Posts Made By: Michael Kawada

Using/plan to use for my 9.25 F/10 SCT...
40mm UO MK70 Konig 2" (purchased)
24mm UO Konig 1.25 (purchased)
16mm UO Konig 1.25 (plan to get)
12mm UO Konig 1.25 (plan to get)
9mm UO Ortho 1.25 (plan to get)
7mm UO Ortho 1.25 (purchased)
6mm UO Ortho 1.25 (plan to get)
5mm UO Ortho 1.25 (plan to get)
4mm UO Ortho 1.25 (purchased)
Any one else use these EP on a F/10 SCT? Would like to hear first-hand opinions. Thanks.

Regarding the USPS Postal service:

Since it costs so much to send heavy items via USPS "Priority Mail", is it legal to send by "Media Mail"? I know "Parcel Post" is legal, but I do NOT think "Bounded Printed Matter" is. Here's an example of the drastic cost difference between the three for a 20-lb package:
36.40 by Priority Mail (3 days)
26.12 by Parcel Post (3-6 weeks)
7.84 by Media Mail (3-6 weeks)

I have a feeling it's not legal, but just want to be sure.

-Mike

Are the two above barlows the same?? The TV 2" big barlow is twice as much, so I rather stay w/ the cheaper if they're just as good (or almost).

Would using a 2" barlow w/1.25" eyepieces be a better a idea than using a 1.25" barlow?

-Mike

Anyone know the eye relief of the following Orthos and Konigs UO sells? I could only find a few at Exelsis. So far I got:

Orthos-
18mm (15mm)
9mm
7mm (5mm)

Konigs-
24mm (10mm)
16mm
12mm

-Mike

Are polarizing filters for viewing the moon? If so, would it be wiser to get one over the ND?

-Mike

What are a few ways to cut down vibrations on a mount/tripod? Also, I have three questions in particular:

1) I have a spreader on my tripod - Would I want it toward the top or botton, or in the middle?

2) The dovetail rail on the SCT is attached by only a single screw knob to the mount head. Is there some way I can at least plug up the space around the area the screw touches the dovetail rail? Can I use cork?

3) I figured out that four 2.5-lb weights instead of one 10-lb countweight isn't as stable because the weight is distributed across the countweight bar (which is long). I figure I'll get a single 10-lb barbell weight and put it as close to the center as possible (this is an alt-az mount, similar to the GR-2) and lock it into place using my "real" 10-lb countweight. Barbell weight holes are bigger than the counterweight bar though - what can I use to make the hole smaller?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

-Mike

Is it possible to order one of these from Canada and have it shipped to US? If so, what kind of duties do you have to pay?

Was told that the mount head weighs 9.5 kg and the loading capacity is about 28 lbs. Pretty good - should hold a C9.25 or maybe a C11. Much more portable than an EQ6.

Anyone have more info on this?

-Mike

I spotted this mount being sold on eBay a few days ago. Any idea what it is??? The seller doesn't even know much about it except that it's from Russia.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2126878782

How do these work? I don't understand the concept.
On the other hand, if the "shakes" comes from the mount itself, and not the tripod, are these useless?

-Mike

Currently have a 9.25 ota (approx 22 lbs). Looking to upgrade to C11 ota (approx 25 lbs) one day. Visual use ONLY and no electronics needed. Must be STABLE in low winds.