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Show off your NexStar

Started by astroman68 , Jul 21 2007 03:26 AM

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1721 replies to this topic

#751 Midnight Dan

James Webb Space Telescope

Posts: 15,827
Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortle 4.5)

Posted 08 January 2012 - 03:26 PM

I should have structured my original question differently. I could have asked...Is there a need for using a secondary device when you're using a diagonal or higher magnification spotter or finder scopes? Having only owned a telescope for a month, my lack of knowledge in the area, in general, obviously extends to my forum etiquette...sorry 'bout that. Now I starting to wonder what type of upgrade would make "finding" easier or maybe more pleasurable when the skysurfer lll works like a hose. Is it a lazer in tandem with the ss3? In the spirit of Peter's response, maybe someone has a real short answer and post a pic too. hehe

Hi LittleRockDark:

As a quick answer to your question - yes, there are better finders available.

However, as mentioned above, if you post this question as a new thread on the forum, it will get exposure to a much wider audience. Not everyone looks at this particular thread. In addition, the subject of alternate finders is one that will elicit many responses, opinions, and photos that can take up a lot of space and aren't really related to this thread.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time here ... I just really think you'd get better information by posting a separate question in the main forum rather than adding on to this one. Just go to the main listing for the Nexstar forum and click the Post button at the upper right. No question is too simple or obvious. We've all been there before asking newbie questions and we're all here to help! :cool:

-Dan

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#752 rick rian

Seeker of Truth(s)

Posts: 38,703
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Loc: Upper Mid West

Posted 08 January 2012 - 08:31 PM

... However, as mentioned above, if you post this question as a new thread on the forum, it will get exposure to a much wider audience. Not everyone looks at this particular thread. In addition, the subject of alternate finders is one that will elicit many responses, opinions, and photos that can take up a lot of space and aren't really related to this thread.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time here ... I just really think you'd get better information by posting a separate question in the main forum rather than adding on to this one. Just go to the main listing for the Nexstar forum and click the Post button at the upper right. No question is too simple or obvious. We've all been there before asking newbie questions and we're all here to help!

-Dan

I conur, Dan, this thread is for showing pix of your equipment only. Please use the main NexStar forum for all questions.

Thanks for understanding, gang.

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#753 Peter9

Fly Me to the Moon

Posts: 5,025
Joined: 30 Oct 2008
Loc: Yorkshire - Born & Bred

Posted 09 January 2012 - 07:03 AM

Hi Rick,

I wonder if you could explain why, the seemingly sucessful format that has graced this thread since it was started, is now being changed.
Looking through the thread, members have always been allowed to post congratulations on peoples set ups, and ask the odd question as to what attachments they have on their scopes.
O.K one or two have been a bit long and gone of topic, but they have always come back in line, and the thread has carried on.
As I said in my earlier post, I think the comments enhance the thread and have help make it what it is.
Just wondered why the sudden change of heart.

I am not being controversial here Rick, just asking the question. I will of coarse, as always, comply with the new directive.

Regards. Peter.

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#754 Midnight Dan

James Webb Space Telescope

Posts: 15,827
Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortle 4.5)

Posted 09 January 2012 - 07:25 AM

Hi Peter:

I agree that a quick question regarding one's equipment is certainly acceptable here. For example "Where did you get that finder?" or "How did you mount that camera?", even if it takes it off topic for a few replies.

I think the issue here is more of an open ended question like what's a better finder setup? I've seen many posts where this question has been asked and it usually results in a lengthy thread with lots of opinions, discussion, and photos of the various options. There are follow on questions and discussions regarding mounting and aligning and comparisons of various setups.

I don't think we want to be too "hard and fast" about the purpose of this thread, but neither do we want it to wander off into a major distraction. It seems to be a natural tendency for a new person to want to add on to an existing thread rather than start a new one. I think it's good to encourage a new post for questions that deserve a full discussion.

This doesn't seem to be a change in the format of this thread to me, but that's just my 2 cents! :cool:

-Dan

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#755 Peter9

Fly Me to the Moon

Posts: 5,025
Joined: 30 Oct 2008
Loc: Yorkshire - Born & Bred

Posted 09 January 2012 - 07:40 AM

Hi Dan, I took Ricks statement,

"I conur, Dan, this thread is for showing pix of your equipment only. Please use the main NexStar forum for all questions."

to mean what it says.

Pleased you agree with me that some question etc should be allowed.
It has been so since the thread was started, hence me thinking the above statement represented a change of heart.

Regards. Peter.

