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Posts Made By: Larry Seguin

November 1, 2006 10:41 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Starry Night Pro question...

Posted By Larry Seguin
I'm trying to answer a question for a friend, and could use help. If anyone has Starry Night, or an equivalent software program, could you tell me what constellations the following celestial bodies were in on the night of October 1, 8 B.C.?
*Mercury
*Venus
*Mars
*Jupiter
*Saturn
*The moon
*The Sun
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

February 16, 2007 02:59 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Stellarvue Widefields

Posted By Larry Seguin
Have any of the folks here tried these? Can't seem to find any reviews anywhere. I know they're inexpensive, and wouldn't expect Televue/Pentax type performance from them, but they seemed interesting. I was thinking of using them in a short tube 80, so the 1.25 format and small size made them attractive. Looking at the 20 and 15 mms, any comments would be very welcome!

February 22, 2007 04:06 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Adjusting ST-80 lens cell

Posted By Larry Seguin
I can't remember where, but there was a thread somewhere on this topic, I think. I picked up a little ST-80 for grab'n'go. The optics are very satisfactory, except for planets. I recall reading that these are often shipped from China with the objective tightened down for travel, and that loosening the cell improves the performance. I'm afraid that if I loosen the cell the objective will fall out. Maybe silly, but I don't want to wreck the scope. Does anyone here remember the thread, or have advice concerning adjusting the objective cell? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
Larry

February 24, 2007 05:09 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Radians: performance variations

Posted By Larry Seguin
Years ago I had several Radians that I sold in favor of other eyepieces. Many of the folks here seem to favor them, so I was thinking of revisiting them. For use in an 8" f/6 dob I've been looking at the 12mm and the 4mm. Problem is, I've heard some folks say that some focal lengths perform better than others, for example,that the 5mm and 3mm outperform the 4mm. I believe they are scaled designs. Do any of the folks have experience with this? Thanks for any insights you maybe able to offer!
Larry

February 28, 2007 03:11 PM Forum: Refractors

As long as it's not EQ!

Posted By Larry Seguin
After ten years or so of playing with dobs, I'm beginning to become fascinated by the views through refractors-expecially widefield short focus refractors-both achro and apo. Two things about EQ mounts really bug me though....the weight of the mount with counterweights, and what that does to the size and portability of the entire package; and the need to polar align before using. Here's my question: what non EQ mount/tripod systems (camera mounts?) have you found to be useful for telescopes in the five pound range? Any experiences you would be willing to share would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Larry

March 29, 2007 02:25 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Hello, Jon Isaacs....

Posted By Larry Seguin
Some time back I talked with you about a wide angle low power eyepiece for my ST-80. You had suggested a 19 Panoptic over the 20 Expanse. Well, I went for the Panoptic and it proved to be a wonderful performer on that little scope. Only problem is that now that I've become spoiled by the widefields the ST-80 can provide, I'm thinking of upgrading to an ED-80! The little Paragon photo tripod I'm using now will never support the ED properly. You had a picture of the eq mount you were using for your ED, and I just can't remember what it was. What makes a stable, lightweight eq/alt-az mount for your ED? Thanks for any help you can offer!
Larry

April 2, 2007 03:47 AM Forum: Reflectors

Manufacturers chance to speak out

Posted By Larry Seguin
What Doug has said seems to be true: we're hearing more and more complaints about manufacturers all the time. Everyone
has a story to share about overdue products, missing or damaged parts and long waits for service. We all know that we live in an imperfect world and things happen. The most galling part about this though is that when things begin to go wrong, they just stop talking. In the quest for the perfect scope I'm more than willing to wait and show understanding when things go wrong and they tell us why, what they'll do, and when. But when the repeated promises lose their meaning, when months turn to years and when they JUST STOP TALKING, patience wears thin. The simple act of communication could spare us all so much of the acrimony surrounding these issues. So here's your chance: manufacturers speak out! I'd like to hear from some of you and know why things seem to be heading more and more in this direction. We understand delays and problems, but why do you just STOP TALKING to us? (I guess if you were willing to talk, we'd already know!) Let's hear what it's like from your side. I'd love to see some healing in this area, trust restored, and a painful process become fun for everyone again.
Larry

April 5, 2007 05:37 PM Forum: Reflectors

Welcome here, Sean

Posted By Larry Seguin

Nice to have you aboard. I'm sorry your first experience has to be with the level of dissatisfaction associated with this thread. Obviously, many of us have been in this hobby for a long time, and we've had many great experiences with suppliers and equipment or we'd all be outta here by now. We all get the chance to share a lot of great experiences, look forward to hearing some of YOURS.

April 16, 2007 02:35 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Did'ya ever notice....

Posted By Larry Seguin
That eyepiece designs tend to come in similar focal lengths, no matter who makes them? Any brand orthoscopic you buy is likely to be 25/18/12.5/9/7/6/5 mm in length. Who decides, and is there a reason that certain focal lengths are chosen over others?

April 22, 2007 12:54 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Long eyerelief ep's

Posted By Larry Seguin
Does anyone know if the Agena ED, Orion Epic, and Vixen Lanthanum eyepieces are using the same design? Minus cosmetic differences, the housings appear similar, and they all offer 20* eye relief with about 50* afov.

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