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Posts Made By: Charles Hakes

March 6, 2003 08:40 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Do you wobble too?

Posted By Charles Hakes
I just got my Orion slow motion adapter and had a chance to try it out last night. After asking a couple of weeks ago, it sounded like an OK addition to the HD-F2 tripod for my ST80, so I ordered it. My first impression is that it sure makes the scope wobble and shake. Am I not tightening down enough? (Don't want to break it right away.) Does anyone else use this thing? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Charlie

March 8, 2003 08:56 PM Forum: Telescope Making

First homemade scope - version ~3

Posted By Charles Hakes
Here is a photo of the scope I have been working on for about two years now. The mirror and focuser are from Orion and everything else is from the local hardware store. This is about the third iteration of the scope. Each time it gets a little smaller, lighter and easier to use. I'm glad I am not charging my time on this scope - I would hate to think how much time I have invested. The best part is that now I have built a 10" scope that has only had one itteration.

Charlie

March 11, 2003 05:34 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Guan Sheng 10" scopes?

Posted By Charles Hakes
I remember hearing lots of good things about the "old" Orion XT8, but seems like I also remember inconsistent QC on the 10" version. Is that true? What is the consensus on the quality of the 10" Hands On Optics scopes? At least compared to the 8" version.

Thanks,
Charlie

March 14, 2003 01:20 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

XT10 vs. Hands On Optics

Posted By Charles Hakes
I asked this question last week, but didn't hear anything back, so here it is again. A friend of mine is getting ready to order one or the other. Has anyone used both?

I remember hearing lots of good things about the "old" Orion XT8, but seems like I also remember inconsistent QC on the 10" version. Is that true? What is the consensus on the quality of the 10" Hands On Optics scopes compared to the new Orion XT10? And compared to the Guan Sheng 8" version.

Thanks,
Charlie

April 10, 2003 02:20 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

DS-60 focuser

Posted By Charles Hakes
I have an Orion Observer 60 that has a .965 focuser and a hybrid diagonal to use 1.25" eyepieces. Now I see that Surplus Shed has a DS-60 (Meade) focuser for ~$10. They say this is a 1.25" focuser, but would it be a good swap for the Orion? I don't really have any problems with the Orion, but just wanted to get more FOV and be able to use a better diagonal.

Does anyone have any experience with this focuser?

Thanks,
Charlie

April 18, 2003 02:32 PM Forum: Telescope Making

fuzzy spider

Posted By Charles Hakes
I enjoyed the discussion about the razor blade spider vanes. (Maybe my next project, he he.) So apparently it doesn't matter how thin they get, they will still cause those spikes. Maybe it has something to do with the smoothness of the surface. (?)

Has anyone tried making a fuzzy spider? I am thinking - what about covering the thing in felt or some kind of flocking material? Sure they would be thicker, but if the surface is rough enough you might get the desired reduction in spikes.

Before I run out to try this, has anyone done it already? What do y'all think?

Charlie

April 29, 2003 12:14 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Mars scope

Posted By Charles Hakes
Here is my 10" f9.6 scope I built last year. I had planned on using aluminum for a more complex truss design, but the wooden ones made out of two furring strips each have worked so well that now I don't plan to change. It is not very good in the wind, but vibrations from touch have a very low period and damp out in only a couple of seconds. And the dob driver makes that not a problem.

I took this picture before I started cutting again. The "tube" weighs about 40 lbs, and is a tiny bit bottom heavy, so I am going to cut chunks out of those side panels. The base is about 35 lbs., so it can have a bunch cut out. (That base should hold a 14" mirror with no problem.) The other thing I want to do is turn the secondary to 22.5 degrees, so the eyepiece will be closer to the ground. I have the second secondary to try this, but I don't know when I will get a chance.

I have seen some much prettier scopes on this forum, but at least this one I would not be afraid to cut on. It may eventually get a coat of paint or something. Anyway, I just thought I would share.

Charlie

May 7, 2003 09:25 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Telrad alternatives?

Posted By Charles Hakes
Anything out there that is more the size of a Daisy finder, but has a dimmer switch and is more "astro-oriented"? This would be for an ETX-90.

Thanks,
Charlie

May 9, 2003 03:43 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Downtown Viewing

Posted By Charles Hakes
As part of National Astronomy Week, last night a couple of us took out a 5" Meade refractor onto Main street in Durango, CO. There sure were lots of lights around, but the view of the moon and Jupiter were very popular with passers by. We had so much fun that we are planning on doing it again tonight and maybe adding another scope or three. Since tonight is Friday, we should get a lot more traffic.

Anyone else doing something like this? Also, is there a better forum for this topic?

Charlie

May 9, 2003 03:46 PM Forum: Star Parties

Downtown observing

Posted By Charles Hakes
As part of National Astronomy Week, last night a couple of us took out a 5" Meade refractor onto Main street in Durango, CO. There sure were lots of lights around, but the view of the moon and Jupiter were very popular with passers by. We had so much fun that we are planning on doing it again tonight and maybe adding another scope or three. Since tonight is Friday, we should get a lot more traffic.

If anyone is in Durango or the Four Corners area, we are also setting up some scopes Saturday night along the Fort Lewis Rim at the Lion's Den.

Charlie

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