Posts Made By: robert black

I am writing this partly to ask for help and partly to warn others "BE CAREFUL"
On April 8th/07, I purchased $400.00 worth of eyepieces on this site 'astromart'
and still have not received the goods. The seller acknowledges receipt of payment and the bank confirms that the money order was cashed.
I have notified astromart and no response. I have gone to my local Canadian police and they say there is nothing they can do because it occurred out of country. I then phoned the Alsip Illinois police where the seller lives and they say there is nothing they can do.
Can you believe this >>>> Who says crime doesn't pay!!!!! Who knows how many people have bought the same merchandise?
I am a canadian stuck between two countries who both seem to want to pass the buck.
I would sure like to put the persons name up here but I might get in trouble. What I can do is tell you that he resides in Alsip Illinois. Ad #493311
If anyone has an idea how I can have this person charged I would like to hear from you, sincerely, Bob Black

'ATTENTION CANADIANS'
This is a heads up for canadians regarding shipping.
DO NOT SHIP UPS I repeat DO NOT SHIP UPS

Last friday UPS delivered a reticle I purchased here on astromart for 55 bucks
UPS wanted 40 more for 'brokerage' above shipping and taxes.


Again on tuesday, I received a new LNT module from Meade who paid the shipping.
This item cost me 63 bucks. Again UPS demanded 39.05 'brokerage'fee. When questioned about this exorbitant charge they tried to blame the government. I then inquired to customs about that and was informed that this fee goes directly into UPS pockets.
If you need to ship, ship USPS postal service. They charge a flat fee of $5.00
good luck, bob

Why can I knot find a profile of someone who I have dealt with through Astromart?
I very much want to rate this person so others will "BEWARE" sincerely, bob

I have purchased 7 or 8 items in the last 2 months on astromart,why am I still listed as unrated??? Robert Black

I just read a post about people who do not post a rating and I must confess I am one of them. The problem is how do I do that. I have spent about an hour trying to find it but to no avail. I would like to go back and give a rating to all the persons that I should have.Hope it's [possible.
Would someone mind telling me how? I see that I have done it in the past but I'm darned if I can remember. Must be an old guy thing. thanks, bob

I have just built a dome style observatory. Because of the trees, houses and other blockage I decided to build it up through my barn roof.
It is a great looking observatory but it needs a pier.
Hence the problem:- to get down to the concrete floor below, the pier will have to be 22 feet long. My question is has anyone ever done a pier this long and if so how did it work?
I was thinking of a 6" water well pipe but I think with the length it will vibrate.
I was also thinking of a 4' pier sitting on the floor but won't that vibrate just as bad from walking around?
Me thinks I should have gave this a little more thought before starting. Duh!!
If anyone has any thoughts on my problem I would sure like to hear them.
Sincerely, bob black

hello all- well, I finally have the observatory now I would like to build a pier.
Because of weight concerns, I would like to make it from wood.
My question is how high does it need to be off the floor. I have a LX90 SCT 8" and if it matters, I am 5'7" tall.
Any other suggestions on how to build this animal would be appreciated.

Hello all:- I have a w.o. megrez 80 II achromatic. the problem I'm having is when I put the scope on any angle but horizontal I can't control the focuser.
If I tighten the focuser lock screw, the tube won't move, If I loosen the knob the tube just slides right out to its maximum.There just isn't a sweet spotthat will allow me to control the focuser with the focuser knobs. It is a 1/10 microfocuser.
I'm thinking maybe I have lost a part. Has anyone had this problem???
Thanks, bob

I have a LX90 8" SCT mounted on a wedge on a meade tripod. The problem is there is just too much vibration and I can't seem to stop it. I have actually thought about getting everything aligned then welding it but that seemed a little drastic.
Is it possible to polar alignment this scope Alt.Az? If so, would it be good enough for photography? I know it would be much more solid by eliminating the wedge. What do you guys think? I'd appreciate any feedback, sincerely, bob

I have just taken my first picture ever of M42. I put it thru Deepsky stacker then photoshop and I am really happy with it. The problen I have is when I printed it out the stars all bloated. (larger than they where in photoshop).
My question is, is this my printer or haveI done something wrong in the processing? I know it looks real good otherwise. Wish I knew how to post it here but I'm to darned old to be learning all these new things. Wish I had started 40 years ago, sincerely, bob