Posts Made By: mary hofer

I had posted an ad looking for a GoTo mount for a Sky 90. Then my computer crashed and I lost your e-mails. Please send me a new e-mail so I can buy one of your mounts!
Mary

Does anyone know of any star parties on the Big Island around the time of the Mars opposition?
I'd also be interested in any advice on accomodations in the Kona area for places that are reasonably close to a decent viewing area...
Thanks!
Mary

They look mighty intriguing...
Mary

Okay, how 'bout this?
What's the lightest weight mount/tripod that you know of for a 12.5 pound scope (Mak-cass)? Alt-az is fine- it's for traveling.
I'd bought a Sky90, but I'm debating on whether I really need more aperture for the travel scope...

I'm just starting to plan a first homemade scope project, a truss dob. Debating on what size I can get away with, if I want to be able to transport it. I guess weight is the biggest issue- I'm a small gal! Any input as to what size is feasible for me? I've also looked at some of the scope making kits- are they worth it over doing it all from scratch, if you've no experience and have no previously developed carpentry skills?
Mary

Yee-hah!
Well, I just put my name on a 12.5" mirror blank at the local scope making workshop! I wasn't planning to grind myself, but everyone was so friendly and enthusiastic about doing it all by hand that I got swept away! So I start next Friday! Still thinking of doing the Telekit. I'm no carpenter, and designing and building a mount seems a heck of a lot more involved to me than doing the mirror, which is just very time-intensive...
Thanks to all who gave their input on sizes. Looking for Kriege's Dobsonian scope book for some "light" bedtime reading, but it's all very exciting...
Mary

Well, I spent my anniversary at my the local telescope making workshop (it was okay, the husband had a gig...and I was so excited to start grinding-first time!). I wanted to go ahead and pre-order a Telekit kor the f/5 12.5" mirror I'm making (not too skilled carpentry-wise, thought I'd be better off with a kit), and they're asking me about secondary sizes. I see this was an issue here for a while. Randy at Astrosystems recommended a 2.6" secondary- do you agree? Any recommended sources for high quality secondaries?
Mary

Hey all-

My 12.5" f/5 mirror is coming along nicely (I just graduated-finally-to 120 grit!), I have a Telekit on order, and I'm just starting to research the rest of the stuff on my list for it. Planning on a Protostar secondary, so the only thing left is a finderscope. I haven't yet gone for the Rigel/Telrad type, really just want a classic type finder. Any recommendations on size or brand? On my other scopes I've always just stuck with the stock finders that came with them...

Mary

After all the questions I posted on travel scopes a few months ago, I wanted to report on the scope I finally did take as carry-on on a total of 6 planes going to and coming from Fiji...

I'd originally bought a Sky 90, but was disppointed in what its aperture revelealed, despite the pinpont stars (my other scope's an 11"), so a few weeks before the trip, I contacted Vince at Infinity Scopes and he agreed to build me an 8" Uti newt with a palm-controlled digital setting circle program. Check out his website- he's an Astromart sponsor.

It arrived in plenty of time for the trip, with gorgeous optics, pinpoint stars, and a much better ability to resolve globulars than the Sky 90 (surprise, surprise!).
Vince's customer service is unrivalled- after a few phone calls and countless e-mails, we determined that my palm wasn't interfacing correctly with the program. He spent a weekend rewriting software, sent me a loaner palm to take to Fiji, and ultimately went way beyond the call of duty to make sure I had an operable scope for my trip (remember, by this time I was leaving in a couple days!) and also to improve the Uti's software system.

One thing I like about the DSC is that, unlike my Nexstar's go-to, the Uti is still moved manually. I can try to find an object by starhopping, and if I don't succeed I can punch in the object with the palm, and it will direct me to the right place. Seems like a nice compromise between knowing the sky and coping with frustration!

I had a backpack case cover made for the scope, and managed to lug the 22 pound scope on all those planes and to fulfill my quest- having the biggest carry-on aperture possible for my first jaunt to Southern skies- and it was so well worth it!

I hear the Uti got a "best new product award" by Astronomy mag- I'd heartily recommend them too! (and no, I'm not affiliated with them. I just wished when I was deciding on a scope that I could find more reviews or customer comments about the Uti...)

Mary

Anyone have any suggestions for the widest high quality field of view I can get in a 1.25" eyepiece?

Mary