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Posts Made By: Howard Platnick

September 19, 2004 01:58 PM Forum: Binoviewers

Maximum useful Planet mag?

Posted By Howard Platnick

I now use my Baader at 177x power on a 6" refractor. Would I need to go any higher for planetary work ... what is the maximum people use?

I have average seeing conditions in the NE.

thanks howard

September 30, 2004 04:07 AM Forum: Binoviewers

Next EP for Baader Bino?

Posted By Howard Platnick

I have a giant Baader and use the 2.6 corrector with 16mm Naglers. In my 6" refractor the views of Saturn are stunning.

I would like to have a set of higher magnification pieces (the 16mm give about 180x). I was thinking of getting a pair of 11mm naglers for 256x.

I used the baader on the moon the other night and a pair of 32 meade plossls gave a nice crisp and powder white view. When I used the 16 naglers the powder white image had darkened and was slightly brown. I could also start to see floaters.

Would the 11mm naglers be the way to go or should I consider another EP for crisp lunar, solar, and planet viewing????

I use an alt-azmth mount and the wide FOV of the nagler is usefull.

any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks howard


October 5, 2004 05:48 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Baader and Pentax XW EP

Posted By Howard Platnick


Anyone know if a Baader IV will work with the new Pentax XW. The EPs are 2.4" (60mm) wide and my IPD is about 61-63mm. It doesn't seem like there is much room for error.

Anyone have practical experience with these EPs and a Baader.

October 24, 2004 09:05 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Pelican case - foam or divider?

Posted By Howard Platnick



I plan on getting a Pelican 1550 to hold 3 pairs of Eps, few single eps, bino, 2” diagonal, big Barlow and a few other small items.

What makes more sense; the dividers that give a nice and clean look or the pre-cut foam that has to be punched out and shaped? Anyone use either system and any recommendations or comments?

Thanks howard

December 4, 2004 11:01 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Advice: Before I take the pluck

Posted By Howard Platnick


I have a Pelican 1600 case and want to pick-n-pluck as shown. I'd like any advice or suggestions with:

layout
eye pieces verticle or horizontal
how to get good results - clean edges
technique
etc.

any comments appreciated

howard

December 10, 2004 05:20 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Nagler sale

Posted By Howard Platnick

Will this sale be offered again ... or had I better get in a last minute order??

howard

March 27, 2005 05:25 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

What was this?

Posted By Howard Platnick

I just came in from observing Jupiter and the moon (at about 11:00pm).

At steady times I had some nice views (6" refractor) and bino.

While panning around I passed over a bright cigar shaped area in the shape of a reverse "c". It was just north of Jupitar and towards the west. It was about 3 times the size of the moon from north to south and 1/2 a moon in width. I observed with the bino and mono at several powers and it was always there. I could not see it with the naked eye in my LP skies.

Is this an artefact or a messier object?

thanks howard

May 24, 2005 06:03 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Help with Canon IS Binoculars

Posted By Howard Platnick

I am interested in the Canon IS system to use in LP skies while observing from my home.

I had a look thru Canon 18x50 IS and was impressed but found them quite heavy.

The 15x50 IS version does not appear much lighter.

What about the 12x36 or 10x30 IS or any suggestions?
Should I just get the 18x50 IS (used pair) since better magnification and smaller exit pupil.

thanks in advance for any insight/advice.

howard

August 4, 2016 10:34 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Equatorial mount for 20 pound refractor

Posted By Howard Platnick

Any ideas for an equatorial mount and tripod for a 20 pound refactor? I am not interested in imaging. I would like to have a good goto system as well. Really would want something relatively light an portable? any ideas or favorites? thanks howard

August 5, 2016 01:24 AM Forum: Takahashi

EM-11 or Em-200

Posted By Howard Platnick

For imaging only.

Scope 18 pounds.
Rings 2.5 pounds.
Plate 2 pounds.
Binoviewer 2.25 pounds.
Eye pieces 1 pound.

Total about 25-26 pounds.

Would the EM-11 be able to handle this or would the bulkier EM-200 be needed?

thanks h