Posts Made By: dan hilts

Rod has it right. In small sizes, this is a lot eaier than some folks would make it out to be. You can finish a 4.25 easily in a weekend. (in a day once you've been through the process)

Aim for an F8-F10 and you won't have to parabolize it. If you are out by a few inches on the targetted focal length it won't matter until it's time to make the tube.

When you get bored with the longer scope, regrind the mirror down to an F5-F6 and have a go at parabolizing.

Have fun but be aware, it's addictive!

dan

Postal service is a no-brainer. Once the package is mailed it is gone. It goes through customs at the receiver's end and the postal service delivers the package or a notice that the package is available for pickup. In Canada, we have to pay some taxes on in coming goods. Some buyers ask the seller to quote a lower value to avoid taxes but this also sets the maximum for any potential insurance claim.

Couriers are a different story. Couriers typically charge an additional brokerage fee that the receiver has to pay. They contact the addressed receiver and let them know how much is due. Often this comes as a surprise to both the receiver and to the shipper. Unfortunately, if the receiver refuses to pay the brokerage fee, the package is returned to the seller who has to pay the fee to get his goods back. (The courier did the work they were contracted to do, they want paid.) The whole deal goes sour and there can be hard feelings all around.

When you add in the possibility of lost packages or damaged goods, cross border shipping can be a crap shoot. Insurance claims are difficult and getting a settlement is tough.

Overall, some folks don't like it. I have never had an issue and rely on the Canada/US postal services a lot. I have looked into postage rates for some overseas deals and the cost is simply prohibitive.

dan

I have a number of filters and have never noticed a defect in the coatings on any of them. I would not expect any either. While I agree with Rod that a pinprick or two would not affect the images, they may affect the resale value if the defects are at all noticeable. Besides, if I have paid new retail price for something, I don't feel good accepting less than I expected. If you have the option to exchange them, I would be inclined to do it. What are you going to do a year from now if you have to clean the filter and discover that the pinprick is blistered defect?

dan

I have always attempted to respond in detail on these threads hoping that by informing others, they will be able to ship cross border with comfort.

Still, I can't help but feel that every time this topic comes up, all we do is educate a few more individuals to the pitfalls of cross border shipping and the next time they place an ad they include "CON-US Only!"

dan

Yes, it is an obvious pale blue and really easy to spot since it almost exactly west of Jupiter. I was out Sunday night and an observing buddy found it in his Galileo scope.

dan

On a real tight budget, I would play it safe. Plossls are probably the best all aeound eyepiece that don't suck a lot out of your wallet. I would reccomend a 25-26mm and a 15-17mm. Then get a 2X barlow to provide the equivalnt of a 12.5mm and a 8mm.

dan

If you think about it, the danger zone is really quite wide. The sun doesn't need to illuminate the whole mirror and the reflection doesn't need to go through the eyepiece. If any portion of the light hits the mirror and there is a concentrated beam of light reflected onto a flammable surface, it is a potential problem. Even if only a sliver of a 12" mirror is sunlight, there's a lot of engery in the reflected beam and it doesn't need to be well focused to start a fire.

dan

Hi Terri,

I would suggest that you visit the Roswell Astronomy Club and maybe spend some time looking at some scopes. If they have organized observing sessions you will get a chance to compare the different scope designs and find what suits you best before you lay down the cash. I am sure you will be welcomed and most folks are only too happy to talk about their gear.

good luck,
dan

It would certainly end the worry about not having enough money to retire.

dan

David Cotterell said:

Well, that pretty much covers it.

Dave

Thankyou, and all the best to you too!

dan