Posts Made By: Larry Seguin

Just came in to take a break from Jupiter watching, and I noticed something interesting. I've always considered my UO ortho's to be the last word in sharpness in my collection. Tonight I tried a mix of EP's just for fun: 25 mm Antares Elite on a 2.8 Klee(for 8.9 mm's); 20 mm Antares Elite on 2X Ultima (9.1 mm) 10.5 Pentax Xl; and a 9 mm UO ortho. On the scope I was using the magnification range was from 135X-114X, so there wasn't a great difference there. The best out of the pack was the 20 mm Antares on the Ultima. It was visibly better than the UO, even with the extra glass-lots of belts, festoons and whirls, and the great Red Spot as plain as day. Who'dathunkit?
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

Doing a little web-surfing...ran across Gary's site. He has an 80 mm finder scope listed for $75. The price is right, and when it comes to quality, I prefer to put the money on mirrors and EP's, so I guess I'm just interested in finding out if this is an adequate 80 mm finder. Any one have experience with these finders?
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

I'm hoping to hear some opinions from folks who have owned BOTH of these eyepieces. The question being: do you find a reason to prefer one of these EP's over the other? Yes, the Nagler has a wider field, and yes, the Pentax has slightly higher magnification, I know. But, after using both, have any of you folk found a reason to prefer one strongly, or is it six of one and half a dozen of the other (or 5 and 7, and so on). I'll be using these in an 8" f/6 dob, and a 14" f/4.7 dob. the XL I already have, the T4 would take it's place between a 17 T4 and the 10.5, or a 7 MM Pentax XW if I sell the 10.5. Thanks for any input!
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

Mowing the back yard today, looking at the sunny blue New Mexico sky, enjoying a few random thoughts...
Even after ten or so years in this hobby I don't consider myself an expert, just someone who's having a great time, continuing to learn all the time! As a beginner, I remember being frustrated by the quality and amount of equipment I could afford--envying the views some were having through the Nagler class eyepieces, lusting after bigger and better scopes. If only I could lay my hands on some really premium equipment, then I'd really see some things! It's true...nice equipment provides nice views. I'm really beginning to appreciate, though, that nothing can substitute for time at the eyepiece.
This last year has been notable for observing: All the usual, grand DSO's seen in twelve months; notable comets; a very favorable opposition of Mars; the stunning, yearly views of Saturn and Jupiter. What with all the marvelous opportunities for planetary observing, I spent a LOT of time scoping out the planets this year. Funny thing--I'm seeing a lot more than I used to! When I first looked at Jupiter ten years ago, I recall thinking: "that's nice." I could make out the two equatorial bands, and a few hints of other things maybe. But after ten years of looking, and after the last year of intense looking. I'm beginning to see the wealth of detail I'd always envied others for seeing. Rich detail and multiple banding on Jupiter, All sorts of atmospheric detail in Saturn's cloud tops, beautiful. memorable views of Mar's surface. Not only planetary detail, but richness in nebular structure, and scads of faint stars in globular clusters. It's like an upgrade in equipment, but really, it's more an upgrade in my own eyes. I'm learning to SEE.
I can't count the times I've heard someone say that seeing is an acquired art, and now I have to agree. You really learn to see by spending lots of time looking. So, just a word of encouragement to those who are starting out in astronomy: spend a lot of time looking. Yes, better equipment WILL improve the view, but NOTHING will improve the view as much as training your eyes to see what is already there for you to see. Forgot about aperture envy, and Nagler lust--or at least move it to the back burner for a time. LOOK at the sky. You'll be surprised what can be seen through the most modest of equipment, and then-when you do move up to better equipment, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what your eyes have become trained to do. Grab whatever equipment you've got, and go enjoy NOW!
Best of skies to you,
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

Gettin' a mite restless, hanging around the ranch. I'm blessed with good skies in my own yard, but I'm hankerin' for some really dark skies. Work situation is that I'm basically on call twenty-four hours, but I CAN sneak away for a couple of days now and then. Question: Where can I find some good dark skies a day's drive from New Mexico? Willing to travel into Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma. Any body know of some really dark sky star parties in these parts that you could recommend?
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

Just read Dave's review on the 28"...Yikes! I'd never heard of battery outgassing affecting the coatings on a mirror. Does any one out there know anything about this?
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

If I recall correctly (and I may not), there was a thread posted here some time ago stating that UPS(I may have the wrong company) would no longer ship any glass items with insurance for over $100 in value(I may nave the wrong amount). I had the opportunity to take an ota to a friend's UPS store today to have it wrapped for shipping. I was going to ship the finished parcel through the US Post Office, but my friend assured me that what I had heard was not accurate. Her statement was to the effect that they were in the business of shpping things, and such a policy would cost more business than they were willing to lose. Bottom line, I shipped through UPS and fully insured the ota. Let this serve as a clarification of UPS's policy if I have remembered the thread accurately. If not...never mind!
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

Looking for opinions from any who might have them...
I'm looking to add either an ST-80 or a pair of 10x50's to my stable. My final choice needs to be portable (toss it in the back seat on trips, use it in the dark in the country), needs to offer a wide field of view (binos win here), needs to be cheap (I've got other scopes for other uses so it's not a primary scope), and should offer pleasing views of star fields and the brighter DSO's (ST-80 wins here because of the higher magnifications it will offer). Since price and portability are sort of a toss-up, I guess it comes down to a choice between field of view, and higher mags (did I just answer my own question here?) Anybody, using a scope for these purposes, find they preferred one option over the other? All opinions are welcome, and thanks in advance!
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

I haven't visited this forum before, and apologize if I'm asking a question that's already been addressed. Can anyone tell me if there's a way to leave a rating for someone after the ability to rate has expired? I waited too long, but I would still like to leave him a good feedback. Thanks for any help.
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

Looking for a good wide-field eyepiece with adequate eye relief at the 9mm point, I found these on Harry's web-site. Seem to have everything in one package: 9mm focal length, 16mm eye relief, 70* afov, all for less than two hundred dollars. Has anyone here tried these, and would you care to comment, please? Thanks!
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico