t.r.
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/14/08
Posts: 556
Loc: Upstate NY
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After a long wait, UPS delivered on the 3rd, nice treat for the fourth. Beautiful scope, smaller and lighter than the Tec140, first light tonight...pics to follow...
Edited by t.r. (07/07/08 10:00 AM)
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David E
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/25/06
Posts: 3003
Loc: North Carolina
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Wow! Congradulations! (Been waiting long?  ) Can't wait for you pics.
David E
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David E
Confucius say: "Those who leave leftovers are condemned to re-heat it."
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Congratulations! 
I had the pleasure of using one for a couple of nights this weekend.
I want my own!
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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Hermie
super member
Reged: 04/20/05
Posts: 174
Loc: LA, heading to HKG
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Congratulations on a superb scope! We are looking forward to the pictures and first light report.
I now move up the list another spot, but am still planning delivery in about 2020.
Hermie
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APM 105/650
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PhilCo126
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/14/05
Posts: 1636
Loc: coastline of Belgium
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TS 152/1200 ( f 7.90 ) Achromatic Refractor
Saving/Looking for 180/1620 ( f 9 ) Refractor
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Rinaldo
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/28/04
Posts: 1101
Loc: Lawng-eye-lind - New York, USA
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WOW exciting! Good luck w/ it. Regarding pics, allow me to place my order:
------The usual exterior pics.
------A juicy lens shot.
------OTA disassembled.
------Interior shots.
------Close ups on where/how everything connects.
------Side order of fries 
--------------------
Yea Haa?
Two eyeballs
AP 5.1" f/6 on a GM-8 -- The Instrument
10" f/4.8 Newt on a Dob -- Marcia!! Marcia! Marcia!!!
12.5" f/4.5 Portaball -- The Cojone
10x70 FMT-SX
7x50 FMTR-SX
A few Nags & Rads
Hauppauge, NY - 
RMSP, NY - 
Montauk, NY - 
CSSP, PA - 
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 8935
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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--------------------
"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 13320
Loc: Oort Cloud
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GT's are always more fun! 
Congratulations and happy observing!! 
--------------------
A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife, two curious cats and one sadly departed.
"Semper ubi sub ubi"
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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 16104
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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congratulations on the new scope!!
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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George Methvin
sage
Reged: 01/30/06
Posts: 457
Loc: Central Texas
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Congratulation on your new scope. Post some photos.
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Chris G
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 4217
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Congratulations, that's an awesome scope. Looking forward to some pics!
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"Ain't nothin' Human 'bout the Human Race"
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David E
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/25/06
Posts: 3003
Loc: North Carolina
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Quote:
WOW exciting! Good luck w/ it. Regarding pics, allow me to place my order:
------The usual exterior pics.
------A juicy lens shot.
------OTA disassembled.
------Interior shots.
------Close ups on where/how everything connects.
------Side order of fries
Yes, we'd like the "Grand Tour!"  But I think champagne and caviar would be more apropriate than fries. 
David E
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David E
Confucius say: "Those who leave leftovers are condemned to re-heat it."
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t.r.
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/14/08
Posts: 556
Loc: Upstate NY
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Having trouble with picture size and posting here...pics on "other" site under AP...
Still waiting for a good "first" light, but even in bad seeing I was impressed...
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Present Stable:
Kmart 40mm(first scope @ age 8)
Jason 60mm
C80SS
Tak Sky90II
PST
AP130 "Gran Turismo"
C-11XLT
EQ-2,CG-4,ASGT-5,DenkII's,TV(zoom,plossls,Ethos),UO volcano set, ZAOII 4mm only :^( and other un-notables
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."
Carl Sagan
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Ziggy943
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/11/06
Posts: 1474
Loc: Utah
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Let's see it. Words are cheap.
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May your skies always be clear,
Ziggy
www.slas.us
4" Mak
#1, 160mm F8 TEC (born 1-18-2007, 27 lbs, 45.5" long), on AP900
6" F17.5 (D&G lens) (first light 6-7-2008)
9" F/14.8 Alvan Clark (1915), on Byers 812
14.25 F/5.5 Newt in a roll off observatory
Others, that have come and gone
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George Methvin
sage
Reged: 01/30/06
Posts: 457
Loc: Central Texas
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WOW that is one nice looking scope. You are one luckey guy..Now where do I get in line at..... 
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w orchid
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 827
Loc: Tampa, Fl
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I'm jealous. How about the pics.
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Celestron C8 orange tube circa 1982
Stellarvue SV102ED
Celestron NS1100GPS
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ChazK
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/05
Posts: 1453
Loc: Melbourne, Florida
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Agreed.....love to see it
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Tak TOA 130mm/NJP Temma2
Tak FS 60CB
Canon 40D (unmodded)
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6
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ScottAz
Fleet Navigator
Reged: 02/06/05
Posts: 1151
Loc: Millington, TN
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Nice pic on the "other site." Great side-by-side with the TEC 140! 
