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Posts Made By: ken pfeiffer

October 24, 2005 09:16 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Eyepiece guards

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Hi John,

I have the same problem with a couple of different eyepieces. I asked this a while ago, but all I got was "contact Televue, and they are expensive". I hope someone else has some additional info!

November 1, 2005 03:43 AM Forum: Refractors

Np101

Posted By ken pfeiffer
That sounds like a really good plan. I haven't heard anything bad about the TEC 140. It is one of the top rated scopes at excelsis.com. The owners we hear from here are really effusive about it. The only disadvantage is that it is a bit bigger than your 101.

November 14, 2005 08:19 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Whats the differance.

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Hey George,

One thing to consider is whether you will ever do any terrestrial observing. A DOB is pretty much useless there, although it could be arranged with difficulty. You could set up the DOB on a picnic table, for example. Please don't laugh, I have done it.

As for owning EITHER an AP or a DOB, many of the folks with huge DOBs also own a small APO for those situations where the DOB would be cumbersome, e.g. grab and go, or terrestrial. That way you get the best of both worlds.

November 18, 2005 03:25 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Panoptics for planetary use?

Posted By ken pfeiffer
I like that eyepiece a lot, too. I have used it in a 12" DOB, 8" SCT, and a 4" APO. It is very sharp, and I am surprised that it got poor reviews on planets, except for the low power. But a barlow changes that. In the APO I have compared the views barlowed side by side with a Radian of similar focal length, and I preferred the view in the Pan. I am interested in what other people have found.

November 21, 2005 09:18 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Need Eyepiece recommendations

Posted By ken pfeiffer
I also have a four inch APO and here is what I like:

Low power: 32mm TV Plossl or 30mm Celestron Ultima. Simple, bright and clear, and they both fill the field of view (50 degrees) with what I can see without moving my head around for the "space walk" feeling. Also excellent eye relief.

Medium power: 19mm Panoptic. Stunning sharpness and clarity. All around favorite eyepiece, particularly in the longer focal length scope you have.

High power: 6mm Radian, or if you have *really* good seeing perhaps a 3-6mm Nagler zoom. The Radian has good eye relief and is comfortable to use.

Some people might disagree with me here, but I also like the TV 8-24mm zoom. It is very nice for terrestrial since you don't have to change eyepieces. The only shortcoming I find is that the field of view at 24mm is rather small at 40 degrees.

In any event, have fun!

November 30, 2005 04:53 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

shameless self promotion

Posted By ken pfeiffer
You are right! Nice stuff.

Also good to see some other surfers here.

Clear skies!

November 30, 2005 08:06 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Dang it , Too slow!

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Bummer!

You need a script to automatically refresh the listings in the eyepiece classfieds, search for "15" and "TV" or "Televue", and then turn on your internet radio really loud when it gets a hit.

(Maybe I shouldn't have told you that.)

Good luck, Floyd!

December 4, 2005 04:41 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Wood tripods

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Well, I have had a few different combos of tripods and alt-az heads, including the Gibraltar, Telepod, etc.

Recently I got a Universal Astronomics Unistar Deluxe with a heavy wood tripod. Now I couldn't be happier. The mount is extremely stable and easy to carry outside. I have a 4" APO on it, and all I have to do is take the dovetail off the mount (both pretty light) and attach them outside.

No stress, low maintenance setup. You also might want to look at the Stellarvue mahogany tripod and head. It is really nice looking and sweet, but a bit pricey. On the other hand, there is probably a wait for the UA mount.

December 5, 2005 05:07 PM Forum: Refractors

Ultimate grab and go mount for TMB Refracter

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Nice!

You can pick this whole thing up and carry it outside in one piece? Do you have to collapse the tripod legs?

December 6, 2005 05:29 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Wood tripods

Posted By ken pfeiffer
I have noticed that some of you have some very heavy tripod spreaders, much more sturdy than the "standard Bogen" one.

I'd appreciate any information about where these came from, where to get them, etc. They look really cool!

BTW, some nice scopes on those mounts, guys!

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