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aa5te
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(Genial Procrastinator)
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07/02/09 12:12 PM
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What do you use your classic scope for?
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So, what do you use it for and when? I've got a Sears 80mm f/15 that is superb in the daytime compared to all of my scopes except for my 10" dob, but my 10" dob beats it in all aspects at night (using the same eyepieces). I'm not trying to start a flame war here, I'm just curious as to what objects/uses you guys use your classics for.
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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My 8" f/5 Edmund Red Tube Fork Mount is my only scope with tracking, so it's nice for higher powered lunar/planetary viewing. I had it out last night for the first time in years. Man, that thing can stop cars...
It's a giant pain to set up and the balance is not where I'd like it to be yet, but since I've added Wilcox rings to it, it's been a blast to use. - j
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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I mostly use my classic scopes to prevent my wife from parking her car in the garage! 
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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DUH......Observing
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Da Bear
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(professor emeritus)
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07/02/09 01:53 PM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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During the winter I remove the objective and place the open tube in the garden. When used as rain gauge, the tube collects water, which can then be emptied and measured by removing the Celestron X- Cel eyepiece.
Da Bear
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JamesE
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(Pooh-Bah)
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07/02/09 02:20 PM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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I just used my 76mm Tasco (10TE) last night to look at the moon, Lyra, Albireo, M13. I especially liked it on the moon. Lots of contrast. Easy to set up for a quick 10 minute peak. I have it set up that when I view things at Zenith, I can lay down on my grass and look through the EP in a nice relaxed manner. It is very enjoyable.
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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I use my Tasco 10TE a lot on The Moon and Planets. I've been experimenting with it on DSOs.
My old 6" Newt is considered a classic by some and I've used that on everything over the last 20 years. Its still my biggest scope.
-Joe
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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For planets, Moon and double stars, I reach for a classic refractor - usually the 10TE or the 80/1200 Circle T. Also, quite frequently, I'll use a 60mm - and even the 50mm for quick lunar work.
And I don't reach for them just because they're classic, I reach for them because they're the best tools for the job currently in my arsenal.
(But, it's cool that they do happen to be anywhere from two to five decades old).
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Quote:
I mostly use my classic scopes to prevent my wife from parking her car in the garage!
 
I take mine apart and get them powder coated cool colors..... 
Then they look really great and at the same time I get all my purist classic scope friends all fired up that they are no longer white... 
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Patricko
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(Carpal Tunnel)
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07/02/09 04:33 PM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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I use mine for all objects in the night sky and really enjoy it. I has a 60/1000mm lens made by Carton.
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rmollise
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(Post Laureate)
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07/02/09 05:44 PM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Quote:
So, what do you use it for and when?
My Pal Junior? I occasionally observe with her these days; she really is a good little scope. Mostly? She sits in the livin' room, and I'll walk over once in a while and pat her tube, savoring the memories of the observing runs of 40 years ago when it was all so new and wonderful (it is still wonderful today, but nothing can really ever duplicate the joy of those first faltering steps out into the cosmos).
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dfell
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(professor emeritus)
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07/02/09 06:34 PM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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My Towa 339 makes a great white light solar scope with a baader white light filter, usually tandem it with the PST on the EQ6 for solar imaging.
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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I use this one to fawn over!  Mike
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actionhac
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(professor emeritus)
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07/02/09 07:21 PM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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I use my classic scopes for all my amateur astronomy, we understand each other.
I especially like the classic refractors for high mag. viewing. It is very difficult to get my modern short fl refractors to high X without adding more glass and using expensive ep's.
I also have a strong dislike to plastic on scientific instruments.
Robert
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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I use mine to search for extrasolar planets, which has become much easier now that my eyesight is starting to go. You wouldn't believe how many things I've seen circling other stars!
Jess Tauber
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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nice collection lew,
looks like my garage only less cluttered.
hey mike ill trade you a 4" unitron for that tasco
so you dont have to fawn over it so much.
