Posts Made By: Ron Scarboro

So that's what has happened to the last several of my shipments.

If you're talking about the CG-5 GOTO mount here is my humble opinion....

The mount is better than before because of the improved tripod, however, I think the 8" SCT is the limit for that mount. The 9.25" on that mount at the local store took quite a while to dampen once the tripod was rapped.

My recommendation is...Probably ok for visual. If you're going to image or if you're going to piggyback anything, I'd opt for a sturdier mount.

Regards,

Ron

This is convoluted, but here goes.

I'd buy a Celestron 8" SCT on the GOTO mount. C-8 S-GT XLT for $1,424 plus shipping. Then I'd sell the 8" SCT XLT for $725 (list is $874), so I'd be gone before you know it. Then you have the CG-5GT mount for $699. You have to do it this way because Celestron is horribly backed up on the scopes, so mount only not available.

I'd then scour the classifieds for the best APO refractor under $1,200. I think a small Tak FS78 should be around $800-$900 leaving room for rings and stuff. You might sneak into an 80mm/85mm Stellarvue APO for that. The list is endless for those small APO type refractors.

Although a hassle, the FS-78 or 80mm APO scope will be more satisfying than a Pronto (IMHO).

Regards,

Ron

http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/~mischa/mounts/g11_experiences.html

This is a good site for regreasing and tuning the mount. I use Synthetic Mobil 1 grease which maintains a consistent viscosity throughout the temperature range. Don't use too light of a grease or oil as it'll run to places you don't want it to go.

I'd buy the improved the clutch pads from Losmandy ($12 I think) when you do.

It'll be like new when you're done.

Regards,

Ron

New to this forum? You'll never get a reliable answer to this question. Heck, we can't even agree on what constitutes APO ;-) Probably can't agree on what constitutes "fast" either. My definition of fast would be f7 or less (others would probably disagree).

TeleVue, Astro Physics, Takahashi are three vendors with big followings who make quality APO refractors. The Televue has a field flattner built in (good for astrophotography), the Astro Physics has to be purchased used (the wait is well over 3 years from today if you're not already on the list), all the Tak's are great (doublets FS102 does have a bit more color than the Televue 101(two doublets) and AP105(triplet)) and the one Tak TOA (ED triplet - available now only in 5" it think, but 4" coming) was supurb. Very few observers could discern much difference between the 3 and even fewer if the weren't side by side.

Vixen, Brandon (I think), William Optics, Stellarvue, TEC/CNC (from Markus Ludes) also make APO refractors in this price/performance range as well.

I'd scour these forums for past threads to help you narrow the field, then try to look through some personally. It is a ton of money to spend "sight unseen".

They all weigh 8-15 pounds, so transportation isn't really much of a factor with these scopes. The AP105 is the shortest, lightest and the most expensive if you want it soon (maybe the cheapest if you willing to wait).

I have the William Optics FLT110 (ED triplet). Mine is great, throws up an excellent star test w/almost no false color in any situation. It is also beautifully made (but not quite Takahashi like) though some gripe about the focuser smoothness in cold weather. I bought one after seeing one at a star party and it is was about $800 cheaper than the Tak FSQ106 (double doublet) similarly equiped. Optics made by TEC (Golden Colorado) and ota/focuser made in asia.

My hat is off to you guys who'll scale the ladders. Since I can't bring myself to do that, and knowing Mr. Long likes binoviewing I'd....

Sell the Denk for $500, now I got 10,500.

I'd purchase 2 C11XLT OTAs and mount on a Losmandy Titan w/Gemini w/o tripod. I'd then have a custom built binoviewer rear made using high quality dialectric mirrors.

So

C11XLT OTA 2@ 2,095 = $4,190
Titan w/Gemini w/o tripod = $4,995
Twin mounting plate = $210
Custom binoviewer rear = $1,100

May have to scour used for the mount and ota's to get under the cap given shipping or binoviewer overruns.

I assumed permanent trailer included a pier, otherwise I'm going with 9.25in or used 11s. If $10,000 is more of a guideline than a rule, then I'd go for the 14s.

Regards,

Ron

I am an earthlink subscriber and their spam policies are terrible. It is stupid that that is the option (of the 3 they offer) that would seem the safest when someone (who isn't necessarily internet savy) is looking at spam blocking.

I get 150-200 emails a week on my account. I, however, only quarantine the known spammers (the logical choice IMHO), but that only gets about 1/2 of it.

I want to scream also Herb. We all appreciate this service and hope you hang in there. If you read this please tell Brian I appreciate all his advice and help when I bought the refractor.

Broken?

Obviously I don't know. Interested to find out.

You may want to visit a site called www.dpreview.com

I'd pick a camera with low noise at high ISO. That is why I chose the 10D over the D100.

I also like the smaller chip sizes vs standard 35mm because you naturally get a little more magnification, but other people probably like 35mm format for opposite reasons.

Also, don't fear CMOS vs CCD. Canon has done a great job progressing CMOS technology.

Feature laiden cameras are also usually a waste because your lense is completely manual.

Assuming your talking about the 3.5....

Whether used ($2,500ish) or new (4,350-$5,000) they're not a good value IMHO.

If it is your "dream scope", buy new, spare no expense and get exactly what you want previously untouched by human hands.

In my very limited experience (never owned - 3 total samples looked through) the new Zerodur/Broadband coatings technology was noticeably better than the older versions (that looked new) to me.