Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 33846
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Article
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You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need a parachute to skydive twice...
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skyview
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/01/06
Posts: 1086
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Excellent article. IMO, he has the proper philosophy re telescope manufacturing.
The 6" PortaBall, if it lives up to the portability claims, will be one heckuva seller for him. Why go 80mm refractor when you can go 150mm Dob.
Well done Tom
BTW, the 6" PortaBall spec link is down at the moment of posting.
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SkyView
All glory to the Hypnotoad.
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 33846
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Thanks!
The 6" portball link should be up later today. I talked to him this morning, and he'll be posting it in a while.
T
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You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need a parachute to skydive twice...
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Jarad
Postmaster
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 5732
Loc: Atlanta, GA
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Any clues as to when the 18" will be ready? That one's been a long time coming....
Jarad
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 33846
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Hey Jarad, apparently the first production models are currently under construction.
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You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need a parachute to skydive twice...
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121601
super member
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 125
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Quote:
Hey Jarad, apparently the first production models are currently under construction.
Given the new setup and teardown policies of the Golden State Star Party (Northern CA, http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org/), I am especially thankful about owning a PortaBall 12.5". Unlike most observers, I never left my setup on the site during star party non-observing periods. One of the reasons I bought it was precisely to have a system that was easy enough to dissamble, assemble and collimate each night of the star party.
For me, the PortaBall concept is one design which did extend the meaning of "Grab & Go".
It's one scope I trully recommend for traveling to star parties, especially if you have a family with active kids and very limited passenger room. I have a very hectic family schedule and rarely have the priveledge to set up when the sun is still up. The ease of setting the PortaBall has proved to be a great time saver in maximizing my precious hours under a night sky.
I am very hopeful that the 18" will become the true "Big Brother" of the 12.5".
Renato
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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/18/05
Posts: 2655
Loc: NorCal
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Yes, one of my TAC-Sac buddies is waiting for his 18" Portaball, I beleive is the first or second on in line. He currently has a 12.5" Portaball.
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Clear Skies,
Alvin #26
22" f/4.0 reflector and other assorted smaller and larger telescopes, but listing the one I use the most.
FaintFuzzies | TAC | TAC-Sac
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mistyridge
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/28/05
Posts: 2896
Loc: Loomis, CA
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Nice article. Can DSCs such as Skycommander be insalled on a Portaball?
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Mike F
Misty Ridge Observatory
Skyshed POD
Many scopes 70mm to 12.5", SCTs, refractors, and newts and a lot of other astro stuff.
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Jarad
Postmaster
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 5732
Loc: Atlanta, GA
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Quote:
Nice article. Can DSCs such as Skycommander be insalled on a Portaball?
Nope - no fixed axes. I know several people who have tried to come up with a way to put DSC's on them and failed.
You can put them on an eq platform to get tracking (I have one and recommend it), but no GOTO or Push-To. On the other hand, the design is really easy to star-hop with, since you can move easily in any direction. This is especially an advantage near the zenith - no dobson's hole. I actually find observing near the zenith to be the easiest place to observe with the Portaball (puts the eyepiece right at my eye level), vs. the hardest place to observe with a traditional dob.
Jarad
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 33846
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BTW - for more information on the Portaballs, here's Jarads review:
http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/portaball.pdf
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You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need a parachute to skydive twice...
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Downward Bound
Adrenaline Junkie
Reged: 03/29/06
Posts: 3106
Loc: Seattle
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Another great article Tom - thanks! 
My hat's off to Peter - a great philosophy that I wish more companies in all industries shared. It got me drooling over the idea of his 18" model.
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Bill
'flectors: R200SS, Webster/Kennedy 22" f/3.6
'fractors: PST, AT-66, TV-85, FS-102, APM/TMB-152
'bins: 15x63, 10x50, 10x52, 22x85
410+028B, Sphinx, Telepod, EZ Touch, G-11
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edwincjones
Close Enough
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 7980
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As a baby boomer, the concept of a 6" or 8" scope is more and more interesting to me than the big scopes
edj
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Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 1574
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Quote:
As a baby boomer, the concept of a 6" or 8" scope is more and more interesting to me than the big scopes
edj
I sure have to agree with you on the less is more concept. Peter is currently in the final stages of getting an 8" finished and I look forward to that becoming my grab and go scope to take out on the golf course that surrounds my house. No other scope I have owned other than a 7" Teleport would allow that much flexibility and aperture in one small package. Bob
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Mr. Bill
Postmaster
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 5219
Loc: Northeastern Cal
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Great interview, Tom. I wish more people I dealt with had Peter's business ethics.
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The night sky is the palette....
My optics are the brushes....
The Milky Way is the masterpiece
Member IDA
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121601
super member
Reged: 08/18/04
Posts: 125
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Quote:
Great interview, Tom. I wish more people I dealt with had Peter's business ethics.
This evening, Peter Smitka posted a letter entitled "Tough Reality" at the PortaBall Yahoo Group. In a nutshell, Peter has stated that he is essentially abandoning his PortaBall telescope buisness primarily due to pressing economic hardships.
Although I had known this decision for a few days, I am still most deeply saddened and shocked by the news.
I am most certain that Peter's heritage to this endeavour will never come to past. For some of us, like myself, he will remain a legendary craftsman who unselfishly shared his deep passion for the wonders of the universe we all know.
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Edited by 121601 (03/21/07 11:43 PM)
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Jim Rosenstock
Postmaster
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 6543
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
[This evening, Peter Smitka posted a letter entitled "Tough Reality" at the PortaBall Yahoo Group. In a nutshell, Peter has stated that he is essentially abandoning his PortaBall telescope buisness primarily due to pressing economic hardships.
This is NOT how I wanted to wind up owning a vintage scope!
The depth of Peter's personal support of amateur astronomy, his well-articulated philosophy of observing (and other topics!), the exquisite craftsmanship of his scopes, and his "over and above" commitment to customer support, make him a man in a million! A true American hero.
My heartfelt prayers for a full return to good health, and my very best wishes as, regretfully, his life direction takes a necessary new course.
Clear skies, Peter!
With greatest respect and admiration,
Jim Rosenstock
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QUESTION AUTHORITY!
"errr....sez who??"
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Teal'c
Indeed
Reged: 08/02/05
Posts: 4268
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This is really sad. I was hoping to eventually get one of his scopes, but now, this may be nearly impossible even on the used market. Anyway, I wish Peter the best in the path that he has taken.
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Eric Gage
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/13/05
Posts: 993
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Best wishes to him. I was investigating the purchase of a 6 or 8" Portaball when he emailed me the news. I was shocked, having just read the interview.
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Eric
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WO 80mm 10th Anniversary
TSA120
PST
EM-200 T2
Canon 500D, full spectrum mod (thanks, Gary Honis)
15" Obsession with ServoCat
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Snaproll
Postmaster
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 5095
Loc: Green Bay
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Mag1 Industries is now owned by Dave Juckem and he is continuing the Portaball tradition on the commitment to quality.
Dave has a fully equipped machine shop for constructing the Portaballs (and is also a TeleVue dealer). Dave has made several improvements to the Powerball and offers retro-fit upgrades to older telescopes.
Here is a link to the new Mag1.
Mag1
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Jim W Astro images
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kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2164
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I would like an 6" Portaball someday.
Fred
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Trixie
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