. Anybody else?

January 28, 2004 03:57 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Help please, need your advice!!!

Posted By James DellaPenna
Ricardo,

Adding another weight and moving them higher may be your only option. You did not say which diameter newt you have so I don't know how many counterweights you already have on the shaft or how much room is available. It may be that a smaller additional counterweight is all that is needed, perhaps a series of heavy washers on the lower end to provide you even more clearance. I have noticed that both Meade and Celestron are now designing their EQ mounts with Polar North right over a tripod leg. Apparently the Chinese manufacturers give little thought to problems this creates at lower latitudes. Even the old Super Polars mounts were like that. The older Celestron CG-5 mount did not do that.

January 28, 2004 04:05 PM Forum: Celestron

Padded bag for C9.25"

Posted By James DellaPenna
Ivan,

Go to Astromart Sponsor cases_and_covers.com ; see link on Astromart Home page.

February 22, 2004 06:17 PM Forum: Celestron

C11 or C9.25?

Posted By James DellaPenna
Lynn,

I previously owned a C9.25 and have moved up to the N11. I personally find the 11" superior to the 9.25" on planets and especially DSO's. I do not have the XLT coatings. The only downside to the Nexstar 11 is the 65-lb tote from box to tripod. I recommend getting the box as close to the tripod as possible so all you have to do is swivel.

Funding Member

Telescopes, Astronomy, Binoculars

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search