Posts Made By: Michael Sandy

Hi Vladimir,

Just another vote for ST-237. I used a STV, but decided to replace it with the 237 in order to run in a more automated fashion than the STV can comfortably support. My set-up is described here: http://www.darksights.com/Equipment.htm You can pick up ST-237 for under $1000 (I think there is one on AM right now) so they are about half the price of and STV.

What does your system look like (scope, guide scope, software), and how do you want to set things up? Knowing that would help answering your question.

Mike

http://www.DarkSights.com

Hi Tom,

That is a good thing to remind BinoVue owners of. It also happens with the AP Maxbright.

Mike

http://www.DarkSights.com

I agree with Mitch......AP130 f6 and the 10" AP Mak-Cass (my dream combo) - I have the 130 and I'm just waiting/hoping to pick up a Mak-Cass someday (anyone got one they want to sell?).

If we have to pick between the three you listed, the 155 would be my first choice. Then the decision gets tougher. I'm not sure what role the 130 would play that couldn't be done by the 155, so I might pick the 105 as a "grab and go" option. Wouldn't it be nice to have to worry about the decision though? You really can't go wrong!

Mike

http://www.DarkSights.com

Hi Ed,

This looks like an easy decison to me. Call Russ at Denkmeier and discuss the benefits of the Denk II and place an order for whichever Denk makes sense after the conversation. Why was that easy, because of the things you said about yourself in you post. You own a TV 102 and Nagler 3-6 Zoom, and you're planning a "premium" mid sized DOB. The equipment you choose to buy is some of the best - premium stuff and not many compromises made there.

The Black Nights appear to be good values - "almost as good and much cheaper" - are the qualifiers I always seem to hear about them (don't know myself - I haven't viewed through them). I don't hear that from people that buy the Denks....people that I trust seem to like the design, price, quality, service, and performance - and consder them to be good values too. TV and AP/Baader are also very good units, but you didn't ask about those - and I don't know that it would change my recommendation if you had.

The bottom line: I just don't think you'd be happy, after all is said and done, with almost as good - and they cost less. Stay with what you've been doing - buy the best quality and performance you can afford, you'll be glad you did IMHO.

I think this ad is an interesting endorsement from someone who owned a BN and, in his words "upgraded" to Denk II's - check it out: http://www.astromart.com/viewad.asp?cid=230209 Not a big deal, just exactly what I described.

In case you haven't found the all other Bino forums, here is another great source of information about bino's: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/binoviewer/ There is a wealth of information about different brands included in the archives here.

Hi Chris,

You might find that with the short fl you'll be using, the 7.4 micron pixel size of the ST-20000 might might give it the advantage. I worked through the same choice last year, and ended up going with the ST-8 because the ST-2000 was very new, and I wanted to stay with the non USB interface. At about 2.2 arc-sec/pixel in an AP 130 at f6, the ST-8 is at about the limit.

Mike

http://www.DarkSights.com

No problem at all Herb! I read that thread with a bit of a smile thinking - Boy, when Herb regains his balance.....

With all you have to put up with - we've got to (and do) cut you some slack - You certainly deserve it!.

Thanks again for the best astro-site on the web!

Mike

.......You may ask questions about an item and post the item number. However, you may not blatantly advertise items that you are selling.......

Was there a question here or is this just "non-blatant" advertising?

This is exactly the reason I have been recommending the Denks. There is not much (if anything) lost in performance compared to the BinoVue or Baader units, but they cost significantly less. You can't say that the about next step down in cost....IMHO.

For what it is worth......

Honor ends up being who we are......you live that every day. Thanks for all you do for us all!

Have a great day.....and I wish nothing but clear skies for you (Heck, maybe they'll extend down my way)!