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Posts Made By: Hans Tucker

July 30, 2007 08:24 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Filtering AC Power to Mounts

Posted By Hans Tucker
I am not sure what the quality of house hold power is like in the US has but if it is anything like what is available in Australia it might be quite poor (just watching the lights noticeably dim now and again is proof if this) and this can vary state to state. My question is do some owners of Equatorial Mounts use an AC line filter to clean the power up thereby improving the tracking accuracy when powering from a household AC outlet or is this just a waste of $$$$. Obviously powering in the field is done via a DC Power Tank or batteries so the power is ripple free.

August 6, 2007 10:53 AM Forum: Takahashi

Two Generations of Mewlon 300

Posted By Hans Tucker
Takahashi Fans,

Apparently there were two generation of Mewlon 300. The first generation built and available around 1992 was at f/7.6 and not Dall-Kirkam but was of a Dilworth optical design. The second generation available from 1994 to date is at f/11.9 and is atrue Dall-Kirkam.

Question is does anyone know what the difference, Pro's and Con's, in the two different optical designs and why the change.

Has anyone ever come across the Dilworth Mewlon 300.

September 5, 2007 11:25 AM Forum: Takahashi

EM-11 & EM-200 How big are they?

Posted By Hans Tucker
Hey readers,

I am trying to get a mental picture of the actual physical size and capacity of the EM-11 & EM-200 mounts but I have not ever seen either mount. Mounts I have seen that I can relate size are the G-11, HEQ-5 and EQ-6. Is the EM-200 more a kin to the size of a EQ-6 or the HEQ-5. How manageable is the EM-200. On the subject of the EM-11 would this be comparable to the Losmandy G-8. Is the weight capacity of the EM-11 18lbs as detailed in the Takahashi manual or more towards the 30lbs as specified on the Anacortes website. What are actual users of the EM-11 & EM-200 loading on these mounts for visual and imaging.

I am trying to decide on a light weight mount that can easily take my new FSQ-106ED and possibly my Mewlon 250S. Unfortunately the NJP is a physical challenge at times when you have spontaneous desire to go out observing.

Cheers,

Hans

September 9, 2007 08:40 AM Forum: Politics

Bush's visit Down Under

Posted By Hans Tucker
Well it's official APEC is OPEC and Australia is Austria, how many slip ups is a politician allowed in a single address. Maybe instead of giving George Bush a Driza- Bone we should have given him a pair of Lederhosen 8)

September 13, 2007 03:25 AM Forum: Refractors

APO MAX 130 F/12 Refractor

Posted By Hans Tucker
I have been spying an ad for an APO MAX 130 F/12 Refractor, a scope I have been fascinated about for years after reading a positive review on this scope. This scope is reported to be a triplet with FPL 52 Schott glass element. Now I have heard the terms Fluorite, FPL-51 ED and FPL-53 during discussions on APO refractors but I would like to know where FPL-52 fits in. The APO Max has been described as a super APO refractor which has three lens elements that bring four distinct wavelengths to a common focus and also maintains extraordinary control of aberrations. Now apparently an APO can only do this for three wavelengths. So what is the deal with the APO MAX is it a Super APO that has an edge over an APO or is it all a sale hype.

September 20, 2007 09:49 AM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

PayPal question

Posted By Hans Tucker
Firstly, I apologize that this may not be the correct forum to post this question so a little latitude please.

When using PayPal as a method of payment what is this 3%-4% fee that crops up. When I setup my PayPal account and had it verified it says that there are no fees involved in transferring or sending money. I am now about to purchase a rather expensive scope from a seller in Germany and they mentioned a 4% PayPal fee. I am not criticizing the seller I just want a better understanding of this fee. I may try and see if the seller will accept another form of payment like Telegraphic Transfer or International Draft.

October 25, 2007 07:52 AM Forum: Takahashi

Takahashi Dedicated 2" Diagonal for FSQ-106

Posted By Hans Tucker
Will the Takahashi Dedicated 2" Diagonal for FSQ-106 fit and be useable with the new FSQ-106ED or is it only suited to the older FSQ-106N?

November 4, 2007 11:24 AM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

What would you do

Posted By Hans Tucker
Hi all,

Just over a month ago I made payment on a scope, a pretty $$$ item. It has now been over a month and the item still hasn't been sent, the seller sighting delays due to being away and some family issues and with that I decided to grant a bit of latitude. I am just wondering if it would be unfair of me to ask for a refund of the money from the seller. Communication (e-mail) is still good but I have to initiate it.

Cheers,

Hans

March 20, 2008 10:51 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

SocalAstro

Posted By Hans Tucker
Has anyone purchased anything from SocalAstro lately? I have sent a few e-mails over the past couple of weeks wanting to purchase a set of SocalAstro 155mm Tube Rings and 15" DUP but I haven't received a reply. Are they still in business?

August 16, 2008 01:57 AM Forum: Refractors

Imaging with a long f refractor

Posted By Hans Tucker
G'day All,

A while ago I purchased a APOMAX 130 F/12 refractor now I am toying with the idea in my head of using this scope for imaging. Is this a realistic idea or where long focal length refractors only ever designed for visual work. The paper work that surrounds the APOMAX does elude to the possibility of imaging with this scope but I just wanted to find out if anyone has tried.

Cheers,

Hans

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