Telescope Reviews: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5)

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Equipment Discussions >> Refractors

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Super08
sage

Reged: 05/18/12

Loc: Great White North

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5375241 - 08/18/12 09:50 PM

Quote:

Fell in love with this focuser when I had a TEC140.

That is what I have my eyes on for possible purchase in the next year or two. The Tec140 has an outstanding reputation.

Post Extras:

Pete-LH
sage

Reged: 03/25/09

Loc: Wilmington, DE

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5375763 - 08/19/12 10:58 AM

That is really nice. I am thinking of upgrading my FS-102 and AP Superplanetary to a feather touch focuser. I am VERY interested in the finder bracket that you have on the focuser and foot attachment and/or possible options that you might have found.

Post Extras:

johnnyha
Postmaster

Reged: 11/12/06

Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: Pete-LH]
#5375837 - 08/19/12 11:51 AM Attachment (91 downloads)

The finder bracket is a new Feathertouch option, it's available from Starlight Instruments, part # FSB4055. For the FS102 you would probably go with the 3" focuser FTF3035B-A (like this ) and Starlight makes a mounting adapter specific for the FS102.

The Feathertouch is a pretty pricey proposition for the FS102. Consider, the cost of the 3" focuser with adapter, bracket and endcap at $764 is almost half the value of a used FS102. For my FS152 the 3.5" focuser/adapter/bracket/endcap at $1K total was only 1/7 the total cost of a used FS152.

So the initial investment is much bigger for the FS102 - although with the proper mounting adapter the focuser can be used on any scope you might purchase in the future so it's a worthwhile investment. The resale value is high (there is no shortage of customers for a Tak focuser upgrade

) so you would never lose much if you decide to go "back to Tak".

Sorry for the temporary derailing of the thread, doesn't somebody out there have a new AP175?

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Starhuckster
member

Reged: 09/09/10

Loc: Boston, MA

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5382296 - 08/23/12 08:36 AM Attachment (65 downloads)

My newly acquired WO 80mm LOMO Megrez on a Mini-Hitch and somewhat excessive looking Baader Skysurfer V.

Post Extras:

Shawn H
Postmaster

Reged: 05/16/07

Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: Starhuckster]
#5382510 - 08/23/12 10:49 AM

Sexy set up!

Nice!

Post Extras:

Brian L
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/17/08

Loc: The garden paradise of Pittsbu...

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5382891 - 08/23/12 02:19 PM

Quote:

My FS152, newly upgraded with a 3.5" Feathertouch rotating focuser.

I'll trade you all my scopes plus one kid for your FS152....

Post Extras:

Brian L
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/17/08

Loc: The garden paradise of Pittsbu...

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: rogue river art]
#5382895 - 08/23/12 02:21 PM

Quote:

These pics are of my 4" f12 home made refractor with the mount I made over a period of 13 years.The only thing I bought was the lense and eye pieces.The mount is made of brass,bronze stainless steel and titanium

Stunning! Did you base it on any classic design???

Edited by Brian L (08/23/12 02:22 PM)

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spaulmac
member

Reged: 03/31/10

Loc: Louisville, KY

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: Brian L]
#5384830 - 08/24/12 04:02 PM Attachment (74 downloads)

Well that's me pretty much done then. Sold all my scopes and practically every accessory I had over the past year in order to build a system around a Tele Vue-85. During the day the TV is equipped with a Herschel wedge and stacked with the tiny Lunt LS35 providing me with both white light and H-alpha views. Less than a minute to remove the wedge and Ha scope and I'm set for a quiet evening of panning across the heavens.

The big scopes and all the equipment were loads of fun, but these days I find I prefer the lovely views and simplicity of the little Tele Vue.

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joelimite
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/01/08

Loc: Fayetteville, AR

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: spaulmac]
#5384917 - 08/24/12 04:48 PM

That's a beautiful setup! How do you like the Lunt LS35THa?

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spaulmac
member

Reged: 03/31/10

Loc: Louisville, KY

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: joelimite]
#5385053 - 08/24/12 06:41 PM

Thanks Joel.

I've owned the little LS35THa for almost three years now and haven't regretted it once. Recently I discovered adding a .6ND filter significantly improves the image contrast for me and it's like I've upgraded to a better scope. Filaments have particularly come alive since this improvement.

I have no doubt the 60s and 80s provide spectacular images; but, for my use and budget, the LS35 has been a joy.

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joelimite
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/01/08

Loc: Fayetteville, AR

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: spaulmac]
#5385139 - 08/24/12 07:40 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm considering order an LS35. I contact Lunt today and there's around a 3 month build time.

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Waxing Gibbous
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/19/10

Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) new

[Re: spaulmac]
#5385322 - 08/24/12 09:42 PM

Splendid!!
How do you attach the ND filter may I ask?

Post Extras:

galaxyman
Vendor - Have a Stellar Birthday

Reged: 04/04/05

Loc: Limerick, Pa

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) [Re: Waxing Gibbous]
#5385576 - 08/25/12 12:29 AM Attachment (92 downloads)

My larger refractors. The APM/TMB 8" f/9 and a ES 6" f/6.5

Karl
E.O.H.

Chesmont Astronomical Society - www.chesmontastro.org
Deep Space with Refractors - http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/deepspacewithrefractors
Telekit (Swayze optics) 22" F/4.5 Dob
Homemade (Parks Optics) 12.5" F/4.8 Dob
TMB/APM 8" f/9 Refractor”The Beast”. One great DEEP SKY achro
ES 6" f/6.5 achro. Good one
Celestron Omni XLT 102 refractor.
Celestron 10x60mm Binos

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spaulmac
member

Reged: 03/31/10

Loc: Louisville, KY

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) [Re: Waxing Gibbous]
#5386017 - 08/25/12 09:56 AM

Quote:

How do you attach the ND filter may I ask?

It's a Baader 1 1/4" 0.6 ND filter screwed into the eyepiece barrel. I use the Lunt zoom almost exclusively with the LS35 so it's quite convenient.

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saptharishi
super member

Reged: 06/15/12

Loc: Bangalore, India

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) [Re: galaxyman]
#5386051 - 08/25/12 10:29 AM Attachment (62 downloads)

I received my TOA 130, NEQ 6 and TV accessories yesterday. This is my first scope and still learning to handle such a heavy mount and equipment.

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saptharishi
super member

Reged: 06/15/12

Loc: Bangalore, India

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) [Re: saptharishi]
#5386055 - 08/25/12 10:31 AM Attachment (44 downloads)

One more picture

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) [Re: saptharishi]
#5386118 - 08/25/12 11:07 AM

Beautiful setup!

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ngc2289
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/13/05

Loc: Some Where Around The Maypole.

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) [Re: saptharishi]
#5386222 - 08/25/12 12:09 PM

NICE gear!!!!!!!!!

Post Extras:

saptharishi
super member

Reged: 06/15/12

Loc: Bangalore, India

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) [Re: ngc2289]
#5386227 - 08/25/12 12:11 PM

Hi Mike and zjc, Thanks so much

Regards,
Umasuthan.

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Shawn H
Postmaster

Reged: 05/16/07

Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa

Re: Post a picture of your refractors (PART 5) [Re: saptharishi]
#5386279 - 08/25/12 12:42 PM

Wish I had that as a first scope! Really a great set up!

Post Extras:

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