I decided to take on a small project and now I am at the hardest part - the waiting.
I decided to put together a smaller scope package designed for star parties at my kids' elementary school. I've done a number of star parties with my scopes but they're kind of big and often put the ep in awkward spots. One is an 8" reflector on an EQ and the other is a 12.5" f6 dob. 5 year olds way up on a 6' ladder is not a prudent star party. I have a smaller nexstar reflector and could have used that but decided a refractor would be ideal. I did some research, got some advice from the boards here and started ordering stuff.
First up, I picked up the Baader adapter for the Nexstar mount to use with a dovetail. I think the newer mounts have these, but mine is from early in the series. That came in on Friday and I installed those pieces this morning. I would to add some type of chord lock to keep the power chord form getting pulled out so easy. I may also put together some type of sling to hang my power tank from the accessory tray. I'm pretty sure this would bump the stability of the tripod a fair bit.
Second, I made a deal on a used Stellarvue 809D here. The MO was sent, I have a tracking code and the scope is to be here on Tuesday. This seemed like it would have a little bit nicer glass then the usual suspects. I figured the views would be a bit crisper and the few times I get to use it would be worth it.
Third, I needed a diagonal. Being a reflector guy I didn't have one of these or know to much of the smaller details. I did some research and shopped hard. I ordered a demo model that I've yet to get a shipping notification. I'm hoping it ships Monday which would put it here Thursday. This scope will be used mostly for kids star parties so a 1-1/4" diagonal would be plenty for planets and the moon, but I will use this occassionally as a grab & go scope so I got the 2" one. I may be pushing the weight limit of my mount especially if I try to move it with the 22 nagler or 14 UWA.
The sky is clearing up here for the first time in a week or so. The diagonal will be here just in time for it to cloud up again. If the scope comes in and the sky is clear, I'll probably run it and the mount through their paces with no diagonal. I have 3 upcoming star parties and 2 camping trips planned, but the first is several weeks out. Plenty of time to work all the bugs out.
Compared to some of my other projects this one has been pretty simple and a short timeframe. For now, though, I just wait - the hardest part.
I decided to put together a smaller scope package designed for star parties at my kids' elementary school. I've done a number of star parties with my scopes but they're kind of big and often put the ep in awkward spots. One is an 8" reflector on an EQ and the other is a 12.5" f6 dob. 5 year olds way up on a 6' ladder is not a prudent star party. I have a smaller nexstar reflector and could have used that but decided a refractor would be ideal. I did some research, got some advice from the boards here and started ordering stuff.
First up, I picked up the Baader adapter for the Nexstar mount to use with a dovetail. I think the newer mounts have these, but mine is from early in the series. That came in on Friday and I installed those pieces this morning. I would to add some type of chord lock to keep the power chord form getting pulled out so easy. I may also put together some type of sling to hang my power tank from the accessory tray. I'm pretty sure this would bump the stability of the tripod a fair bit.
Second, I made a deal on a used Stellarvue 809D here. The MO was sent, I have a tracking code and the scope is to be here on Tuesday. This seemed like it would have a little bit nicer glass then the usual suspects. I figured the views would be a bit crisper and the few times I get to use it would be worth it.
Third, I needed a diagonal. Being a reflector guy I didn't have one of these or know to much of the smaller details. I did some research and shopped hard. I ordered a demo model that I've yet to get a shipping notification. I'm hoping it ships Monday which would put it here Thursday. This scope will be used mostly for kids star parties so a 1-1/4" diagonal would be plenty for planets and the moon, but I will use this occassionally as a grab & go scope so I got the 2" one. I may be pushing the weight limit of my mount especially if I try to move it with the 22 nagler or 14 UWA.
The sky is clearing up here for the first time in a week or so. The diagonal will be here just in time for it to cloud up again. If the scope comes in and the sky is clear, I'll probably run it and the mount through their paces with no diagonal. I have 3 upcoming star parties and 2 camping trips planned, but the first is several weeks out. Plenty of time to work all the bugs out.
Compared to some of my other projects this one has been pretty simple and a short timeframe. For now, though, I just wait - the hardest part.
