Posts Made By: Darian Rachal

April 9, 2002 10:37 PM Forum: Zeiss

Zeiss Telemator 63mm refractor

Posted By Darian Rachal

Just curious as to whether anyone else owns this small refractor? I purchased it from Vernonscope a number of years ago, thinking it might be somewhat of a "collectors item" one day. I paid +$1200.00 for it. Actually, I had to send the first tube assembly back because it had excessive chromatic abberation. Mine's been boxed up in my closet, but I've been thinking about getting out the .965 oculars & seeing how they perform in my OA-4 or Ranger. Darian Rachal

April 18, 2002 05:56 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Good Buy on variable red light flashlights

Posted By Darian Rachal

If anyone is in need of one of these, Orion has them listed for $12.00 for their Astronomy week specials. So, you're basically getting it at the old price w/o shipping. I was planning to order one this morning & was pleasntly surprised to see the price reduction. It's good through Sunday. Mr. Darian Rachal

April 20, 2002 03:38 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Sirius Optics planetary enhancement filters?

Posted By Darian Rachal

Has anyone had an opportunity to use any of these? I'd be curious to hear your results. The price is reasonable if it makes a noticable difference. Thanks. Mr. Darian Rachal

April 21, 2002 06:13 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Double stars for 3-4" aperture?

Posted By Darian Rachal

Does anyone know of a book or listing of double stars, with current sep. & p.a., suitable for telescopes of these apertures? A friend loaned me "The Night Sky Observer's Guide" which has nice lists of double stars, but it's mainly for deep sky. Does the B.A.A. publish such information? I know there is a Webb book dealing with double stars, but I'm not sure how current the information is. Thanks for any assistance. Mr. Darian Rachal

May 24, 2002 05:24 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Lalande 21185?/ CA nebula questions

Posted By Darian Rachal

Earlier this year I stumbled across an extremely red star in a friend's 17.5". I didn't note the location. Has anyone viewed 21185 through a similar telescope? I'm curious as to whether this might have been what I saw. See July 2002 S&T p.42.
Also, the best(only?) view of the CA nebula I've had was through a UO 11X80 finder with a H-Beta filter, under dark skies. Anybody tried a similar combination?
Darian Rachal

June 10, 2002 03:19 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

"Problem" with forum listings?

Posted By Darian Rachal

I usually stay logged in the Astro Mart to make scanning the forums a little more convenient. This is something I do several times a day. The "problem" is the # of "new" listings shown on the Forums List. For example, it may show 5 new messages, say in Observing. I check & there are only 3 new. In order to show the correct # on the list, I have to go back to the Forum list & Refresh. Refreshing from the message list does not correct the "New" #. I thought that staying logged in all the time might be the reason, but I do not think logging in or out each time matters. When Refresh correct the New #, it corrects for all catagories on the Forum List. Maybe this is just the way it works, but I don't think I had this "problem" w/the old Astro Mart. Any thoughts?

July 10, 2002 03:59 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Light intensity in "qwik-point" type finders?

Posted By Darian Rachal

One good feature of the TelRad, Rigel, & TV qwik-point 1X finders is that the light intensity can be adjusted to an absolute minimum. I purchased a Celestron 1X finder at a star party & sold it because the red dot was just too bright on minimum intensity. I was told the StellarVue unit has the same problem, so I suspect it may be common amoung other brands, as well. I'd appreciate any information on which brands do not have this problem. Thanks, Darian Rachal

July 20, 2002 03:37 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Orion ED oculars

Posted By Darian Rachal

When these first came out, I saw a few posts about their performance. Lately, I've seen nothing about them here, or on saa. Since they've been out awhile & the people that own them have had a chance to evaluate their performance over several weeks, I'd be interested in further information on how the various focal lengths perform. Also, what other type ocular are they comparable to? Darian Rachal

September 7, 2002 01:56 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Life without TV?

Posted By Darian Rachal

Many years ago I got rid of my television for good.Most people that I know find it difficult to envision their life without television. I'm inclined to think that most people have a "psychological addiction" to television. If I'm at a friend's house & something humourous is on, I do enjoy good comedy, however I am inclined to think that by not exposing myself to the efforts of manipulation that occur constantly on TV, in one form or another, my life is enhanced in some respect. Has anyone else weaned themselves from the "idiot box"? :-) Mr. Darian Rachal

September 28, 2002 03:28 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Tube rings for an 80mm refractor?

Posted By Darian Rachal

Before I post a want ad on Astro Mart, I wanted to check here for suggestions. The actually tube diam. is 82mm & the telescope is F15. Stellar Vue's rings are for 90mm tubes. Can anyone suggest the best place to purchase some sturdy, but relatively inexpensive rings? Thanks for any information anyone is able to provide. Sincerely, Mr. Darian Rachal