Posts Made By: Merlin Raymond

Ok guys I'm asking the $64K question. I'm new to this and want to know the best camera for the money is? I'm leaning toward a SBIG7 but thought I would through this out for comments. PLease be nice, no fighting, just truthful answers. A little back ground. I'm useing a C8, building an observatory, and computers are no problem to me. So let the fun begin!

Ok I'll repost. Help!! Does anyone know if the Celestron incoders will work with the Meade Magellan I? I have this setup and can not get them to read.

Good idea Tom maybe we should get our own Forum :~) My project hit bad weather and has started moving slow. Rain has come to the great northwest and since I don't have a covered area to work it moves a lot slower. Also I was hoping for alittle corperate sponsership by now and it hasn't been forth coming. Had to sell my second car to buy a CCD and cut back on the holiday spending but I should still make it buy spring "God willing and the creak don't rise." What's this I read about your health? The father of the great Poly Observatory can not be of failing health. You need to take better care of your self. You have become our fearless leader, we are all humbled by your achievments :~). I'll hang for now talk at you all later.

I have a question that you all may be able to answer. I am making a solar filter for my C8 and would like to know if there are advantages to making it a full apature or some part there of. I have enough Badar matierial to do either but would be nice to save enough to do my other scopes as well. Any comments?
Thanks Magic Man

I need a cheap answer to automating my dome with my telescope VIA computer. I am using an opto incoder to track it's location and a DC motor to turn it. I just need the hardware and software to make this happen. I use The Sky for my charts and goto and would like it all to tie together.
Thanks for your help.

Ok I know I'm starting something but I need to know. I just bought a 10" med priced DOB as a grab and go scope that came with a 2" focuser adapted to 1.25". I already have a collection of 1.25" eyepieces. But will I gain much if I start collecting 2" eyepieces or should I just add more and better 1.25"?

Hi guys just finished my portable pier for the observatory and thought you might like to here how it went. I started with a 6" steel well casing 5.5ft long. Then welded a half inch steel plate in one end. Next it was drilled and tapped for the cast Aluminum legs and the wedge. It was given a good coat of rubber undercoat to soften the ring and the leggs were attached. Guy wires and turn buckles were then added from 2/3 of the way up the tube down to the legg ends and tightened. I placed a five pound sand bag in the tube followed by a 3 ft plywood X that fit tight against the inside and driven into the pier. And last I attached the wedge and line scilencers from my bow huniting eq. to dampen the guy wires. It appears to dampen out in about 4 sec from a hard rap on the side. I think I have that problem solved :~}
Magic Man

In the begining there was steel, and plastic. And the wife said. "Do something with that thing!" As so it was said, so it was began.
Star Shooter Mobile Observatory

Well gentlemen, tomorrow is the 10th making it the 50th aneversary of the first UFO picture ever taken in McMinville OR. I might add it has never been proven to be fake. The club I belong to has been ask to put on a star party as part of the annual cellibration. If we should be so lucky as to be granted a visit from the great beyond I will give them all your greetings.
Clear Dark Skies
Magic Man
SSMO
PS I do believe!

OK guys I'm looking for something in the 50mm 2" range. Have any comment on GTO from Handson, or Surplus Shed?
Thanks
Magic Man
SSMO