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Douglas Rollain

SH2-157_Seestar_S30_Pro

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Posts Made By: ken pfeiffer

December 7, 2005 05:04 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Orion Astroview 120ST

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Someone in our club has one of those (on an AP mount!). I was impressed by the wide field views. It is definitely not an APO, but it does throw up really nice views of extended objects.

December 20, 2005 02:12 AM Forum: Eyepieces

high power advice

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Hi Rex,

How are your seeing conditions?

I have heard a familiar rule of thumb that 300x is about the highest power you can use under most circumstances, because atmospheric conditions put a lid on seeing. You can use higher powers, but the image just gets bigger - you can't see any more detail. My experience confirms that, although I am interested in other observer's experience. I just read Floyd Blue's post that he uses over 1000x on the moon (!).

So you can always play and use very high power, but you may not be able to see any more detail than if you use a 9mm eyepiece in your scope. FWIW, I had fun viewing Mars at 400x through my 4" APO in good seeing conditions.


December 21, 2005 04:57 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

What is the best binocular in $250 range

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Celestron Ultima 10x50. Excellent optics, and light, too. Surprisingly close to my Swarovski 10x50s, at less than 20% of the price. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

December 23, 2005 08:09 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Nagler 3-6 zoom vs Meade 4000 6.7 uwa

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Hi Dave,

I also have a SV105. Nice scope, eh? I have the 3-6 zoom. It's a great eyepiece, and I use if for high power on planets, etc. It is extremely useful and renders excellent views with decent eye relief. On nights of really good seeing I can use it with a TV 2X Barlow, where you can crank the power to around 400 if you want to. I got a good view of Mars that way this October.

As Ron pointed out, it makes up for a whole bunch of other eyepieces, and yes, you can use it between click stops. It is pretty much parfocal, but you need to make small adjustments to focus as you change the power. No big deal, though. I really like mine, and I recommend it.

March 5, 2006 08:14 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Celestron Ultima DX 10x50

Posted By ken pfeiffer

>Personally I prefer the original leatherette finish to the new rubber armoring.
<

Thanks for the review, Doug. I have owned the original 10x50s for many years now, and I think they are (were) one of the best values around. I got some Swarovski 10x50s about a year and a half ago, and they are better optically than the Celestrons, but certainly not in proportion to the difference in price.

However, I found the Celestron leatherette to be really nice when new, but after several years of daily use, the finish started to deteriorate and flake off. Now the binos have what you might call a "felt" finish, since the outer plastic coating is now gone. I hope the new rubber coating is more durable than the rather flimsy leatherette on the older ones.

The only other gripe I have with the Celestrons is that the objective lens on one barrel would occasionally get loose, and I would have to tighten it down. This is probably not one of those "completely waterproof, nitrogen purged" models.

How are the new ones on the waterproof scale?

March 22, 2006 11:19 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

My Fedex Experience

Posted By ken pfeiffer
Sorry to hear about your bad experience, Rod.

I think it is important to distinguish Fedex Ground from Fedex Air. Fedex Ground used to be something like Roadway Express (?). I have heard some real horror stories about Fedex Ground. I sold a scope to a guy who told me that there is no way he wanted the scope shipped to him by Fedex Ground. "ANY WAY BUT FEDEX GROUND!" he said to me. He then told me he had sold a scope to someone and shipped it Fedex Ground, and the scope had been totally destroyed. He filed a claim because he had insured the scope for the full value, but after much hassling back and forth he ended up getting about half the value of the insurance. He was righteously outraged, and rightfully so.

I have not heard of too many problems with Fedex Air, though.

April 26, 2006 04:23 AM Forum: Eyepieces

nagler eyepieces in a spotting scope

Posted By ken pfeiffer
I have the Swaro 80 with the 20x60 zoom. I haven't used a Nagler (it would need some sort of adapter), but it is hard to imagine too much better of a picture than with the Swaro zoom. My most memorable picture of the Omega nebula was with this setup from a dark sky site(Compared with MUCH larger scopes, this was most pleasing.)

And you have a sealed zoom eyepiece. And if it is any consolation, it is not cheaper than a Nagler... wink

And best of all, you get to buy some new equipment!

May 7, 2006 03:33 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Used scopes-WARRANTY???

Posted By ken pfeiffer
I have heard a few stories that Stellarvue goes beyond honoring any warranty - they they will make the scopes right even in extraordinary circumstances. That makes sense since it is a small company that succeeds on their reputation.


May 10, 2006 07:55 PM Forum: Refractors

Best Planetary 4" refractor?

Posted By ken pfeiffer
APM makes a mighty fine APO from the
TMB 100 F8 triplet. I believe the TV102 is a doublet.

May 11, 2006 04:06 AM Forum: Refractors

Best Planetary 4" refractor?

Posted By ken pfeiffer
You say the doublets give better contrast than the triplets? Don't the doublets have more CA? Would this not make for worse contrast?

I understand that the more surfaces you have, the worse the contrast, but doesn't CA complicate the analysis?

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