Posts Made By: Erik Hammarlund

I'm strongly considering moving into the 4" refractor world. I look at the classifieds and the scopes are all essentially the same: Tal FS102 or FC100; TV102, and the odd older TV or newer Vixen. Is there some simple, easy, explanatino taht someone can give me to show the difference between FC ans FS and Tak and TV?

Thanks...

My new Dob's arriving soon, and I've got absolutely no collimation tools. i used to have a piddly little thing i used for my old Starwatcher, but it's time to get some real ones.

that said, I've heard two distinct schools of thought: 1) buy a laser; and 2) don't :S

I'm leaning towards the Catseye setup (less likelihood of eye injury if my kid ever grabs it) but even there I'm still a little confused.

So which two do I need? Infinity autocollimator and catseye cheshire? Can I get away with not paying another $100 (OUCH) for a sight tube?

help!

My criteria:
1) I've got an Ultima 18, 7.5, and Barlow.
2) I want 1--or maybe 2--larger EPs.
3) I can't spend all that much money; maybe $250.

I want some advice--but please don't everyone start telling me to go sell my car and buy EPs, or to buy this: http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=375962, it's not going to happen... Are there folks here who can comment on the Honda Civics of the EP world? I don't want to end up with EPs taht won't work with my scope, and I'm humble enough to admit that--without help--I might screw this up.

My thoughts on possibilities in the $100 range new are (please realize I know very little about this; I'm just browsing ATWB) are:

Meade series 4000 super plossl 1.25" 32mm and/or 56mm(2"):
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product_list.asp?t=32

Anacortes house-brand 30mm birds eye view:
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=27&pid=8409&m=

William Optics SWAN 25mm, 33mm, or 40mm:
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=27&pid=8518&m=

TV 32mm plossl
(no link needed here, I think)

then there are others that I don't know well, like:
orion 35mm ultrascopic, http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=376748

or those UP 40mm mk70 Konigs that keep popping up on classifieds.

help!

I'm having trouble deciding between the millenium atlas and sky atlas 2000... which one do people here prefer and why?

I cant find it online for under $42/year... anyone with a current issue have a better rate on a subscription card that they can spare?

I've got a 62mm minox ed spotting scope--picked it up on superclearance some years back for under $400 including a 20-45 zoom EP 8)

Anyway, I'm thinking of moving away from the zoom to a 22x wide angle. The zoom SUCKS at low power, with a 34 degree (!) apparent field of view. It's acceptable at higher power, and isn't much wore than the 40x nonzoom eyepiece.

Now, the 22x wideangle EP is not that expensive--only $75 shipped, half the price of the 30x--and it's got a much improved 66 degree field. But what I DON'T know is how much I'll use a 22x at all! I never use it now.... but then again the view isn't so hot, so there's less motivation to do so. Any input from thie BB?

You need more stiction on your system.

You might first try moving the teflon pads up to the edge of the U in which they sit. this will cause the scope bearing to 'jam' more into the U, which increases the pressure and therefore the friction. That's an easy fix.

You might next try replacing one of the teflon pads entirely, with a higher friction pad. A tiny scrap of carpet will probably work. That's also an easy fix. (if it works but not enough, you can replace both pads, or play with the position as above).

You might ensure that you don't have a gloss finish on the contact surface of the wood bearing. this surface will make less of a difference with a teflon pad, and more of a difference with a carpet (or other) pad.

I don't think it's a hard thing to accomplish. DOn't worry.

The picture in question is visible here:
http://www.astromart.com/images/classifieds/382000-382999/382511-4.jpg
classified_id=382511

You'll quickly see what I'm talking about. The reflection has that same 'spotted' quality that I've seen occasionally in car windshields when the light is right and I"ve got polarized glasses. What is is? I assume that it can't be machine marks on a mak of that size and price. nor does it look like sleeks. And it's too regular to be clouds.

I've been looking for another larger field EP to use on my new 12.5" f5 dob (without paracorr).

I was leaning towards a 32mm TV plossl to add to the tv plossls I already own.

But then I saw that you can get a meade 5000 32mm, new, for about $115 shipped... in a two inch barrel w/ 60 degree apparent field. that's a hell of a field increase.

So can anyone really comment on them? I've read that online pdf review and it doesn't say much (not tested on an f5 reflector, plus it comments on 'value' instead of absolutes)

Hell, if the center 50 degrees is as good as a tv plossl, I'd love to pick up a 'free' 15 degrees extra!

Anyone know what's up with that meade factory outlet? I see two interesting things there, in particular an etx90 on a one arm autostar mount with tripod and accessories... for $275 SHIPPED (!)

There's also a 4.5" f8 newtonian OTA for $50 shipped (including tube rings, 2" focuser, and finder!) which is crying out to be turned into a cheap homebuilt version of Orion's $200 4.5 Dob, maybe for my daughter and/or nephew. Sure would make a nice finder at that price, too.

Hell, just the finder and focuser off the newt tube are worth more than $50 if you were to buy them new.

Is this legit? Is the stuff OK quality?