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Posts Made By: Jim Zinn

October 3, 2006 06:08 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Is Red Okay?

Posted By Jim Zinn
I'm planning on getting one of those 66mm refractors for a number of reasons including quick stargazing and travel. But one important use will be as a bird and wildlife spotting scope and some avian photography. These are cute little things that seem to be able to serve a number of purposes adequately.

My question is about color. I love the bright red version, but wonder if the color is a problem for birding. Should I stifle my esthetic desire for the racy red scope and get it in black?

Thanks.

Jim in Texas

February 2, 2007 11:53 PM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

Need a record

Posted By Jim Zinn
I am doing my first AM purchase and will pick up the item. I can take cash but would like to have a record of the transaction so that I can insure the new-to-me stuff. My insurance company has always requested a bill of sale, and I'm not sure if they would accept a hand written receipt from an individual. For those of you who sell often, would a cashier's check be as good as cash or a money order? I understand not wanting a personal check, but a cashier's check from my bank should do it. Am I right?

Jim in Texas

September 20, 2007 05:17 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Re: 35mm Panoptic, improved

Posted By Jim Zinn
Nice work. I think there could be a market for replacement barrels for safety catch eps. Since all of my holders have the brass compression ring, I would like to see the tapered barrels like the WO and Paragon eps. Maybe mass production could drop the price - or maybe the manufacturers could offer a choice. That would be novel.

Jim in Texas

June 22, 2005 03:17 PM Forum: Celestron

Which eyepieces for a C11

Posted By Jim Zinn
I don't have a suitcase full of ep's, but I find that 90% of my viewing is done with a wonderfully sharp 24mm panoptic and a delightful Nagler 13T6. Combined with a focal reducer and a good diagonal, I rarely use anything else. The 24 gives the widest view possible with a 1.25 ep and the 13 frames many dso's perfectly. I love globulars.

I have only had a few nights when the 9mm T6 could come into play although I have used it with the focal reducer in. For a diagonal, I suggest the Stellarvue dialectric. I have one in my small refractor and want to get one to replace the silvered Wo in my NS11.

June 22, 2005 07:16 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Which eyepieces for a C11

Posted By Jim Zinn
I don't have a lot of ep's, but I find that I do 90% of my viewing with the truly great 24mm Panoptic and a Nagler 13T6. Both frame the DSO's I love perfectly, globulars mostly. I also use a 6.3 focal reducer for wider views. Only on a few occasions have I had the seeing to use a 9mm T6. The 24 Pan was my first expensive ep. It is the first one I reach for to begin an evening with my NS11. I often spend a whole night with just this ep.

For planets I have the 9mm T6 mentioned above. I probably need an 11mm or 12, but I haven't decided what kind yet.

I also love my Stellarvue dielectric diagonal. It provided much clearer views over the stock diagonal.

July 17, 2005 12:38 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Transporting my scope - van or trailer.

Posted By Jim Zinn
I'm trying to decide the same thing for my NS11. It fits in my trunk, but little else goes in there then. Does anyone use a trailer for their scopes? Robert wants to know about his dob. I need to know if the bouncing or bumping would affect my SCT. I can't take out my mirror like Robert has suggested.

October 10, 2005 09:37 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Panoptics - Worth the price for a beginner?

Posted By Jim Zinn
I'm a semi-newbie. My first ep purchase was the Panoptic 24. It is still the eye piece I start with both on my 2800mm SCT and my 568mm refractor. Many nights, it is the only ep I use. I have four naglers, a 2.5x Power mate and a new Orion stratus. The Panoptic is still my favorite piece. My 2 cents.

Jim

November 18, 2005 04:08 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

MOUNTS?

Posted By Jim Zinn
Brian,

What scope and mount do you have?

About a month ago I hauled my NS11 to the local club's dark site and set up. All night, I kept getting the shakes from focusing -- very frustrating. When taking down the scope I noticed that I had neglected to attach the three bolts that hold the mount to the tripod. Yikes!!

Even with my small refractor on a alt-az, I find that my shakes are reduced if I really tighten up all the contections -- tripod screws, connectors, etc.

My experience. Hope it can help.

Jim in Texas

January 10, 2006 08:18 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

best public star party scope

Posted By Jim Zinn
I've only had it set up a a few public parties, but my NS11GPS works well. It's easy to find where to view (the ep location is sometimes a question for people not familiar with scopes), a little stool is all that's needed to accomodate a whole range of viewers, and it tracks. It has always done well for me when I share. My reflector, even tho alt/az, is harder for most to use and doesn't give the first time viewer the bang they look for. Can't blame the beautiful scope - an 85mm SV - or the newbie - they havn't learned what to look for yet. It took most of us a while to develop good viewing skills.

11 inch aperture, tracking, convenient height. Works for me.

Jim in Texas

September 10, 2006 05:25 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Dob v. SCT Part I

Posted By Jim Zinn
Howard Nielsen said:

I recently found a new Dob enthusiast's description of why he switched to a Dob from a 10" SCT:t cover.


Your new dob friend sounds like a real dolt. For his sake, I hope his new scope doesn't require a laddeer.

Jim in Texas

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