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Posts Made By: Anthony Lutton

January 12, 2005 05:24 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

PST w/binoviewer - Kind of long and poorly written

Posted By Anthony Lutton
Not as poorly written as you suggest smile

As for the review, it sounds like a great combination. I wish I had a binoviewer... or a PST for that matter!

January 14, 2005 06:10 PM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

New toy!

Posted By Anthony Lutton
Congrats Maurice! I have a 14" due to be finished in February. I'll be sure to post lots of pictures me and the scope once we become inseparable. (did that sound ok?!)

January 18, 2005 01:03 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Lucked out!

Posted By Anthony Lutton
I'd say for one of the prettiest scopes out there, Rob Teeter definitely does a nice job. He tends to work with longer focal lengths as well, he makes "Planet Killer" scopes.

If you like wood working and that type of stuff, pick up the book by Dave Kreige and start designing a scope around the mirror! Join the Yahoo! BigDob group if you already haven't (assuming you have since you own a few already) and ask for ATM references.

January 24, 2005 08:27 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Any idea what Celestron's "big news"

Posted By Anthony Lutton
I was thinking something along the lines of a smaller Dall-Kirkham design of their 22" or whatever. Or possibly a new "fast" CCD type platform?

January 26, 2005 05:09 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

ED80 or ETX90?

Posted By Anthony Lutton
I disagree. I had both, I have the ED80 currently (8" SCT replaced the ETX). The ED80 is a great widefield/low power scope. But you REALLY have to use some short focal length eyepieces or barlows to get high powers for planets, moon or double stars.

The ETX on the other hand is f/13.8 and a 9-12mm eyepiece gives good views with decent eye relief. If I were to ONLY use the ETX for planets/moon and double stars it'd be my choice.

For overall usage and value, the ED80 is the better choice as the other posters mention. But it is larger and heavier by quite a bit.

January 28, 2005 06:02 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Lunar observing - standard inverted or terrestrial

Posted By Anthony Lutton
Hmmm, I use my 80mm refractor and a copy of Rukl's Atlas of the Moon and the Clementine Atlas. I've gotten so used to having everything backward that I don't even give it a thought really. I can track down things quite easily.

BUT, I started out this way and never tried it the other, so I guess I'm biased. I'll have to borrow a RACI diagonal or something and try it out.

January 30, 2005 12:20 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

First views ever!

Posted By Anthony Lutton
Congratulations!!! Plus you went with a great scope for your first pick! I have the 80mm ED as my smaller scope and love it.

I hope you and your family enjoy astronomy as much as we all do here.

January 31, 2005 03:14 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

taking a telescope on an airplane

Posted By Anthony Lutton
I have taken a Televue Pronto and also an ETX90 OTA on airplanes. Just check the OTA in a small case (ETX had modified plastic toolbox with foam in it, Pronto had a softcase carrybag) as your carry on luggage. I put the tripods as normal luggage.

Both scopes were fine and I really enjoyed having the ETX in Arizona!! The Pronto went to Maine a few years ago, but I got clouded out that entire week.

January 31, 2005 03:16 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Inexpensive mounts..

Posted By Anthony Lutton
If you are handy with a saw and wood, I can send you some pictures of the one I made. I've seen lots of examples of home-made alt-az mounts.

Mine works great for my Orion ED80, although it is a tiny bit bulkier than a photo tripod or something like a telepod. But, the entire thing only cost me about $70 and I used nice red oak as my wood.

February 1, 2005 01:21 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Views through a 14" Celestron SC

Posted By Anthony Lutton
If it was a club scope, the collimation or cleanliness could have been poor. Also, if you notice, most people don't knock the longer focus 6" newts smile They have a reputation for giving great planetary views.

Although a 14" SCT should out do it handily, I'd believe the collimation was off. It could have been poor atmospheric conditions though. Some nights the sky will seem really clear for deep sky objects, but the air boundaries aren't steady enough to support high magnification for planets. Often times, a hot and slightly hazy night is best for planets and lunar viewing.

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