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M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Dave budlong

March 25, 2005 06:12 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Looking into New Scopes.. Questions.

Posted By Dave budlong
As I read it the Dog Biscuit problem was stated as it related to Hardin Mirrors. It was not stated as a problem with the Orion mirrors, this is not to say that they might not suffer the same issue just that as I infer the meaning of the statements it is common in the Hardin mirrors.

March 30, 2005 06:04 AM Forum: Eyepieces

C-90 eyepcs

Posted By Dave budlong
barring defects in the scope it will do what you are asking. Try and borrow a few other eyepieces to see what you get. Are there any problems with the view through the supplied eyepiece?

April 3, 2005 04:03 AM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Should I Have to wait??

Posted By Dave budlong
My better half does all the fun stuff like buy and sell here on Amart. She also does the supporter bit. She sold a camera lens to a gentleman in Texas. I took it to the Post Office and sent it off. A week later this gentleman had not received his lens so they agreed that if it was not there in 3 more days she would send him his $$$ back. The lens did not get there, we sent the money back. We knew we had sent it but she has established a good rep. here on Amart and the guy in question also has a good rep. here. The funny part is almost 6 weeks later it showed up back in our mailbox undeliverable. She scanned the box to send a image of the USPS stamps on the box to the gentleman, for his piece of mind. Point of all this is that so far as it goes most everybody we have dealt with on Amart has been a first class person, just do not trust first class mail.

April 7, 2005 04:24 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Celestrons Press Release/ New Ownership?

Posted By Dave budlong
Very interesting, I think this was posited by a couple of the bright individuals here.

April 28, 2005 11:26 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Tracking with a Firstscope 102 AZ

Posted By Dave budlong
My first scope was an alt-taz so I can definitely hear the pain in your voice, when you describe the trials of tracking with yours. As far as buying an SCT I would have to ask what you really want to do with the scope. If you are planning on sticking with planetary observing maybe the ETX Maks might be more in line with increasing your ability to stay with a planet while at the same time giving a fairly sharp view. The maks have a much smaller secondary mirror leading to a sharper image. All that being said if you want to get into Deep Sky observing too, then you are better served with an 8" SCT or bigger, bigger being the key word though, heavier and more bulky to move around. Will be interested in what others have to say on the matter as well though.

April 30, 2005 08:12 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Flying Rats

Posted By Dave budlong
Seagulls are flying rats, pigeons are more like field mice.
wink

May 3, 2005 12:58 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Some words from the moderator

Posted By Dave budlong
Congratulations on being the man, I just told my wife the other day that you were the right guy for the job and behold it has come to pass. smile

May 5, 2005 01:35 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Just a quick poll.

Posted By Dave budlong
My first decent scope was an Orion 60mm Alt Taz back in '92, my wife and I had a lot of fun with that scope. However like any small scope it quickly hit the wall. We needed aperture, lots more aperture. So we talked about it and poured through the Orion catalog, Sky and Telescope and Astronomy, for about 3 months. We scrutinized every ad in the mags. After much deliberation we decided to get the 8" Dob. First night we had it we unpacked it as fast as we could and got it set up nd out the front door we went. Dialed up M42 the Orion Nebula and presto we were set for a few years to come.
Then I built a 4.5 inch newtonian and had fun with that. Gave that scope to a Family with interested kids.
Then built the 10" scope, and that was a great machine. M13 looked better in that than the 8" scope. Best view of Saturn, I have ever had was through that scope.
My main scope now is the Orion 12" Dob

May 6, 2005 12:17 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Which guider?

Posted By Dave budlong
Ivan is probably reading this so I will let him answer it, but for future reference this question is very well suited to the CCD forums. I have not yet stuck my foot in those waters. I did buy a nice Canon Rebel XT, and do plan on some astro shooting with it, but when I am ready I will scroll down the forums page and ask the experts. Now if you want help with figuring out some of the brighter photogenic objects I am all ears. wink

May 6, 2005 08:03 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Meade vs Galileo 114mm

Posted By Dave budlong
I know you want to sell one or the other but my though is that you should wait until after you compare the scopes side by side. It would be a shame to get rid of the wrong scope. You could wait until you compared them, then figure out the scope you like better, I am not even sure it will come down to optics, it might be that you like one focuser better or the scope might be just a touch better at looking at the planets. Who knows, but I would wait.

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