asaint
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/25/03
Posts: 2021
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Stellarvue F50 Finderscope
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Sooon
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/19/04
Posts: 1036
Loc: Lausanne, Switzerland
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Nice review ! Now I want one.. 
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Philippe
Tele Vue 102 / Losmandy GM8
Tele Vue 76 / Tele Vue Panoramic
Meade ETX 90
Coronado PST
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 5096
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Great report, I love mine 
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Chris
Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT
M102ED S.V., ZS 80FD 10th Anniv, ZS 66SD, PST
POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com
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Phil Frederick
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 617
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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Excellent review. Best optical finder I've used. Intrigued with the idea of the illuminated reticle. I wonder if you'll be able to by the EP separately as an upgrade...
Phil
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Phil
Intes M603 6" Mak
Intes M500 5" Mak
Astro-Tech 80LE CF
Orion 127 Mak
Orion ST120 f/5
Orion ST80 f/5
SV F50 Sparrowhawk
SV F60 Biggerhawk
Tak Teeguls, SV Stableock, Bogen475s, Oberwerk Jarrah, and a rebuilt Astroview tripod with Walnut/Oak legs.
...Naglers, Radians, LVWs, BO/TMBs, Stratus', 32 & 38 SWA's
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hey Folks!
Thanx for the kind words.
Good News! Vic Maris from Stellarvue has just decided to make a direct tripod mount for the Sparrow Hawk! I wonder if the review had any influence.... ;-}
Phil, I just asked Vic in an email if the EP would be sold as a seperate option. I'll let you know what he says.
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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Phil Frederick
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 617
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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Thanks, Preston
Anxious to hear what he says. Keep us posted.
Phil
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Phil
Intes M603 6" Mak
Intes M500 5" Mak
Astro-Tech 80LE CF
Orion 127 Mak
Orion ST120 f/5
Orion ST80 f/5
SV F50 Sparrowhawk
SV F60 Biggerhawk
Tak Teeguls, SV Stableock, Bogen475s, Oberwerk Jarrah, and a rebuilt Astroview tripod with Walnut/Oak legs.
...Naglers, Radians, LVWs, BO/TMBs, Stratus', 32 & 38 SWA's
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matt
Vendor (Scopemania)
Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 10022
Loc: Chaville, France
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A huge review for a small scope!
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Matt
CI700 mount with various scopes on top.
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hi Phil,
Just got a response back from Vic on the illuminated reticle. His goal is to have it backward compatible and available for purchase. That is why the release has been delayed. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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Ronny Floyd
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/24/04
Posts: 757
Loc: Chattanooga,Tennessee
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Preston,
Thankyou for such thorough review on this finder.I have been considering getting one for my dob for about a month now.Your most excellant work has got me all fired up now to pull the trigger........Thanks Ronny
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Ronny Floyd
Hardin DSH12/Telrad/Flocked/Baltic Birch Base/Orion Accu-Focus
Walt's Observing Chair
Megrez72/Telepod
EP:40MM Paragon/19MM Panoptic/8&5MM BO/TMB
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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You're Most Welcome Ronny,
If you (or anyone) has a 3.5mm Nagler, I'd really appreciate a first light report with that eyepiece. I've not yet had the opportunity to test it with the Sparrow Hawk and I'm curious how well it will do with some of the larger, brighter Deep Space Objects and Lunar observing!
Preston
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2001
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Yes, I like my Orion 9x50 however - this Stellarvue seems very nice. I might just pick one up.
Fred
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River Cam - Cambridge England
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hi Fred!
If you do, I can guarantee you will spend the first night experimenting with all your eyepieces in this little scope!
My sister, niece and great niece live down on the south coast in Littlehampton.
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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jwaldo
Smart Mime
Reged: 04/26/04
Posts: 3506
Loc: SoCal
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I've been considering one of these. I despise RA finders as far as a main finder (I like the "two eyes" approch, one eye at the finder, the other at the sky) but I could use an RA finder for when I'm at the EP and don't feel like getting up to tweak the view a bit. Besides, I'd never turn down another small refractor 
And two or more finders would make my C102 look COOL!  
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-Jim
DHQ 8"
C102 w/ upgraded focuser
ZenithStar 66 ED Triplet
DSH 6"
Transporter 70
Sears 60/900mm
10x50's & assorted other binos
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hi Jim,
I know what you mean about the "two eyes" approach. I have a 2" Rini 32mm focusing reticle eyepiece that I use with my Zenithstar 80 so I don't need an RA finder with that application. But it sure is nice having another small refractor! ;-}
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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Lego Knight
sage
Reged: 05/16/05
Posts: 328
Loc: Sturbridge,MA
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for the price, how could anyone go wrong by getting one.
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Orion 4.5" ST EQ1
Deep Space Hunter - 10"
Nighthawk II on M1
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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It's almost like a retro Edmund Scientific telescope kit from back in the 50s and 60s. But now, you don't have to supply the cardboard tube for the OTA - just the eyepieces! And the objective is very high quality for the price.
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Quote:
A huge review for a small scope!
Hi Matt,
Yeah, it was quite a few pages but I had a blast doing it. You should have seen the 20 page draft! 
The Mauna Kea experience was amazing. I had folks from Holland, Japan, and Australia (but sadly, none from France) looking through the Sparrow Hawk, hardly believing what they were seeing! 
