Posts Made By: Steve Sands

I would like to replace those tiny Telrad collimation knobs with something I can actually get my fingers on! Has anyone done this or does anyone know the screw size? It may require replacing the screws, also, but I don't know for sure. Surely something can be done about this or am I the only whiner!?

Does anyone have any idea where I could possibly obtain a replacement Telrad lens? Not the rectangular optical window, but the circular lens. I somehow managed to lose this on one of my Telrads. Otherwise the unit is in perfect shape! It is labeled #2 on the "borrowed" diagram I have attached. I have attempted to find out where these are manufactured and distributed from, but have not been successful!

Actually, the INTENDED purpose of this forum is to assist folks by answering questions about how to rate, where to look, etc. Often times new members have difficulty with the mechanics and need a helping hand.

Unfortunately, the threads in this forum often steer towards gripes and philosophical discussions regarding the rating system, which is NOT the intended purpose. :S

If someone were to decide to doublestack their SM90, can he simply purchase another unit with TMax tuner and do that? I was under the impression that they had to be matched together somehow by Coronado.

I have an SM90/BF30 that I have been using for quite some time. I want to doublestack this outfit, but apparently I need an adapter to do so. Does anyone know what this adapter looks like and where I would get one? It would basically mate the TMax tuner from one filter set to the front end of the other. If worse comes to worst I can attempt to ask Meade about this, but thought I would try the experts first! 8O

I decided to try an "upgrade" from my doublestacked Coronado PST. I purchased the new Lunt LS60THa/B1200FTPT. This translates into a 60mm H-alpha scope with a 12mm blocking filter, FeatherTouch focuser and pressure tuning.

First of all, what a gorgeous, well made, perfectly machined piece of equipment! I picked it up from the Post Office yesterday, unboxed it, read the directions and then set it up for what turned out to be the only 2 hours of sunshine we had for the day! The image was beautiful, even with the minimal solar activity! :C It took me a while to get used to the pressure tuning, but I was beginning to achieve success before the clouds took over and I saw some nice proms.

I have the doublestack on order (with an estimated date of NINE MONTHS!!), but it will be worth the wait, I think. Also, I am going to order the adapter for my Denks for binoviewing. They already have these available for the Lunt 60mm scopes. Gotta love Russ!

This one is a keeper. I can't wait to get some clear stable skies!! I am a happy camper!

Does anyone know where I can locate a planisphere or something similar for the lower latitudes? A friend of mine is going to be at about 10-12 degrees North around Netherland Antilles and Aruba and would like to take a planisphere along with him. I can't seem to locate anything for that low of a latitude. Thanks for any leads you may be able to provide! I know they must exist somewhere!

Unca Rod, Don et al....

I am reconfiguring my telescope fleet somewhat and find myself in need of binoviewer advice. I have been a long time large dob user, but now find myself owning a Celestron Nextstar 8 SE. Also, I have sold my PST Cak and PST h-Alpha scopes and acquired/ am acquiring the Lunt 60mm scopes. I spoke to Russ regarding all of this, but he was in a bit of a hurry and I was in the middle of a meeting at work, so everything didn't get settled!

Here is what I own, bino-wise:

1. Denk II Premiums with the standard OCS attachments. The lens is marked 2" Multi-Purpose OCS FMC.

2. Denk Power x Switch (R1 variety, I believe). It has the "old fashion" arms, as opposed to the newer armless models.

3. MoonLite crayford SCT focuser on the tailpiece, in case that complicates things.

The questions:

1. For the Nexstar 8 SE: I was under the impression that I would need to purchase a StarSweeper, but if I heard Russ correctly, I can use my MP OCS on the Power x Switch diagonal. Why were StarSweepers created if this is the case? This set up works on my refractors and the straight OCS setup works on my dobs, but will this function on the SCT? What exactly will I need to make all of this work on my SCT?

2. For the Lunt 60mm h-alpha, Denk now makes a mechanical/optical assembly that replaces the blocking filter tube on the telescope side. Once again, if I heard correctly, all I need is the mechanical parts and my current MP OCS to allow the Denks to work with this scope. Is this correct? The blocking filter is 1.25" on the eyepiece side, so do I use the 1.25" nosepiece into the BF?

BTW...I just purchased Unca Rod's books on the SCT and urban observing. They are excellent reads and valuable resources! Glad to help inflate the old coffers at Chaos Manner a bit! I have actually LEARNED a few things! YIKES! Just when I thought I knew EVERYTHING! (I do think, however, that I am going to have to mortgage the cat by the time I get done accessorizin' this stinkin' SCT!). This concludes my smoozing session! 8)

Hopefully I have explained all of this well enough to receive some much-anticipated and needed advice!

Is there someone out there that is able to manufacture a solar shade for the Lunt 60mm ha scope? Even plans would be helpful! They make them for the PST and I'll bet that eventually someone will come up with one for the Lunt scopes. I find them quite helpful to avoid cooking while staring at the sun for hours! Right now I use a makeshift shade made out of corrigated plastic board. Has anyone made their own and can possibly post some pictures?

Okay, I have a silly question. I have read through the documentation but didn't find anything related to this.

Once you set up, align and receive data from the CN-16 GPS, can it be disconnected so that it is out of the way or does it have to stay connected for the duration? I would think that after the date, time and location has been stored it could be removed, but maybe there is some reason it can't be. This is on my Celestron Nexstar 8 SE.