Paul_R
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/05/05
Posts: 1648
|
|
Thanks for the response, skyarcher. Appreciate the extra details, Doug! That's the sort of reporting I like-- knowing where the screw-ups can occur.
Now, it'd be great to hear more reports of the "dial it up" used in actual observing. Does it work well? % of hits? Pitfalls? Tip? Tricks? Changes you'd make to the original arrangement? Things you'd do differently in making the circles?
|
LameLefty
super member
Reged: 06/29/06
Posts: 124
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
|
|
If you don't have a spare clock laying around to take hands from, what are folks using to make the indicators/pointers? I'm thinking of making this my weekend project.
--------------------
10" Zhumell Dob
9mm Zhumell Plössl / 32mm Zhumell Widefield
13mm and 21mm Orion Stratus
Nikon D80 DSLR
|
SkyArcher
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 2027
Loc: 9545' in Colorado
|
|
I'm using a paper clip for a pointer. Not very elegant but I can tweek it a little to calibrate.
Eventually I want to get some fiber optics and make a illuminated pointer. Or steal the fiber optic pin sights out of my archery sight. 
--------------------
An 8" Deep Space Hunter
4.5 w/ GOTO
4.5 newt w/ home built Dob mount
Omphaloskepsis - I didn't realize that there is a word for what I do while waiting for web pages to download 
|
LameLefty
super member
Reged: 06/29/06
Posts: 124
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
|
|
Okay - for those contemplating doing this at home, I started my weekend project this afternoon. Having the .pdf file printed and laminated at my local Kinkos was about $25 including our absurd 9.975% sales tax. I scaled it to 115% to fit the base of my 10" Zhumell (GSO) and it looks like it'll fit perfectly. Now I just have to get some spray-on adhesive or double-sided tape tomorrow and put the box back on its base and I'll be in business. It's still cloudy and overcast tonight so I won't miss any observing with my scope disassembled like it is.
--------------------
10" Zhumell Dob
9mm Zhumell Plössl / 32mm Zhumell Widefield
13mm and 21mm Orion Stratus
Nikon D80 DSLR
|
LameLefty
super member
Reged: 06/29/06
Posts: 124
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
|
|
Okay, a brief follow-up: I applied my degree circle and altitude scale to my Dob base today using 3M spray-on adhesive. That's some pretty messy stuff if you're not careful but fortunately a cloth wet with a little naphtha (lighter fluid) cleans up the residue very easily if you mess up or get some squeezed-out around the circle. Now I just have to get something to use as pointers. I think I'm going to just get a cheap electric clock kit at a craft store and use the hands. Installing those will probably be a task for later on this week.
--------------------
10" Zhumell Dob
9mm Zhumell Plössl / 32mm Zhumell Widefield
13mm and 21mm Orion Stratus
Nikon D80 DSLR
|
AtLarge
super member
Reged: 08/22/05
Posts: 149
Loc: 868 Ft. Above Sea Level
|
|
Quote:
Eventually I want to get some fiber optics and make a illuminated pointer.
Here's an indicator I'm toying with. Just need to darken the lens with some red nail polish or red permanent marker. 
--------------------
Meade Lightbridge 12'' Deluxe with Orion COL.
Meade Series 4000 Plossl 7 Eyepieces & 5 Filters
Meade 114NT/500 Dwarf Dobsonian
Meade DS-114ATE
Meade 60AZ-T
Meade 227
Burgess BV125
Konus 2110 20x80mm Giant Astronomy Binoculars
Carson 20-100x70mm
Bushnell 16x50mm
 Oh, no. Not again!
|
AtLarge
super member
Reged: 08/22/05
Posts: 149
Loc: 868 Ft. Above Sea Level
|
|
In position.
|
csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28576
Loc: montana
|
|
Congratulations! That really looks nice, & you don't have to drag out the red flashlight to see the numbers. Good Job. 
Carol
--------------------
Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
|
kestrel0222
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/21/06
Posts: 2337
Loc: Milford, Michigan
|
|
Looks real nice, what a great addition! 
--------------------
Tom
|
Curt B
super member
Reged: 08/02/05
Posts: 173
Loc: Regina, Canada
|
|
It sure is amazing what some people come up with!!! Great job!! Ever think of going into production????
