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Posts Made By: john raymond

December 16, 2007 05:29 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Celestron X-cel or Televue Ploessl?

Posted By john raymond
Walter

What I like about the TV plossls is that they are parfocal from the 32 to the 8mm. They are also parfocal with the Radians and Nagler 6's if one of those is in your future.

The drawback to the smaller plossls is poor eye relief. If this is an issue then consider the TV 32 and 20 for low to mid power observing. A standard 32 plossl has the same field of view as a 40 plossl.

One of the benefits of Astromart is the variety of ep's for sale at a discount, you can try and buy to your heart's contentment.

Please dont worry too much about what brand you end up with, its more important to make observations with what you have.

Regards
John

December 17, 2007 03:40 AM Forum: Reflectors

DISCOVERY HELP

Posted By john raymond
Should be a fine scope, or at least a fine mirror. The older Discovery scopes have a better reputation, from speaking with other Discovery owners at star parties.

Compared to a new scope, you dont have to wait a year, and suffer broken delivery promises, communication breakdowns, and generally poor customer service. And you will save some $$$. Check the review in Starware 4.

John
12.5 Discovery 2002 model. A very fine scope.


victor truglio said:

someone locally is selling an older dhq 12.5 dob
he says its about 7 years old
all original
not split tube type
how does this compare with some of the newer scopes

December 28, 2007 03:39 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Good Meade EPs?

Posted By john raymond
But nobody wants the Meade 26 plossl or MA's.

See ad #539427

My first wide-field ep's were the 18 and 13.8 SWA. I thought they were great except for the short ER on the 13.8. Now I keep them in the scope case as emergency backup ep's.

The other unappreciated Meade ep's are the series 3000's. I have the 25 and 16 and they are fine ep's.

John


December 29, 2007 07:16 PM Forum: Meade

Help buying my 1st good Meade telescope

Posted By john raymond
Don

Buy a Losmandy G8/G11 and try various Meade and Celestron OTA's until you find the one thats best for you.

If only someone had told me that years ago....

John

January 5, 2008 09:48 PM Forum: Star Parties

Those confounded lights

Posted By john raymond
If you dont want to adjust the wiring try a brake light repair kit, has a large sheet of dark-red sticky film to cover the offending lights. Easy to apply, but difficult to remove.

If you want to brag at the star party, dont say you bought a new
mini-van; say you bought for a new goto mount with dual axis drives and a CD player.

J


Jim Moscheck said:

Hello all,

I guess this is the best forum to post this question.

I recently upgraded my scope hauler to an '07 Chrysler mini van. I like everything about the vehicle except for the flashing lights

January 10, 2008 12:37 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Whoa!

Posted By john raymond
Not a nice thing to say, but I dont worry much about message-board rants.

1. Maybe he is joking and as usual the humor is lost in translation

2. Maybe he just has a bad day. He might have lost his dog, job, girlfriend or whatever

3. Maybe he had a bad experience with an SCT and recieved poor customer service back in the post-Halley years. I still hear horror stories about poor SCT quality and service

4. Maybe he needs to spend a week with Barlow Bob for a dose of positivity and astronomical enthusiasm

5. I joined, and dropped the Yahoo refractor group due to the majority of posts nit-picking glass and manufacturing or vendors. Few posts were "I have XYZ refractor and really enjoy it" Got stale quickly.

Regards,
John



Greg Nowell said:

I read a rather disconcernting essay today on Yahoo! Refractors, by a noted authority on eyepieces, that rather explicitly wishes owners of SCTs to be, well, dead. I find this to be perhaps the most regrettable turn in the ongoing dialogues over equipment types. I thought it fitting to put the quote on to an overlay of an outstanding image taken by an SCT. This is strictly clip and paste stuff.

regards
Greg N

January 17, 2008 12:29 AM Forum: SCI-FI

What's the most HORRIBLE, TERRIFYING alien?

Posted By john raymond
The Mantis

Great Sky River, Greg Benford

February 24, 2008 10:35 PM Forum: Eyepieces

TeleVue Eyepiece Collection

Posted By john raymond
12.5" f/5 dob:

35 Pan (if only just for Veil and N.A. nebs )
24 WF Very comfortable
11 Nagler 6
7 Nagler 6
2x Barlow (parfocal with the Type 6's)
This is what I happen to have, very satisfied.


because this is the "TeleVue Eyepiece Collection" thread grin

[QUOTE]Scott Mortimer said:

Why only Tele Vue?

[QUOTE]

February 27, 2008 02:34 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Craftsman Mechanics Seat for Telescope Viewing?

Posted By john raymond
I tried a similar one last week. I was a little sceptical at first, but it works fine. Soft ground + big behind.

Not for tall telescopes.
Very economical.

Regards
John

February 28, 2008 02:23 AM Forum: Eyepieces

1.25" 32mm Erfle vs. Plossl

Posted By john raymond
I have one of those, looks cool with a 1982 Celestron C80.

No practical advantage vs a plossl, or 32 Konig II. For best performance, stick with the plossls.

My 0.02
John

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