100th post on CN

[DeanD]

The forums are platforms for exchange (of ...)
They have their sociology structure with the participants having different intentions, ...

In one of the German forums there is an ongoing discussion about the 15x-something binoculars, this discussion will last over the next 10 years,
or even more, my guess.
You would not believe, how heated this discussion is developing, because just one of the guys must comment on everything, believing to know everything better.

Calm weather, and clear skies day and night,
JG

I've been the President of an Astronomical Society with over 600 members. When it comes to heated discussions I would believe anything!

[Dcboyd]

I lasted just 4 posts on CN. I was done with them. I am a newbie (not in age. I am 74). Ask a question in a beginner forum about a signature line as discussion was all over the place. Someone helped me then moderator put my question elsewhere and accused me of hijacking the thread.
I was still trying to figure out where and what I was doing. So I am done there. Lots of good info, just must walk on glass.

[Bigzmey]

I lasted just 4 posts on CN. I was done with them. I am a newbie (not in age. I am 74). Ask a question in a beginner forum about a signature line as discussion was all over the place. Someone helped me then moderator put my question elsewhere and accused me of hijacking the thread.
I was still trying to figure out where and what I was doing. So I am done there. Lots of good info, just must walk on glass.

Welcome on board Dcboyd! We are friendly folks here, so ask away!

[WilliamPaolini]

"why would anyone want to drop $2K on a 4" apo for visual??? A 6" newt with a good mirror would best it."

Lots of reasons why. I prefer my 4" Apo even to 8" mirrored scopes. Here's how a 4" Apo easily bests a 6" Newt: Contrast is sublime, never any thermal issues so ready to go fast, star points through an unobstructed scope are just the bees knees, way less scatter through a good refractor than any good mirrored scope (it's physics so no getting around it), way easier to clean the main objective, never ever needs collimation, can use a binoviewer without the need of any OCA, more intuitive to point and find objects for us star hoppers, more effectively baffled from stray light than any Newt can be, no secondary to dew up, lunar observing is so much more fun with an AMICI diagonal (not sure one can get correct view thru a Newt), looks like a real telescope. Anyway, those are just a few of the reasons that make losing the extra aperture not missed in the slightest. :cool:

[messier 111]

I lasted just 4 posts on CN. I was done with them. I am a newbie (not in age. I am 74). Ask a question in a beginner forum about a signature line as discussion was all over the place. Someone helped me then moderator put my question elsewhere and accused me of hijacking the thread.
I was still trying to figure out where and what I was doing. So I am done there. Lots of good info, just must walk on glass.

[WilliamPaolini]

I lasted just 4 posts on CN. I was done with them. I am a newbie (not in age. I am 74). Ask a question in a beginner forum about a signature line as discussion was all over the place. Someone helped me then moderator put my question elsewhere and accused me of hijacking the thread.
I was still trying to figure out where and what I was doing. So I am done there. Lots of good info, just must walk on glass.

Welcome aboard!! I departed the discussion boards on CN as well, but after 21,000 posts - just use them for the classifieds now. Much nicer discussion place here. Feel free to email or PM if you have questions you can't find a good place to post, or just do not want to post. Been in the visual end of this hobby for 55 years now!

[Bigzmey]

"why would anyone want to drop $2K on a 4" apo for visual??? A 6" newt with a good mirror would best it."

Lots of reasons why. I prefer my 4" Apo even to 8" mirrored scopes. Here's how a 4" Apo easily bests a 6" Newt: Contrast is sublime, never any thermal issues so ready to go fast, star points through an unobstructed scope are just the bees knees, way less scatter through a good refractor than any good mirrored scope (it's physics so no getting around it), way easier to clean the main objective, never ever needs collimation, can use a binoviewer without the need of any OCA, more intuitive to point and find objects for us star hoppers, more effectively baffled from stray light than any Newt can be, no secondary to dew up, lunar observing is so much more fun with an AMICI diagonal (not sure one can get correct view thru a Newt), looks like a real telescope. Anyway, those are just a few of the reasons that make losing the extra aperture not missed in the slightest. :cool:

Preaching to the quire Bill. I would pick 4" achro over 6" Newt to. However, a well made 6" Newt is a very capable scope, and the value is hard to beat.

[pakarinen]

I lasted just 4 posts on CN. I was done with them. I am a newbie (not in age. I am 74). Ask a question in a beginner forum about a signature line as discussion was all over the place. Someone helped me then moderator put my question elsewhere and accused me of hijacking the thread.
I was still trying to figure out where and what I was doing. So I am done there. Lots of good info, just must walk on glass.

I think the last time I checked my ignore list over there, it was 43 names long.

[Dcboyd]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will try to keep everything where it is suppose to go and learn to navigate the site.
I used to do sailing and celestial navigation in another life many years ago, but that’s the extent of my celestial learning.
We have some dark skies RV reservations set up in our state parks so hope to have clear skies. Have downloaded Stellarium and Night Sky X. Again thank you for your support and welcome.

[WilliamPaolini]

Do you have any optics to observe with yet?

[Ylem]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will try to keep everything where it is suppose to go and learn to navigate the site.
I used to do sailing and celestial navigation in another life many years ago, but that’s the extent of my celestial learning.
We have some dark skies RV reservations set up in our state parks so hope to have clear skies. Have downloaded Stellarium and Night Sky X. Again thank you for your support and welcome.

Welcome to TSS! Thanks for joining us

I haven't been over on CN in several years, I personally don't miss it.

I have forgotten my password and my email has changed so I couldn't access my account if I wanted to.

I'm very happy here!

[WilliamPaolini]

Preaching to the quire Bill. I would pick 4" achro over 6" Newt to. However, a well made 6" Newt is a very capable scope, and the value is hard to beat.

Zero argument there! 6" f/8 Newt probably a best platform to see if one likes the hobby or not -- inexpensive, capable, easy to handle with a small form factor, fairly easy to operate (once the collimation procedure is figured out), and not eyepiece-picky when it is an f/8.

[Bigzmey]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will try to keep everything where it is suppose to go and learn to navigate the site.
I used to do sailing and celestial navigation in another life many years ago, but that’s the extent of my celestial learning.
We have some dark skies RV reservations set up in our state parks so hope to have clear skies. Have downloaded Stellarium and Night Sky X. Again thank you for your support and welcome.

If you have a pair of binoculars you are to a good start. There are many targets in the sky which could be enjoyed even with small 8x40 pair.

[Dcboyd]

I have an AT102 on order with a 25mm and a 8mm paradigm dual ED. I received a 2x barlow from Siebert Optical and have a Twilight 1 mount sitting in my living room. Just need the scope to come in. On a ship somewhere I suppose. Maybe next month.
Hope this will work for a bit

[pakarinen]

Don't know the weight of a 102, but my Twilight 1 has a practical / useful maximum of about 12 pounds (ST120 with finder), at least in my experience. YMMV.

I also have 15mm and 25mm Paradigms and they seem to be a good value for the price. Again, YMMV.

[Dcboyd]

Website indicates 18#’s. Hope so. Otherwise I am at limit. Scope weighs 9# without diagonal, EP, and my small red dot finder.
Guess I will learn.

[KingNothing13]

Hey all - since we have meandered way off the original topic, we are going to go ahead and close this here.

Please feel free to open a new topic regarding the equipment that is being discussed here.

Thanks!