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| How to Build an Economical "Double-Stack" Finder
[Article] | 12/17/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | As many astronomers know, no single type of finderscope can be considered the end-all and be-all of sighting equipment. Many observers have multiple sighti. . . |
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| Celestron 1.25" Eyepiece and Accessory Kit
[User Review] | 11/11/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | he included case has a very sturdy feel to it, but I have one somewhat serious quibble. While the pre-cut foam interior includes (some) space to add additi. . . |
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| Seymour Solar vs. Baader AstroSolar - Solar Filter Thin-Film Comparison
[User Review] | 12/09/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | Believe it or not, there’s a little-known thin film solar filter on the market that is remarkably inexpensive and provides excellent performance. . . |
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| Orion 9x50 Finderscope
[User Review] | 12/09/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | Sometimes an equipment
purchase is forced upon you by urgent necessity. Such was the case
when I was forced to obtain a replacement for my home-built 10x. . . |
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| Orion 6" Deep Space Explorer Dobsonian
[User Review] | 12/14/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | On paper at least, the XT dobs seem to have a clear advantage. However, in side-by-side comparison, the optics of the. . . |
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| Galileo FS-102 Catadioptric Newtonian
[User Review] | 12/14/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | The included 3x Barlow and 20mm eyepiece (of indeterminate type) were of mediocre quality. They utilized mostly plastic construction and they. . . |
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| Questar 3.5 Maksutov Telescope
[User Review] | 12/14/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | Considered by many to be the "holy grail" of high-end amateur telescopes, the Questar 3.5" Maksutov Cassegrain is something. . . |
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| Orion Pluck Foam Accessory Case vs. Harbor Freight Pluck Foam Toolcase
[User Review] | 12/14/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | One of the most important accessories in an amateur astronomer’s arsenal is simply something to keep all of one’s other accessories in. Some astronomers us. . . |
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| Performance Test of Anti-Vibration Pads - Manufactured and Homemade
[User Review] | 12/14/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | One of the most useful (but least used) accessories one can have is a set of Vibration Suppression Pads (VSPs). While they are not. . . |
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| AstroSystems 16" Finished TeleKit Truss Dobsonian
[User Review] | 12/15/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | The TeleKits have a very good reputation among both experienced and first time ATMs, and the finished TeleKits (sold with your optics from multiple . . . |
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| Meade ETX60 AT
[User Review] | 12/15/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | Optically, the telescope is quite good. The objective has very good multi-coatings. A star test revealed a tiny trace of undercorrection and . . . |
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| Meade ETX90-RA
[User Review] | 12/15/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | When I got the opportunity to put the classic ETX through its paces, I was left with a mixed impression of the scope. I can understand both viewpoints. . . |
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| Celestron NexStar 8 GPS
[User Review] | 12/15/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | Upon booting up the telescope’s computer system, the GPS got the location spot-on (independently verified using another GPS receiver). The telescope then b. . . |
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| Celestron 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical Tube Assembly
[User Review] | 12/15/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | The debut of a Synta-manufactured SCT was met with some hesitation by much of the amateur astronomy community and for good reason; up to that point. . . |
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| Criterion Dynamax 8 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
[User Review] | 12/15/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | "Is this guy serious?" I can already hear the snickers and heckling of all potential readers of this article. Despite Criterion’s revered status as a maker. . . |
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| Meade Series 4000 12.4mm "Super" Plössl Eyepieces: A primer to Confusion
[User Review] | 12/17/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | For many years, the Meade series 4000 eyepiece line stood on the teetering point between the mass market and the high end for intermediate observers. They . . . |
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| Orion 2" Rack and Pinion Focuser
[User Review] | 12/17/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | When it comes to
finding components for amateur telescope making, some areas of the
market are burdened with an embarrassment of riches while others are
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| Orion Explorer II Eyepieces
[User Review] | 12/18/09 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | Discontinued only recently, Orion’s "Explorer II' series of eyepieces served for more than a decade as their "bargain" eyepieces for beginners or astronome. . . |
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| Coronado PST Review
[User Review] | 12/08/12 | by Tristan Schwartz
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| | Bottom line: Every amateur astronomer needs one of these!. . . |
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