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Posts Made By: Rick Riley

November 13, 2003 01:58 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

William Optics Megrez 102

Posted By Rick Riley
Does anyone have any information on this telescope? I've been looking for a grab and go refractor for a while and I've been looking at 80mm scopes but I'd really like to get myself a widefield 4" refractor. I want to know approximately how much one of these weighs, if they're still made, and what kind of optics do they have (good, bad, average)? Anything you know about one of these would be helpful.

Rick Riley

January 8, 2004 10:17 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Telepod/ AT1010

Posted By Rick Riley
Will a telepod handle an AT1010? I'm trying to decide between a Megrez 80 II or an AT1010/Nighthawk and I've herd the AT1010 is a little heavy for an 80mm scope. Just wondering.

Rick Riley

March 22, 2004 07:35 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Grinding Tips

Posted By Rick Riley
I'm getting ready to start my first mirror. It's a 6" and I'm looking to make it around f/7 or f/8. Does anybody know of a website that has the whole process laid out on it? I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing (crossing my fingers) but I'm looking for all the information I can get. Thanks a lot,

Rick Riley

March 24, 2004 07:09 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Finished My First Day of Grinding

Posted By Rick Riley
Well I just finished my first day of grinding. Used up all of my 80 grit and was able to reach my goal of a 6" f/8 mirror without too much trouble. I can't believe that by rubbing pieces of glass together one is able to make a telescope mirror, it just seems unbelievable.

The only problem I ran into was that as I was working the bevel on my tool disappeared and I didn't notice it until I chipped my tool. Nothing happened to my mirror and I quickly put a new bevel on the whole tool. The chip was about 3 cm long and about 2-3 mm thick on the very edge of the tool. Will this cause me any problems in finishing this mirror or will it not matter at all? Thanks in advance,

Rick Riley

June 10, 2004 01:23 AM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

MaxScope 40

Posted By Rick Riley
We'll I think I'm going to take the plunge and get into H Alpha viewing (I just wish I would have made this decision before the transit). From what I've read the MaxScope 40 is the way to go over a SolarMax 40. My only question is should I go with the BF-5 or BF-10 filter? I don't do any photography and I really don't have much of an interest in starting so this will be a purely visual setup so will I gain anything in getting the BF-10 over the BF-5? Also, what is the real differance between these two filters and why is one so much more expensive than the other? Thanks a lot for your help.

Rick Riley

June 22, 2004 08:09 PM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

Just got my Maxscope 40

Posted By Rick Riley
Well I just got my new to me maxscope 40 this afternoon so I figured I'd apologize to everyone in the midwest for the bad weather that will surely happen for the next few days but at least we'll have clear nights.

Rick Riley

July 25, 2002 02:44 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Eyepiece Question

Posted By Rick Riley
Sorry. I definately want a 2". IMHO it's not worth getting a 1.25" when your at that high of a focal length. Thanks,

Rick

September 3, 2002 07:46 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Planetary Scopes

Posted By Rick Riley
The point I was trying to get at was just how much better would the planets be. They look great right now but I always wondered what it would be like using a long focus refractor on them. The first thing I really need is just a shorter focal length eyepiece with a wide field of view (probably a 4.8mm nagler). Thanks for the advice on all the little things I can do I've been meaning to fix up some of the little things and those sugguestion helped.

March 18, 2003 11:23 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Mars Scope

Posted By Rick Riley
Steve,

LOL yeah I'd love to make that offer with someone about a TV 102, as long as I paid the couple hundred for the scope! The reason I discounted a 12" SCT was my general dislike for them. I used one a couple of times and just didn't like it at all. It was a hastle to set-up and use. I also have never really heard anything about SCT's being good for planetary work. I've always heard APO's and long focus refractors or newts are best for planetary work. If this isn't the case I may consider a SCT but I really doubt I would buy one.

Rick Riley

March 20, 2003 01:54 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

STOLEN EQUIPMENT ALERT - ST.LOUIS REGION

Posted By Rick Riley
I live over in Edwardsville, IL so I'll keep my eyes open for anything. Good luck in finding the people who did this.

Rick Riley

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