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Scott Azmus
SV80BV, C6S XLT, NexStar 11, & 18" Obsession
Many Views Yield Truth
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Post edited until I get permission from Tim to post his images.
Apologies.
--------------------
Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
Edited by Mark Jenkins (07/10/08 11:52 AM)
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Tim, can I have permission to post your resized photos? 
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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t.r.
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/14/08
Posts: 556
Loc: Upstate NY
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Please, do...thank you.
--------------------
Present Stable:
Kmart 40mm(first scope @ age 8)
Jason 60mm
C80SS
Tak Sky90II
PST
AP130 "Gran Turismo"
C-11XLT
EQ-2,CG-4,ASGT-5,DenkII's,TV(zoom,plossls,Ethos),UO volcano set, ZAOII 4mm only :^( and other un-notables
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."
Carl Sagan
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Posted with permission from Tim.
Nice photos of a beautiful telescope Tim!
--------------------
Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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t.r.
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/14/08
Posts: 556
Loc: Upstate NY
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Well, I've had a fair night to check out the GT and form some impressions. Mounted on a CG5goto, good size/weight ratio, more stable than with the TEC. In a word...Excellent.
Jupiter even fairly low showed good detail with red spot even at the following edge. Belts stood out with good contrast and detail seen in the N and S polar regions. About on par with the TEC although I've seen way more in better seeing with it. Excellent star test.
Cruised the galactic bulge,M17,M8,M22 on to Hercules M13, Lyra M57...all about comparable to the TEC view.
The double double was an easy, excellent split, with dark lines at 136x and just got better as I zoomed in with the TV3-6 eyepiece.
Alberio, beautiful with faithful color rendition
The first night out wasn't the best of seeing, but Saturn at low altitude still diplayed globe shadow, belt and a hint of cassini's. It cut thru some pretty bad seeing quite well.
I love the size compared to the TEC, very easy to maneuver the whole setup in and outside. I like the FT 3.5" focuser of the TEC better but the AP's 2.7 with FT ain't bad either, just different. I DO NOT like the 2 screws tapped into the tube side...a short cut I believe. The push on cover is old school and WILL rub the paint off the dew shield eventually. I love the TEC's lens cover. AP should update that and set up the focuser for the finderscope.
I'am primarily a planetary/lunar/double star visual observer. My biggest concern is what I might loose on planetary detail giving up the TEC's 10mm. I have viewed the mottling on martian maria, 10+ belts and detail in the red spot on Jupiter, multiple bands and ring structure on Saturn with the TEC and this is my minimum level of acceptable detail.
I hope the GT can deliver it...
Edited by t.r. (07/14/08 08:55 AM)
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Tom D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/29/04
Posts: 1732
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I would be very interested in your comments/opinions re a comparison of the optics of these two scopes.
Tom
--------------------
Stellarvue SV105 (TMB/LZOS f/6.2)
DiscMounts DM-4 w/Sky Commander XP4
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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You should let AP know what you do not like as well as what you like.
Good report!
Thanks Tim!
--------------------
Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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t.r.
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/14/08
Posts: 556
Loc: Upstate NY
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I would, but you know who is a bit sensitive about his babies... 
I'll leave that to the inner circle, those more qualified than I.
--------------------
Present Stable:
Kmart 40mm(first scope @ age 8)
Jason 60mm
C80SS
Tak Sky90II
PST
AP130 "Gran Turismo"
C-11XLT
EQ-2,CG-4,ASGT-5,DenkII's,TV(zoom,plossls,Ethos),UO volcano set, ZAOII 4mm only :^( and other un-notables
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."
Carl Sagan
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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I know for a fact that they value customer feedback.
--------------------
Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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Tom D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/29/04
Posts: 1732
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Yes. Maybe they'll have changed the screw and lens cap things by the time I get "the call"
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Stellarvue SV105 (TMB/LZOS f/6.2)
DiscMounts DM-4 w/Sky Commander XP4
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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How does the TEC lens cap work?
Photos?
--------------------
Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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Mike Clemens
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/26/05
Posts: 4201
Loc: Wasilla, Alaska 61N
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TEC 140 - 180 lens caps have two holes in them where your thumb and finger go in, then you squeeze the two squares (seen below) together, which releases the cap from the rounded front of the dewshield.
They are spring loaded, so when you put it on, there are two delrin-looking hook-a-ma-bobs (not seen in pic) on the back of the dewshield cap, which lock inside the reducing diameter of the rounded dewshield front.
You can see in front of the lens engraving ring, on the bottom, there is a groove seen. That is the area where the hook-a-ma-bob go into and then expand to lock.
--------------------
historius apochromaticus
Edited by Mike Clemens (07/11/08 04:06 PM)
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Ah! Something akin to the Nikon lens covers.
I have broken those in the past.
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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Mike Clemens
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/26/05
Posts: 4201
Loc: Wasilla, Alaska 61N
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These aren't going to break. You could probably get them licensed as deadly weapons.
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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I meant the mechanism. Some of the older ones used something like spring steel and I have seen other that used plastic as well as steel springs.
I don't think the existing design of the AP lens cover will damage the new paint. It seems tough as nails.
