Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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A very good friend is letting me use his AP 130 Gran Turismo for a few days.
I decided to stack em to do a real-time comparison.
It's looking good for tonight!
All AP right down to the eyepieces and yes that's an AP right angle finder scope from years gone by...
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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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naglertized
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/10/07
Posts: 1516
Loc: Jacksonville Florida
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Can I come and play?!!!!
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Clinton
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Sure! Bring your favorite eyepieces!
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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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naglertized
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/10/07
Posts: 1516
Loc: Jacksonville Florida
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I wish! That's a totally awesome set-up! I'd hold the 130 hostage!
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Clinton
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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1137
Loc: Vancouver
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Nice friend...
Steve
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TV Genesis SDF
Meade 127ED
Antares 152
Celestron C5
Celestron C8
Celestron C11
Coulter Odyssey 8
16 Dobsonian
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Well the 130 is one awesome telescope. Big difference between the two apertures.
Objects were of a larger image scale but what really surprised me was the apparent brightness of obects.
Split Delta Cygni in both scopes but it was a constant split in the 130 and the 105 needed a 5mm SPL using the AP Barcon (1.8x) Barlow to split it while the 130 would split it without the barlow.
I am very impressed and look forward to the day when my name is called to acquire a 130.
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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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PhilCo126
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/14/05
Posts: 1636
Loc: coastline of Belgium
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I'm more interested in the tripod/mount combination: where did You buy it? 
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TS 152/1200 ( f 7.90 ) Achromatic Refractor
Saving/Looking for 180/1620 ( f 9 ) Refractor
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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The "tripod" is the Astro-Physics Eagle 6" Pier. It is available from AP which is where I purchased mine. I believe they still have some in stock from the most recent production run.
http://www.astro-physics.com/
The Mount is the AP Mach1 GTO. I made a deal with a guy on Astromart to trade my 1200 GTO for it and the difference in price between the two mounts.
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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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Paul G
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/08/03
Posts: 2268
Loc: Freedonia
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Very nice setup! I picked up a right angle AP finder scope from Starry Messenger before the net put it out of business. What battery do you use for the illuminator?
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Gus
Tasco 4.5 Reflector EQ Telescope
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Well, the illuminator died a while back. I have a new one on order from Anacortes. But I like the battery that replaces both of the smaller ones with one large one. Let me see if I can dig one up out of the drawer.... digging... digging... digging... Ah! here they are!
Duracell 1/3 N 3v DL1/3N/2L76/CR1/3N <- This is the one that only requires one battery
Otherwise I use 2 Duracell 303/357 or 1.5v 303/SR44/SR47/A/J
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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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mv1000
super member
Reged: 05/27/07
Posts: 161
Loc: WI
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Mark,
Checked out your website. Absolutely stunning astro photography.
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Starmaster 14.5 - Gots to goto there
TV 60
Super Z8
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Thanks mv1000! I intend to get back to imaging again someday but for now I am in observer mode and I am loving 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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Paul G
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/08/03
Posts: 2268
Loc: Freedonia
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Thanks for the battery info!
That's a sweet setup. I thought I was being decadent using a Stowaway f5 as a finder scope but you've trumped that with a Traveler!  I use the wooden AP tripod with the Lapides spreader. I am visual only and usually observe seated. How high is the Eagle tripod with the extension?
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Gus
Tasco 4.5 Reflector EQ Telescope
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Chris G
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 4242
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Wow, beautiful set up.
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"Ain't nothin' Human 'bout the Human Race"
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Paul,
Currently I have it in the 40" position but I can raise it an additional 4" by adjusting the leg spread. The Extension is 8" tall and the Eagle itself provides many different height possibilities from 24" to 36" plus the use of the extension.
You can also purchase a 2nd extension for even taller configurations but Astro-Physics recommends that you only use two extensions with the legs spread to their widest configuration so you really only get an additional 4" of height with the second 8" extension.
So, the height varies from 24" to 48" which should cover just about any scope the Mach1 can handle.
I really want to try a 10" reflector tube on 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
|
NorthCoast
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/05/04
Posts: 2215
Loc: Westerville, Ohio, U.S.A.
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Nice setup!
Does it include the Peavey Amp? 
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Mark
Hold the "Alt Key" and type 248 on the number pad for °
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Paul G
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/08/03
Posts: 2268
Loc: Freedonia
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Quote:
Paul,
Currently I have it in the 40" position but I can raise it an additional 4" by adjusting the leg spread. The Extension is 8" tall and the Eagle itself provides many different height possibilities from 24" to 36" plus the use of the extension.
You can also purchase a 2nd extension for even taller configurations but Astro-Physics recommends that you only use two extensions with the legs spread to their widest configuration so you really only get an additional 4" of height with the second 8" extension.
So, the height varies from 24" to 48" which should cover just about any scope the Mach1 can handle.
I really want to try a 10" reflector tube on it.
Sounds like that would work for me, thanks.
I've used the 10" MakCass on the Mach1GTO and for visual use it is fine. I don't image so I haven't a clue about it being sufficient for that use, but I would imagine the 900 or 1200 would be preferable.
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Gus
Tasco 4.5 Reflector EQ Telescope
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