· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article    Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Forum Archives · Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> ATM, Optics and DIY Forum Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Dragonwatcher professor emeritus Reged: 01/21/08 Posts: 600 Loc: Kirkland, WA An ultralight 5-6" semi-apo/ED fast refractor?       #3401068 - 10/20/09 09:02 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I see lots of people have build ultralight Dobs; so has anyone built a good quality doublet-style fast refractor in the 125-135mm range (or higher) that came in at 8 pounds or under? I know commercially the Borg 125SD comes in at just under 10 pounds... Thinking of a strictly visual instrument with lightweight focuser. Just wondering.... What's the most amazing lightweight refractor you know about for any given aperture size? [I am primarily talking about amateur-made refractors and NOT commercial products obviously - one-offs & unique designs] -------------------- Jackie TMB 92L SV70ED for gragNrun Orion 120ST Benro C-357 tripod/Microstar mount Quarter Hitch & Gitzo GT5531S 8SE mount/tripod for refractor use Ethoses, Pentaxes, BGOs, Naglers, Pans, Sieberts, etc Post Extras:       Owen professor emeritus Reged: 06/21/07 Posts: 514 Re: An ultralight 5-6" semi-apo/ED fast refractor? [Re: Dragonwatcher]       #3401514 - 10/21/09 03:38 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   You can use all the techniques that are available in dob weight loss, for a refractor - and that also includes going 'tubeless' using a truss design... Have a look on the web - there are some really novel solutions Owen Post Extras:       Dragonwatcher professor emeritus Reged: 01/21/08 Posts: 600 Loc: Kirkland, WA Re: An ultralight 5-6" semi-apo/ED fast refractor? [Re: Owen]       #3402016 - 10/21/09 11:48 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Owen, I tried searching ultralight refractor and only got one modestly interesting result for an 80mm. Suggestions on searching or web pages to visit? -------------------- Jackie TMB 92L SV70ED for gragNrun Orion 120ST Benro C-357 tripod/Microstar mount Quarter Hitch & Gitzo GT5531S 8SE mount/tripod for refractor use Ethoses, Pentaxes, BGOs, Naglers, Pans, Sieberts, etc Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 6 registered and 9 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  Don W, Mike I. Jones  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 209 Jump to *International Year of Astronomy 2009* -----   Global Coordination   Cornerstone Projects   Special Projects   Special Task Groups   Global Activities   National and Regional Activities   IYA 2009 in Africa   IYA 2009 in the USA*Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Beginners Forum   Celestial Events   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Celestron SkyScout and Meade mySky   Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   General Observing   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Other* -----   Science of Astronomy & Space Exploration   AstroWebsites   Space Rocks*Speciality Forums* -----   AstroArt   Astronomy Software & Computers   Stellar Media   Astro Outreach, Clubs and Star Parties*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements CN Forums Home

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