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Quote:
DUH......Observing
Yeah, as in everything!
And it's almost always these two, when I go the classic route...
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Quote:
I mostly use my classic scopes to prevent my wife from parking her car in the garage!
Good one Lew!
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for? *DELETED*
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Post deleted by Happy-Idiot
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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What can you expect? Look at the license plates. Arkansas! I lived there, and that doesn't surprise me! Rich
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Hey Brian Now why would I want to do something like that. I heard somewhere that 4" Unitrons were a dime a dozen these days! Mike 
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strdst
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(scholastic sledgehammer)
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07/03/09 01:01 AM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Scope?
You guys have garages?
And wives... still?
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rmollise
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(Post Laureate)
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07/03/09 09:12 AM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Quote:
I use this one to fawn over! Mike
As well you should...
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Hmmm...let me see..what do I use my classic scopes for....let me think on that one for a while....
Rob
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Quote:
So, what do you use it for and when? ...I'm just curious as to what objects/uses you guys use your classics for.
Well, I guess Shane deserves a serious answer from me - although that is QUITE hard to get!
I only have refractors, so I mostly use the smaller ones for planetary while the larger ones are for all targets.
I primarily enjoy taking them out to star watches so I can educate both astronomers and the public that there is nothing wrong with owning (or looking to purchase) an older telescope.
When it looks like a star watch is going to be on a night with exceptional sky conditions, I'll bring out the 4" Unitron with the weight-driven clock drive. It's a beauty and a true classic. I must admit that I kinda enjoy it when another astronomer at the star watch has a power cell that goes dead. I walk over to tell him/her that they need to get a Unitron - and then rewind my weight drive with the distinctive clicking sound from the ratchet mechanism in the drive... for another hour of battery-free observing.
But there are nights when I just like to take one of my vintage scopes out, using .965 eyepieces and enjoy the nostalgia of using, simpler equipment to (visually) accomplish just about the same thing that the shorter focal length refractors can do today.
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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TO look into dark Sky and see faint fuzzies up close!!! (aveman...
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Debbie and I use the restored telescopes we have for the following, Outreach to city kids who are at risk of gang life, For her and I to get out into nature and hike and go hang out all night with our freinds who are all sober!! Well most of them. The sence of saving somthing that was on the edge of being trash and saving it for the next generation, For me to do my own small reaserch programs. Clint & Debbie Whitman
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Gerd
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(sage)
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07/03/09 03:28 PM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Very good work, Caveman! 
Cool scopes and nice Guys!
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Hi aa5te,
I use it for everything I use my modern scopes for. But I will say the Meade 300 is very good on lunar, planets and double stars.
peace & clear skies,
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Since I bought my Light Bucket, my two Unitrons are only assembled every couple of months, just so I can look at them!!
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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My new 2" Polarex splitted all four members of Epsilon Lyrae last night!!
I use my Polarex 3" mainly for sketching the Moon and Sun. I think that, especially for solar observing, nothing beats a good old long refractor. Today for example, a nice new group of spots formed on the Sun:
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Patricko
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(Carpal Tunnel)
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07/04/09 01:34 PM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Quote:
My new 2" Polarex splitted all four members of Epsilon Lyrae last night!!
 That is this first time I've ever heard of this! My 60/1000mm does it with ease but I never had the chance to try in a 50mm. Good job!
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Hi All! Interesting post!I use mine for general observing,though of late the 10TE has been getting a lot of use lately on the moon and planets.However I have not trained any of them sunward,though I have assigned the TASCO 9TE-5 as the sun scope.I have equipped this with a modified 4" Thousand Oaks front end glass solar filter and the views are incredible.Looks like there are finally some sizeable sunspots on Sol. Gary Sr
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TimD
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(scholastic sledgehammer)
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07/11/09 04:35 AM
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Re: What do you use your classic scope for?
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Sometimes just as decoration! ain't them old scope real perty just to look AT!
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