I guess I better keep to small scopes. If I get something really big I might be submitting a tome instead of a review!
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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hoof
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 1424
Loc: Irvine, CA
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Just when I swore I was done spending money, this 'scope came along. It has two big advantages that made it a no brainer: 1) focusable reticle (the Orion finder doesn't focus, so when I have the finder set for my myopic eyes, the reticle is out of focus, very annoying), 2) you can use all your 1.25" eyepieces (at least the ones that come to focus).
Assuming it comes to focus, I look forward to using a SW 5-8mm at the 5mm setting on this little baby. Talk about your eyepiece being longer than your 'scope! My 18mm UWA should also be really nice with it. 7.4 degrees TFoV, 82deg AFoV, darn I hope it focuses ok ...
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Jonathan Hoof
15" F/4.14 Discovery Truss
8" F/5.9 Orion XT8i
6" F/6 Intes-Micro MN66
4.5" F/4 Orion Starblast
80mm F/7.5 Orion 80ED
18x50 IS Canon binoculars
Edited by hoof (01/04/06 06:54 PM)
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Chris G
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 4027
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I've got one on my SV115 and it is an awesome little scope, too good to be a finder.
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"Ain't nothin' Human 'bout the Human Race"
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hi hoof,
I hope your zoom works - that would be 25X to 42X and the Sparrow Hawk performs very well in that range. Be forewarned, the TV 3-5mm zoom does not come to focus with the scope. Your 18UWA should be fantastic. That 11X, Wide Angle view will be sweet. My Meade 18mm SWA gives a 5.73 TFOV although I have a pinched lens in the eyepiece causing some distortion on one of the edges (That's my fault - it's a long, embarrasing story).  With the 18mm I get a 4.5mm exit pupil so you'll get plenty of light.
When you get the scope and try it with the zoom, please let me know how it works! You can reach me through the email link by my name in the review.
Preston Smith
Edited by Preston Smith (01/04/06 10:27 PM)
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hi Chris!
Gee, doesn't your SV115 get jealous when you spend so much time looking through the Sparrow Hawk - NOT!
Thanx for commenting! Maybe I'll see you later on the Stellarvue group!
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I got my new WO 9mm SWAN eyepiece today, and did a check in my F50. It comes to focus and works very well in the scope, so if you want a 70 degree AFOV wideangle spotter scope of around 22X power, this is a good combo.
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hi Phil,
Thanx for the good news on the Swan 9mm and the Sparrow Hawk. Please try your 9mm with your 2.5X powermate and give us an update! I'll bet it will be good! 
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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mikee
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/10/05
Posts: 606
Loc: Maine
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Great review Preston!
Quick question. Is there going to be a "new and improved" F50 released early this year or is there just going to be new accessories available for the F50 such as illuminated reticle eyepiece and tripod mount. I'm curious as you mentioned that the illuminated reticle will be "backwards compatible" which to me implies a change in the finder scope itself that would require the eyepiece to be compatible with it. I really want to get one but if a new model is coming out in short order I can hold out. :-)
Thanks
Mike
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RRaubach
AstroCowboy
Reged: 01/26/05
Posts: 2173
Loc: Douglas (Converse County),WY
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I guess that I need to call Vic immediately! I've been shopping around for a right angle finder for both of my APO refractors; a "correct image" would really help in finding some of the obscure objects that I like.
Very good review--you probably have created a run on these scopes by your review!
Rodger 
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Rodger
Meade SN-10 (UHTC) on Tak EM-200 mount/Antares rotating rings. Moonlite focuser.
Parallax 14.5" Newtonian on HD 200 mount (arriving soon!) w/ conical Royce mirror.
TMB 203 f/7 APO refractor on Tak NJP-160 mount.
Discovery 12.5" PDHQ
Schneider 18x80 "Flakfernrohr" binoculars/tripod mounted. Canon 15x50 IS binoculars
Unihedron Sky Quality Meter
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hi Mike!
I'm assuming the tripod mount will be able to be purchased separately but I'll confirm that with Vic.
Vic is striving to make the illuminated reticle backwards compatible. That's why they are delayed. I think your right about the change in the finderscope. I don't know if the change is physical or in the optical path. I'll ask!
The only other improved feature Vic had mentioned was a rotating back. I don't think that will be backward compatible. But I'll confirm and get back to you.
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Hi Rodger!
Thanx for the kind words from both you and Mike!
I've been thinking the same thing:
When I talk with Vic, I'll ask!
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2001
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Well, I ended up ordering the F50 (white one), and I'm looking foward to using it.
Fred
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River Cam - Cambridge England
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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That's Great Fred!
Give us a first light report when you get it!
Preston Smith
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Preston Smith, Eureka, Pa
For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Stellarvue SV115T
Stellarvue NHII, SV70, F50 "Sparrow Hawk 1"
1960s Unitron 160 102mm f15
1950s Unitron 114 60mm f15
1980 Edmund "Voyager" 60mm f8
1960s Tasco 15TE 76mm f15
1960s Tasco 7TE-5 60mm f16
1950s Asahi-Pentax 50mm f12
More refractors!
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 2142
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Here's the latest info from Vic on the changes to the F50 finder:
The rotati |
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