Posts Made By: Dannon Vick

The Ms. and I are going to Colorado (Denver / Vail area, but willing to travel) for our fifth anniversary in early November; during a portion of this time, we'd like to observe (it's a kind of clear out there that you just don't get here in the swamp). I've been racking my poor little noodle (no jokes, please) thinking of the best way to do so; here're are the 85 octane options so far.

1. Ship our 16" dob out and back (we live in Florida). Total cost ~$350 + how ever much damage is caused by UPS.

2. Buy a used scope out there, and then ship it back. Total budget ~$1,200 but that's a bit extravagant.

3. Find some wack-job with a decent scope in a dark sky area that is willing to view with us / lend in sub-freezing weather that isn't going to kill and devour us. (If you happen to be this person - no offence, I just like my spleen.)

4. Rent a scope. Where; I don't know, you tell me!

5. The ever popular "other".

Anyone else had this problem? How did you solve it? (Attached picture to drive hits. Suckers...he heh heh.)

I have been pricing equatorial platform's but they seem to be as much or more than a ServoCat; therefore, is there an advantage to a equatorial platform?

A couple of weeks ago I had posted for collimation help on a truss dob( http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpost.asp?forum_post_id=356207&poll_id=&news_id=&page=4 ). The general consensus was weak truss tubes / pole flex.

I've now upgraded to 1.125" diameter, .059" wall poles (as large as the scope will take) from 1.000" diameter, .055 wall. And now the oddest thing is occurring; from approximately 50 degrees vertical to 90 degrees (completely vertical) there is still a collimation shift of about 0.5". (Check out the video's on the prior post to see what I'm talking about). Conversely, from 50 degrees to 0 degrees (horizontal) there is no measurable shift at all, so the stiffer poles have made quite a difference here.

Can anyone help me with why now my problem is only from 50 degrees and up? Here's what's been eliminated so far:

1. It's not the primary; a piece of tape had been laid on top of the mirror box. The laser still moved. (See prior post)

2. All tightening points are tight to overly tight.

3. The collimator is a perfect fit in the focuser and isn't tightened (I've tightened it to check, and the same thing happens.)

There is a good chance that this has already been suggested, (if so, feel free to beat me with a large wedge of cheese and/or a marmot) but if not, perhaps there could be a "deals and discounts" section where corporate sponsors can list any specials that they are running (i.e. free shipping, 10% off, etc.) This would be a central location rather than spread through the forums and classifieds.

I might end up with an 8 - 11" unmounted SCT OTA. What is the most economical (or at least the best value) way to mount it with Goto and tracking? The scope is to be used for visual and light imaging (planetary) work, so a "rock solid" platform is not required, of course a "rickity" platform would be bad.

Anyone had good luck recoating (or even finding anyone willing to) recoating a Dob secondary?

D!

I'll be in the Breckenridge area on the 14th and 15th and would like to go to any public observing nights anywhere in the state.

Thanks!

I'm looking for the three best eyepieces for an ETX 125. I'm partial to Tele-Vue and plan on doing "highlight" work with scope (Moon, planets, Messier's). I have a flexible budget of $500. Your suggestions?

I seemed to have forgotten to search....
http://www.astromart.com/messages.asp?message_id=44533&page=

Any thoughts on this, and does it add much value?

Thanks all. I've aborted before it was too late......now to find a store front selling Ultimas or Ultrascopics in Central Flordia.....


Dannon