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Posts Made By: Gary Weber

January 14, 2006 05:56 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Antares Optics - ?!!?

Posted By Gary Weber
Antares Optics web link (http://www.antaresoptics.com) does not work. I am looking to purchase a new secondary for my reflector. Does anyone know what happened to Antares? They were there a couple weeks ago...

Gary Weber

November 8, 2006 12:16 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: one scope only!!!!!

Posted By Gary Weber
If only one scope, I would view much less, but choose an instrument that would still provide me with some WOW moments. I pick something like a 14 or 16 inch Starmaster. The Manufacturer is not too important, but that's the size I would pick.

A short focal ratio scope still allows me to keep my feet on the ground. It's got enough aperture to make galaxy hunting interesting and entertaining. Planetary views will be superb. Relatively easy to transport and set up. Definately not grab & go, but when viewing from a dark site, it would provide very memorable views.

Gary Weber

August 8, 2003 04:32 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

"SOLD" ads with no original

Posted By Gary Weber
It's not so much that they are sold elsewhere, but sold quickly on astromart. Once the item has a pending sale, rather than listing it again indicating the status, most people ammend the original listing to indicate the change in status.

I am assuming this is what happens as it is what I have done for a few sales.

Gary Weber

August 26, 2003 01:31 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

2-inch Barlow under 2X?

Posted By Gary Weber
Astro-Physics sells a "convertable barlow" or Barcon, which is 1.7x. It is a very fine barlow, but pricy as you would expect from AP.

Gary Weber

September 2, 2003 03:31 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Stellarvue binocs & other binocs questions

Posted By Gary Weber
I have a pair of Stellarvue 12x60s. They're generic Chinese binoculars as best as I can tell. I have also spent time observing with Oberwerk 9x60s before handing them off to a friend as a gift. The Oberwerks are less expensive and no difference optically from my observations.

If they no longer list them on their web site, Stellarvue is probably getting out of binoculars.

I would suggest if inexpensive Chinese binoculars are what you are looking for, Oberwerks from big binoculars.com will provide good selection and service for a reasonable price. Many people have Oberwerks and as long as you're not expecting Fujis, they represent good value in decent binoculars.

Gary Weber

September 10, 2003 06:51 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Best improvements in performance

Posted By Gary Weber
On a recently acquired 8 inch newt:
- Flocked the entire inside of the tube.
- Upgraded to a JMI crayford AND adjusted to make it light touch to change focus.
- Replaced the stock diagonal & mirror to a three vaned Protostar mount and mirror.

Great boost in contrast and the focusing at high power does not impart any movement.

Gary Weber

September 10, 2003 09:14 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Nebular Filters?

Posted By Gary Weber
No, but I have preliminarily tested the Lumicon OIII with the Astronomik OIII. During a night with a LVM of about 5.9, there was no discernable difference in my 12.5 reflector. However, during a night with a LVM of 6.4, the Lumicon showed a significantly greater amount of detail in the veil. The Astronomik is brighter, but there is definately more detail within the wisps & curls of the nebula with the Lumicon.

I am curious to try them both from a dark site with my 4" refractor. But I won't be selling my Lumicon anytime soon.

Gary

Gary Weber


October 7, 2003 12:35 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Viewing the planets

Posted By Gary Weber
If you wish something far more portable than your reflector, then a small Apo will be fine and certainly a good second scope. However, if you are just looking for a planetary scope, neither of these will outperform your reflector.

I own a 12.5 f/6 Starsplitter and my off axis mask, with no central obstruction, is about 4.8 inches (if I remember correctly). I haven't used it much, but the larger aperture of the off axis mask will provide better detail on the planets than any 4" scope. I find on nights of mediocre seeing, the full 12.5" is always better (larger image - more detail) than my 4" refractor.

So it really depends on what you really want.

Gary Weber


December 1, 2003 12:09 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

filter slides and diffraction

Posted By Gary Weber
I use an Astrocrumb filter slide on my 12.5" truss Dob. I really love the convenience of the filter slide. The slide just barely intrudes into the light path and can be noticed while collimating as a small flat spot on the image of the primary. If I am not using filters, I remove the slide and there is no intrusion into the light path.

I do on occasion use filters while doing planetary observing. I have never noticed any diffraction effects from the slide.

Gary Weber

December 12, 2003 11:28 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Removing a diagonal from epoxied mount

Posted By Gary Weber
You may wish to try a high E string from a guitar. Use a "C" shaped frame (like a bow) to mount the string and simply use it like a saw on the epoxy.

Gary Weber

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