Recommendations, for impossible to meet criteria

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JayTee United States of America
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Re: Recommendations, for impossible to meet criteria

#101

Post by JayTee »


Congrats, I knew you could do it.
he was a bit more succinct: "SH%T or get off the pot!"
Those were exactly the words I wanted to use, but decorum prevented me from being quite so profane.

Now, what I should have said was that every minute you lament over this decision is a minute NOT looking through your new telescope and marveling at the views.

Don't forget to take pictures, after it arrives, of the unpacking so we can live vicariously through you.

Congrats again,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Sky Tinker
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Re: Recommendations, for impossible to meet criteria

#102

Post by Sky Tinker »


OldGaot wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2020 6:23 pm Sky Tinker...thanks for the recommendation on the dew shield.
Yes, that one will be your best bet, as Orion doesn't sell dew-shields. If the humidity isn't very high, you can take the telescope outdoors during the day without a shield, but the shield would provide the added benefit of keeping stray-light sources from entering the tube, day or night, which can produce glaring and ghosts when observing. At night, you should always have the shield attached. I made one from black art-paper before my Farpoint shield arrived...
Maksutov8b.jpg
Maksutov8b.jpg (38.28 KiB) Viewed 1414 times
...and using that got old quick. But I had to do something, because I had made up my mind not to ever take the telescope outdoors without a shield, day or night. During the day or night, the shield can also help in keeping bugs, dirt and dust from getting onto the meniscus, or "lens".

Incidentally, you will never see a dew-shield mentioned or pictured within a Maksutov's or Schmidt's advertisements online; not even within the suggested accessories. The reason being is that that would make the telescope appear longer, and when its main selling point is the shortness of it. It's an irresponsible practice, as a dew-shield is an absolute must for these modified-Cassegrains.
"Look, son! Up there!" His son shouted back, "I see it! What is it?" The father regaled, "The galaxy! Andromeda! Our origin, our destiny!" And so the boy was hooked, and for the rest of his natural life.

"Desserts tend to corrupt, and absolutely delicious desserts corrupt absolutely." - Chef Acton

Alan :Astronomer1:

Apochromat: Takahashi FS-102 4" f/8 - Achromats: Meade S102 102mm f/5.9, Antares 805 80mm f/6(flocked & blackened), Meade "Polaris" 70mm f/12.9, Sears(Towa) #4-6340 50mm f/12(flocked & blackened) - Newtonians: Orion 6" f/5(flocked & blackened) - Catadioptrics: Explore Scientific 127mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain, Celestron "PowerSeeker" 127mm f/8 "Bird Jones" reflector(modified, flocked, blackened, and collimated!) - Mounts: Meade LX70(EQ-5), Astro-Tech Voyager I alt-azimuth
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Re: Recommendations, for impossible to meet criteria

#103

Post by OldGaot »


First package expected today (Agena Astro ;accessories)! I figure I should add an app to my phone to help me identify stars in order to facilitate the initial three star setup function. I've looked on-line and it seems like Skyview is the preferred option; however, I figure I'd ask the group what you recommend.
Thanks
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JayTee United States of America
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Re: Recommendations, for impossible to meet criteria

#104

Post by JayTee »


If you don't mind spending $5 then get SkySafari Plus for either Android or iOS. Occasionally Amazon offers Stellarium for Android and iOS for free. Those are my two "go to" apps I use on my phone for planetarium purposes.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Recommendations, for impossible to meet criteria

#105

Post by GCoyote »


Sky Tinker wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2020 2:57 am
OldGaot wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2020 6:23 pm Sky Tinker...thanks for the recommendation on the dew shield.
Yes, that one will be your best bet, as Orion doesn't sell dew-shields. If the humidity isn't very high, you can take the telescope outdoors during the day without a shield, but the shield would provide the added benefit of keeping stray-light sources from entering the tube, day or night, which can produce glaring and ghosts when observing. At night, you should always have the shield attached. I made one from black art-paper before my Farpoint shield arrived...

Maksutov8b.jpg

...and using that got old quick. But I had to do something, because I had made up my mind not to ever take the telescope outdoors without a shield, day or night. During the day or night, the shield can also help in keeping bugs, dirt and dust from getting onto the meniscus, or "lens".

Incidentally, you will never see a dew-shield mentioned or pictured within a Maksutov's or Schmidt's advertisements online; not even within the suggested accessories. The reason being is that that would make the telescope appear longer, and when its main selling point is the shortness of it. It's an irresponsible practice, as a dew-shield is an absolute must for these modified-Cassegrains.
As soon as I read that the little 'of course!' light went on in my head. I'm thinking a bleach bottle and some black spray paint for starters and a little velcro to attach it to the mak'.

And add one more project to the astro list!
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Recommendations, for impossible to meet criteria

#106

Post by OldGaot »


Got it assembled without any problems. We have a tree with an active raccoon den in it. Can count the whiskers on the little critters with the 32mm. Thanks for the recommendation on the 32mm eyepiece. Very nice, clear, bright. Last night was hit and miss. I did look at the moon and was very happy with the resolution. Amazingly, I was able to sight it on a bright star and, SHOCKINGLY, it was actually in view! Today, I spent some time trying to get acquainted with the goto mount. Of course, it's cloudy tonight and it looks like that will be the theme for the next few days. I figure it's like buying a convertible...best way to ensure five straight weekends of cold rainy weather. The next time we have a sever drought, I think I'll buy a new telescope!
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Re: Recommendations, for impossible to meet criteria

#107

Post by SkyHiker »


From reading about your desire for value, get a 20x80 Celestron Skymaster for nebulas, globular and open clusters. You will need a tripod for it, I highly recommend the Tiltall tripod (https://www.adorama.com/tpte01s.html?ms ... 3b3ff5b4b2). The performance is comparable to a 10" Dob with a 40 mm eyepiece, though the optics are noticeably less perfect. Great for daytime viewing as well, I guarantee it!

Planetary is a whole different ball of wax. The 20x80 won't work at all. So I recommend getting a Mak for that, a C90 or so, not all that expensive. It will complement your binos nicely.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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