Posts Made By: ashton kaidi

I am currently considering 2 mounts for my AP 130 f 8.35. Since I can't find an AP 900, I am looking at the tak EM200 or the NJP. The scope wt. is 16 lbs. I want to use it primarly for CCD imaging (so there an additiona 3 to 4 lbs of camera wt. total scope+camera wt around 22lbs). Which mount do you think would work better. Your input is greatly appreciated.
ashton

I was wondering if any one knows how to lock the primary mirror on a Celestron 9.25 SCT and if this is a must for CCD imaging. I sincerely appreciate all of your responses
ashton

Hi:
Thank you for reading this message. I am scheduled to go to a star party later this month and wanted some help about portable power supply. I am planning on running a Losmandy G11 mount, a SBIG camera (2000XM), laptop and Kendrick Dew removing system. Can anyone help and tell me what type of battery/power source I should purchase and where I can get them. I am hoping to image and run my system for 10 to 12 hours.
I sincerely appreciate your help
Ashton

Hi
I recently acquired a new AP155 f7 EDFS version (2.7" focuser). I currently have a latest version G11 (with Servo drives) with Gemini GOTO on a pier. I am looking forward to mainly CCD imaging. Do you think the G11 is an adequate mount for CCD imaging. I have been using the G11 with a 4" refractor and a SBIG camera with great images and success. The AP155(OTA) wt is 23lbs. If the G11 is not adequate, what are some suggestions? I would love to get an AP900 but as you all know there is a long waiting list. How about the MI250 or the Losmandy HMG Titan mounts? Any help is much appreciated
Best regards
Ashton

Hi
I recently acquired a new AP155 f7 EDFS version (2.7" focuser). I am looking for a good platform for this scope. I currently have a latest version G11 (with Servo drives) with Gemini GOTO on a pier. I am looking forward to mainly CCD imaging. Do you think the G11 is an adequate mount for CCD imaging. I have been using the G11 with a 4" refractor and a SBIG camera with great images and success. The AP155(OTA) wt is 23lbs. If the G11 is not adequate, what are some suggestions? I would love to get an AP900 but as you all know there is a long waiting list. How about the MI250 or the Losmandy HMG Titan mounts? Any help is much appreciated
Best regards
Ashton

I was wondering how to perform an optical test on a refractor. How likely is it for a good refractor's collimation to be altered during shipping. Thanks
Ashton

Hi Guys
I am posting this message to see if any of you have had a similar experience with Anacortes. I purchased what I was told and paid for a new Vixen SCT. I paid for the scope plus shipping. When I recieved the scope, it was obvious that it was a floor model with multiple scrtches and dents on the OTA and the viewfinder. When I contacted them, they agreed with the used status of the scope and asked me to re-package it and return it. They asked me to pay pay for shipping and that they would give me instore credit to use towards the purchase of another OTA. They recieved the OTA and started the process of finding another one. A few days passed and after multiple phone calls and emails, they stated that they could not find another Vixen OTA and offered to find me another scope. After some back and forth, I decided to go with a C9.25 OTA that costed less than the Vixen OTA. Because, I was in a hurry to use it at a star party, they offered to have Celestron ship the OTA directly to me. I assumed that they would cover shipping charges. When I recieved the final statements, I was chrged three times for shipping. I ended up buying an OTA that was about $150 less, spent $90 on my own to ship the scope back and ended up with a credit of only $17. I really think that this is unfair. They right out admitted that the mistake was on their part and are not willing to cover the shipping charges. I expected much more from Anacortes and had purchased from them on multiple occasions before without any problems, but this one really hurts. What do you guys think? What should I do next? Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Best Regards
Ashton

Hi
I recently obtained an AP155 EDFS at 23lbs and have been on a waiting list for an AP900 mount for a year, and I was told it will be another year before I can get one. I was wondering if you guys can tell me what would be an excellent mount for CCD imaging for this scope. I figured there will be about 28 lbs of weight with all of the equipement (camera etc)loaded. Your input is greatly appreciated.
Ashton

Hi
I just placed an order for a MI250. I was wondering if any of you can make suggestions about what pier I should use. i.e portable vs the heavy duty pier (MI 8-P) form MI. My main objective is stability for long exposure CCD imagimg. At the same time I would like to take it in and out of my garage and am not sure if Jim's mobile designs wheely bars for the MI piers. I would appreciate any input on how to achieve a combination of stability and portability.
Best regards
Ashton

Hi
Can anyone tell me what the PEC error on a MI250 is. Is it as good as an AP900 or the Tak NJP mount. I have placed an order and want to be sure it can carry a 30 Lbs load with excellent tracking for long exposure CCD. Any response is sincerely appreciated in advance.
Ashton