Posts Made By: Dave Bentz

Can anyone provide a little help here? I have an 8x50 Bausch and Lomb straight through finder. Couldn't find any listings for such in the classifieds. Does anyone have any idea of its age or value?

Thanks,

Dave

I'm thinking about switching to an right angle finder. Here is the kicker. Fairly low budget and I want something with long eye relief. I was looking at the Orion finder, but I found that it only has 12mm eye relief. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

I could use a little help in recommendations on replacing the focuser on an 8" Meade Starfinder. Here are the details.

The current focuser is approx. 3" racked in and 5-1/4 racked out. I have a 2" hole in the OTA, but will be using primarily 1.25 eyepieces, so the adapter will be in place. I think it would be best for me to try to match the length of travel as much as possible.
I am considering a Crayford design, although the budget would probably demand that it be a used focuser or a great sale somewhere.
Is there anything that particularly shines or anything to shy away from in the Crayford category? JMI - RCF1 - reverse Crayford, Scoptronix, Rigel, Burgess, SmartAstronomy

Last, but not least, if I would stay with a R&P, what recommendations would you make there?

Thanks,

Dave

Got a little help a couple of weeks ago as I look for a new finder. I am continuing the quest as I look for something with long eye relief so that I can wear glasses while viewing. I'm looking for right angle correct image in an 8x50 or 9x60. Thus far, it looks like Stellarvue and University Optics are the front runners, as well as one made by Russell Optics. All are a little pricier than what I was hoping for, but I haven't found other options at this point, and they don't seem to show up in the classifieds much. One significant different in the specs - Stellarvue claims a near 7 degree FOV and UO puts theirs at about 4.5 degrees. How big of a deal is this? I would love to hear from folks with hands on experience with these finders. Recommendations from this list or others?

I've got a set of 8x40 binocs with the above name. They come in a hard leather case lined with red felt. Made in Japan. Can anyone provide me with some history on these things? I'm guessing they are 40-50 years old, but I can't find anything digging around on the web.

I have an older Meade Starfinder (pier mount, metal straps to hold OTA). I took the scope out 2 nights ago, flipped the switch on the DC motor and said, "Uh-oh." So, at the risk of gaining similar laughs as what I would receive from my auto mechanic...

It goes "Whizzzzz. Pause. Whizzzzz. Pause."

I have replaced the batteries and jiggled wires, but I cannot get it to run consistently. It does appear to turn the gear, but in a start and stop pattern.

The number on the motor reads RF 500TB 12560.
Am I looking at replacing this? Must it be replaced with the same motor
If so, what are my options, and where would I acquire it?
Recommendations?

Thanks,

Dave

I placed a similar post under equipment, but I didn't get much response. Thought I would give it a try here.

I have an older 8" Meade Starfinder (pier mount, metal straps to hold OTA). I took the scope out 2 nights ago, flipped the switch on the motor and it started with the following pattern:

It goes "Whizzzzz. Pause. Whizzzzz. Pause."

I have replaced the batteries and jiggled wires, but I cannot get it to run consistently. It does appear to turn the gear, but in a start and stop pattern.

What is the fix for my problem?
The number on the motor reads RF 500TB 12560.
Am I looking at replacing this? Must it be replaced with the same motor, or do I have options?
Where would I acquire parts?
Recommendations?

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Alex,

Your question is a good one, and I take it to be an honest one. Let me state up front that I'm not looking to be pushy, but am seeking to give you my take on a fair question.

First, it is not as though God is random. He doesn't hold different standards for different people. In the giving of His laws, we receive a moral standard. The problem becomes our failure in keeping the law. So, from the start, everyone is condemned. Sure, some are upright citizens, good neighbors, etc. while others are felons, terrorists and so on. But, all of us, to whatever degree, have violated His law.

The reason he can't just "love everybody" is because He is just. Think about what that would be like in our own judicial system. Would it be right for a judge to never pass a sentence on anyone because he was just so loving? He would be a lousy judge. In fact, it would be inconsistent with what his character should be as a good judge. He should pass an appopriate sentence where a sentence is due. I for one, don't want criminals running footloose because a judge just cuts everyone loose. God's holy/just nature demands the same thing. It would be inconsistent for Him to simply let everyone walk.

Again, everyone stands condemned...but with a way of pardon. So, in relation to the last statement in your question, there is not anyone who is deserving of a place in heaven. (Thus, those of us who call ourselves Christians have no room for boasting with an "I'm better than you," mindset.) Can we have strong convictions and disagreements? Absolutely. However, we're all morally bankrupt before God.

The way of pardon is where we see that God is both just and loving. Is He angry? Well, there is such a thing as righteous anger. I get angry when I read about a murder, violent crime, etc... However, God is also full of mercy. He makes a free offer for anyone who desires to not receive a criminal sentence at His hand. That is the distinctive of Christianity. It is not a matter of performing some set of tasks or keeping some set of moral standards to earn God's favor. The primary purpose in Jesus living, dying, etc. was not to be a good example, but to take the sentence upon Himself. Since we can't gain His favor by keeping God's law, He gives us a place for pardon at the cross of Christ.

I realize that this is a short answer to a very complex question, but perhaps it is a start to a good link. However, I think that it is good to know that God is not indiscriminately or unjustly angry with anyone. The fact that we violate simple moral laws (and not just things like murder, but also lying, envy, jealousy, and so on) is not His fault, it is ours. The amazing thing is that He offers mercy and love when nothing required Him to do so.

Hey Dave,

Great idea, and a great list for folks like myself who are working through these. I've found the following site very helpful and printed out each month to stick in a notebook.

http://observers.org/observing/

Clarification...

The drive will run off of 6 AA batteries and supposedly will run for 50 hours. It also has a 12vDC port. The manual indicates that "...it accepts a #607 Power Cord ...from as 12vDC automobile cigarette lighter plug. While the recommended supply voltage is 12vDC, the telescope will operate in a range of 6-18vDC."

I had read somewhere (can't remember where) that someone thought that this drive did not track as well as the AC drive. Just curious if there is any substance to this criticism or if the drives should track equally well.