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Posts Made By: Randy Roy

November 2, 2005 02:08 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Mass Produced Truss Dobs

Posted By Randy Roy
I am a Starmaster owner, but am happy to see this. I bet Steve Swayze and others capable of turning mass produced optics into excellent performers will have all the business they want. If Meade can make good to excellent mechanicals and for a low price, this could have a big impact. Hopefully, they won't have the same plastic focuser or particle board mirror cells Meade used on the solid tube dobs.

Randy

November 4, 2005 11:35 PM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

PST vs. SM 40

Posted By Randy Roy
Hi John,

I bought a MS40/BF10 when they came out and then a PST later. I did a small amount of imaging, but mostly used them for visual use, especially for viewing the proms. The MS40 gave a more homogenous view edge to edge (i.e. no sweet spot like the PST) and a bit wider view due to the BF10. However, the difference in the views were not worth the difference in price to me, though I would agree the Maxscope was better for imaging.

I sold the MS40 and use my little PST all the time.

Randy

November 8, 2005 04:04 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

first light!

Posted By Randy Roy
Though I do not own one currently, a 10" F6 is my favorite size dob. Nicely executed!

Randy

November 15, 2005 04:19 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Whats the differance.

Posted By Randy Roy
Well, I have an FS128 and a 16" Starmaster dob. I would agree that under dark, steady skies, the dob will exceed almost anything the FS128 can show, except wide field views. The North American Nebula, for example, is much better seen in the FS than the Starmaster. However, the Starmaster will show the central stars in M57 and the Helix regularly, though I have never seen them in FS. Also, I can use 400X-500X pretty regularly on the planets with the Starmaster, but rarely go over about 300X with the FS. I love galaxy clusters like Stephans Quintet--beautiful, though faint, in the dob, pretty much non-existent in the APO.

Still, I have to admit for what it will show you, the smaller APO has that certain "je ne sais quoi" that the larger dob just does not capture. The views are simply prettier in the APO.

Randy

November 17, 2005 06:24 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Travel scope for a trip to Africa...

Posted By Randy Roy
David,

I had an AT1010 and then an SV85S and took one or the other to China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Mexico and all over Europe during a three year period. I took a Telepod head and Bogen 3036 tripod. The 3036 is no longer made, but there are plenty of good alternatives.

I do like the Microstar and think it would be a fine choice as well. Alternately, you might find that a pair of Canon IS 12X36 binos will give you great views of the Southern Milky Way. I carry mine wherever I go these days and leave the scope at home.

Have a great trip.

Randy

November 29, 2005 03:38 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Minimum exit pupil????

Posted By Randy Roy
This is one of those "all depends" questions. I generally use about .8-1mm exit pupil max on my 16" Starmaster, though on great nights I have used .5mm which yields about 800X. However, with my 5" Tak refractor, I can use .5mm and even smaller exit pupils on the moon and planets with regularity. A lot of it has to do with the size and type of scope you are using as well as the local seeing conditions. I would certainly want the ability to get down to at least a .5mm exit pupil with my scopes, but don't expect to use it often unless your optics are excellent and your seeing is superb.

Also, minimum recommended is the minimum you can go and still improve the view in regards to details, etc.

Randy

December 5, 2005 05:11 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Too good to be true?

Posted By Randy Roy
Floyd,

I have a saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, call Randy and let him in on it."

smile

December 12, 2005 02:07 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Best Eyepieces

Posted By Randy Roy
Congratulations on the purchase. One of the great things about an F10 scope is that it should rarely need collimation and pretty much any eyepiece will work great in it. If my scopes were F10, I would get a set of Celestron Ultima eyepieces. I doubt that any eyepiece would work better in that scope.

Perhaps others will help, but I believe they are for the most part, the same eyepiece as Tak LEs. I also believe Orion may have a branded a set of these as well.

Randy

December 14, 2005 03:00 PM Forum: Eyepieces

What to choose for an eyeglass wearer?

Posted By Randy Roy
Have you looked at the Celestron X-Cel's? They have 20mm of eye relief and are priced very reasonably. The work great with F10 scopes like yours.

Randy

December 21, 2005 04:52 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

What is the best binocular in $250 range

Posted By Randy Roy
"The ones you use the most. . . " Ok, just kidding smile

My personal vote goes for these:

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/2080d.htm

They are the 20X80 Oberwerk Standard model. Lightweight, but still require a tripod mounting.

Randy

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