Posts Made By: Tino Hammid

I'm looking for advice on the advantages and disadvantages of getting something like the Orion Skyview 8" f/4 scope. The other class I am considering is a slower 8" Dobsonian. Are the views noticably brighter and more impressive with the f/4? I will be using it only occasionally and keeping it at a summer home where we have very nice dark skies. Thus, I don't want to spend very much. I can bring my existing eyepieces with me. I wish to use the scope to get my 11 year old daughter excited about astronomy and so deep sky, wide field viewing is what I'm aiming at. Photographic capability would be nice but I'd be happy with a Dob if I can get away for less, especially with a used scope. Thanks in advance for any comments.

Tino Hammid

I just purchased a used Meade 10" f/4.5 Dob and I wanted to get a basic, cheap collimating tool. When I went to my local Scope City they showed me a nice black annodized one which just fit into the focusser and had a very small hole in the middle. The thing cost about $30 so I figured I could make something myself. What I found was a perfect fit: it's a black plastic Kodak 35mm film can. I just cut off the lip which serves to snap the lid in place and cut a small hole in the bottom. It does exactly the same thing as the $30 deal.

Tino Hammid

I just wanted to report on my first summer of observing with my 11 year old daughter. Some may recall that I sought advice here about the proper scope to buy and I was encouraged to report back afterwards.

I ended up with a 10" Meade Dob for a great price and local pick up. I performed a complete collimation, including focusser and secondary mirror adjustments. We had several crystal clear nights at our very isolated house in upstate NY. We saw more than 100 DSO's including the N. American and Veil nebulas which took several tries before success.

All in all it was an excellent experience for me and my daughter, who also managed to find many objects on her own once the Telrad arrived.

Thanks to those who encouraged me and to others from whom I learned here without their knowledge.

Tino