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Posts Made By: John Kuhl

November 4, 2004 04:15 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Dobsonian Mirrors

Posted By John Kuhl

I think everyone has the right idea as far as the standard verses enhanced coatings goes. Floyd really hit the nail on the head as far as the light scatter goes. I'm not really down on enhanced coatings, but if I was getting my enhanced 20" mirror recoated it would be with standard coatings. The scatter bothers me that much.

December 12, 2004 09:20 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Offers of 14.5" scopes for sale

Posted By John Kuhl

Hi Floyd

I echo everything Doug said about the SM 14.5" scope. I have one of these also and it is the most used scope I have ever had. I went through a trial and error period with scopes, but after getting this scope I couldn't be happier. I would add one thing to what Doug said, this scope holds collimation great. Even after taking the whole thing apart and putting it back together the laser is almost always on or in the donut. If you have a chance to get one I would jump on it.

December 13, 2004 07:13 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Scope deal is a done deal!

Posted By John Kuhl


Hey Floyd, good luck with your new scope. I hope it is everything you wanted.

January 2, 2005 12:05 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Televue 16mm T5 question

Posted By John Kuhl


I know there is a lot of support for the Nagler 17 T4. A lot of people love this eyepiece, but I don't think it is nearly as good as the 16 T5. If you wear glasses and must have a 2" eyepiece, than fine get the 17 T4. If you want the best wide field eyepiece in this range than get the 16 T5. When the 16 T5 first came out 3 of us got together and did a very in depth test of these two eyepieces. We went into it with the idea that the 17 T4 was going to kill it, but. The 16 T5 had better on and off axis sharpness, contrast, field flatness, and light transmission. The 17 T5 had better eye relief and chromatic aberration. One of the testers liked the 16 T5 so much he sold his 17 T4 to get one. Also the 16 T5 will binoview and good luck doing that with the 17.

February 24, 2005 04:46 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

OK, now for the secondary for the new ZZ-10

Posted By John Kuhl


Hey Floyd, I have a saying. Get the best and forget the rest.

March 16, 2005 04:37 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Which Dob would YOU get?

Posted By John Kuhl

Hi Linton,

I agree with what everyone is telling you except for one thing. To say a 14.5" scope will show you almost as much as a 18" just isn't true. Maybe if you have bad eyesight or are not very experienced. To me there is a big difference. I would say try before you buy.

April 6, 2005 04:01 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Wanted: Opinions on an exceptional planetary scop

Posted By John Kuhl

The best planetary views I have ever had were through my friends 12.5" f/5 Starmaster. I have a 14.5" Starmaster, but the 12.5" gives better views more often. I think that the 12.5" f/5 is just a sweet size, and the seeing doesn't have to be as good to get the best out of it. People will disagree with me on this , but I feel f/4.3 is to fast for the planets. F/5 is as fast as I would want to go, f/6 would be even better.

April 20, 2005 03:52 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Buying New Scope

Posted By John Kuhl

This is easy, 12.5" Starmaster.

May 12, 2005 04:25 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Deciding on a truss Newtonian..........

Posted By John Kuhl


If it was me, I would hold off. I would save up my money until I could afford to get just what I wanted. I would not settle for less. If you wait and get what you really want , you only have to do it once. To buy a lesser scope you will always want the one you didn't get. Just a thought.

May 15, 2005 12:24 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

V-Blocks and Secondary Spots

Posted By John Kuhl


I agree with Herbert and Floyd on the issue of the V=blocks and alignment for a laser collimator. I think it is better to use 2 V=blocks instead of one like Herbert says, and I made mine that way. I also feel that the farther away you aim the laser to adjust it the better. However most of you have missed the biggest point. Get a good laser to begin with and you won't have to mess with it. Howie Glatter uses a plastic block and beats the hell out of his lasers on it, then checks them again to make sure they are still in alignment. If they hold there alignment they pass and he ships them to you. These are precision tools so get a good one. These aren't eyepieces so you only need one.

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