werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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A lot of us have those ubiquitous 66mm ED's,APO's, etc. So, how do we mount it? An LXD55 would be overkill, but I'm gonna do it just for the pix. On the other end of the spectrum, there is the ubiquitous Camera Tripod. Unless you've got a Bogen/Manfrotto combo, there are compromises. I have a Sunpak 7500 Pro Edition (woo-hoo) Camera Tripod. Workds great for my 15X70's. Buut, if you put your trusty lil 66mm ;frac on it, you gotta keep the mags low. Too much slop for deliberate high powered aiming. Great for panning, though! If you're brave (read crazy here) anough, hand-hold the thing! Look like A Pirate Captain! Aaaaargh, Matey! Seriously, if you brace your arms, or adopt a variant of the good old US Army Off-hand position. Neighbor's will think you're nuts, though.
Actually, virtually any small scope (66mm class, 114 class Reflector) can be used with a human mount. all you need to do is sit down firmly, and keep the power to 10X/" I'd say.
Next Installment?:
Edited by werewolf6977 (09/19/09 07:19 AM)
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Lamb0
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 1328
Loc: Fairbury, Nebraska
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Can a 66mm ED replace the achro in an ETX60 as a decent, (& inexpensive), Backpack Observatory ED GoTo? 
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John, "Have eyepiece - will travel!"
8" f/5 Dob w/2.14" sec in a 12" alum tube 'The Mortar' - w/PCorr 2.16° TFoV @ ~32.5X 70+% illum *Yes!*
24Pan, 5-8 SW, 3 Faworskis (16.8, 10.5, & 7mm), TMB 3.2mm, Hyp 36mm Aspheric, 20T5, & 14ES100
Other 2": Paracorr (Green Parrot), 2X PowerMate, Antares 1.6X Barlow, Astronomik Hß, (older) Lumicon UHC & OIII
60mm $50 Walmart Special in training - aka "Backpack Observatory"
Binoculars: Minolta Activa 12x50s & Steiner 15X80s
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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As long as it fits the clamshell/rings/whatever, I suppose.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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Tim L
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 554
Loc: Austin, TX
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Sounds like the ultimate in "manual tracking"
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Tim
Zhumell Z10 dob
Meade 60mm refractor
Zhumell 1.25" eyepiece and filter kit
Zhumell sky-glow, UHC, and OIII filters
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GeorgeDuke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 1585
Loc: PARADISE! (So.Florida)
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Just stick it on top of your C8!
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George
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SkyShed POD XL-3
LX200GPS 203mm f10
StellarVue SV102ED2 Feathertouch Ser#0018
LXD75 GOTO with Orion 16" pier extension
Baader Hyperion 8mm ,13mm, 21mm + FTRs
2" GSO ED barlow, 2" SV Dielectric and Orion Prism Diagonals
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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suppose you don't have a C-8 to put it on?
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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Post deleted by werewolf6977
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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GeorgeDuke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 1585
Loc: PARADISE! (So.Florida)
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Sorry Pete, I saw a Black C8 OTA in your signature list and just assumed.....
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George
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SkyShed POD XL-3
LX200GPS 203mm f10
StellarVue SV102ED2 Feathertouch Ser#0018
LXD75 GOTO with Orion 16" pier extension
Baader Hyperion 8mm ,13mm, 21mm + FTRs
2" GSO ED barlow, 2" SV Dielectric and Orion Prism Diagonals
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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I do. Buuut, that takes cash for the rings like a noob might not have .... Besides improvisation can fun!
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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Tombstone Sky
One-Eyed Jack
Reged: 12/18/06
Posts: 1708
Loc: Tombstone Arizona
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This is a sticky? In the Beginners Forum? With a title of "Barebones Astronomy"?
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MJ "Morg" Staley
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M5 Dark-Site Observatory
Meade 12" f/10 LX90GPS "River"
WO 2" Dielectric Diagonal
Meade SP 5000 full set, 24mm Meade 5000 UWA,
BO/TMB Planetary 8, 9mm, Nagler 13mmT6
Meade 505/USB/ASU/SNP6
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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Yeah. You got a problem with that? Beginners are the ones who might have an ota that gramps had w/no mount, and maybe they'd like to use it. What I'm stressing is to Improvise, adapt, Overcome! this was cleared through Higher, BTW.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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senske
sage
Reged: 01/10/09
Posts: 360
Loc: Spokane, WA
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Well, someone had to say it and it happened to be Tombstone Sky. I was thinking the same thing. I don't think a beginner will benefit at all from the use of acronyms, abbreviations, made-up lingo, etc. Perhaps a rewrite is in order and you could just say something like:
"If you're a beginner and you just came across a telescope with no tripod mount, there's good news! You can use that telescope effectively by just holding the telescope in your hands. Use your body or a structure to brace yourself. Use breathing techniques to steady your hand. Use low magnification so your movement doesn't effect the views as much. While a tripod mount is desirable, your body can be used as a mount, too. So get out there and look through that telescope!"
