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Posts Made By: Rod Mollise

September 27, 2007 01:40 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

CPC 1100 XLT GPS

Posted By Rod Mollise
Without knowing more, it's impossible to say. Could be collimation, could be atmospheric seeing, could be your expectations.

Best advice? SEEK OUT AND JOIN YOUR LOCAL ASTRONOMY CLUB. The good folk there will be able to help you in person in a hands-on manner.

September 29, 2007 03:38 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Upgrade a Celestron 8" ultima - or just buy a new

Posted By Rod Mollise
There is a third way, grasshopper... ;-)

I've got an Ultima 8, too. Had it since 1995, and I'm still very happy with the OTA. I got tired of "no go-to," however, and wasn't thrilled about continuing on with a wedge, either.

To make a long story short, I ordered a Celestron go-to CG5 from Herb and company, attached a dovetail to the OTA (Scopestuff), and, in about 30 minutes, had a go-to Ultima 8. Since the U8 OTA has been on the CG5, it's probably been used more and seen more than it ever has.


September 29, 2007 03:51 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Large SCT Focusing

Posted By Rod Mollise
Are you talking about a 2 speed crayford or a 2 speed to replace the normal SCT focus knob (Feathertouch)? There are no minuses with either, though if you do the latter, you will have to put up with a little focus shift, and if you do the former you may have focus-travel/spacing issues.

September 29, 2007 11:15 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Help with konus 20x80 binos

Posted By Rod Mollise
Well, considering what you paid for 'em, this is about what you should expect. My advice? Send 'em back if possible and buy a pair of something along the lines of the Orion Giantviews (279.95). If not... Try to make do as they are or disassemble 'em and try to come up with a fix. My experience with ultra cheapo gear like this is that it won't stand a whole lot of fixin' and fiddlin'.

8)

September 30, 2007 03:09 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

What about a EQ6 (Skyscan) and a C-11 OTA

Posted By Rod Mollise
Yep, it will take the weight and is a good match at a reasonable price. 8)

October 3, 2007 06:51 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

2" Dialgonal Recommendation

Posted By Rod Mollise
I vote for the William Optics carbon fiber dielectric job. Don't know what the carbon fiber sides really do for you...but the dang thing sure looks sweet!

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=11467&m=

8)

October 5, 2007 04:38 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Orthogonality and Polar alignment

Posted By Rod Mollise
Orhogonality isn't a big issue vis-a-vis polar alignment these days, since most folks are autoguiding. In my experience autoguiding usually--surprisingly--works better if you're not dead on polar aligned. Orthogonality can affect go-to accuracy. The usual cure is shimming the scope in the dovetail/saddle.

October 7, 2007 10:03 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Choosing from whom to buy

Posted By Rod Mollise
Bill Meyers said:

I should mention that I originally posted a very similar message to this on Cloudy Nights, on a thread on the new William Optics Ferrari telescope, and the thread was “moved temporarily for review” by a moderator. It has not reappeared yet.
Listen to the music.
Bill Meyers

Waaaalll...I like Cloudy Nights fine. Even post there occasionally. But I have for sure had my posts CENSORED for daring to cast doubt on the quality of a particular piece of equipment (the Celestron Powertank battery of all things). 8)

As for star testing a scope? Any scope from any maker can have problems, that's just a fact. If you're happy with a product, that's fine, but a high-falutin' name on the box DON'T _always_ mean "perfect."

8)

October 8, 2007 01:12 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

small APOs

Posted By Rod Mollise
Tony Grigsby said:

Simple question.. William Optics Megrez 90 FD APO OTA or Televue 85? Thanks for any input.

Only you can answer this question. The TV is a fine scope, but _IMHO_ it is NOT worth the extra 500 dollars (for the cheapest TV85 OTA). I had a chance to evaluate the WO extensively and found that, amongst other things, even _I_ could get great CCD shots with it.

8)

October 9, 2007 11:46 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Celestron Ultima - Primary Mirror Locking?

Posted By Rod Mollise
It's not. Locking the mirror will require drilling and tapping suitably placed holes in the rear cell. Not for the faint of heart. Frankly, mirror flop is not bad on this OTA (I have a 1995 model). I've only had a problem (once) when I forgot to:

Finish focus uphill.

Avoid imaging objects crossing the local meridian.


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