Posts Made By: joseph badal

Recently I placed an ad for a AP180 . Quickly received an "I'll buy it" from an Amarter from S.Korea. I was reluctant to accept, but he offered additional consideration to help compenste for the extra hassles. Buyer would pay all customs and shipping expenses.
Turns out there were a few new (to me) hurdles:

1) have to obtain EIN from IRS
2) Verify buyer is not on one of four "do not ship to lists"
3) Shipment has to have "Shipper's Export Declaration" number from the "U.S Dept. of Commerce". The SED form HAS to be done online and requires training and passing a 35 multiple choice test. I took this test "cold" got 3 questions correct-FAILED.

Needless to say, doing all this for a one time sale would require more than a little additional consideration!Last year on an international sale did not have these as issues.

Question: Is the above possibly correct? Is there another way? Buyer seems legit.
Joe

Saw the press release from H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver for this telescope prototype. Was wondering if anyone has been following this optical technology. There was a comparison made to a 5 inch Schmitt Cassegrain and this prototype of a lunar image by and amateur astronomer. The "lens" is cube shaped with lenses stacking aperture diagonal to depth of 1:1 ratio. The scope looks more like an FLI proline-- is box shaped. Very small foot print. The company is Publicly traded in Canada (penny stock) with like a $150 million market cap. Is this real?

Robert, if you plan to use a travel scope for ccd photography as well as visual,I would recommend the traveler. It has a longer backfocus,threaded draw tube for more secure camera/scope interface and easier to mount STV(or even a finder). Purely visual, I like the stowaway which is much lighter, particularly when toting mount,eyepieces, etc.(with Tak P2-Z, a great portable package).The veracity of my judgement is exemplified in accompaning photo of my observational platform. Joe

Bob, you might consider the Q3.5 for travel. It is total compact system,mount scope, accessaies in easily portable case. Always available used on A-mart or ebay.Probably resell it for what you payed. Still pretty expensive for 3 times a year.No refractor with Gem, tripod as portable. Happy hunting, Joe

Ken, Great M13. I have an optec 3.3 Nexgen. I purchased it for a C11. I don't know which reducer you have, but I can lend you mine to check out if your interested. Joe

Thanks for the design recommendations. After some clean-up I have created additional space. This, however will require better over-all balance\ Feng Shui- which a large Newtonian might accomodate. My wife said "Not another LARGE telescope!". I Interpreted this as meaning maybe adding smaller scopes instead. She does have a good idea once and a while. I cant wait to surprise her with my latest Design coup. Hmmmm larg Newt,large Dob.....Joe

Hans, I have a em400 on order and have been recently informed that the base of the mount will not fit NJP tripod/piers without an additional adapter, which I noticed Anacortes now selling($200+). Then that adapter into G11/NJP adapter. AT least until someone fabricates a EM400/g11 adapter. Joe

I live in S. Palm Beach county and went to my first WSP last year. Pretty firm ground, though I used wooden blocks for the tripod. Bring long electric cord, seat or cooler, waterproof/dust cover for your stuff.Also, I ran down a center console and fished the cloudy days- good sailfishing(Fero-Blanco marina).

James the AP900 easily manages My c11, even with 20lbs.+ of accessories. I think my old c14 weighted a little over 50lbs. With additional accessories it was over 70lbs.It did carry it O.K. but I found it at it's limit. The AP900 for example will not carry my 55lb 8inch refractor without clutches slipping (longer moment-arm).I found the AP1200 had room to spare. Didn't I meet you at the WSP? Joe

Ivan. You do not state what lens system you are using with the STV-i.e. e-finder, borg, or whatever. I have used both with the AP130 with 1x7inch AP rail and saddle . I will send you photos if it applies to the optics you are using with the STV.Let me know. Joe