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Posts Made By: Steven Jindra

November 27, 2007 09:32 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Sirius vs. Atlas

Posted By Steven Jindra
David
If you see a Celestron CI-700, they make a nice imaging mount and can often be found for $1200-$1300 with DSS (digital setting circles) for finding objects. It will carry quite a load for visual or photography.

Of course, if you decide to really get serious about imaging, plan for an eventual purchase of a Tak or an AP mount. But for one of these, you are lookng at $3000+, even for a used one. I picked up a used AP600-QMS about a year ago and it is a joy to use.

Steven Jindra

April 24, 2008 09:35 PM Forum: Refractors

Suggestions

Posted By Steven Jindra
Craig
That OTA is best suited for a power range of 12x to 80X. For a quick set up and minimal expense, a 25 to 30 mm Plossl, an 8 to 10mm Plossl, and a quality short 2x barlow will provide a good power range for the capabilities of that scope and be a light package to carry.

As an alternative to buying the barlow, include a 15 to 17mm Plossl and a 5 or 6mm eyepiece with some decent eye relief (I really like the Orion 5mm Ultrascopic).

Hope this helps. Let us know what you decide on.
Steven Jindra

May 5, 2008 11:18 PM Forum: Refractors

To sell the C8 for a refractor or not to sell the

Posted By Steven Jindra
Matt
I agree with those recommending the 66mm to 80mm APO's. You plan to use the CG-5, which is a good, but not a great imaging mount, so the a lighter, shorter focal length refractors will be more forgiving of guiding errors and still produce nice images.

I started my imaging with the Tak FS-78 and can recommend it as a great start, especially with the focal reducer. And if you still take a visual peak through it, it won't let you down there either. When matched with an HA narrowband filter, and a good greyscale imager, there are a lot of Nebula targets that fit nicely and can be imaged in spite of city lights.

Have fun.
Steven Jindra

May 21, 2008 11:03 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Overseas sale

Posted By Steven Jindra
David
I don't think you can beat Astromart for local or foreign sales. I have made a few overseas sales through AM. I've always used Paypal for such to minimize money problems. Be aware that the Paypal fees are higher for this.

The biggest issues are the shipping cost and import duties on their end. I've found shipping USPS to be the most cost effective for small to medium sized items.

Hope this helps.
Steven Jindra

June 21, 2008 10:17 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Wedge or GEM

Posted By Steven Jindra
Jeff
I tried imaging with a 10" LX200 Classic and found it to to be a lesson in frustration even with a permanently mounted pier and wedge. I next purchased a used CI-700 (a heavy duty GEM) with DSC's and things were better, by an order of magnitude. Later I upgraded to an AP-600E GEM with DSC's and things became even better, by another order of magnitude.

I definitely recommend going to a quality GEM for imaging. Another advantage with a GEM is it will allow you to try other OTA's, possibly a short focal length refractor for those wide field shots.

I hope this helps.
Steven Jindra

July 1, 2008 01:31 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

mid size gem??

Posted By Steven Jindra
Glenn
I use a Celestron ASGT-5 with the newer style SS legs for my FS-128 and it makes a nice setup for visual only. It provides as steady platform, even for higher power viewing, plus the go-to is nice too.
Steven Jindra

July 10, 2008 12:58 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

How long should a scope last?

Posted By Steven Jindra
Kevin
One thing that can be overlooked is the need to clean the front objective lens on a scope that has been out exposed to dew, pollen, dust and pollution for a number of nights. This is especially true for imagers, who may have their scopes pointed up for many, many hours. If not, these elements can start degrading the coatings and eventually even the glass.

Marcus Ludes recommended it be cleaned once or twice a year, depending on usage. Fred, at LSSTNR (the Takahashi main US distributor) spent about 20 minutes teaching me the safe and effective way to clean an objective with a dobbing action (no rubbing). They had a little cleaning kit for about $12 that has cleaned a number of objectives and is only half used up. I believe the TeleVue site also provides detailed instructions for this.

Hope this helps.
Steven Jindra

July 18, 2008 05:28 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Experiences with G-11 vs CI-700

Posted By Steven Jindra
Peter
I owned a CI-700 with DSC's and found it to be a considerable step up from a CG5 for astroimaging and for carrying a big OTA. For visual it was great, for imaging it was a little finicky but was still good. I have since upgraded to an AP600E which is another considerable step up.

I have never owned a G-11, but others have already pointed out their advantages over the CI-700. What I can say is that at a $1,000 to $1,200 going price on Astromart they can be a real bargan.

So if money is not the main issue, it seems like the G-11 with the worm upgrade is a good way to go (or better yet an AP mount). On the cheap, the CI-700 is pretty close.
Hope this helps.
Steven Jindra

March 12, 2009 06:44 AM Forum: Refractors

Tv barlow or powermate in 120ed eon refractor

Posted By Steven Jindra
Itz
You should be able to install a barlow either way. Just be aware that installing a 2X barlow before the diag will usually result in about 3X, after the diag in 2X increase. Some scope do not come to focus well with it before the diag, most will after the diag.
Thanks
Steven Jindra

March 23, 2009 04:54 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

equipment investment ratios

Posted By Steven Jindra
Greg
I would guestimate:

Mounts & tripods: 28%
Optical tubes: 28%
CCD Imagers, filters, adaptors: 28%
Eyepieces, diagonals, visual adaptors: 10%
Building with slide off roof, materials cost only: 6%

This is for visual and imaging.
Thanks
Steven Jindra


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