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Posts Made By: Bernard Kean

June 3, 2009 12:57 PM Forum: Mounts

Tell me about your Round Table Platform

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hello Folks
Well I've been driving a Starmaster 11" DOB for some time now and have the bug to get a platform mount and the RoundTable seems to fit the bill. The problem is I've never seen one much less used one. I would like to hear the good, the bad, and really would like to hear the ugly if there is any, for you Round Table owners.

Thanks
Buck

June 6, 2009 12:38 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Tell me about your Round Table

Posted By Bernard Kean
After 3 days and no replys on the mount forum, I am cross posting here.

Hello Folks
Well I've been driving a Starmaster 11" DOB for some time now and have the bug to get a platform mount and the RoundTable seems to fit the bill. The problem is I've never seen one much less used one. I would like to hear the good, the bad, and really would like to hear the ugly if there is any, for you Round Table owners.

Thanks
Buck

January 13, 2010 12:05 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Re: virgin teflon source

Posted By Bernard Kean
Virgin Teflon can be had at Meridian Telescopes and McMaster-Carr. Rocords for ground board bearing.....never heard of it.
Buck

July 31, 2010 08:16 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

Birding Bins for Astronomy

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hello Folks
The Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Swarovski EL 8.5x42, and Nikon EDG 8x42 are all top
of the line Birding binoculars, however how do they fair at astronomy? I know
that characteristics like depth of field and some field curvature make great
birding bins, but does not necessarily make good astronomy bins that generally
have a flatter field. I have a decent and inexpensive pair of Garrett 8x42
DCF-TWP Triplets that have served their purpose for terrestrial and astronomy
finders, however I have been thinking of getting a better pair and hesitate
dropping that kind of money if they do not have good, sharp stars on center at
least for a better part of the FOV.

Thanks
Buck


March 28, 2004 03:42 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Star Testing

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Leif
I'm certainly no expert, but a planet is not a good choice to do a startest. Pick a bright star near zenith and get upwards of 200x then try again. Here is a site to get some idea of what you are looking for. http://perso.club-internet.fr/legault/collim.html

Hope this helps
Buck

April 2, 2004 10:44 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Telepod head question

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Michael
Using the 1/4-20 will not be a problem, that is what it is there for. I've not heard of anyone ever having a balance problem used this way. I've never seen the tripod you have but maybe check to see if you can remove the 1/4-20 stud, if you can, than most camera stores should have an adapter stud.
Hope this helps
Buck

April 3, 2004 01:10 PM Forum: TeleVue

TV Renaisance eyepeices

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Joe
I'm in a simular situation with a TV101 f/5.4 540mmFL. Getting high power out of these things is tough, small jump in eyepiece FL is a big jump in Mag. A while back I bought a 13mm T6 and it is a great eyepiece and it convenced me to convert to Naglers. With a good finder you should be able to get most targets in the FOV with the 12mm. I've never looked thru a 4.8.. but from what I've heard from others is, while it is a good eyepiece but it is one of the original Nagler designs and the T4/5/6's are much better. I did pickup a 7mm & 5mmT6 and both are excellent. I've been bitten by the Nagler bug. Naglers are not a curse, they are the cure!
Hope this helps
Buck

April 3, 2004 04:05 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Beginner EP question

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Bart
I would suggest a book called "Star Ware" by Phillip Harrington to be very helpful when I started out. It covers all the basics of the equipment for this hobby including explanations of eyepieces and geared for the beginner. It is availible at most book stores or online.
Hope this helps
Buck

April 15, 2004 01:29 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

correct time site

Posted By Bernard Kean
Ted
Here is one (http://nist.time.gov/)that is web based but will not sink or maintain your computer but it is free.
Buck

April 21, 2004 09:17 PM Forum: TeleVue

Telepod and TV Computer Setting Circles

Posted By Bernard Kean
Hi Scott
Yes the Sky Tour does work. I'm still learning it myself. Last weekend I did some trial and error testing and I have come to the conclusion that it is much more accurate if the tripod is leveled. I just used a bubble compass and set it on base of the yoke frame. After setting up, I could get targets almost centered in the FOV with my TV101 and 7mm Nagler. It does have an Identify function but I haven't got there yet. Is it worth the money, that's your call.
Hope this helps
Buck

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