Posts Made By: Dan Brasher

Which eyepiece is of better quality?

A Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl multicoated.

Or a Meade Super Plossl multicoated which has Japan stamped on the barrel.

I appreciate any and all input.

Dan

Which eyepiece is of better quality?

A Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl multicoated.

Or a Meade Super Plossl multicoated which has Japan stamped on the barrel.

I appreciate any and all input.

Dan

Does anyone have any experience with the Meade Deep Sky Imager? I believe this is a fairly new product.

It apparently utilizes Sony’s Super HAD Color CCD Image Sensor Technology.
and uses 48-Bit Color. This thing starts at about $299 and will work with any scope.

According to their site, it is suppose to suppress electronic noise by turning off it's internal power supplies and running the camera on stored energy, while concurrently measuring the intensity of light captured during exposure.

Any comments on this product?

Thanks,
Dan

Yes, I managed to strip an allen screw hex on the corrector plate retainter ring. Any suggestions? I've am trying an easy out, but it's not biting, may have used to large a bit, so am going for the next size easy out tomorrow.

Any comments or ideas?

Considering buying a manufactured observatory. The prices all seem high to me. In any event, I'm looking for reviews, feedback comments on Clear Skys Observatories. Looks like it runs $4950. plus shipping. The diameter is 8.5 feet, and looks like the dome is about 6.5 feet. Seems shipping would be costly from MI to the west coast.

http://www.clearskysinc.com/index.htm

And comments or reviews on this company?

Thanks, Dan.

Taking the leap from my trusty, old OM-1 to digital.

Have have aquired a new notebook, Toshiba M45 s359 w/a wireless connection to the modem/router. 3 USB connections and a fast processor, big drive, big memory etc.

Using a classic LX200 10" mounted on a superwedge on a steel pier.

I am considering purchasing a Digital Rebel. Or some other comparable DSLR.

My question is, is there a site that covers the basics on using the DSLR camera specifically with a laptop, and addresses what is required, using the laptop for focusing, imaging, software used? etc. What kind of cabling for the camera to the scope? Recommended camera adapters?

Now that I have the laptop (which I needed anyway for work) and the scope, I am looking forward to *slowly* getting involved in digital imaging with a DSLR. Unfortunatly, I don't have a lot of time right now, so I will be taking my time one step at a time.

Thanks for any advise or links.

And I apologize, as I am sure the info is here somewhere, but I just don't have much time to search for it.

I sincerely appreciate any help/advice that is offered.
Dan

I too am looking forward to the results. If they are favorable and positive, I may purchase one.

Dan

Ken,

Correct on useing a new, quality allen, they are cheap and I picked three. The easy out I used worked fine after drilling out and slightly enlarging the stripped hex hole. I took my time and it worked out perfectly. Oh, and that was my next move, to use some type of contact cement to adhear the allen wrench to the freaking allen screw. I would have tried that, but didn't need too. Thanks for the advise.

Oh, and the new stainless allen screw I replaced, I just snugged them up nice. Meade must have put them in originally with a jack hammer wrench. Hehe.

Thanks again, Dan.

Check this link below Ivan, if you haven't seen it already.

It has complete detailed plans, (free) on their site, on how to build a shed type roll off roof. It's pretty similar to the pic you posted. When you get there, click on the link that says, "construction details".

Good luck to you.

Dan.....


http://www.stellar-international.com/stiobs.html

It'll be to small Heather, IMHO. Just a thought, but check clear skys observatorys. I believe they have an 8.5' model for about 1k more than the 6' Home Dome. Here's an image.

http://www.meridiantelescopes.com/images/observa/dome2b.htm

After looking at prices from all the manufacturers, and then adding in shipping, I am close to building my own. I figure I can build my own, about 8' diameter for about $1800.

Good luck.