Posts Made By: Reynaldo Cordero

Hello:

In search for maximum portability, I recently acquired a Universal Astronomics Microstar Deluxe (on a Bogen 3021) with a Celestron C5 or TV60 on it. I really like to star hop, but between the job, the kids, and our darn weather, I have limited time for viewing. I am thinking of putting a set of Computerized Digital Setting Circles on it. There are many brands available. Would any of them work? Would it be difficult to do?
:S
Rey Cordero
Berkeley, CA
Tele Vue 60
Celestron C5
Super C8 Plus
Celestron C 9.25[COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR]

The Shingletown Star Party near Mt. Lassen (Northern California) is scheduled for next month. The online registration deadline is June 16th. Are there any Astromarters that are planning to attend?

Rey Cordero
Berkeley, CA

I have two sets of binoculars, a Celestron Ultima 10x50 and Orion Mini Giants 11x70. The Orion binos are good but not excellent and I am thinking of replacing them with higher quality binos of the same size or larger. The issue with the Orions is that the view degrades significantly about 2/3rds of the way out to the periphery. On the other hand, they are actually quite light despite their size. Any comments or recommendations? In particular, I am interested in hearing from anyone that has had the opportunity to use Stellarvue binoculars. The new 20x85 are quite attractive.

Rey Cordero
Berkeley, CA

I purchased a TV 60 about four months ago and I am still amaze at how much I like it. It's so small and light I can take it to work in my briefcase. Having a tripod in the car has allowed me to go bird watching in Golden Gate Park during my lunch hour. It is a wonder show ultraportable and versatile this scope is. The first time I saw the banding pattern on the surface of Saturn was with this scope. This was about a month after purchase. I could not believe my eyes.


The latest is that I bought a Tele Vue 85 and had them side by side for a couple of hours under urban skies. I have tried this trick before to find out when the little scope will simply be outshone by a bigger scope and relegated to second or third class status. Neither a ETX 125 or Celestron C5 accomplished this. Surely a TV 85 would put it in its place.


Nope. I used the TV 60 as a super finder, rich field scope side by side with the TV 85. The Coathanger (Collander 399) actually looked better in the 60. Less light gathering made the asterism actually stand out more. Pushing the magnification a bit darkened the background sky and showcased the piece. Go figure.


Is there anybody else out there who has bought one of this and is disappointed? After all, 60mm refractors are derided as poor performing wannabes.

Rey Cordero

Can anyone explain how seeing conditions are rated? I have seen ratings of 1-10 on a number of parameters such as transparency, etc. I am logging Messier objects and would like to include have an entry for "seeing". Any pointers would be appreciated.

Rey Cordero :S

Let me just say that I wanted to stay away from the green laser pointer debate. I felt that enough had been said by everyone who had an opinion. However, I just saw this ad in AM from someone who is modifying them at home and cranking them from 5mW to 20mW. I can't believe this. Is it legal for someone to modify these darn things at home for profit? This is ridiculous.

Rey Cordero >

Hello:

I bought a Advanced Series CG5 Go-To by Celestron last year. Due to the same malady that plagues us allm(namely, not enough time and good weather), I have only taken it out to a viewing site about 4 times. To make matters more troubling, I have had issues with the Go To operation of the mount every time I have tried to do the 3 star autoalign.

Despite ensuring that date, time and coordinates are correctly loaded into the drive controller, it often points way far away from the stars in question. I then use the controls to each one of the three stars to complete the sequence. Thereafter, the Go To operation is good for about 5 or 6 objects before the mount starts to do point off target. During my last outing, after choosing a target from the database, it repeatedly "went crazy". The motors were just whirling away moving the telescope all around while the hand controller displayed a "NOT RESPONDING" message. On the plus side, the mount tracks fine if I find the object my moving the scope manually and then lock the motor gears.

Has anyone out there had similar problems? Is this mount a dud? Is there any hope for it, or should I take it out in back and shoot it right now? :C

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Rey Cordero
TeleVue 60
TeleVue 85
Meade ETX 125
Celestron Super C8+
Celestron 9.25 on AS CG5 GT

Hello:

I bought a Advanced Series CG5 Go-To by Celestron last year. Due to the same malady that plagues us all (namely, not enough time and good weather), I have only taken it out to a viewing site about 4 times. To make matters more troubling, I have had issues with the Go To operation of the mount every time I have tried to do the 3 star autoalign.

Despite ensuring that date, time and coordinates are correctly loaded into the drive controller, it often points way far away from the stars in question. I then use the controls to each one of the three stars to complete the sequence. Thereafter, the Go To operation is good for about 5 or 6 objects before the mount starts to do point off target. During my last outing, after choosing a target from the database, it repeatedly "went crazy". The motors were just whirling away moving the telescope all around while the hand controller displayed a "NOT RESPONDING" message. On the plus side, the mount tracks fine if I find the object my moving the scope manually and then lock the motor gears.

Has anyone out there had similar problems? Is this mount a dud? Is there any hope for it, or should I take it out in back and shoot it right now? :C

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Rey Cordero
TeleVue 60
TeleVue 85
Meade ETX 125
Celestron Super C8+
Celestron 9.25 on AS CG5 GT

Hello:

I have 2 refractors, an 60 mm and an 85 mm. It is clear that a 25 mm differential in aperture is worth the upgrade. The gain in light gathering capacity and resolution is obvious even to the casual observer. To move up from an 85 mm, what would be the minimum aperture to consider to make it worthwhile? Moving up to 90 mm is probably not worth the trouble, but what about 100mm, or would it have to be 110?

Rey

Hello:

I have a Super C8 plus that I reckon is about 20 years old. I am not sure if I can tell for certain, but it looks like the corrector plate and the primary mirror look like they could use a cleaning.

My questions are:
- Would it be a bad idea to try to do it myself or should it be sent to Celestron?
- if I send it, should I take it off the fork mount? The thing weighs a lot when it is attached to the Byers Worm Drive.
- I can probably call Celestron for find out, but since I am at it: how much will it cost to have it cleaned?

Thanks for any info you may have.

Rey