Does that pretty much cover the intent?
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Andrew
Orion SkyQuest XT10 Intelliscope with Orion 9x50 and Telrad Finders
Orion WorldView 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron NexStar 8 SE with GSO 8x50 and Red Dot Finders
Galileoscope
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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I alway was a bit wordy, y'know. Oh well, next one (if it happens) will be much more concise. Besides there are those that seem to like the style a bit anyway.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
Edited by werewolf6977 (09/21/09 06:27 AM)
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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Yah, that was a good cover you came up with. If I'd intended to phrase it that way, I would have. Anyhow, I am kinda new at this, soooo ...hows that go? oh yeah, "different strokes for different folks"
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8661
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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Don't forget the lowly binoculars, Pete. I have both bino's and an 66mm scope . If you go sans mount, sitting on the ground, preferably with something between you and the grass, try resting the scope on your knees to help steady it. You won't be able to go high power , but without a mount it will work.
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
Jim
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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Dang! I did forget about the binoculars! Thanx
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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RnSdriver
journeyman
Reged: 08/14/09
Posts: 5
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For my first light with my Orion 130ST Newt, I used the windshield of my Dodge Dakota and and big heavy towel, very sturdy but your limited in your Alt range.
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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Like My Pa an electronics Engineer and all round handyman used to say "If it works, use it!"
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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dmgriff
sage
Reged: 09/20/06
Posts: 332
Loc: 30 degrees latitude, USA
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I do not know if this thread is limited to 66ed apos, but, this thread of 9/21/09 on mounting 80mm fast achros is pretty "bare bones" imho...
cn thread
Good viewing,
Dave
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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This thread is about anything you aim at the sky. So, yes that thread on the 80mm and mount is very apropos.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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Lamb0
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 1328
Loc: Fairbury, Nebraska
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The ETX60's objective is OK at best, I may yet make peace with the GoTo mount, but the plastic mechanics for the flip mirror and internal Barlow are nasty. Swapping a small ED/Apo with a real focuser would be a boon for Grab'n'Go.
Well... for the first iteration of my 8" f/5, (the "Test Tube"), when I didn't have a mount I just rested the tube assembly on on the toes of my shoes; (I have short toes so no loss of circulation). Tracking Jupiter was easy with a 32mm Plossl @ ~32x, a challenge with my 5-8mm Speers-WALER @ ~127X (8mm), and really tough @ ~203X (5mm). The current Dobsonian style mount with adjustable aluminum tube rings is a joy to use, even when manually tracking Jupiter @ ~334X, (using 2X Powermate, 7mm Faworski 46° AFoV Orthoscopic - and Paracorr for an extra 15% magnification - during steady ~.5" seeing), courtesy of the Ebony Star upgrade! (Thanks Brian!)
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John, "Have eyepiece - will travel!"
8" f/5 Dob w/2.14" sec in a 12" alum tube 'The Mortar' - w/PCorr 2.16° TFoV @ ~32.5X 70+% illum *Yes!*
24Pan, 5-8 SW, 3 Faworskis (16.8, 10.5, & 7mm), TMB 3.2mm, Hyp 36mm Aspheric, 20T5, & 14ES100
Other 2": Paracorr (Green Parrot), 2X PowerMate, Antares 1.6X Barlow, Astronomik Hß, (older) Lumicon UHC & OIII
60mm $50 Walmart Special in training - aka "Backpack Observatory"
Binoculars: Minolta Activa 12x50s & Steiner 15X80s
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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That's the spirit!
--------------------
Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5655
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Some of us are approaching this as a back door approach:
-we have been around for a while
-have gotten the big optics
-spent the money
-and are returning to a simpler. easier life with small optics
edj
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n w arkansas
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JohnH
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/04/05
Posts: 734
Loc: vancouver near the wilds of B...
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My bare bones observing is done on a 8mm ED scope (Skywatcher) and a large tripod by Linhof.
All things being equal, I should have spent more on the head (the part on top of the tripod) for more fucntionality. It works fine on low object and terrestrial stuff but slowly moves when pointed up higher than around 50 degrees.
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noah way
member
Reged: 11/04/09
Posts: 23
Loc: The Edge
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I just snagged an old 76.2mm Japanese TASCO Refractor on the classifieds. The lovely review here
"Observing with the highest powers was also pleasurable with this instrument. Objects stayed in the generous 35 degree AFOV for seconds at a time."
had me thinking of a better mount, like maybe an LXD75.
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TASCO 10TE
coming soon:
Explore Scientific ED80 Triplet
Meade LXD75
Baader Hyperion 8-24 Zoom
Televue Nagler 3-6 Zoom
GSO 2" ED 2X Barlow
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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That might not be a bad idea. I'm thinking of throwing my WO Z66ED on mine for giggles.
--------------------
Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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