Posts Made By: Jim Brand

I picked up one of the Burgess/TMP 6mm planetary eyepieces a while back. the last couple of day have seen the first clear skies for PST viewing since I got it. I think this is my new favorite PST eyepiece. At $49.00 of the preproduction unit, or $99 for the production unit, it is a great value. A bit more power than I had been using, and a much larger field of view and better eyerelief than similar power orthos I had tried in the past.

Jim

I wanted to share positve experience.

I have a Promaster SystemPro 2 tripod, carrying a 501 fluid head for a couple of my small scopes. Works very well.

I had selected the systempro over the bogen/MF due primarily to cost. It was a vey similar design. Very solid. Had it a year or so, and have been satisified.

The clutch in one of the legs broke. This is the part that holds the leg at a specific angle relative to the head.

After beating myself up over letting this happen (long story), I decided to take it back to the store I bought it from to ask about parts.

The guy took one look at it, made a comment as to "we never see these broken", handed me a brand-new tripod and said "have a nice day". No receipts questions. No warranty questions. etc.

When showed my suprise, he indicated "promaster stands behind their stuff. They will take care of this, no questions asked".

That is the way it is supposed to work, but seldom does.

Jim

GSO makes a nice crayford - I have one on my reflector. They also make refractor models - and I see they have an adapter rings specifically for your scope. Lots of folks sell them - but I am partial to Agena http://www.agenaastro.com/Pages/Products_AllOther/products_Crayford_Focusers.htm) as shipping/taxes areincluded - Manish is really easy to work with.

Jim

I have a Astelle 60 (made by Lomo). I think I paid about 100 bucks for it. That was at astromart, so it might be a bit more strait retail. It is a nice little scope, very rugged and very portable. It is a Maksutov Gregorian, so if you are hooked on a refractor, maybe not for you. The scope, sunshade, tabletop tripod, and 2 or 3 eyepieves fit in a "fanny pack". It gives you a correct image without prisms etc.

For a 60 mm, I like it - accepts standard 1.25" eyepeices. I think it has a big brother that is a 70, and a 90.

Jim

I have the 6mm and the 4mm and am quite happy with them. The 6mm is a pre-production (garage sale clearance they call it) unit they are selling for 49$. They are both quite nice. There are a number of reviews around, comparing them favorably to UO orthos. I have not had as much night-sky time with them as I would like due to the weather. The 6mm is my new favorite in my PST however.

Do your math before ordering - a 4mm is quite a bit of power if you have a long fl scope.

Jim

I've done some business with them - excellent service, very personable, good prices. the owner used to be a memebr of our astro club before he moved to start eh business a few years ago. Great guy.

jim

I have the sykcommander and am very happy with it. For the price it cannot be beat.

Jim