My traveler has not been damaged and it have been removed and replaced a lot!
It is lined with felt
Not sure the extra expense of a mechanical lens cover is really worth it.
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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Joe Bergeron
Vendor - Space Art
Reged: 11/10/03
Posts: 930
Loc: Upstate NY
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Quote:
I would, but you know who is a bit sensitive about his babies...
I'll leave that to the inner circle, those more qualified than I.
I wouldn't worry about that. Equanimity is Roland's middle name (his parents were cruel). Tell him what you think.
--------------------
Seven telescopes of a diverse nature.
Multiple chums glittering in the sky. New friends await.
My Web Site
English Lessons for Amateur Astronomers
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Tom D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/29/04
Posts: 1732
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Bar none, TEC has the best lens cap arrangement I've ever seen. Unless Yuri has a patent on it, I cannot understand why other mfg's do not employ it.
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Stellarvue SV105 (TMB/LZOS f/6.2)
DiscMounts DM-4 w/Sky Commander XP4
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 8935
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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It is pretty darn slick.
--------------------
"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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Mike Clemens
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/26/05
Posts: 4201
Loc: Wasilla, Alaska 61N
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I'm a bit taken back by the two screws in the side of the tube. Are they for a finder mount or what?? The dewcap slide-on is fine. Overall the 130GT gets an "insanely gorgeous" rating from me.
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historius apochromaticus
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Yes, they are for the new QRBASES quick release bracket for the finder. The tube rotates easily if you wish to change the position of the finder.
I think that is why AP chose to put the mounting screws on the tube instead of the focuser. You can rotate the focuser without disturbing your finder location.
--------------------
Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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k5apl
sage
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 387
Loc: Arkansas
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Hi Mike
I mounted the TEC finder base with those two screws in the
GT tube. Fit perfectly. Now I can use the TEC/AP finder or
MRF in that base on the GT. I like the idea that the finder
doesn't have to rotate with the focuser.
Wes
Edited by k5apl (07/12/08 12:16 PM)
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Cool photo Wes!
--------------------
Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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kwkee
sage
Reged: 08/17/03
Posts: 293
Loc: Far East
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Quote:
Hi Mike
I mounted the TEC finder base with those two screws in the
GT tube. Fit perfectly. Now I can use the TEC/AP finder or
MRF in that base on the GT. I like the idea that the finder
doesn't have to rotate with the focuser.
Wes
Wes, I believe this is a good solution to the two screws on the tube. I would expect AP to at least but a finder base there so that the two screws don't spoil the look of the OTA.
The peel off lens cap can be improved though. Even the cheap Meade 127 APO triplet has a screw on lens cap. Not that I like that, but it still look better than a peel off cap on a nearly 6K AP scope! The TEC lens cap has a really nice touch to it.
Otherwise, I think the GT is a really exquisite scope in the sense that it can be break down for portability.
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Mike Clemens
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/26/05
Posts: 4201
Loc: Wasilla, Alaska 61N
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that last picture.... NICE
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kwkee
sage
Reged: 08/17/03
Posts: 293
Loc: Far East
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guys, what do you think would be a resale value of the Gran Turismo? This scope is quite new, sells for $5675 by AP.
Any idea what would be its resale value?
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dougspeterson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1032
Loc: Murrieta, CA
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How does the color correction compare?
--------------------
18" Dob
12" SCT
8" TMB F6 + Chromacor
6" F6 APM/LZOS Fluorite triplet, 32", 32lbs
2ea. 6mm singlets, one blind
"--Granted, that's a worse case scenario. The destruction might in fact be ... limited to our own galaxy."
Edited by dougspeterson (09/05/08 12:35 PM)
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k5apl
sage
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 387
Loc: Arkansas
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Ref: Color Correction
I see the color correction of the 130GT as being excellent
so far; I haven't really cranked up magnification on Vega
or Sirius though. No color on any other star visible now
in the evenings to midnight and no color on the limb of the
Moon at high power (240x-330x). Jupiter is white with ex-
cellent contrast of the bands. Jupiter's color is all on the
disc, not around it.... Double Cluster has the Red stars
stand out easily. I can easily see the red/orange color of
Antares and its green companion. As far as Doubles are con-
cerned, it easily splits Nu Scorpii when seeing is steady.
Using high power terrestrially on pine tree needles against
the blue sky in broad daylight shows no purple haze (300-400x). So, color is not an issue for me.
BTW I viewed through a TEC160FL for comparison so I am
familiar with excellent optics as you are too, judging by
your equipment list.
I'll try to answer any specific questions, as this was a very general answer. And, the view of the Milky Way impress-
ed me by the sharpness and clarity and fine detail visible;
I believe a better indication of the excellent optics.
Clear Skies,
Wes
ps. I view stars and planets etc in focus
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Greg Morrison
sage
Reged: 11/16/04
Posts: 240
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Not only Nikon, but other camera manufacturers as well. This definitely isn't something that was invented by TEC. This might be new for telescopes but lens covers like this have been around for a long time.
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