Telescope Reviews: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon

· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt

· Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

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]

Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> Reflectors

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | (show all)

Fireball
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/24/06

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: UmaDog]
#5653582 - 01/31/13 03:35 AM

The Horizon is definitely good news. A new concept that will address a lot of things we all like. I am looking for a scope 20-26" in a more compact size for some time, which does not need a big ladder.
Hopefully the price will be still reasonable to have a chance to get one.

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Mike B
Starstruck

Reged: 04/06/05

Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: Fireball]
#5654189 - 01/31/13 11:55 AM

An absolutely thrilling scope! The engineering & detailing are nothing short of inspirational.

Good stuff, Michael- thanks for the guided tour.

Carry on.

Someday, maybe someday... when i grow up.... something like this will grace my Dobservatory!

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5654659 - 01/31/13 04:43 PM Attachment (46 downloads)

Hi All,
A few more pics showing the wiring set-up.

Well...The altitude encoder and arm just had to go on the outside and add .625” to the outside dim. Not Happy at all !!!

Mike

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5654674 - 01/31/13 04:50 PM Attachment (33 downloads)

Showing rear panel with servocat box and wiring panel with a single RJ45 DSC encoder plug and 12V supply for Argo, dew system, etc.

The gray wire to the right goes to the altitude encoder

Mike

Edited by michael (01/31/13 05:32 PM)

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5654678 - 01/31/13 04:51 PM Attachment (41 downloads)

Showing Argo Navis Podium with scope at zenith. Note that the Argo podium mounts in the same place that the rear transport handle will go.

Mike

Edited by michael (01/31/13 05:00 PM)

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5654680 - 01/31/13 04:52 PM Attachment (44 downloads)

With the Horizon at the horizon.

Edited by michael (01/31/13 05:39 PM)

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5654685 - 01/31/13 04:56 PM Attachment (41 downloads)

Another view of rear panel.

Edited by michael (01/31/13 05:40 PM)

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5654712 - 01/31/13 05:12 PM Attachment (39 downloads)

Last picture showing the back of the Argo Navis.

Wanted to say that I FINALY got rid of that 2-4 conductor wires in the RJ45 set-up

Never liked that.

Now have a single cat5e cable for the encoders. Much nicer!

Edited by michael (01/31/13 05:34 PM)

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: Mike B]
#5654757 - 01/31/13 05:37 PM

Thanks Guys...much appreciated.

Mike

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

johnnyha
Postmaster

Reged: 11/12/06

Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5654857 - 01/31/13 06:32 PM

Mike - beautiful.

I have a question though - does the AN stalk have to be removed in order to transport the scope?

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

John Kuhl
sage

Reged: 11/10/05

Loc: SoCal

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5654917 - 01/31/13 07:14 PM

Hey Mike, is there anything you haven't thought of on this scope? Come on there must be something, although I have yet to find it.

Best, John

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5654936 - 01/31/13 07:38 PM

Hi John.
I wouldn't recommend it. On the Horizon The podium mounts in the handle hole so you can't do that anyway.

Mike

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: John Kuhl]
#5654972 - 01/31/13 08:04 PM

Hi John,
I'm sure I have.

Time will tell.

I've been working this design for a long time and have really tried my best to think everything through.

After 15 years of building these things I can honestly say there's no such thing as the perfect scope. Probably never will be.

All I know for sure is I'm having a blast with these scopes.

Got some big ones on the horizon (pun). Next is a 30" F3.6 then a 34" F3.6 both with Lockwood optics. Then a 36" F4.

Been talking with Mike L. about designing out a 40 / 42ish F3. This is where this design will really shine

Good Stuff...

Mike

Edited by michael (01/31/13 08:08 PM)

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

crazyqban
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/16/08

Loc: Miami, Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5655090 - 01/31/13 09:11 PM

Mike, many astronomers are starting to integrate their iPads, SkyFi and Sky Safari to use with their scopes. Do you think that it would be a good idea to design a podium that can accommodate the Argo as well and an iPad?

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: crazyqban]
#5655592 - 02/01/13 05:10 AM

Quote:

Mike, many astronomers are starting to integrate their iPads, SkyFi and Sky Safari to use with their scopes. Do you think that it would be a good idea to design a podium that can accommodate the Argo as well and an iPad?

Sergio, That is a great suggestion. More of us are using planetarium programs to drive the telescope and operate things such as cameras in our Newtonians. Bob

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Thomas Karpf
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/09/09

Loc: Newington, CT

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5655730 - 02/01/13 08:09 AM

Drool...

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

johnnyha
Postmaster

Reged: 11/12/06

Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5656821 - 02/01/13 05:33 PM

Quote:

...does the AN stalk have to be removed in order to transport the scope?

Quote:

Hi John.
I wouldn't recommend it. On the Horizon The podium mounts in the handle hole so you can't do that anyway.

Mike

I am still unclear Mike - if the AN stalk or "Podium" mounts in the handle hole, then it seems to me that you would have to remove the Podium each time you want to use the handle?

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5656906 - 02/01/13 06:23 PM

Hi John,
sorry bad words on my part...yes you have to remove the podium to transport the scope.

Mike

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: michael]
#5657312 - 02/01/13 10:46 PM

Mike Z. I know this is a bit off topic but relates to your Starstructure telescopes. I just got clearance this morning to be able to use my right eye that just had cataract surgery last week. I decided that I wanted to use a scope for my first night back that was simple to use but with excellent optics and easy, excellent motion. Well, to make a long story short, I picked my 12.5" f/5 Zambuto/Starstructure for my first starlight with my "new" eye. WOW! Although the LE series is winding down, it is such a friendly and easy scope to use that it was simply a great pleasure tonight like I almost cannot describe. The combination of smooth movements and exceptional views with a very differently performing dominant eye are almost indescribable. People who have not used or looked through one of your scopes need to do it. I personally can't wait to see one of your Horizons performing like I think it will at Chiefland Astronomy Village. Thanks for making a superb 12.5" scope that helped to usher in a new era for me tonight in visual observing. Bob

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

michael
Vendor (Starstructure Telescopes)

Reged: 01/24/04

Loc: Trinity Florida

Re: Starstructure 26" F3.3 Horizon new

new

[Re: Bob S.]
#5658278 - 02/02/13 02:35 PM Attachment (36 downloads)

Hi All,

Quick pic of the scope with the light shroud installed.

Mike

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | (show all)

Extra information

20 registered and 20 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator: Jarad, ausastronomer, okieav8r

Print Thread

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Thread views: 7468

Jump to

Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics