Posts Made By: Edwin Kessler

Does anyone know how much current the GPS units require. I assume that the slew rates require more. I'd like to calculate operating time for my batteries. Thanks.

Ed Kessler

Good Evening,

I've been playing with a small MAK and tonight when I was testing the optics I noticed that it had very poor collimation. Guessing that it was not the scope, I began loosening and re-tightening the diagonal and eyepiece. At certain points the collimation is right on, but when the screws tighten down it goes off again.

Any suggestions as to how to keep the thing collimated? My first thought is to insert a very thin piece of plastic sheet around the diagonal before inserting it to center it better with the scope.

Thanks,
Ed

Good Evening,

For some of you this post is probably old news, but I just today received a new Orion 80mm ED. Fit and finish were far better than the reviews give it. The scope has a very solid feel. My scope had two issues. First, the lens shade had been buffed and repainted at two spots about the size of a dime, but the repaint job was poor. Second, and more significant, the retaining ring that holds the lens assembly in place had vibrated a bit loose in shipping. I tightened it but this will be something to keep an eye on.

Optically, however, the collimation was right on and images do indeed "snap" into focus. Even though tonight is cloudy here in PA, I took the scope out to test it on street lights and distant tower lights. Even at high powers I noticed virtually no chromatic aberrations and the images were crisp and clean. The focuser is very good/smooth, though perhaps not the best. The images so far rival my Tele Vue Genesis SDF - and that's saying quite a bit. I can't wait for a clear night. Definitely worth the $499.00 in my book.

Clear Skies,
Ed Kessler

I know that the Stellarvue C4 and C5 cases will work with the Orion 80mm ED scope, but I would like to find a case that will hold the scope with the diagonal and lens shield in place. Any suggestions that will not be more expensive than the scope itself?

That's one problem with this neat little scope. It costs so little that it's hard to justify spending a lot of money on a case. Guess I need to build one.

Ed Kessler

My 80mm ED came with a cap that fits over the lens shield. The cap itself has a 2.5" stop-down opening with its own separate cap.

What is the intended function of stopping down the aperture like this? Lunar or solar observation?

Clear Skies
Ed Kessler

Good Afternoon,

I'm not needing to collimate my refractor; it is in perfect collimation.

I'm just looking for instructions regarding how to adjust the cell in case I need to in the future.

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

Ed Kessler

Good Evening,

I just picked up a TAK FS102 and the collimation is currently perfect. However, for future reference I'd like to find some instructions on how to collimate the scope. I know the basics of collimation and have a collimating eyepiece. Which screws in the lens cell are the collimating screws?

Thanks for any help.

Ed Kessler

Having exhaused all my funds on the scope, I'm looking for a cheap alternative to TAK's very expensive case.

What are you guys/gals using for a case to transport or house your FS-102?

Thanks,
Ed Kessler

I hate to break up the very informative and interesting thread regarding Apos, lens types and coatings. Thanks for the great discussion.

I have a more basic question. The only refractors that I have ever looked through or owned have been a TV Genesis SDF and a TAK FS-102 and an Orion 80mm ED (the last two I now own and use regularly). I have never looked through an achromat!!! However, these larger achromats, primarily made by Synta, are very tempting becaue of the aperture/cost ratio. Is the performance of these low end scopes so terrible that even a 6" achromat pales in performance in comparison to a 4" Apo on the planets and the moon?? Or will a 6" achromat (like a Konus or Synta) reveal more planetary detail despite the chromatic aberrations?

Perhaps I've been spoiled by only having experience with some very good refractors.

Ed Kessler

Hello,

I don't do a lot of posting, but I do a lot of reading.

I have a CR150 (optimized with a Chromacor and a Moonlite Crayford focuser) which is a very nice performer, especially on the planets.

My only problem with the scope is vibrations caused by my inadequate ring setup.

Does anyone make a solid clamshell to fit this scope? Perhaps some of you have made one that works? Currently, I'm using two rings attached top and bottom with 13" dovetails.

By the way, I have a Moonlite Focuser on my Orion 80ED as well. Those focusers are tops in my opinion, but they cost more than both of the scopes that they are on!

Clear Skies (I wish!)
Ed Kessler