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Posts Made By: Bernard Kean

August 8, 2006 12:41 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Short-tubes and binos

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Larry
I do a lot of road traveling in my job and I bought a TV85 and Gibraltor for for that purpose and I found I just didn't do it. I usually just don't have the time to setup a scope and tripod get out the eyepieces then view and then put it all away again. However, I have found that I do use binoculars while on the road much more than I ever did the scope. Nice to pull off the road and quickly grab the binoculars in the daytime and check out a view. You might check out some of the lightweight 10x70 or 11x70 buy Garrett or Oberwerk. Still nice optics, and a bit more light gathering for night time and weigh about the same as some of the heavier 10x50's.
I'd say IMO, if you are on vacation type traveling where having the time to setup and really use a scope is not an issue then the scope. However, if your traveling is on the job like me and and maybe less time to enjoy the scope then maybe the binoculars maybe a bit easier to use. YVMV
Buck


August 13, 2006 04:42 PM Forum: Reflectors

Do I owe it to myself?

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Kurt
I am not by any means an expert however my feelings are that a nice refractor is complamented by an equily nice reflector. I started with refractors and quickly found the benefits of aperture. I would add to your list of potential scopes the Starmaster and Obsession. All have there their pros and cons, and you will have to sort out what you think will suit you best. Be aware of eyepiece height and componet weight, depending on your physical abilities.
Hope this helps
Buck

August 23, 2006 10:46 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Tube inserts

Posted By Bernard Kean
Bill
McMaster-Carr has them, search for "Tube Connector Nut"
Hope this helps
Buck

August 25, 2006 05:52 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Source for carbon fiber tubing

Posted By Bernard Kean
Dan do you need the pretty looking stuff or do you need something extremely strong.

August 28, 2006 07:00 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Experiences with Denkmeier Powerswitch ??

Posted By Bernard Kean
Peter
I have the Denk II Universal with dual Powerswitch and haven't noticed any dust from the unit itself, just the normal dust that collects on any glass surface. I use it with 13T6 Naglers and it works perfectly and no problems with mis-alignment that I can see. I've never tested it to see if or how much vignetting there is of the FOV of the Naglers, however being able to switch between 3 different mag's and not change an eyepieces is great. In my point of view it is worth the expense over multiple sets of eyepieces. I already had a few Naglers so I just matched them up, which gave me 6 powers with no overlap, with just 2 pair of eyepieces.
Buck

October 15, 2006 03:52 PM Forum: Telescope Making

PreciseParts rocks!

Posted By Bernard Kean
I agree, Doug. I had a single beam screw in fitting made of SS for my Howie Gladder Collimator to replace the plastic pushin one. I have to say the workmanship was excellent, and speedy.
Buck

October 19, 2006 11:43 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Zoom eyepieces for high power - TeleVue?

Posted By Bernard Kean
Inge
I'm with Dmitri and John. I've used the TV3-6 Zoom and now the TV2-4 Zoom and have compaired them with my Naglers and aside from the 50* AFOV I could not see any difference in the view. I've used them in refractors and reflectors without issue.
Buck

October 26, 2006 10:57 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Barlowed laser Collimation

Posted By Bernard Kean
Jim
IMO, just get the Glatter Barlow attachment for your laser and be done with it. It screws in where the grid attachment goes and it works very well.
Buck

November 3, 2006 05:53 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Is it me or my equipment

Posted By Bernard Kean
Johann
Others here have pretty much covered the factors in getting great views. I recently had the occasion to get away from my usual viewing site (back patio) and went up in the North Georgia mountains and had excellent conditions and very dark skies. All in all it was one of my all time best nights. IMO the sky conditions and dark skies will make more difference than anything else provided the scopes are collimated and in good working order.
Just my $.02
Buck

November 11, 2006 03:12 PM Forum: Eyepieces

if you can only have one?

Posted By Bernard Kean
Terry
I don't think you would go wrong with either. Depending on your scope, other factors such as Mag., and Tfov and ER might have bearing on the decision. A bit more power with the 13mm which usually means a little darker backround, but a bit larger Tfov with the 16mm. Also 10mm of ER relief in the 16T5 is a bit too close for me, YVMV. Decisions/ decisions, gotta love it. I've never use the 16T5 but my 13T6 get used every time I go out.
Just my $.02
Buck

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