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Posts Made By: James DellaPenna

November 19, 2007 02:49 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

EQ. MOUNTS

Posted By James DellaPenna
I would take EQ mount load ratings with a grain of salt. Most are over rated but it sounds like the Sky View Pro is either a little under rated or Orion is just being more honest. In my experience there is no difference between the Sky View Pro and the CG5. They are of similar weight and construction. Both will give you 2-3 seconds damp-down time with a C9.25, especially in breezy conditions. If you can swing it I would suggest the Sirius model.

November 23, 2007 02:35 PM Forum: Mounts

LXD-55 vs. CG-5

Posted By James DellaPenna
Chuck,

I think either mount will do about the same in performance in respect to weight carrying capacity. I once owned an AR6 mounted on an older style standard CG5 w/ Al's Astro wooden tripod plus leg locker. It was used primarily for public observing sessions. The steel tripods that come with these mounts are likely a bit more rigid but if you are using a 2" diagonal, large finder, and heavy eyepieces you will top out around 26 pounds or more with a significant angular moment. That translates to some degree of annoying damp down time in breezy conditions every time you touch the focuser. It may also test your patience for backlash in the mount gears. The AR6 is a pretty nice achromatic scope but it's also quite a load. The Orion Sirius EQG (EQ6) would be a better choice if the shakes really bother you.

December 5, 2007 07:29 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

There's money to be made....

Posted By James DellaPenna
This is how you recycle old outdoor movie screen frameworks.

March 4, 2008 05:19 PM Forum: Politics

Scary politics, or scary religion?

Posted By James DellaPenna
Steve,

In answer to your question:

I can not put your mind at ease for I too find it disturbing that any of our political leaders are involved in this.

June 5, 2008 09:39 PM Forum: Investment Discussions

Why aren't automakers buying innovation?

Posted By James DellaPenna
It's called corporate inertia.

Jim

July 13, 2008 03:59 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

How much for a CPC 11" with accessories and JMI ha

Posted By James DellaPenna
Roo,

You should not have to be too concerned about moving a fairly priced SCT as long as you are willing to export to European countries w/ payment via bank-to-bank transfer. The money exchange rate is such that European buyers have a distinct advantage and are willing to pay a decent price for good equipment, including UPS air fare and import taxes. Two SCT's I sold went to France and England when there were no takers in the U.S. I'm talking a Nexstar 11 and a C-14.

The other option you should consider is selling all items piecemeal. Sell scope, accessories, & carrying case separately on AM. You can expect better prices on individual sales than through a package deal. Example: I recently advertised a complete package C-80 refractor w/ finder, EQ-1 mount, rings, and diagonal. There were no takers. When I broke it up into individual components all items sold very quickly. Many folks don't want a complete package because they already have certain items and don't wish to bother with selling the items they have no need for.

My two cents.

Jim D.

September 27, 2008 02:32 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

LASER COLLIMATOR

Posted By James DellaPenna
Victor,

I use the 2" Hotech because I have a 2" focuser and a 2" binoviewer nosepiece. If you are using primarily 1.25" EP's you are still subject to the off center effect of your 1.25" adapter so I suppose the 1.25" Hotech would be more appropriate. If you do a lot of low power wide field 2" EP work then go with the 2" Hotech.

Jim

September 30, 2008 06:46 PM Forum: Eyepieces

one comment and one question

Posted By James DellaPenna
Guy,

I use a similar set-up on a 14.5" Starmaster but I have the 2-arm power switch for SCT's (from a prior scope) which provides multipliers of 1.4x, 2.3x, and 3.5x in the Denk binoviewer.

A pair of 24mm Pans give me 92x, 152x, and 231x. A pair of 17mm Stratus give me 130x, 214x, and 326x.

I always start with the 24's at lowest power to assist locating an object in case my GOTO is not on the money. 90% of my viewing is done at 92x and 152x. When I want to look deeper I use the 17's and very rarely a pair of 13mm Stratus.

In all cases the highest power setting for any EP pair is generally too dark to be of any advantage. Also, seeing conditions in central NC seldom lend themselves to high powers.

Jim

January 5, 2009 05:28 PM Forum: SCI-FI

Federation Legal?

Posted By James DellaPenna
Jim B,

Thanks for the link. Never would have thought about Wikepedia.

Jim D.

January 9, 2009 01:24 AM Forum: Eyepieces

TeleVue Plossl Eye Relief

Posted By James DellaPenna
Eric,

Tele Vue Plossel eye reliefs are as follows:

55mm 38
40mm 28
32mm 22
25mm 17
20mm 14
15mm 10
11mm 8
8mm 6

This data was taken from a specification sheet published by Tele Vue.

Jim

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