leo9
member
Reged: 06/17/08
Posts: 70
Loc: Western Oregon, USA
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I have a number of physical limits that mean I must remain seated while observing and can not carry over 20 pounds. My SkyWindow with binoculars is proving its value and comfort but I would like to add a telescope for views of the moon and planets specificly (and anything else that might catch my fancy of course) Note: narrow or wide FOV doesn't matter a bit.
My ideas so far:
1. AT66ed - but it seems like a step backward from the 70mm apeture - though quality is much superior
2. 90 or 102 Mak-Cass (Orion or Vixen)
3. Orion StarBlast 4.25 or 6
Any others I should consider? Any thoughts on the list above? (p.s. I am currently designing a small circular, three legged table for "tabletop astronomy" that will allow my chair to get close,and manuever around)
Thanks in advance for your input.
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Nikon 12x50 Action; Pentax 8x40 PCF WPII
Bogen 3220 w/3way+qw
Trico SkyWindow
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DaemonGPF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/08
Posts: 1466
Loc: New Mexico
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A starblast 4.5" is not what I would select for planets, it's F3.9 and gives an extremely wide-field view. It's definitely a large DSO scope. The 6" is a bit more decent, but I would lean towards a cassegrain or mak if you're after planetary and compact. Just my 2 cents.
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-Josh
*Orion Starblast Imaging 150mm OTA
*Orion Starblast Imaging 114mm OTA
*Meade 50mm AR short tube OTA
*Meade DSI Pro IIc
*Orion Starshoot DSCI
*CG5 mount
http://cleardarksky.com/c/AlbuqNMkey.html
My Messier Project Gallery
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johniac1
member
Reged: 08/19/08
Posts: 18
Loc: Rockville, MD
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Not knowing your limitations, I wonder how workable a telescope would be for you. So also consider "giant" binoculars- They're available with 70 to 100mm and larger objectives and magnifications 15x, 20x, 30x and more. Anything over 15x you'll need a tripod anyhow, yet they would seem less cumbersome. If you could put up with narrow fields of view, you could even go with giant zoom bino's up to 100x. Check out the binocular forum here.
P.J.
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PapaJohn
Orion XT4.5
Tasko 10x50
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smasraum
sage
Reged: 01/13/08
Posts: 492
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It seems to me that if you're thinking of staying at or around 4 inches, that it would be best to go with a short tube refractor instead of something with a central obstruction. If you're about maxed out at 4", you may as well get all of the aperture instead of just some of it.
Something like a 102 f/5 or f/6 scope.
Maybe something like this.
You would need a tripod to put it on.
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Steve
Houston (Friendswood), TX
 Space Center Houston
8" Zhumell Dob - Woo Hoo!!
Celestron C102 f/5 - Thanks Tim!
21mm, 13mm Hyperion
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sixela
Postmaster
Reged: 12/23/04
Posts: 9499
Loc: Boechout, Belgium
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Quote:
Ithat it would be best to go with a short tube refractor
For moon and planets? I wouldn't (the chromatic aberration is usually enough to make high power views unsatisfying); that's probably even less suited than a Stablast (which delivers fine planetary views but only with a barlow and the planet *exactly* centred).
I'd vote for a 102mm Mak.
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400mm f/4.46 David Lukehurst truss Dobsonian on Tom Osypowski equatorial platform
Orion Starblast (114mm f/4 reflector, Alt/Az)
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sixela
Postmaster
Reged: 12/23/04
Posts: 9499
Loc: Boechout, Belgium
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Quote:
Not knowing your limitations, I wonder how workable a telescope would be for you. So also consider "giant" binoculars- They're available with 70 to 100mm and larger objectives and magnifications 15x, 20x, 30x and more.
For moon and planets?
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400mm f/4.46 David Lukehurst truss Dobsonian on Tom Osypowski equatorial platform
Orion Starblast (114mm f/4 reflector, Alt/Az)
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5312
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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The Orion Star Blast 6 is a very nice, sturdy, telescope. Per their website the total weight is about 23 lbs. You could remove
the optical tube from the rings when you are setting up or taking down the telescope. Then each of the two parts would be only
about 12 lbs.
Another way to go is the Orion Versa Go alt/az mount. It can accept different optical tube assemblies via a dovetail mounting system.
The Versa Go weighs just a little over 12 lbs but can hold up to 15 lbs. It would easily handle a 5" Mak or maybe 6" Mak. An 80mm EON would be really nice on that mount.
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Jason D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/21/06
Posts: 1952
Loc: California
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Quote:
3. Orion StarBlast 4.25 or 6
I have both -- the 4.5" and the 6" StarBlasts. The 4.5" is highly portable -- even a little kid can carry it around without issues. However, the 6" is much much heavier.
