Posts Made By: MARK KLIMKIEWICZ

This is my first post and from reading many other's here I'm sure I will get a lot of responses. I'm looking for advice on purchasing my next scope. I currently have a meade 826 (8" f/6 newt on equatorial mount) that I purchased new in 1980 and an Orion 10" f4.7 dob I purchased used 2 years ago. I'm ready to make the next jump up but there are so many choices and I'm not sure where the best values are. I don't know if I'll be better off with a significantly bigger scope or just a slightly smaller one with better optics.

Here's my observing style: All visual almost no photography. Planetary, moon, clusters, nebulae and galaxies are all interesting subjects for me. I own a 35MM panoptic,25mm Plossel,18mm Radian, 9mm & 5mm Naglers. What is the smallest size scope that will make me say Wow when I see M27, Ring Nebulae, Whirlpool?

I live in an area where, due to shopping centers my sky is about 5.0 magnitude. However, a 15 minute drive will get me 6.0 and I've traveled twice last year to Cherry Springs State Park in PA.

Also, how do mirrors compare from the likes of Zambuto, Stevens, Pegasus, Woden and others? Are they all comparable? Which one has the best Value? I was leaning towards the Astro Sky with a 16" 4.5 mirror. They seem to be substantially less expensive than the Obsessions, Starmasters and others. What would I be giving up if I chose Astro Sky and which mirror would you pick if price Was an object? Thank you all in advance for your opinions?

Thanks for sharing.

Mark

I currently have a 10" dob and observe from a location with 4.5 magnitude skies. If I took it to a dark sky site with 6.5 mag views would it be similar to looking through a 25" scope back home in 4.5 mag skies? Thanks for your imput.

Regards,

Mark

We've all seen discussions here about which manufacturer makes the best mirror and to some extent just how much better than 1/4 wave correction do you really need. How many of us are qualified to tell the difference between a 1/4 wave vs. 1/14 wave mirror? Maybe the difference is significant. I don't know because I've never looked through two telescopes side by side with know specs to be able to compare.

What I haven't seen, perhaps for lack of searching, is discussion about secondary mirrors. I've just recently purchased a used 18 Obsession and shortly thereafter noticed that the secondary has three parallel scratches along the minor axis near the center of the mirror. I don't know to what extent this affects the views through the scope and I haven't got a "perfect" secondary to campare it to. People of various levels of experience have looked through the scope without knowing about this defect, and no one has said there was any problem, but I can't help but wonder if I should replace the mirror. So, I pose this question. Should I splurge and get an Antares 1/30 wave seconday or a Protostar 1/10. Has anyone had the opportunity to do any comparisons with any types of secondary mirros that would be able to give me some guidance? All responses are greatly appreciated.

Thanking you all in advance,

Mark Klimkiewicz

I posted this under DOBS in error. Will probably get more traffic here.

I'm thinking about having my 18" Nova mirror refigured. I can't seem to get get tight star images. If after I have it looked at by some experienced observers at the next Cherry Springs Star party and they agree that the mirror is the culprit, then I need to decide who to trust with the job. Has anyone had experience with having their mirror refigured, or even looked through a friend's 'scope and seen the results of a particular person's work? I want to get an idea of who to use if the time arises. Thanks in advance.

Mark J Klimkiewicz

Hello everyone,

My current widefield eyepiece for my 18" Obsession is a 35MM Panoptic. I'm thinking of selling it and getting either a 31 or 26 Nagler. Anyone used all three and have a preference? Pros and cons such as eye relief, weight and such? Thanks for your imput.

Regards,

Mark Klimkiewicz

Ok, I'm considering taking the jump from my 18" Obsession to 28"(Brand)? Looking at Webster with their Kennedy mirror. Anyone else make this jump in aperture? What did you like, dislike? How fast was your new mirror? What eyepieces do you use on the 28"? I plan on keeping it assembled in my unheated dettached garage and traveling twice a year to a dark site in my Chevy Venture mini-van. Gimme all your advice!

Thanks,

Regards,

Mark

Any reports from this year's party? Thanks.

Regards,

Mark

Any and all suggestions appreciated. Anyone use the Earthwin model yet? Looks very convenient. thanks.

Regards,

Mark

Anyone know what the purpose is of the silver TV sticker that comes with each eyepiece? It's often mentioned when describing a sale but does one do anything with it? If so, why is it always available when the eyepiece is being resold? Just curious. Thanks.

Regards,

Mark

I'd like to hear from people who have 24 - 28" dobs and use them routinely from magnitude 5.5 skies. I've been told it's not worth having one under those conditions but the move from 10" to 18" for me has been great. I eventually want to make that next jump but have been told it would just be a waste. A ten minute drive would, however, put me at mag 6.0 skies. Thanks for your replies.

Regards,

Mark