61 replies to this topic

[Bill Grass]

I just bought a Meade AR-5 on Astromart. I've heard lots of good things about this scope (minus the stuff about the focuser). I'm anxious to give it a go & see what I think about it!

Now I need to figure out how to break it to my wife...

[Bill Grass]

Sounds like it's time for dinner and a movie or show.

Yep! Well, we're going to a Christmas dance this Friday, so that ought to help some!

I'll post my thoughts about the Meade when it arrives.

[Bill Grass]

It's the OTA. It comes with the finder, diagonal, tube rings, & dovetail plate. I'm planning on sticking it on my SkyView Pro mount; I'm hoping the tube won't be too heavy for the SVP (I think it'll be fine).

I'll give a report on the scope AND my confession to my wife!

[jrcrilly]

I'm planning on sticking it on my SkyView Pro mount; I'm hoping the tube won't be too heavy for the SVP (I think it'll be fine).

Should be fine. That OTA is a good match for the LXD55 and the Skyview Pro is about the same mount on a much better tripod.

[Bill Grass]

Cool! Thanks, John.

Tom, nope. I'm still trying to sell the 100mm. It's been through Astromart for a couple of cycles with a few inquiries, but it's still for sale! (Anybody want to buy a mint condition Orion 100mm OTA with a 6x30 finder & brand new tube rings?? )

[Bill Grass]

Hehehe! Yeah, that might be a good idea, Tom! As far as the 3 sizes, I was thinking about that today in terms of 3", 4", and 5".

[Bill Grass]

I told my wife that I bought the telescope. She said, "Merry Christmas." She also told me no more shopping on Astromart!

[Echo]

Sounds like you got off pretty light! Good Job!!!

[Bill Grass]

Yep! She was a little upset & fussed at me, but she's over it now (I think!).

[matt]

[quote
Yep! Well, we're going to a Christmas dance this Friday, so that ought to help some!
[/quote]
UURGH! Xmas dance
Isn't it the other way round? That you indulged into buying another telescope when you realized you couldn't weasel out of the dance thing?


On another aspect, I don't know how you guys cope with three refractors, all in the same aperture range. I'd be at a loss wondering which one to use. I'd probably sell one or two of them to buy something completely different, to be frank.

[Bill Grass]

Well, once the 100mm sells (if it ever does!!), I figure that the ED80 can be my planetary scope & the 5" can be my deep sky scope (not that it's a bucket or anything!).

Tom, I haven't bought her a Christmas gift yet, so that extra money (which was supposed to offset my compulsive buying habits) will be great for her stocking stuffers!

Matt, I'll bet that during the dance the sky will be the clearest & most steady it's been in a year!

[matt]

Matt, we all know that you have a telescope sickness and we don't want add to it!

Yeah. But I'm not going to take a 100mm refractor when I already own an 80mm. And my dad already owns a 100mm (which was offered for his 70th birthday... guess who got the idea?).

Don't hurt me more. There's a $750 C 9 1/4 ota that I missed on Astromart. Dang.

[Bill Grass]

Have you had any bites on the 100?

No serious bites yet. I've had an offer to trade for a camera & an offer to trade for some big binoculars. But I need some dough!! I just re-posted the scope today & went down $10 on the price. If it doesn't sell this time around, I might just say "make me an offer!"

[Scott Beith]

Hi Bill,
I use my CR150/Atlas as my DSO scope. You will like the big refractor's ability on clusters, both open and globular. Planetary nebulae will be good also (depending on dark skies). We will have to do some observing together in the future. Two little refractors and two monsters. My wife just shook her head and walked off when I told her about the Nighthawk. The next night I took her observing and everything was o.k. It didn't hurt that we were observing with someone elses TV 102 and Tak 102. Good luck with the 100mm.
Clear Skies,

Scott

[Bill Grass]

Thanks, Scott! Yeah, we ought to get together one of these days.

[Bill Grass]

According to the FedEx site, my scope should be delivered today! The tracking information hasn't been updated yet today, but as of last night, it had left the sort facility in Memphis. I'm anxious!