Posts Made By: Russ Schnitzer

I like option two, 2.5x Powermate and the two Plossl's. However, you might consider substituting UO Konigs for the Plossls. I recommend the 24mm and 16mm Konigs. Konigs have a wider apparent field than Plossls which may be useful with your Dob. Later on, you can add a 32mm Konig for excellent wide field views. If you eventually got all three eyepieces and a 2.5x Powermate, you will have your choice of 32, 24, 16, 12.8, 9.6, and 6.4mm focal lengths.

Tom is spot on with his comment that UO Orthos give the biggest bang for the buck. I think UO Konigs are not far behind considering their wider field of view.

Russ Schnitzer

Just received the same info from Digitecoptical. My 6" Refractor is soon to be on it's way.

Russ Schnitzer

Does it do the same thing with stars other than Mizar?

Russ Schnitzer

Most digital SLR cameras use a CMOS chip. CMOS chips are inherently noisy compared to CCD chips. So, you should look for a CCD based camera. Two Nikon CCD based cameras are: Nikon D70 and D100. Nikon also make the D1 series, but they are more expensive than your limit.

Olympus also has a CCD based camera: Olympus E-1.

Pentax has the Pentax *ist D which is CCD based.

Go to www.dpreview.com for reviews and camera forums.

Russ Schnitzer

Have you considered a permanent mount with some sort of roll-off shed? For portability, a good 3 to 4 inch refractor is practical.

Russ Schnitzer

Jeff, I have a suggestion for you to consider. Buy a 6" F/8 refractor from Meade or Celestron including their GO TO mount. Either one will set you back a little more than a grand. To reduce chromatic aberation, buy a Baader filter. Upgrade the diagonal to 2 inches. Buy as good a binoviewer as you can afford. Double up your favorite eyepiece. Darn! It's hard to live within a budget!

Anyway, my portable scope is a Meade LXD75 6" F/8 and I am very pleased with it. Still in the process of upgrading.

Give it some thought.

Russ Schnitzer