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Posts Made By: Walter Locke

August 31, 2004 04:21 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Things you'd like to see....

Posted By Walter Locke
It just occurred to me that the thing I would most like to see is the big pile of money that would be required to buy all of the stuff I lust for! Yow!

Walter

October 21, 2004 06:50 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Meade Buys Coronado? Good Grief!

Posted By Walter Locke
I was wondering what Meade was awarded in its lawsuit against Celestron. It might very well be that Celestron helped pay for this acquisition. How ironic!

November 2, 2004 12:54 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

What do I need to bring Saturn to me?

Posted By Walter Locke
Hello Sarah,

First, follow the instructions these fellows have offered you, and you will find Saturn with little trouble. Second, you might consider a 1x finder like Rigel or Telrad, which will make searching for it easier. Also, Orion sells right-angle finders that are not bad for the money; call to make sure it will fit in the base of the finder that was supplied with your scope. Good luck and have fun!

Best wishes,

Walter

November 7, 2004 05:20 PM Forum: APM

Monocentric 5mm

Posted By Walter Locke
This problem has occurred before, although the stated policy of TMB and APM is they will replace any defective eyepiece. Getting in contact with either the the retailer from whom you purchased the eyepiece originally, or APM who is the European distributor of these eyepieces, is the proper first course of action. Keep us posted as to your experiences.

Walter

January 20, 2005 08:18 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Unistar vs Giro vs

Posted By Walter Locke
I have a Giro II two-arm mount and a Unistar Deluxe with DSCs. I use the Unistar with my TEC 140, and the Giro with my Tak FS102 in tandem with a WO Megrez 80. Both are fine alt/az mounts, but I think the Unistar is more convenient to use and is very sturdy. The Unistar will hold high powers steady and moves very wmoothly, too. I like it so well I find I rarely use an equatorial mount anymore!

Walter

February 4, 2005 03:52 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

"World Optics

Posted By Walter Locke
Can you provide a link to their site?

Walter

March 6, 2005 08:10 AM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Scopes Please 2

Posted By Walter Locke
How about a 60's vintage, made in Japan, J.C. Penny's 60mm alt/az refractor? It's in excellent shape and has surprisingly good optics...although the eyepieces are less than terrific!

Walter

March 29, 2005 01:12 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Tak Teegul or DiscMount DC6 for TEC140

Posted By Walter Locke
I've heard very good things about the stability and smoothness of a Discmount...but you pay for what you get. This is a snap of my TEC 140 (#70) and its UA Unistar Deluxe with Argo Navis DSCs, another viable choice in the race for a good alt/az mount. Good luck!

Walter

April 7, 2005 01:52 PM Forum: Refractors

80mm Refractor Recommendation

Posted By Walter Locke
The bottom line is, you pay for what you get. The current crop of scopes from China are a major step up from previous offerings, but quality control remains something of an issue, even with the best of them, so be vigilant if you buy one: check the scope's optics and mechanical features carefully. You may have to return a scope once or twice before you get one that's acceptable. On the other hand, the Japanese APOs are top notch, and they cost much more...but that extra quality pays for itself in the long run, in my opinion. Optically they're very good, and the mechanicals tend to be superior, plus the quality control is MUCH better. If you consider the TMB/APM 80mm APO, you have a scope that is excellent all the way around...at a price. Still, I'm amazed at the variety of quality scopes currently available across the board. It's a smorgasbord of small refractors! You simply need to be a little more watchful of the scope you receive if you choose a Chinese unit. Have fun choosing!

Walter

April 25, 2005 03:00 AM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Scopes Please 2

Posted By Walter Locke
Here is a Sears Discoverer Model 6333-A 60mm f/15 equatorial refractor. Typical of Japanese refractors of the 60's and 70's, it is of surprisingly good quality and well equipped, as well. It came with a 6x30 finder, hardwood tripod, sun screen, illuminated accessory tray, sun and moon filters, barlow, and four eyepieces. I disassembled the focuser and the mount, cleaned and relubed them with white lithium grease. Thanks for looking!

Walter

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