Posts Made By: Tom Tripi

I'm considering this scope; has anyone used it or does anyone have a comment? I have a SDF and TV102, also been considering the NP 101....thanks Tom Tripi in New Orleans

But, what defines too many scopes? And where can one seek help? (five not shown)...tom tripi in soggy, below sea level, New Orleans (PS ALL SCOPES NOW ELEVATED!)

Has anyone done a direct comparison between these two fine scopes; can one be judged better in any area; i have the TV and now have a chance to purchase the Tak...should I?...thanks Tom Tripi in clear, but moon blinded New Orleans.

Hi all: Here’s my entry into this new endeavor. I’m fortunate – I observe 70% of the time on a patio 5’ outside my “studio” door; I’m also fortunate in that when the sky is really good, M-31 is just noticeable right out the door. So when it’s time to observe (basically every clear night), I select scopes that match sky conditions for the evening, carry them outside – set up a few observing chairs and I’m ready in less than a minute or two. On those real frigid nights (below 40 degrees) I can duck into the red-lighted interior for a minute, grab a cognac, and I’m good to go again. Not visible is a comfy lounge chair used to catch a few winks during “all night sessions”. To the left of the exterior door is a fairly complete parts storage and work - repair area; the desk is also set up for computer photo imaging and holds some of my reference “library”. The patio is curtained or protected from all direct neighborhood lighting; and when needed, there are red bulbs in the outdoor sockets and two hair driers at each end. Not shown in the outdoor photo is an additional, 12’ section of astro-turf that is rolled out over the patio as an observing “cushion”, and a recent addition - a semi-permanent pier set up to carry a new Burgess focuser equipped (really great!) 150 mm refractor that also carries a 100 mm wide-field as a finder. The patio was also wired for computer connections for my earlier “LX 200 days”. No – the pool does not appear to bother my viewing – but it’s great to lay in and do late night meteors in the summer! …..Happy New Year!...Tom

I USE ABOUT 5 QUARTS OF "HUMMMER JUICE" A WEEK DURING PEAK SEASON IN NEW ORLEANS

I teach fly fishing professionally, and this is my specialty - catch and release only, of course!

photo using TV 85 and 22 Nagler; Nikon 4500

If you could choose, which one would it be?

I observed about 4 hours last evening, quickly reviewing a number of objects and scopes before the moon got high in the sky. It was a 7/10 sky, some wind and COLD! 30 degrees in New Orleans is hard to handle!!! Decided to leave a Tak 102 and WO 110 out for the night and get up early to look at Jupiter and the "Vega complex" in the AM. We have large petro-chemical plants to the south of my residence. So, their bright glows and associated “torches” usually wash out all deep sky objects south of Canis Major. However, last night they were “dark” for some reason, therefore all of Centaurus was quite visible…and of course so was Omega Centauri…even with the moon nearby! I get to see this gem from the Gulf coast every once in a while with bino’s when I’m out early to flyfish in the spring. But seeing it with those two cooled down scopes and a 5.2 Pentax is beyond description…you just stare at it filling almost the entire field of view in the ep….it’s absolutely outstanding. Nothing in my sky compares...M-42 is close, M-13....forget it. You have to make every effort to get a glimpse of this sight at least once, you will not be disappointed...tom

hi all, I've acquired a number of bino’s over the years, currently using Celestron 11x80’s and Orion 20x80’s; my remaining inventory includes more bino’s than I care to mention…..i’m considering the Oberwerk 22x100’s….. bino weight is not a problem; my set up allows me to hand hold either of the above for extended periods….the extra couple pounds or so should not be a problem. That said, I currently like to "sweep" at a fairly dark sky site……I just want to gather more light in order to perhaps see more detail…..has any one had experience with the Oberwerk’s? I’ve been watching the bino forum, only noticed one or two threads/comments concerning the 22x100’s….thanks for the input….tom tripi in cloudy, but carnival crazy, new Orleans.