Posts Made By: Dan Ogden

Howdy all -

N00b with a new 'scope, Dan Ogden here. Greetings from West Orange, NJ!

Just bought a 12" Skywatcher Dobsonian, would like to get some eyepiece recommendations. Specifically, with a target spend of $400 to $500/max (US), would hope to get 2-3 lenses and a reasonable Barlow to maximized compatibility with the scope.

Specs -
12" aperture
1500mm focal length
f/4.92
comes with a 1.25" 10mm and a 1.25" 25mm Plossl of unknown origin
I don't wear glasses
2" Crayford focuser (though I have both the 2" and 1.25" Orion Precision Centering rings)

Hoping to get some strong wide field viewing, detailed/sharp planetary, reasonable eye relief (I do *not* wear glasses) and flexibility to take advantage of the scope's strengths. Prefer 2" to 1.25, but not averse to some of each.

And because I have OCD, would rather purchase items that are in stock. 8)

Thanks in advance for your help -

Dan O

Would appreciate any suggestions for a filter set for a beginner

Eyepieces already owned are ES 5.5mm & 14mm (100's) and 18mm & 30mm (82's), as well as an ES 2x focal extender; all are 2"
Scope is a 305mm aperture, 1500mm f/l, f/4.92 Skywatcher Dobsonian

Supermoon was nice viewing (though had to use the 1.25" 25mm and 10mm Plossls that came with the scope) but definitely washing out (brightness); I am on the border between NYC's light pollution and darker skies (anything to the East has me looking towards city glow, but it's darker towards other directions).

Would like (in order) enhanced planetary and/or lunar, enhanced DSOs/nebulae; these are more for viewing than astrographs.

Have already shot through the budget by multiples on eyepieces, so would like to know about good value eyepieces versus top-of-the-line.

Any suggestions?

Dan Ogden
12" Skywatcher Dobsonian, 1500mm f/l, f/4.92
ES 82's: 30mm, 18mm
ES 100's: 14mm, 5.5mm
ES 2x focal extender

Howdy all -

So I made the classic "new guy" mistake - first telescope is a large one, a Skywatcher 12" Dob.

Looking for options to make moving it in and out of the den, and to/from the car easier.

So far, if I keep everything assembled, it seems like this reasonably priced option from Grizzly -http://www.grizzly.com/products/Round-Drum-Dolly/H0761 - should do the trick. It will fit comfortably around the 26" circular base, without affecting rotation, so I can leave it on the wheels when going to my deck.

It should be arriving today (along with still more rain in my neck of the woods - got a few hours in with the Supermoon but that was pretty much all that was available, meteorologically speaking, since it got here last week, which I understand is par for the course with new purchases). I'll post pics after getting the scope in there, and will also see if I can replace the hard rubber wheels with locking, pneumatic tires to assist in transport over mud, thresholds/curbs, etc.

Anyway, the base (new Grizzly caddy notwithstanding) has a handle on it, so it can be carried like a suitcase. A heavy one, yes, but one-handed nevertheless.

The scope is a different story - I have an Astrozap dew/light shield on it, and it's a bit of a pain to take it on and off, so it isn't feasible to leave the scope open and grab the truss rod.

Has anyone found a way to carry the scope like a suitcase, perhaps via straps or something? A better way to pic up the scope than via bear hug? Or is carrying it like a big barrel the only way to move the scope around independent of the base?

Note - not a fan of wheelbarrow handles - this would be the option of last resort.

Would really appreciate some suggestions.

Thanks -

Howdy all -

Before I go any further, just want to let you know that the vendor whose product I'm reviewing here has a special offer for Astromart members that may be worth your while. Details at end (Anacortes representative - please check the end).

Wound up going a bit whole hog on the eyepieces (see "The $400 eyepiece challenge" thread, which turned out too challenging even for me), and picked up ES 100 degree 5.5 and 14, as well as ES 82 degree 18 and 30. To round out the capabilities, I also picked up an ES 2x focal extender. All are 2".

So then the issue became "How do I carry all this stuff around?"

Looked through the interwebs quite a bit, and was unsatisfied with the idea of pluck foam - for what I spent on the eyepieces, I wanted something with a better fit than the 1/2" margin of error of perforated foam cubes. Options for my combination of eyepieces (plus the 2 1.25" plossls that came with my Skywatcher I kept for star parties, and some of my other stuff - collimation eyepiece, adapters, filters, flashlight) were non-existent.

Enter MyCaseBuilder.com.

I was able to create a completely customized case with cutouts for my specific eyepieces (and other gear), in a locking aluminum flight case, for about $100. Compares to pluck foam cases that typically run $60ish or so it was really not very much more - and was specific to my exact needs.

While I chose an aluminum flight case, they have a number of other case options (including Pelican) with custom cutouts you can arrange any way you want using their online tool (which is not friendly for mobile but worked perfectly from my laptop).

Some pics attached.

Service was great - I needed a shape added to the library for my 5.5, and they added it same day. I was able to update my design to incorporate it - even after the order had been placed - and it turned out perfectly. Processing time was about a week, actual cost was $114 including shipping. I corresponded on several occasions with them, and received prompt, thorough follow up each time.

I chose the soft foam, which works perfectly. The case has rubber feet on both the wide and narrow bottom areas (wide when opening, narrow when standing like a suitcase) and looks sharp.

One note - if you're going to add filter cases into your design, be sure to measure the case. I estimated a little small, but the filter I own fits perfectly inside of a small zipper baggie in the foam cutout. I bought the optional "whoops" insurance so I can send the case back to have the filter cutouts made a little larger, but it remains to be seen if I'll actually take them up on it. Pic attached, will put a few in responses as I can't figure out how to add more than one.

In speaking with them, I let them know I was very satisfied with both the service and the product, and they very generously offered to provide a 5% discount to Astromart members.

So if you're looking for a custom case at a reasonably price, go to MyCaseBuilder.com and enter the coupon code "astromart5" at checkout. Discount is good until October 30, 2014 (and I'm a little jealous that you'll be able to get it as I did not). Note to Anacortes staff: Steve, the owner, would likely be able to work out a deal with you guys if you're interested...

Anyway, hope this helps you out if you're looking for a case.

Cheers,

Dan

Howdy all -

Picked up a pretty beat up MTS-SC8 with a tripod for $20 (I was feeling generous - she was going to throw it out); it was bought used and stored, uncovered, in a garage for at least 10 years. No drive, can't be used with the mount owing to some damage on the fork, and the optics appear to have gotten some moisture inside the OTA.

The OTA structure itself looks reasonable, all things considered, and I'm wondering if it's even worth saving.

I'm thinking of maybe cleaning the optics, trying to get a 2" visual back on it and upgrading the mount to a more recent one, ideally with a GoTo option and/or some level of "future proofing" so I can put it on a different mount, if need be, in days yet to come.

Is altering the mount even possible with this scope, in the reasonable sense?

How about the 2" visual back?

Finally, is it even worthwhile to clean the optics in a case like this?

Totally comfortable throwing it out myself if it's more trouble than it's worth, but looking for an easier to move/use 2nd scope to complement my 12" Skywatcher Dobsonian and 2" ES 82s/100s.

Input much appreciated.

Another pic