Jason
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XT10 classic with premium optics
Tri-knob CR2 with compression rings
Round Table Platform
4.5" StarBlast
6" StarBlast6
TV EPs
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5312
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Quote:
Quote:
3. Orion StarBlast 4.25 or 6
I have both -- the 4.5" and the 6" StarBlasts. The 4.5" is highly portable -- even a little kid can carry it around without issues. However, the 6" is much much heavier.
Jason
However, you could remove the tube from the rings when transporting it from the house to outside.
Rich
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Jason D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/21/06
Posts: 1952
Loc: California
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Quote:
However, you could remove the tube from the rings when transporting it from the house to outside.
Rich
Sure... But it might not be a practical solution to remove/reinstall the OTA before/after each observing session for everyone.
Jsaon
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XT10 classic with premium optics
Tri-knob CR2 with compression rings
Round Table Platform
4.5" StarBlast
6" StarBlast6
TV EPs
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5312
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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But it would be a way for leo9 to move the Star Blast 6 without having to carry the whole 23 lbs at one time.
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Deep13
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 1454
Loc: NE Ohio
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4"Mak is your best bet IMO.
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Preserve the night sky. Join the Internat. Dark Sky Assn. for less than a cheap eyepiece.
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leo9
member
Reged: 06/17/08
Posts: 70
Loc: Western Oregon, USA
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Good thoughts folks, appreciate the input.
Note: seated= think "wheelchair"= sorry - I should have been more specific.
My thought process put me onto Maks and short tube refractors because they don't require a lot of shifting about to get to the eyepiece in most positions, same as the mirror mount.
I didn't realize that the starblasts could come apart, and I didn't consider F/ratio at all. Looks like I need more guidance.
I happen to love planetary and lunar astronomy, all else is fun but is covered with my current set up to my (present) satisfaction.
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Nikon 12x50 Action; Pentax 8x40 PCF WPII
Bogen 3220 w/3way+qw
Trico SkyWindow
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Jason D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/21/06
Posts: 1952
Loc: California
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Quote:
But it would be a way for leo9 to move the Star Blast 6 without having to carry the whole 23 lbs at one time.
It is a good idea but I do not know if leo9 would prefer a 6" scope with additional setup time or a 4.5" scope with less setup time. It is really his call. Of course, he might opt to get something completely different.
Jason
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XT10 classic with premium optics
Tri-knob CR2 with compression rings
Round Table Platform
4.5" StarBlast
6" StarBlast6
TV EPs
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5312
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Would a round table top held up by a central pipe let you move around more easily?
Rich
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leo9
member
Reged: 06/17/08
Posts: 70
Loc: Western Oregon, USA
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Rich - YES!
If I could make it rock solid anyway.. the key to the three leg design is that there is no way it can wobble regardless of surface.
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Nikon 12x50 Action; Pentax 8x40 PCF WPII
Bogen 3220 w/3way+qw
Trico SkyWindow
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john D
All you have to do is ask!!
Reged: 08/05/07
Posts: 4965
Loc: Midlothian, VA
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hey leo9 i sent you a pm. 
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Meade ETX-125
Meade LXD55 mount
Philips SPC900NC webcam
Seymour Solar filter
Backyard Observatory
 -Midlothian VA
--Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave--
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leo9
member
Reged: 06/17/08
Posts: 70
Loc: Western Oregon, USA
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Just thinking "off the top"
Binoculars on a tripod are not workable - tripod legs get in the way, and the p-mount adds a lot of bulk.
I really need to stay away from "standard" mounts (uh, I think) due to access and bulk.
The starblast seemed good because of the small "footprint", but the eyepiece positions can get "iffy" especially in the 6", if the 4.5" has such a fast mirror, it may not be workable on planets for extended viewing.
Oh yeah, cool down time - around here viewing is through 30 to 60 minute breaks in the cloud cover except in summer. Do the small Maks need a lot of cool down?
Darn this is getting complicated.
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Nikon 12x50 Action; Pentax 8x40 PCF WPII
Bogen 3220 w/3way+qw
Trico SkyWindow
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leo9
member
Reged: 06/17/08
Posts: 70
Loc: Western Oregon, USA
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JohnD - replied with pm
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Nikon 12x50 Action; Pentax 8x40 PCF WPII
Bogen 3220 w/3way+qw
Trico SkyWindow
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5312
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Here is a good and inexpensive way to mount a modest sized scope.
http://www.homebuiltastronomy.com/stool/EasyAltAzMountModification.htm
It would be neat if you could remove the legs from a photo tripod that has moveable center post and mount it to the table top.
Maybe even drilling a hole in the table top for the post to move up and down?
Rich
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