matt
Vendor (Scopemania)
Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 10037
Loc: Chaville, France
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Whichever is at hand. Actually in the south where I observe the ground is terraced so I actually put the atlas (and the eyepiece case, etc) on the terrace above, which is going to be 4-5' high. When I observe from here, I usually drive to dark sites, so I use the trunk of the car as a table. I spend enough time unpacking and packing stuff not to worry about a table!
When I observe from my home I don't need an atlas as even M81 is a challenge, and I don't need an atlas to find it.
My recommendation would be, especially if you travel to observe, one of those folding picnic tables which are about 4'x3'. As they are lightweight, however, be sure not to put them on uneven ground and have an eyepiece case tip it over!
Given the choice, I would say either you observe standing and will want a table about 4' off the ground, or seated and 3' would be better.
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Matt
CI700 mount with various scopes on top.
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michaeloconnell
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 964
Loc: Ireland
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Cheers Matt. That sounds reasonable. I'll keep my eye out for one.
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
Gemini G41 Observatory+ Mount, Meade 16" SCT OTA, TEC140 Apo, 16" ATM Dob, Pentax75 SDHF, PST Ha, PST Cak.
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30448
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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In addition to the right height for your style of observing, check it thoroughly for sturdiness and stability. The table I'm using now (and I've got my eyes open for a replacement, believe me!) wobbles when I scribble in my notebook, and that gets old quickly.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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michaeloconnell
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 964
Loc: Ireland
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Thanks for the heads-up Tom. Might get something sturdier than a plastic fold-up camping table so. Cheers.
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
Gemini G41 Observatory+ Mount, Meade 16" SCT OTA, TEC140 Apo, 16" ATM Dob, Pentax75 SDHF, PST Ha, PST Cak.
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Jim Svetlikov
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/06/03
Posts: 2033
Loc: Crescent Beach
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Coleman camping and cooking tables - best bang for the buck!
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It is better to build a boy than try to mend a man.
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30448
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
Coleman camping and cooking tables - best bang for the buck!
 Now, why didn't I think of that? Half my camping gear is made by Coleman.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29882
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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They have one of those foldup tables at Costco, the kind that rolls up...I keep looking at it and I should just get it next time it shows up. Is the coleman table pretty stable?
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Tom 
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30448
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
They have one of those foldup tables at Costco, the kind that rolls up...I keep looking at it and I should just get it next time it shows up. Is the coleman table pretty stable?
The only one I ever owned was like a small desk. Very stable, and high enough that you could cook using one of their stoves without bending much (unless you're as tall as Randy Johnson). That would put it at a good height for examining charts and scribbling notes. Mine diappeared from a campsite one day while I was out birdwatching. I'll have to check them out this weekend and see if they're still as solid as I remember.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29882
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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Those are made of aluminum aren't they? Pretty light weight?
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Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30448
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
Those are made of aluminum aren't they? Pretty light weight?
I remember that it was made of metal. I don't remember if it was aluminum or steel. The one I had was pretty heavy.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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There is a nice plan for a table in the second edition of Star Ware. It is a flat wooded case that carries the charts and is used as the table top with screw in legs that are bolted to the case for transportation.
Sometimes I think the first thing you should buy when entering astronomy is a saw, hammer, and drill.
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29882
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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Quote:
Sometimes I think the first thing you should buy when entering astronomy is a saw, hammer, and drill.
I agree whole-heartedly! 
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Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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Inkswitch
super member
Reged: 11/09/03
Posts: 156
Loc: columbus OH USA
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There is a question I have that was not fully addressed here. Which is better in the field with a red flashlight, white stars black background or black stars white background?
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-Lawen
12.5" Meade Starfinder dob.
6" Orion dob.
8X56 Orion mini-giant
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michaeloconnell
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 964
Loc: Ireland
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I've a copy of the field version (white stars black background) and I find it difficult to read. If I were to purchase again, I'd get the laminated desk version or the unlaminated deluxe version. The unlaminated deluxe version is relatively cheap from amazon.com and the charts are larger than the standard version.
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
Gemini G41 Observatory+ Mount, Meade 16" SCT OTA, TEC140 Apo, 16" ATM Dob, Pentax75 SDHF, PST Ha, PST Cak.
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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I have found black stars on white backgrounds easier to use in low light. It is harder to see small details with white on black. This is also know in publishing where white letters on black backgrounds can be used as a design element, but it would be done in small amounts because readers find it difficult to read this color scheme for any length of time. Usually when this is done, the point size of the text is increased or bold text is used.
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30448
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I've now borrowed and used both forms (black on white and white on black) and when the time comes to shell out the bucks, it'll be black stars on white. I find this form to be much easier to use, assuming it's printed in a way that makes it compatible with red light!
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. - Galileo Galilei
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Inkswitch
super member
Reged: 11/09/03
Posts: 156
Loc: columbus OH USA
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Thanks for your replies. I think I will go for the black stars white background.
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-Lawen
12.5" Meade Starfinder dob.
6" Orion dob.
8X56 Orion mini-giant
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29882
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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I have the deluxe version and prefer the black stars on white also...easy to look at in bed when you just want to familiarize yourself with a part of the sky.
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Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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dc2861
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/13/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Virginia, USA
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Tom
What you do when you're alone with your star atlas is nobodies business but your own. 
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Darren
Celestron NexStar 9.25 GPS
Takahashi FS78
Nikon Action 10X50's
Denkmeier Standard
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29882
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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 Get your mind out of the gutter, man! 
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Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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