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$1150 to spend

Started by Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_* , Nov 28 2003 03:10 AM
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42 replies to this topic

#26 IDONTSEEIT

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Posted 29 November 2003 - 11:42 PM

Dave,

Thanks for the info on the focuser, and I'm glad your OK, I'd probably have crapped my pants in that situation, I can't swim. :shocked:



Best regards,

#27 IDONTSEEIT

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Posted 29 November 2003 - 11:46 PM

Dave,

One more question, how does that focuser, affect focus?

What I'm referring to is, can you still come to focus with all your equipment; diagonal, ep's, barlow, and combinations of them all, using that focuser?

Thanks again,

#28 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 30 November 2003 - 09:30 AM

Hi Joe,
I think I did crap my pants most certainly but I was all squeaky washed clean by the time we were rescued. Hahaha! I have to take it all with some humor, Ill never put my wife in such a dangerious position ever again. Guess skydiving and bungie jumping is out now........
I havent had any probs as far as focusing is concerned with any scope using the Starlite focuser. The Schmidts and Maks have more than necessary focus movement as does the refractor. Only thing I havent tried is a barlow before the dia. but ive heard that sometimes dosent work anyway so. I have a Crawford style focuser on my C8 and its a nice focuser too but the 10/1 and the brake have spoiled me on the Starlite, its on my Mak most of the time. Wish I could buy a custom machined backplate for my 5" with the Starlite already machined in. That would be a beautiful setup. Dave

#29 IDONTSEEIT

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Posted 30 November 2003 - 12:06 PM

Thanks Dave, I think I'll be investigating that starlite a little more thoroughly now, too bad it costs more than each of my scopes, except the 80ED(it's close though).

Thanks again,

#30 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 30 November 2003 - 12:52 PM

Hi Keith,
The 5" refractor existed before Meade found out about. The one I have is that model. Meade came in and had the factory shorten the dewshield. They also changed the focuser and replaced the metal dewshield and lens cell with plastic versions. My 5" came with an excellent metal 2" diagonal. Meade replaced it with a 1 1/4" diagonal. Optically its the same scope.

Al M

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  • 24295-SO127FED.jpg

#31 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 30 November 2003 - 03:22 PM

Sure looks like the ED version...............I like that EQ!
Dave

#32 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 30 November 2003 - 05:35 PM

Al;

Thanks for the info. I am leaning towards a 5" refractor if I step up from my Nighthawk. Unless it's an APO I would probably skip a 4" altogether (more dollars I don't have).

It seems the 5" Mead has a decent reputation. Then comes a bigger mount, etc. :foreheadslap: O well.

Dave;
Glad you survived the canoe. :)

Now you have good judgement.
Good judgement comes by experience.
Experience comes by poor judgement.:doah:

Thats what we teach our younger pilots anyway.

Blessings all,
Keith

#33 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 10:12 AM

Hate to state the heretical line in a refractors forum, but for $1150 you could get an Intes MK67 Deluxe version Mak-Cass (1/8 wave guaranteed, high-reflectivity mirrors, primary mirror made from low-expansion sital).

MK67 advantages: it would beat the D&G on resolution, field flatness and colour. Light (only small mount needed), compact and airline-cabin portable. No excuses not to take it out and use it.

MK67 disadvantages: it would have _just a shade_ less contrast than the D&G (but low-contrast detail would still be equal to a 4" APO, like the Vixen 102ED you were considering). Longer cooldown time. Maximum field of view at low power is a bit narrower.

Tie between the MK67 & D&G: the 6" f/12 RuMak-Cass system has about the same overall light throughput as the D&G 5" f/12, for DeepSky.

Overall I reckon the MK67 Deluxe would have the performance edge, and in a much more manageable package. The only question is whether cooldown time is too much of an issue.

#34 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 08:52 PM

Ray;

Hate to state the heretical line in a refractors forum...


Thats ok. After hanging around Cloudy Nights, I'm beginning to think a CAT may not be all that bad of an idea.:grin: The cooldown time would be a big thing for me.

I also think a long fl newt on an EQ mount would be ok.

I am hoping to attend some star parties this year and tryout a few scopes as well as get better at the art of observing before investing in a different scope.

This little question generated an interesting discussion and I learned several things. I appreciate your viewpoint and comparisons.

Merry Christmas

Keith

#35 Scott Beith

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 09:10 PM

Hey Keith,
Believe it or not - I am done with the scope buying for a while. Finally satisfied with the combo I have now. I put a self imposed 3 scope limit on myself. :roflmao:

Scott

#36 rboe

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 09:28 PM

Uh Scott, me thinks you could easily convert the Nighthawk into a finder for, oh...shall we say a C14 or large dob. Then you would still only have three scopes. I've even seen small macs used at finder/guide scopes on big SCT.

So from where I'm sitting, you are two scopes shy of your self imposed limit.

What's that I smell? Spruce, pine or fir? Nope! Smells like Christmas! Hint!

#37 Scott Beith

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 09:37 PM

rboe,
I have been wanting a C-11 to put on my EQ-6. Does just an OTA really count as a scope? :shrug: :grin: :shrug:

Scott

#38 rboe

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 09:54 PM

Yup, everything else is just an accessory.

And right now I wish I had some activated charcole, my dog has some really bad farts tonight. :lol:

#39 Scott Beith

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 10:01 PM

Use an unwanted EP to "plug" him :shocked: :grin:

2" if necessary!!!

Scott

#40 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 10:12 PM

Scott;

I'm not sure what limit I have.
I know if I get a bigger scope cooldown will be an issue. I would love a CAT I think. A newt with fan would be OK. What ever it is, It's got to be on an EQ mount. A platform for a dob might be ok, I want to see one first.

I'm trying to hold out untill I can get to some star parties and gather with other astronomers and check out first hand some options. Holding out is easy right now, haven't seen the stars in a week due to this crummy weather.

rboe,
Time for the pooch to experience the great outdoors.

#41 rboe

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Posted 10 December 2003 - 10:54 PM

He finally did...cheesh, sometimes you gotta draw a picture.

#42 Bill Grass

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Posted 11 December 2003 - 12:31 AM

My cat isn't farting or anything, but she's plopped herself down on my desk right where my arm needs to go to reach my mouse!

#43 Scott Beith

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Posted 11 December 2003 - 01:04 AM

Keith,
Hang in there for better weather. Star party is a goooood idea.

Rboe,
Glad you survived :roflmao:

Bill,
You know cats like mice!!!

Good night guys,

Scott
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