Posts Made By: George Normandin

Ron Rogers said:

....can anyone provide a reference or offer a detailed comparison of imporvements....... NP 101, NP 101 i ? Thanks.

I listened in when a person asked David Nagler "Why the i's?" at NEAF. His answer was that most of their customers for these scopes are imagers using ever bigger CCD chips. The "i's" correct a vignetting problem with the old scopes (NP-101) when imaging with large chips.

Per the TV website: "The NP101 (540mm, f/5.4, 4") maintains their optical specifications yet with redesigned 4-element optical systems. Larger rear lens groups absolutely minimize vignetting in formats up to 50mm diagonal. For these large chips an optional field corrector was developed so the corners of the newly brightened edges would virtually be as perfect as the center of the field."

George N

Parks Optical

Howard Lazarus said:

I just bought used a mint AP 130 Star ED f/8...... Howard

Around 1999 or 2000 I saw a guy at Stellafane who had a giant binocular made from two of these scopes. Each had a double diagonal on it to bring the eyepieces close enough. I did not view thru it, but friends who did said that the views were spectacular.

George N

Maybe.......

But it just might be going the other way because of the lost of Pyrex (big Dobs) and the major inflation being experienced in China. Dave K at Obsession is still predicting needing to nearly double prices soon because of lost of Pyrex mirrors and I heard a report on one of the TV news channels today saying that all products coming from China will have to start going up in price because of the massive inflation there, plus the economic disruption caused by the recent snow storms.

George N

For another idea, check out the 1st place winner (both mechanical and craftmanship) at Stellafane 2007, a beautiful 18-inch F/4 that a healthy person can just pick up and carry around. I saw this scope and it was in deed a beautiful telescope. I did not get a chance to look thru it, but the Springfield Telescope Makers don't give out awards to poor telescopes.

Here's the link: http://stellafane.org/convention/2007/scopes.html

Look down the page for the telescope made by Ross D. Sackett.

George N

Josh Walawender said:

Hi all,

Anyone out there have experience with the Mathis Instruments lineup of heavy duty mounts (MI-500, MI-750, MI-1000)? If so, I would be interested in hearing any experiences you had and how you feel about their products.

thanks!
Josh

I've not used one but I have seen them at NEAF. They are basically up-sized versions of the Mountain Instruments MI-250, a mount that I own and am very pleased with. The design is based on the long-published ideas of Russel Porter. Perhaps they can give you references to current owners.

George N

Scott Ayer said:

I recently acquired a used 20" Obsession and I am thinking of upgrading the focuser . I have the older JMI DX series focuser.
I am considering the JMI EV1 with fine focus or the FeatherTouch focuser. Any one had a chance to compare these 2?
Thanks

I have an Obsession 20 with FeatherTouch a couple I've known for years have the same scope with the JMI DX. We observe side-by-side several times a year and have both concluded that there is nothing like a FeatherTouch. I've had Denk II's with Power X in mine over the past four nights of 'moonie observing' and the focuser was just great, even with all of that weight.

George N

Gary Cislak said:

Hello just wondering how many people are planning on heading to Stellafane this year ? Also are gas prices affecting your choices and are you attending a Star Party closer to home? or staying home all together ...
Just wondering ....
Clear Skies !
Gary Cislak

Gary et al:

I’ve been to every Stellafane since 1995 or so. I’m not going to miss it just because it costs $50 more for the weekend. Also a friend and I have been sharing a ride for the past few years and that cuts the gas cost in half (not to mention that it cuts the driving in half and leads to great conversations.) There were also plenty of people at the Cherry Springs Star Party a few months ago – including a lot of RVs.

With that said I’ve noticed that attendance at Stellafane has been declining for several years (leading to a better chance to win the raffle prizes!!). Last year the reduced number of people/scopes was obvious to anyone who had been at the ‘big years’ (1999 to 2002??) when they had to turn people away at the gate. I think the poor weather for a few years turned people off (remember Hurricanes Bonny and Charley that both hit the same weekend, turning Stellafane into a swamp?), but for the last two conventions the weather was actually very good. I guess it must be the gas prices and this year is even worse on that front. I’ll be looking forward to plenty of room to set up my Obsession 20.

George N

Greg Nowell said:

...the weather.

The great equalizer.

greg n

Greg..... glad you like the weather we are sending you.... George in Binghamton! 8)

Actually, that only matters for people who buy scopes to use them. Folks who just want to set them up in their den and gaze approvingly at them don't care about weather, seeing, etc.

George N

Jon Isaacs said:

.....until we went outside and he pointed to my "water heater." I kindly explained it was the remains of a telescope...

Jon

In the waning days of the Clinton administration Bill came to our town to lobby for Hillary during her run for the Senate. Both coming and going his caravan ran on the little two-lane road right in front of my house. I was very carful not to leave my 8-inch F/8 Newt (MI-250 GEM) in the front yard for fear of what the Secret Service would think of it!

I now regularly leave my Obsession 20 in the front yard if it will be clear for a few days. It can be seen out in the yard in the Google Earth picture of my house.

George N