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Equipment Discussions >> Reflectors
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Jason BAdministrator
My wife says I am Obsessed...
*****

Reged: 06/21/04

Loc: Mid-Michigan
Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2
      #2385638 - 05/10/08 04:34 PM
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You can find part 1 here.

Thanks and keep posting the pics!

Jason

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jg3
sage


Reged: 05/27/07

Loc: near Auburn, CA
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: Jason B]
      #2388343 - 05/11/08 08:58 PM Attachment (1938 downloads)
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The post-a-pic thread is one of my favorites, with great ideas and examples of craftsmanship by the DIYers, and closer looks at what's out there with manufactured scopes. The moderator split the thread into a part 2 not because of mine, but because of so many before.

Finally got a good pic of my 12.5-inch f/6.3 Newtonian, completed over a year ago. (And finally learned how to post pictures here!) They should take me away for putting such a large scope on top of a Meade LXD-75 mount! It rocks 'n rolls (in the motion sense); photography is unthinkable. But views of DSOs and planets alike have been thrilling. The OTA structure itself is rock-solid, and would be great in a "Dob" mount, but I like the goto and tracking. My first DIY scope - many lessons learned and modifications planned.


Features:

- Split truss great for getting through doorways - the bulky upper unit is light in weight.
- Box pier built to hold the scope as low as possible, and permits views to the zenith.
- Extended counterweight shaft with only 20 lbs balances the 40 lb scope. (Total supported weight is the same as Meade's SN-10 setup, but the bending moments are greater.)


Components, credits:

- Primary mirror made locally by the shop now known as Optic Wave Labs
- Protostar secondary mirror and arch vane
- Wyoroc focuser
- University Optics floatation cell (discontinued)
- Stellarvue right-angle finder (local)
- Silenx 12VDC fan from Fry's is silent and vibration-free (it doesn't eliminate thermals from the pavement, however.)
- R.F. Royce for construction concepts (Many liberties taken; I might have also used his rotating head design, but needed to save weight.)

jg3
near Auburn, CA

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Eaiello1086
sage
*****

Reged: 02/26/07

Loc: Saugerties, NY and Oneonta, NY...
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: jg3]
      #2388393 - 05/11/08 09:19 PM
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That's somethin' else, jg3! I'm a fan!

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fireman
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/27/07

Loc: Houston, Texas
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: Eaiello1086]
      #2388412 - 05/11/08 09:26 PM
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WOW! If you did the woodwork I'm impressed! Very cool! Like you background too!

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Greg K.Administrator

*****

Reged: 12/11/03

Loc: Clifton Park, NY
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: jg3]
      #2388772 - 05/12/08 12:05 AM
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Quote:

Finally got a good pic of my 12.5-inch f/6.3 Newtonian, completed over a year ago. (And finally learned how to post pictures here!) They should take me away for putting such a large scope on top of a Meade LXD-75 mount! It rocks 'n rolls (in the motion sense); photography is unthinkable. But views of DSOs and planets alike have been thrilling. The OTA structure itself is rock-solid, and would be great in a "Dob" mount, but I like the goto and tracking. My first DIY scope - many lessons learned and modifications planned.




Beautiful scope, but that LXD75 looks like it's screaming in pain.

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Tinker
super member


Reged: 05/26/07

Loc: Stillwater OK
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: Greg K.]
      #2388979 - 05/12/08 03:52 AM Attachment (1265 downloads)
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Just your basic Chinese Dob under a soon to be dark sky.

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Shawn H
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 05/16/07

Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: Tinker]
      #2389333 - 05/12/08 09:57 AM
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Yours looks like mine ! Missing the Telrad though ! Shawn

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Tom Andrews
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 01/25/07

Loc: Albuquerque, NM
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: jg3]
      #2389750 - 05/12/08 01:24 PM
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Quote:

They should take me away for putting such a large scope on top of a Meade LXD-75 mount!



WOW! Love that DIY mentality! Congratulations on a very unconventional setup!

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InkDark
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 10/29/07

Loc: Lanaudiere, Quebec, Canada
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: Tom Andrews]
      #2424631 - 05/28/08 12:49 PM Attachment (1228 downloads)
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This is my first scope. It’s small and humble, but I can fit an entire galaxy in there!

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InkDark
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 10/29/07

Loc: Lanaudiere, Quebec, Canada
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 new [Re: InkDark]
      #2424635 - 05/28/08 12:49 PM Attachment (754 downloads)
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And up close...

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Nodinute
member


Reged: 06/05/07

Loc: 49°21'N / 6°10′E
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: Jason B]
      #2425022 - 05/28/08 03:58 PM Attachment (1149 downloads)
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This is Darth Vader's scope...
SkyVision UC 12.5" F/4 (ultra compact).
More pics here
Clear skies

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skyward_eyes

*****

Reged: 12/12/06

Loc: California
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: Jason B]
      #2426640 - 05/29/08 12:04 PM
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Nice everyone

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MDearingJaxFL
Astronomicus
*****

Reged: 08/28/04

Loc: Florida
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: skyward_eyes]
      #2427919 - 05/29/08 09:53 PM Attachment (830 downloads)
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Enterprise Optics 6" F/4 imaging reflector

:>) mark

Edited by MDearingJaxFL (05/31/08 03:16 AM)

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dozer613
member


Reged: 08/01/04

Loc: Chicago,IL
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: MDearingJaxFL]
      #2428412 - 05/30/08 04:36 AM Attachment (981 downloads)
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Here is my baby along with the observatory that I built
14.5" Nightsky

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csa/montana
Den Mama
*****

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: dozer613]
      #2428689 - 05/30/08 09:53 AM Attachment (937 downloads)
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Here"s my brand new AT16": (with my 8" Dob, recently sold)

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Sundown6
member


Reged: 01/26/08

Loc: Palo Alto, Ca
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: Jason B]
      #2428714 - 05/30/08 10:01 AM Attachment (821 downloads)
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This is my AP setup

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bsim
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Miskatonic
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: Sundown6]
      #2428833 - 05/30/08 10:52 AM
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Here's my Teeter's 10" f/6 dob:

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InkDark
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 10/29/07

Loc: Lanaudiere, Quebec, Canada
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: Sundown6]
      #2428866 - 05/30/08 11:06 AM
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Its fun to go through this thread (and part 1) and see the different equipment and the ingenuity that some used to personalize their settings. What I really enjoy though is seeing the observation sites in the pictures of some folks (for example Carol’s, Scott’s, jg3’s above... among others). There’s just something about looking at a scope in its playing field.

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scott m
sage
*****

Reged: 12/06/07

Loc: Hatfield Pa
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: Jason B]
      #2431410 - 05/31/08 12:53 PM Attachment (949 downloads)
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From a recent camping trip.

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Dave.
member


Reged: 01/07/06

Loc: Australia.
Re: Post a picture of your reflector - PART 2 [Re: Jason B]
      #2432253 - 05/31/08 09:02 PM Attachment (779 downloads)
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Nice scopes here again. I have updated my mount with a new pier. All works well.

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