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#756 LittleRockDark

Sputnik

Posts: 31
Joined: 21 Dec 2011

Posted 09 January 2012 - 08:54 AM

Thanks Peter I guess you realized this was my first postings to the site. honestly it took quite a bit more than I'd originally thought just to get my photos up. Now I'm in the groove. It will be lots easier now to follow protocall on the forum than it was to figure out the nexstar tracking. Dark skies to you all and thanks for the advice.

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#757 LittleRockDark

Sputnik

Posts: 31
Joined: 21 Dec 2011

Posted 09 January 2012 - 09:36 AM

Oh..and that's the eastern sky my scopes pointed toward...

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#758 rick rian

Seeker of Truth(s)

Posts: 38,703
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Loc: Upper Mid West

Posted 09 January 2012 - 11:24 AM

Clarification -

This thread has always allowed a question or so, but when we start to get more than a quick answer or two it becomes a conversation and that is not the intent of this thread. Midnight Dan nailed it. :waytogo:

Let's not get hung up on details here, this thread is for showing off yer stuff. :cool:

Please look at page one of this thread.

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#759 LittleRockDark

Sputnik

Posts: 31
Joined: 21 Dec 2011

Posted 09 January 2012 - 01:31 PM

My misty mountainside...

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#760 LittleRockDark

Sputnik

Posts: 31
Joined: 21 Dec 2011

Posted 09 January 2012 - 01:32 PM

...and future observatory...750 ft. above average terrain.

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#761 jetbuilder

Explorer 1

Posts: 75
Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Loc: St Louis, Mo

Posted 17 January 2012 - 11:10 PM

Here's first light on my nexstar 5i and its first photo.
Posted Image

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#762 bcuddihee

Vanguard

Posts: 2,152
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Posted 19 January 2012 - 11:56 AM

My 8se with a few mods...active cooling, hd tripod, denk binos and a pair of 24 brandons...and my latest gadget a Ski-Fi wireless controller so I can control this baby from my IPad.

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#763 bcuddihee

Vanguard

Posts: 2,152
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Posted 19 January 2012 - 11:58 AM

another view...

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#764 rick rian

Seeker of Truth(s)

Posts: 38,703
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Loc: Upper Mid West

Posted 19 January 2012 - 12:32 PM

'Tis a thing of beauty, Brendan, y'outta start a thread showing how your iPad works the scope! :ubetcha:

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#765 bcuddihee

Vanguard

Posts: 2,152
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Posted 19 January 2012 - 03:43 PM

Thanks Rickster...as soon as this Midwestern funk clears I'll do it.
bc

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#766 jrosario01

Lift Off

Posts: 21
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Loc: Miami, Fl

Posted 25 January 2012 - 12:20 PM

Here is my nexstar 8se on my new cg-5gt

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#767 Tel

Voyager 1

Posts: 10,381
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Loc: Wallingford England

Posted 25 January 2012 - 01:45 PM

Hi Jose,

A very warm welcome to CN and to this Nexstar forum ! :bow:

In my opinion, a great choice combination of 'scope and mount with which you will, without doubt, have no problem carrying out both visual and indeed imaging aspects of our hobby if you should so wish !

Best regards,
Tel

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#768 jrosario01

Lift Off

Posts: 21
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Loc: Miami, Fl

Posted 30 January 2012 - 11:48 AM

Thanks Tel. I am very,very pleased with this combo, after a 2 plus 3 and a all star polar align, I am talking middle of the crosshairs accurate and excellent tracking. Putting everything in place for beginning astrophotography.

ps: happy B-day Tel!

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#769 Tel

Voyager 1

Posts: 10,381
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Loc: Wallingford England

Posted 01 February 2012 - 04:44 AM

Hi Jose,

Very many thanks for the birthday greetings ! :bow:

All success with your future imaging and I'm sure we all hope to see your results soon.

Best regards,
Tel

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#770 ibase

Aurora

Posts: 4,827
Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Loc: Manila, Philippines 121°E 14°N

Posted 01 February 2012 - 07:06 PM

Tel, birthday greetings to the pillar of the Nexstar Forum! :bow:

Best,

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#771 paolotto

Vostok 1

Posts: 128
Joined: 17 Jan 2012
Loc: Albany, CA USA

Posted 01 February 2012 - 07:29 PM

BC, great spot to place the SkyFi - I have it too (connecting to Sky Safari on an Android tablet) but wasn't too happy with having it swing around or letting the cable twirl around as I GoToed. Now I know where to put it.

And if anyone can get into more details on the 8se/CG5 pairing, and how it compares to the 8Se Alt/Az mount, I'd appreciate it. I already know it's going to be way better for astrophotography - but how much more work is it to align, how much more pain is it to carry around, etc, etc. ? I suspect I'll be getting one in a year, but don't want to jump in so soon as I just got my telescope.