--------------------
Celestron 102SLT,red dot finder
WO ZenithStar 80II ED with WO 1 1/4" dielectric diagonal, and red dot finder
SkyWatcher 100mmED Pro, with WO 2" Dielectric diagonal, 9X50 RAC finder, with telrad
Baader Hyperion 21, 13, and 5mm eyepieces
GSO 30 & 26mm 2" eyepieces
WO 8 - 24mm Zoom eyepiece
Tele Vue Ethos 13mm eyepiece
Celestron Power Tank 17
Orion SkyView AZ mount
William Optics TR-188 Tripod
|
stefsaber
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/24/06
Posts: 4459
Loc: Rainy Florida
|
|
Quote:
It sure is amazing what some people come up with!!! Great job!! Ever think of going into production????
That's a good idea! This thread is awesome, I'm just getting a bit confused on how it all actually works when its said and done though. It would be neat if I could get this on my new Zhumell... 
--------------------
-Stefan
"It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end." -Douglas Adams
Current Scopes: "Gator" William Optics 66SD---Black Swan William Optics Megrez 80 II ED Triplet---Zhumell 10" Dob
-Sirius Mount---Canon Rebel XT-
Past Scopes: ETX 90---Vixen ED80Sf
Fort Myers, FL
|
csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28576
Loc: montana
|
|
No reason you can't put it on your new scope! It's easy, and pretty darn accurate for locating objects. My 8" Dob had nothing until I put the digital circles, etc. on it. The best part, you don't have to tear your scope apart to install this! And, it is very accurate!
Carol
--------------------
Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
|
ylin
sage
Reged: 05/23/05
Posts: 239
Loc: Irvine, CA
|
|
If DBA or others can provide this option to their DOB for around 20 USD... They can even sell necassary software on their site. I know I want this option.
--------------------
Yusen
Meade 102ED/LXD650
William Optics ZS80FD/AstroTech Voyager [天鵝牌紅標米洒]
SVF50B2
|
miniventures
Something Else
Reged: 09/13/03
Posts: 11054
Loc: Powell Butte, Central Oregon
|
|
Carol, this thread has caused quite a stir over the past few months. I've recommended a number of folks to come and check it out. Would you mind if I stickied it up in the "best of" thread?
--------------------
LarryC
Volunteer
http://www.sunrivernaturecenter.org
|
csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28576
Loc: montana
|
|
Larry, I would be most honored! 
Carol
--------------------
Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
|
mch
member
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 62
Loc: CT, USA
|
|
At the ATM DIY forum, someone posted a link for phosporescent setting circles. http://www.oregonruleco.com/dials.htm
|
stefsaber
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/24/06
Posts: 4459
Loc: Rainy Florida
|
|
I'm guessing those circles didn't sell to well...that link brought up this...
This Account Has Been Suspended
Please contact the billing/support department as soon as possible.
--------------------
-Stefan
"It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end." -Douglas Adams
Current Scopes: "Gator" William Optics 66SD---Black Swan William Optics Megrez 80 II ED Triplet---Zhumell 10" Dob
-Sirius Mount---Canon Rebel XT-
Past Scopes: ETX 90---Vixen ED80Sf
Fort Myers, FL
|
miniventures
Something Else
Reged: 09/13/03
Posts: 11054
Loc: Powell Butte, Central Oregon
|
|
Carol, Thanks I'll leave this sticky for awhile and it is now in "Best-of"
--------------------
LarryC
Volunteer
http://www.sunrivernaturecenter.org
|
Greg K.
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 9971
Loc: Clifton Park, NY
|
|
Great ideas! Alt-Az setting circles seems like a simple enough idea, but the execution is what counts. These are some very professional looking results.
--------------------
NexStar 11 GPS
Orion SkyView Pro 8EQ w/ Autostar
15x70 Celestron SkyMasters
Orion 90mm Mak
|
csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28576
Loc: montana
|
|
Larry was most kind to also put my "Degree Circles" w/pictures of my setup that started the "$12 Go-to", in this forum up at the beginning. Also there is a link to both of these in this forum under "Best of Reflectors".
Thanks for your assistance Larry!
Carol
--------------------
Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
[Re: 
Edit
Reply
Quote
