Posts Made By: Jeff Terry

Hi All,

Anyone successfully using the Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14x40 for Astronomy purposes?

Jeff

Hi All,

I recently purchased a Canon 15 x 50 is binocular. It appears to drain the battery when not in use.
I put in fresh lithium batteries, use if for an hour, and come back the next day to find the batteries drained.

This is a bit of an annoyance. I shut off the IS and it has a 5 minute shut-off feature anyway so I don't know
what could be draining the batteries overnight.

Has anyone else seen this?

Thanks,

Jeff

Hi Larry,

I used to live in Los Alamos and have attended both the Enchanted Skies and Okie-Tex Star Parties.
I wish that they were not typically during the same week and I would schedule a trip to attend them both.

The atmosphere at Enchanted Skies is really nice and so it is my favorite. The skies were a bit darker for the entire star party at Okie-Tex. When I was attending Enchanted Skies only one night was at the ranch and the others were at the New Mexico Tech Observatory which isn't the darkest site in the world. I believe that this may have changed.

Jeff

Hi Ed,

I have been to both sites. They each had advantages and disadvantages.

Neither site is particularly dark. The town of Bourbonais has enchroached on the Camp Shaw site.
Kankakee encroaches on Vana's.

Vana's is a whole lot more spacious. There is plenty of room for everyone who wants to attend. Camp Shaw was always tight when I was there. I really appreciate the extra elbow room.

The bunk facilities/restrooms/lecture hall at Camp Shaw were IMO a bit nicer. The showers and Vana's late night food is far superior.

The split has clearly hurt both star parties. Vendors are down, attendance as well.

I doubt that there will ever be a reconciliation. I don't know how long the two can survive separately. I believe that the area's largest telescope vendor only goes to Astrofest.

I myself have choosen to go to Astrofest and only support one because I expect both to fail if they keep fighting each other. If one was in May and the other Sept. I might change my mind.

Hope that helps.

Jeff

Hi Alan,

As usual great job.

Jeff

News should just be a tab. Classifieds should be the default.