Posts Made By: Donnie Bigers

Having been a member here for nearly 10 years I can say that there are problems like that--rarely. Then again I don't buy or sell a ton of stuff, but I am on here all the time. The most recent outage you mentioned was unfortunate. As Herb said though, everything they are doing in the background is for a reason. This place is the safest place to buy astro gear, nothing is even close. Not only that, but the other option that has some traffic--is inundated with scammers. So whatever was going on, was being done so for a reason.

But to answer your question, I would say it was just bad luck for you that it happened when it did and so shortly after you joined. Over the years this site has been solid as a rock.

If someone couldnt make out the division with a N5 then the scope was probably not properly collimated or the seeing conditions were terrible. Its also possible that he just had a bad sample. Deep space will be better than either of the other two options you mentioned because of the larger aperture.

The 90mm on Discovery's website I believe is a short tube 90mm. This scope while great for low power scanning of the MilkyWay and star clusters would not come close to the other two you mentioned on most anything. At that focal length an achromat will suffer from chromatic abberation.

There is a website called Cloudy Nights. Read all you can there. Still its best not to base your decision on others reviews. The best thing is for you to look through some of these scopes. If there is a local club in your area--join as soon as possible. Most clubs charge a modest yearly membership. Then you can go and check out many different scopes side-by-side in many cases. Then you will be able to make a better decision--that is right for you.

Of course if there is not a local club nearby, then you will have to go on the reviews. Just try and take each review with a grain of salt and I believe you will make the right choice. Either way, very few people buy one telescope and stop at that. It takes a while to find what is exactly right for each person.

Donnie

Did you call Celestron? I have spoke with them in the past. They do offer recaoting services or replacement optics, either way though its probably not worth it.

Unless it is known to have a very good figure, you would be better off just looking for a used OTA on Astromart. I checked on strip and recoat of my scope (9.25) at one point and was informed it would $500. Replacement optics would be $700.

Also you have to pay insured shipping both ways, and then they will have the scope for at least several weeks.

If it were me Iand I didnt have knowledge of how good the optics were before the mildew problem, I would look for a used OTA or even a new one.

Donnie

As an owner of an Ultima 9.25 for 2 years now I couldnt agree with you more. I love my scope and cant see parting with it anytime soon. I do foresee at some point gettign a small high quality refractor to compliment the 9.25.

Donnie

302

Great shots. The Red Fox is pretty elusive--you were in the right place at the right time.

Congratulations!!

Donnie

701

There is an article in the last S&T about this. Basically you buy a cheaper spherical mirror, then using mechanical means, you flex or pull the mirror into a parabola.

I dont think it will give "better" images than a true parabola, but its easier to make a spherical figure than a true parabola. (from what I've read) Which is why some have done this.

I think this is what you mean, if not then sorry.

Donnie

This looks indeed like the R200SS. Vixen as you may know, used to supply Orion with refractors and some reflectors. Orion just had their name put on them.

Recently though the deal between Orion and Vixen ended. Now all of Orion's telescopes come from China.

Donnie

Wow. If you and Kurt were hunters you would reach your limit in one afternoon. Great shots.

Of all the forums here, I enjoy this one the most. Everyday we are treated to the beauty of Mother Nature.

Donnie