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Lawrence Parchman

Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: Larry Seguin

June 11, 2007 07:31 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Considering a second Ultra wide ep

Posted By Larry Seguin
Obviously, when the word "best" comes up, often so does the name "Televue". In the 13-17 mm range there are many good TV choices you could make. But since you're using a long focal length scope, you may not need to spend that big to get the kind of performance your already getting from your Agena. As to the comparison between 70 and 82 degree fov, yes there's a difference, but I would call it "noticable" rather than "large". I get almost the same sense of satisfaction from my 70* Pentax XW as I do from my 82* Nagler. Your call, based on what's important to you, but I think you could certainly get by with something less pricey than a Nagler, and maybe less field as well.

June 24, 2007 10:55 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

The Single Best Investment You Can Make

Posted By Larry Seguin
Alan,
I've made the same point in the past-TIME behind the eyepiece makes a beginner into an effective observer. I'm amazed at how much more detail I've seen on the planets over the years, using the SAME eyepieces. You have to train your eye to SEE what is there. Other than that, the best investment would be a good observing chair, which ALLOWS you to spend more time conmfortably at the eyepiece.
Larry

July 2, 2007 10:08 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Any full moon lunar observing tips?

Posted By Larry Seguin
Full moon was a couple of days ago. Should be up around 1:00 or so tonight. Still, full moon can be intersting enough. Try a good filter-I like #11 or #56. They will all cause the ray systems to stand out. I've enjoyed tracing those across the moon's surface. The Baader contrast filter does a better job, I think, but the colored filters can be useful, too.

July 6, 2007 05:57 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Planetary Eyepieces

Posted By Larry Seguin
Hey Steve,
I pretty much agree with what's already been said: the Pentaxs and all do a really great job for a really upper end price. If you can sacrifice the field of view, the plossls and orthos tend to work just as well. That said, I've found that the Antares Elite plossls work just as well for my eyes as the upper end plossls, at 3/4 of the price, less if you get them used here on Astromart. At the shorter focal lengths the Vixen Lanthanums are pretty nice, fairly sharp and bright, but with 20 mms of eye relief, and they can be had for about $60-$70, again, here on Astromart. Works for me, hope it helps you!

July 18, 2007 02:36 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Color Filters

Posted By Larry Seguin
Hey Jon,
It's interesting that this topic has come up so often recently! I know it's been said before, but I'll add it one more time-a very convenient alternative to color filters is the contrast booster filter. I have one by Baader that I'm really enjoying using on Jupiter right now. It seems to work as good if not better than any color filter I've tried on the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn. If it works as well on Mars, that'll be a clean sweep! It's convenient to have one filter do it all so well, takes up less space in the ep box, and makes deciding which filter to use an easy task!
Larry

July 28, 2007 11:01 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Scopetronix?

Posted By Larry Seguin
I can't say who owns what, or who bought whose stock....but I bought a cheapie zoom from "Scopetronix" a month or two ago off of their web-site. No problems on ordering or delivering, for what it's worth.
Larry

August 12, 2007 11:06 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

What kind of tripod?

Posted By Larry Seguin
Hey Ken,
I'm using the Paragon mount, too, and I find it fulfills the purpose for which I bought it. With an ST-80 costing less than $200, I didn't want to spend a fortune on the mount. For me, the Paragon is a small, lightweight, inexpensive package. I've been using Orion's slow motion adapter, which was okay under 100X, but recently upgraded to a Bogen 410 fully geared head. Works for me, whether it would work for you depends on what you want to do, and how much you want to spend.
Larry

August 16, 2007 01:54 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

What kind of tripod?

Posted By Larry Seguin
Hi Ken,
I made a modification to the set-up I'm using last night. I had an ST-80 on a Paragon tripod with Orion's slow motion adapter for fine tuning (inexpensive, lightweight grab'n'go, relatively stable), last night I swapped out the Orion slo-mo for a Bogen 410 fully geared head. What a difference! Yes, it adds a little weight to the set-up, but it's still one hand grab'n'go. What IS significant, however, is the stability of the whole rig. Where the Orion unit would begin to shake pretty seriously as you approached 100X, with the image dancing around getting harder to focus, now the image stays rock stable as you change focus. The geared head does not reach end of travel and need to be re-set as the Orion did. You can just keep turning the head, enjoying steady views without shakes. This system is a keeper for me!
Larry

September 4, 2007 02:06 PM Forum: Reflectors

StarSplitter Telescopes

Posted By Larry Seguin
Hi Roy!
For several years I used a Starsplitter compact II, 12.5" f/6. It was a very nice scope, the optics gave me some views of Saturn that I still remember fondly, as well as providing enough aperture for detailed views of DSO's. It was heavy and built very solidly, and eventually I traded it in for a lighter scope that made more aperture possible for me. My new scope however, doesn't quite have the solid, smooth motions of the old Sarsplitter. If you have a chance to pick one up, I'm sure it would satisfy you in terms of optical performance and build quality. Hope that's helpful for you.
Larry

September 29, 2007 02:42 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Where to start eyepiece collection?

Posted By Larry Seguin
Hi Josh!
While we're waiting for more knowledgable A=marters to weigh in on this topic, let me offer something. It's often been said that a good place to begin upgrading your eyepieces is by starting with a focal length that offers an exit pupil twice the focal ratio of your scope. On your f/10 system that would be something around 20 mms. I find that on my scopes I DO spend a considerable amount of time around that magnification (confession: I AM a magnification junkie, and I like to see how high I can push it!) An eyepiece that produces an exit pupil twice your scopes focal ratio does seem to hit an intersection between magnification and brightness of image. A budget of $150 does tend to limit this somewhat, though. Maybe a used Stratus or something similar purchased used here on A-mart? That would give you a useful magnification AND a nice wide field of view. Any other thoughts out there for Josh, guys?

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