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Posts Made By: Charles Hakes

July 13, 2002 10:45 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Hercules

Posted By Charles Hakes
For a broader picture, the keystone is pretty much on the line between Vega and Arcturus. Then follow details in previous posts.

Charlie

July 17, 2002 06:50 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Backpacker's Telescope

Posted By Charles Hakes
I have an ST80 (from Apogee) that I have hiked with (no overnighters yet...) and really like the widefield view in the daytime. I haven't used the Apex, but imagine that the narrower view wouldn't be as usefull generally, but maybe better at finding those bullet holes. One note about eyepieces - during the day I often try to view with my sunglasses on, so long eye relief is important for me then. (I don't wear glasses at night, though.) At night, I don't usually use a finder with this scope - 32mm eyepiece gives 12.5x. Close enough most of the time. Also, I can go up to 120x with no problem, but don't think I would want to do that with the travel tripod. I'd guess the more expensive (TV) scopes would give better high magnification images, but then again, would you want to do that with that tripod.

Charlie

July 26, 2002 06:23 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

which travel size scope to get?

Posted By Charles Hakes
I got one of the Apogee closeout 80mm f5 scopes and have to classify it as my best buy yet. During the daytime I carry it around with a lightweight tripod and like the views best at ~15x most of the time. You can't get that low a power with the Maks. The planet views may be better with other scopes, but this one can go up to ~100-120x with no problem. Anything higher than that and I would want a sturdier tripod than the EQ-1 I put it on for tracking. That miniEQ is the same as the EQ-1 except for the tripod. (I have thought several times about making a really short tripod for it, but haven't yet.) One thing you might need to consider with the price is which eyepieces you already have and what you would need to get depending on which focal length you chose.

Charlie

July 31, 2002 04:36 PM Forum: Telescope Making

unknown F-ratio

Posted By Charles Hakes
Another good clue as to the f5 rating is that Orion sells one and I don't think they sell an f6 in the 6" size. I have one of the 6" f5 and like it.

Charlie

September 1, 2002 04:25 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

8" Vs 10" SCT's

Posted By Charles Hakes
I have used both the 8" and a 10". I can get the 10" up on a wedge by myself, but the transport and setup are such a hassle that the 8" got much more use. I think of scope setup as how many armloads I need to carry everything to where I set up. I can easily carry an 8" SCT on it's tripod in one trip. With the 10", I would rather use a dolly even with just the OTA in it's case. Also, I can put the 8" in a small car.

Charlie

September 6, 2002 04:53 PM Forum: Telescope Making

focusers

Posted By Charles Hakes
I have the cheaper Orion 2" focuser and it is working fine for me. You can't beat the price of $32.95 plus S&H. I think it is better (smoother and less jiggle) than their cheaper 1.25" focuser. That kineoptics looks cool though.

Charlie

September 6, 2002 09:24 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Good view of Saturn

Posted By Charles Hakes
Yes, homebuilt. I'll try to get pictures posted sometime.

Charlie

September 9, 2002 05:04 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

First Filter?

Posted By Charles Hakes
I had a similar question late last year and ended up with the Meade narrowband. It is very similar to the Orion Ultrablock, but I think it had one more line (I forget which) that made it slightly better for smaller appertures according to someones review. I have been very pleased with the results and can recommend it. But then again, I have no experience with the others. I have pretty dark skies, so was advised against the skyglow type broadband filters.

Charlie

September 27, 2002 09:24 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

A question to Experts

Posted By Charles Hakes
I built an adaptor out of a rear lens cap for a telephoto lens (75-205 f3.5 zoom) just so I could try that as a small telescope. It worked better than I thought it would. However, it only works as straight through, (my adapter had no focus room for a diagonal) so it's not good for terrestrial observation. And not all of my eyepieces focus in the right place. Also, it was much heavier than most scopes, even cheap ones, that would work better.

Sounds like you have a nice lens that you might not want to take apart. My guess is that at f2.8 you might need those extra elements anyway. I would also guess that you could modify a diagonal somehow to adapt directly onto the back. Good luck.

Charlie

September 30, 2002 09:15 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

8" or 10" Dobsonian

Posted By Charles Hakes
Will you be moving this scope much? That would make a big difference. An 8" is on the edge of what you might call portable. As you've prabably heard, the best scope is the one that gets used.

Charlie

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