Posts Made By: Bernard Kean

Brad
If you cannot find anything off the shelf, you might try contacting Precise Parts. They are an Astromart sponser and do excellent work.
Just a thought
Buck

Hi Todd
IMO, I think I would stand pat on your current lineup. If you really wanted to par it down a bit, you could sell the 16T5 and the 12T4 and get a 13T6. I don't think I'd go for the Big Barlow, mainly because you say you have an ultralight dob and adding 3/4# (12oz.) might add weight/balance issues and take any extra cash from the 16/12 to 13 conversion and get your high power eyepiece of choice.
Just my $.02
Buck

How about the vinyl mats that go under desk chairs. Thick and tough, and just leave the screws in to retain it in place.
Just a quick thought
Buck

Hello Hans
I have the Denk II with PowerSwitch and it works great. I've been using the Nagler 13T6's and 5T6's. I already had a set of Naglers so it was easier to just match up new one to make a pair then buying new sets. Naglers probably vignet but the views are excellent with the 13's and the 5's are ok in the lower powers of the PS. The higher setting with the 5, I think the exit pupil get too small for me and turns dark and muddeled. I did have the chance to use the D21's and much prefered the views with the Naglers. The samples that Russ let me borrow were no where near as sharp as the Naglers. I do not know if it was this sample or if the Naglers were that much better?
Just my $.02
Buck

Hi Steve
I have the Denk II w/PS. Your choice of package might be determined by any other scopes you have or may have in the future. I went with the Universal package because I have a refractor and a newton. Different packages have slightly different powers which will effect your choice of eyepieces. In my 540mm fl refractor and universal OCS cell I get approx. 1.25x/1.8x/and 2.25x, however in the 1529mm fl newton I get 1.2x/1.7x/ and 2.3x powers. My best advice is to Go to the Denk site and figure out which package you will want and the associated powers you will get from the OCS cell, THEN figure out which eyepieces will give you a good spread of magnifications. Number crunching is the only way to arrive at which eyepieces will work best. You might also talk to Russ at Denk. for advise, he helped me a lot. The Naglers will probably vignette but I went with them because I already had several that worked with the power spread so all I did was buy a matching eyepiece to make a pair. They do work well and the views are excellent.
Hope this helps
Buck

Kyle
You might look into the TV Equilizer. It is a bronze 1.25"/2" adapter. Use your normal adapter with the heavier eyepieces and have your lighter ones in the Equilizer. I never have to rebalance my Gibraltar with NP101 when going from a 2" 26T5 to any 1.25" eyepiece and Equilizer. I have a 31T5 on the way so this may change.
Hope this helps
Buck

Hi Steve
Here is another source which sells it i smaller quanities but it still isn't exactly cheap.

http://www.wiringproducts.com/?target=dept_81.html

Hope this helps
Buck

Darrell
I've read this entire thread and there are a few helpfull ideas and a lot of bravado, but not once did I see where you offer to show her the stars. To solve the situation you need to bring her into the fold and turn her on to the night sky!! Romance her with an evening under the stars and show her things she has never seen. Show her your excitement for these sites to see and how much you enjoy them and express how much you would like her to enjoy them also. After all you are not buying the scope for you alone but for her also.
Well, I hope it works for you cause it didn't work worth a dang for me. Just kidding, actually it did work pretty well, she doesn't scream as long or as loud anymore and as I said in the earier post "Its easier to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission"
Buck

Hi Tom
I do not know your age or strength, but I couldn't imagine holding the 20x80 for more than a few seconds before things fall apart. I have the OB 11x70's and at 3.1# they are managable but at 11x they are on the edge my ability to hold them still. I know there are those that can hold 20x but I don't think the average person is going to like it for very long and the shakes will set in quickly. I also have the OB Ultra 15x70's, and at 5# there is no way I can hand hold them, so they are mounted. Awsome views too I might add. I use the 11x70's mostly for terrestial use because they are center focus and can be adjusted much more quickly, and the mounted 15x70 Ultras for astronomical use where individual focus doesn't matter.
Just my $.02
Buck

Hi Paul
Since you are aware of Televue products have you looked into the NP101 f/5.4? A 31T5 Nagler will give you 17.4X and a huge 4.5* TFOV and flat FOV.
Buck