Posts Made By: john raymond

Very informative and unique article.

I have been reading many reviews of the Pentax ep's recently. I will try buying set of XW's before the year is over.

If I knew what I was doing years ago I'd have the XL's...but I didnt know until this year. I was told repeatedly and didnt listen.

John

Another good night. Cloudy all day, then sudden clearing before dusk. But not clear enough to warrant a trip to dark skies outside the city.

About 50-60 parents and children had views of Jupiter with 4 moons on one side. Even at 46x many first-time observers saw the "rings" of Jupiter (the cloud belts) I used 30mm and 12mm Pentaxes.

The sky was too hazy for any fainter targets. One guy was a daily microscope user so we had a nice discussion about exit pupil, objectives, and eyepieces. And pens that write on glass.

Common questions are:
Is this your equipment? [COLOR="Blue"]Yes.[/COLOR]
Is this your job? [COLOR="Blue"]No, I wish.[/COLOR]
How much did this cost? [COLOR="Blue"]Not as much as a bass boat or Harley.
[/COLOR]Do you guys do this every month? [COLOR="Blue"]Yes, we bring astronomy to the peeples. [/COLOR]
Im thinking about a telescope...what do I get? [COLOR="Blue"]Here's an Orion catalog. Take it with you.[/COLOR]

99% of my equiment used tonight was purchased here on Astromart. Scope from Jeff, mount from John, power cord from Don, eyepiece from Kurt, etc. Thanks again guys.

John

Mewlon 210 or 180.

Now if only you had a decent scope instead.

Hey just kidding!!!

Does the Casidy attach directly to the Teegul?
Whats the total weight minus scope?

John

I advise not to sell the TEC and get the PB. Why not have both? You only live once. Try both for a while, and then decide if you have to sell one. Going from refractor to reflector is a big change, whole new way of doing and seeing that takes time to learn and adjust to.

No problems selling either.

Maybe you can find a used Portaball here on AM.

By all accounts the Portaball is to reflectors what the TEC is to refractors.

With the 50 LE. Notice how far in the focuser.

You really need to try them first. In person.
John

Forums are helpful but you really need hands-on direct experience to find the answers. There is someone close by with a similar telescope who is willing to help you, but you have to find that person.

Attend public telescope events or inivte local astronomers to your place. Offer hot coffee, hot chocolate, and doughnuts and have a mini-star party in your yard.

A good book is the SCT book by Rod Mollise.

Your scope should have a 26 plossl with it. Add a 32 and 15mm plossls and try observing with those for a few months. They will work fine.

Good luck
John

Sanjay Veerkar said:

Though I have read quite a few forums I am missing all the basic knowledge and am having trouble putting diverse pieces of info and jargon together.

My first real scope was a Meade 7".
Four Mak's later I have an MK91. Im looking at a Royce or Parallax 10" D-K next. Is that 1" really worth it? The 91 is a great scope when conditions allow. But its a closed tube and the corrector is prone to dew.

Ive seen more detail on Jupiter with my 18" f/4, so do I really want to go there?

John

I wish I still had mine.
Fantastic scopes.
John