Posts Made By: Jeff Arrington

Unfortunately, an accident has caused serious damage to my Meade Mak 7. Meade tells me it will cost about $1000 to fix. Given that expense, I am considering taking that money and applying it to a 4" apo refractor, such as the Televue 101 or 102, or the Takahashi 102FS. Can anyone comment on what I am likely to gain or lose in the observing experience if I do make such a switch? Does anyone have other suggestions for an upgrade from the Mak 7?

I live in Los Angeles, and have used my Mak only for visual observing. I intend to try astrophotography at some point. My parents and my in-laws live on farms, and I would like to be able to take my scope to those locations.

I live in Los Angeles, and will be using a scope most of the time in my light-polluted backyard. I presently have a TV 102 and am looking to upgrade to a scope (or scopes) that will keep me happy for a long time. It has been suggested to me that the "best" single scope for my situation would be either the Takahashi TOA 130 or the Mewlon 250, with the Mewlon 250 getting the more enthusiastic recommendation. I have been told that the TOA is a big enough jump over the TV 102 to impress me, and has enough light-gathering ability to provide some good DSO viewing given the constraints of a light-polluted environment. I also have been told that the Mewlon delivers APO-like performance on the moon and planets, and at 10" provides a lot of light-gathering ability for DSO without pulling in too much light that could wash out images.

I would appreciate any comments on the comparative desirability of these scopes (or other scopes) for use in my situation.

Losmandy says the load capacity of the GM-8 is 30 pounds. Can that capacity be increased by adding a more formidable tripod, or a portable pier such as those made by Advanced Telescope? If so, how much additional weight capacity would such firmer foundations add to the mount? And would a firmer tripod or pier add to the overall stability of the mount?