Image of the day

Captured by
Philip Imbrogno

M 33

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Randy Roy

April 4, 2007 02:18 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Meade mySky Announcement

Posted By Randy Roy
What do you think? I haven't gotten excited enough to buy one yet. The Meade appears to have beaten Celestron feature wise. I generally prefer C to Meade, but the slicks look pretty good on this.

http://www.buytelescopes.com/manufacturers/meade/mySKY_Compare_Chart_10.pdf



July 15, 2007 12:09 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: Need a dingus thingamabob....

Posted By Randy Roy
Push-pull force gauge?

http://www.microphotonics.com/pushpull.html


January 23, 2008 04:09 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: Polar Scope

Posted By Randy Roy
Hi Don,

I have a CGE mount and use the Polar Finder Scope. It's located on top of the RA axis housing. You may see there is a small set screw in the middle of the housing plugging the hole that the Polar Finder mounts to. While the scope is not needed, it is useful for getting a quick polar alignment. I like it for visual only because you really do need a fairly decent polar alignment for the best goto and tracking accuracy. With the finder, it only takes about 1 minute to get a sub 10 arcmin alignment. This is especially nice in the field.

For most imaging applications, the Polar Alignment software routine will work. You can get a sub 2 arcmin alignment with it. The routine takes about 5-10 minutes to accomplish including re-acquiring alignment stars.

Either the Polar Scope or Polar Alignment software routine will give you a good starting point for drift alignment, which is only really needed for long exposure AP/Imaging manually guided or unguided.

Bottom line--The PAS is nice and convenient, but not absolutely needed.


April 23, 2008 07:39 PM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

Email Notification When Support Ends?

Posted By Randy Roy
Herb,

Is it possible to get an automatic email notification when my support runs out? I realize my support status is posted on my page, but frankly, I rarely notice it. I just realized my support elapsed a few weeks ago and just re-upped. A reminder email would be nice. If it is not possible now, perhaps it could be included in a future upgrade?

Thanks,


July 16, 2008 11:59 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Re: Baader Hyperions

Posted By Randy Roy
I really like the Hyperions, especially with the longer focal length scopes like yours. I do find them a little soft at higher powers. They are fine for general purpose viewing, but all the Televue types and the Pentax XW's are sharper and noticeably so, especially on planets. I also noticed that smaller DSOs, e.g. Stephan's Quintet, were easier with T6's and Radians than the Hyperion. Finally, I split Sirius a few times this year with a TV 11mm plossl and my C14. I was unable to make the split with a 12mm Radian, an 11T6 or a 13 Hyperion. This was true on three separate occasions.

All this to say, I've found Hyperions are great for general purpose viewing, but there are better eyepieces for specialized observing.

January 9, 2003 04:35 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Williams Optics 2" Diagonal and UO MK-70

Posted By Randy Roy
Dave,

I have a 2" WO diagonal. I found that the compression ring was a bit distorted and tight. Sounds like yours may not be seated well in its track. When you do get the ep out, pull the brass compression ring out and bend it open, ever so slightly so that it "springs" into its groove in the diagonal. Anyway, this did it for me, perhaps it will for you.

Randy

April 10, 2003 01:40 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Polar Scope on CG-5

Posted By Randy Roy
I do not have a CG-5 presently, but when I did, I went to the hardware store and bought a rubber o-ring to go around the body of the polar scope and inserted into the mount. The O-ring worked great and for a couple of years and much transport, never lost collimation.

Also, while I had a GP style illuminator for the polar scope, I just shone my red flashlight near the objective end of the scope and it illuminated the reticle fine.

Randy

May 11, 2003 09:42 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Opinions re: SV 85S APO

Posted By Randy Roy
I own an SV85S APO and could not be more pleased with it (Please see my comments on the SV85S at "Cloudy Nights"). I have owned a number of refractors over the years including a TV Genesis SDF, TV102 and NP101 and yet the SV is the refractor I plan to keep for life. The images are exquisite and the build quality is substantial. My other scopes are the Nexstar 11 GPS and Starmaster 10"EL, but the SV85S is my most used.

I've not seen one for sale on Astromart. Based on my experiences with both SV and TV scopes, I would expect the SV85S to hold its value well.

Hope this helps and best wishes regardless of which APO you go with. TV, Stellarvue, Vixen and Tak are making some great products these days.

Randy

September 13, 2003 02:24 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Zambuto 10" mirror vs. Meade and Orion.

Posted By Randy Roy
Chris,

I seen and owned excellent samples of 10" mirrors from both Meade and Orion. However, several months ago, I purchased a 10" Starmaster EL used and was amazed at the contrast of the Zambuto mirror. I was one of those who thought most of what I heard about Zambuto optics was just hype from over zealous buyers. I was wrong. I immediately sold the scope and ordered a new and larger one from Starmaster. I now have the 16" Starmaster with Zambuto optics and am delighted with the contrast you get from the extremely smooth finish of these mirrors.

That said, for the money, you can get some very nice optics from Meade and Orion.

Randy

September 15, 2003 02:26 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Obsession vs Starmaster Dobs

Posted By Randy Roy
I own a 16" Starmaster with Z. . .

On second thought, never mind. . .


Randy

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search