Posts Made By: Darrell Hensley

Hello Osvaldo,Scopestuff.com has the stainless steel springs that they sell for the 10 and 12" Meade lightbridge.These may work,they cost $14.00 .Regards,Darrell

Hi Sreven,I have'nt ever used the shorty plus or the university optic barlows,their probably just fine.I just purchased the Meade series 4000 2X barlow.It is the apochromatic with triplet and air space and gives great views with no distortion at higher magnification,and made in Japan for $49.00 through any Meade dealer.I've tried cheaper but have started learning its best to just to have to buy a good one the first time.I also have a really good celestron barlow that was given to me that I have enjoyed using until I bought my new Meade.I think you should get the type with triplet lens whatever brand you buy,you'll be glad you did.Clear skies,Darrell

Hello Chris,Hey thats a great photo,if thats a trash pic I'm looking forward to seeing some photos from your good camera.I know what you mean about the cold too,I came in at 3:30am and am numb.It got to 12 degrees,I had a beer beside me and was a slushy in 10minutes.Anyway you did a really good job taking this pic.Looks like you got the bug really good.Regards,Darrell

Thats great Dave,we also have the Geminid meteor shower beginning Sunday and will peak the middle of next week.Maybe I'll catch some of these since it rained during the Leonids here in S.E.Ky.Wish I would be able to see the lights.Clear skies,Darrell

Hello Dennis,I have an aluminum pistol case from Walmart with the pluck foam that is the size of a leather briefcase.You could put everything you have in it and still have lots of room for expanding your collection.This case is $29.95 .Cheers,Darrell

Hello Buck,If you're just putting it on from one pvc pipe to the other ,why not just use small screws with washers.When you want to take down your blind just roll it up till the next time you assemble it.Just use one piece of plastic to two pvc pipes.Or get a different type plastic or tarp.Not seeing your design I am just picturing a square toppless box. I need to do this on one side of my yard because of the neighbors pole light.You could read the newspaper in my yard.Good luck,Darrell

Hello Kay,Welcome to astromart.I think you chimed in during nap time for a lot of Amarters,up all night viewing.I think you have the perfect size scope for the beginner on up to accomplished.It will take a few nights to get to know your scope and follow it's prompt's to view different ogjects and just have fun.Try experimenting with different eyepieces along with the 2X barlow and without.You will notice that the image may get a little softer with higher magnification so back off a little.Saturn will not be huge but you can make the image larger with higher powered eyepieces.Try some of the open clusters with a low powered eyepiece ,such as M41,M37,38,36.Use your 25mm and 32mm with this type of cluster .Having object locator on your scope is a big help so if it has a tonights best mode try it.I don't have this type scope,I have the Meade autostar with mine so I'm not sure if yours has this mode on it.Someone with object locator will help you when they check their emails.I think you'll like the folks here and find them very helpful.I think that you have found a very worthwhile hobby and the folks in this hobby are like none I've never met.Everyone wants you to continue with it and will try to make sure that you get any help needed.Clear skies and have fun,Darrell

Hi Darryl,One of us is spelling our name wrong.The reason a mirror may need to be re-coated is that time and certain atmospheric conditions such as smog or even chemicals that get in the dew can and does eat the aluminum off the surface.You should never touch a mirror also,this will also take the coatings off from just the acids in your skin.You should always make your tube is as airtight as possible when not in use.If you store it in your house just steam from cooking will carry grease and will deposit it on your mirror.Try to not clean it if it just gets dust on it.Over cleaning also rubs off the coating.Remember the coating is on the top and not underneath like a looking glass and is very fragile.I use the old type bathing caps on my scopes as well as the dust cap that comes with it,and since I keep it in an envirionmenally kept outside building I also keep them covered with plasic garbage liners.They accumalate a lot of dust but when I get one of my scopes out it's like brand new without a speck of dust even on the mount.Clear skies,Darrell

Yeah Scott,I absolutely love Pink Floyd.I usually listen to them while I view.I use to play their songs on guitar.I would try to play the entire album of another brick in the wall.It takes a completely different state of mind to play a lot of their music,and I don't mean what some folks think I mean,but I used to mean it that way when I was in high school.I graduated in 1977 so that should give you an idea of the era I grew up in.But Pink Floyd is still just as good today as they were then.I've got to get me the Pulse DVD,everyone that has it really likes it.I hope I did'nt change your posting too much,I just like Pink Floyd and did'nt think anyone on astromart liked them as much as I do.Sincerely,Darrell

I still say the Bar-B-Q grill paint is about the blackest non-reflective paint that there is.It even sticks to aluminum great-which is what it iis actually made for.I'm just lazy and this is quick........and very black!Darrell