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Posts Made By: Gordon Gower

November 22, 2005 09:24 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Wise move?

Posted By Gordon Gower
Hi! I am a long time AM user, but this is my first forum post.

I have a premium 12.5" dob with a tracking platform, and I am thinking of selling to upgrade to another premium 15" ultralight dob with full goto. I am visual only and have a pretty general interest in all aspects of amateur astronomy with no particular specialty. Do you think the moderate aperture increase coupled with the advantages of goto, which I would really enjoy, is worth the effort? (I have not mentioned the brands involved so as to keep the question away from the advantages/disadvantages of the different brands).

Thanks for your ideas!

Gordon Gower
Tucson, AZ

October 13, 2006 01:40 PM Forum: Eyepieces

More Power, Scotty, in my 102 FL!

Posted By Gordon Gower
I just bought a used Vixen 102 FL refractor with a 920mm focal length. My first light impressions are that the optics are superb and color free on the moon and even Vega. I will mostly use the scope for backyard lunar and planetary and for public star parties. My first impressions are that this scope will support some very high mag on the moon, which is one of my interests. My shortest FL eyepiece is an excellent Tak 5mm, but I think I may want just a little more power. My problem is that I must wear my glasses and long eye relief is a necessity. I love the Tak 5, but the ER is just too short. I also have an excellent Pentax XL7, but I want more power.

My question is how to get more power--the equivalent of a 3-4mm eyepiece without sacrificing ER. A couple of short FL Radians would do the trick, but how about a PowerMate 5X with some of my longer FL TV plossels? What would the group suggest might be the best scenario, while preserving ER and not breaking the bank?

Thanks,

Gordon Gower
Tucson

October 25, 2006 01:28 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Moonlite: A word of praise

Posted By Gordon Gower
I recently purchased a new Moonlite dual speed focuser for my Vixen 102 FL. Just wanted to pass on the the community what a great product the Moonlite focuser is. It compares very favorably with several Feathertouch focusers I have owned. Its operation is extemely smooth, and it even looks sharp. Ron, who I have never met and with whom I have no connection, was a great guy to deal with.

Just think we should occasionally pass on our positive experiences to support some of the excellent astro businesses out there. BTW, the focusers are even on sale through the end of the month.

Gordon Gower
Tucson, AZ

November 28, 2006 05:59 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

102 APO vs. 6" MCT for L & P?

Posted By Gordon Gower
I am always looking for the perfect scope for backyard lunar and planetary. It must be easily portable and on a driven mount since I also use it for public star parties. Deep sky is not an issue since I have a 12.5 dob for that. I currently have a Vixen 102 Fluorite refractor on a GP mount. It is an excellent scope and fits the requirements above (but it was a little pricy). Recently my observing buddy and I have been dreaming about Maks. (I do have a tendency to buy and sell scopes TOO OFTEN.) Here is where I need some advice. Would a 6" Mak Cass outperform a 102 apo on planets? Anyone have any experience here? Please share your ideas! (There is a Meade 7" Mak at a local scope store. It has tempted me, but I am afraid of the well documented cooling issues with this scope.)

Thanks,
Gordon Gower
Tucson

December 12, 2006 01:15 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

Fujis--worth it?

Posted By Gordon Gower
Hello to the group!

I am getting ready to make a horse trade with the local scope dealer, and he will owe ME money! My best option is to take my credit out in merchandise. I am thinking of a pair of Fuji 10X70s or 16X70s. Two questions, please:
1. I have an excellent pair of Nikon SE 12X50s. Will the jump up to 70mm (roughly doubling the aperture) be worth it, or should I wait and plan for something larger?
2. I am a middle aged man glued to eyeglasses. Which pair is best for me--the 10X with its too large exit pupil for my aging eyes, or the 16X with its marginal (16mm) eye relief?
If neither of the Fujis is really a plus for me, I could take out my credit in a sack of NIB Radians (which I could sell on AM!).

What do you think? Are the Fujis worth it for me?

Gordon G
Tucson, AZ

December 12, 2006 02:24 PM Forum: Refractors

Celestron Onyx?

Posted By Gordon Gower
Has anyone seen or know anything about the new Celestron Onyx 80EDF?

Thanks,

Gordon Gower
Tucson, AZ

December 15, 2006 12:59 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Weird Radian ?

Posted By Gordon Gower
I am getting ready to make a trade at the local scope shop, and the local dealer will end up owing me money! The best way for me to come out ahead is to take the $ out in merchandise. I was going to trade him for a pair of 16X70 Fuji binos, but turns out he sold his last pair.

My new idea is to take 3 or 4 NIB Radians in trade and sell them on AM. The only Radian I need for my collection is the 6mm, and that is one that is out of stock. My question: what are the three or four most popular Radian focal lengths? I would want to get the ones that would be the easiest to sell. Anyone have an idea?

Failing this, does anyone else have a suggestion on several TV EPs that would be really easy to sell on AM? I will have $700-800 in credit.

Thanks,

Gordon Gower

May 25, 2007 09:02 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Book recommendation

Posted By Gordon Gower
O Wise Ones,
I have been appointed to do public astronomy at two national parks in Utah for 7 weeks this summer. I know it's a tough job, but someone had to, and why not a recently retired (TODAY!!) public school teacher?
I will be carrying a vast amount of gear for my wife and I for 7 weeks away from home, including, of course, my 12.5" Portaball and ancillary gear. I will have several standard atlases for reference, but I may have to prepare some short talks, and I will field many questions. NOW, I would like to take one or two books along for basic reference and and as resources for preparing talks. I am not looking for something too heavily into string theory, cosmology, the advanced equations to describe black holes, etc, but just for some recent books for basic reference to supplement my star atlases. What would you recommend (remembering that space is at a premium)?
Thanks,

Gordon Gower
Tucson, AZ

August 3, 2007 02:11 AM Forum: Refractors

Tak FS 76??

Posted By Gordon Gower
My local dealer has a used Tak FS 76 for sale. It is a fluorite doublet with a 600 mm FL. I am familiar with the FS 78 and have heard about the older FC76, but I have no info on a FS 76. Is this a very old scope, a rare scope, or did I somehow read it wrong? I am sure about the 600mm FL and the fluorite doublet, but I might have misread the label (but don't really think I did)!

Does anyone have any info on a Tak FS 76? How old is this scope?
How might it compare in performance to more modern 80mm doublets, etc.

Thanks for the help!
Gordon Gower

March 28, 2008 05:31 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

laser question

Posted By Gordon Gower
I am thinking of buying a laser for some summer public star parties I will be hosting. I am considering the 15mw Wicked Laser. Somewhere in the back of my mind I remember someone saying that lasers over 5mw were not really legal. Did I dream this? Is there any legal/ethical reason I should not buy a 15mw laser? I will use it for pointing out constellations at public star parties (not to harass astrophotographers)! This may have been extensively discussed, but if so, I missed it!


Thanks,

Gordon Gower
Tucson

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