172 replies to this topic

[rboe]

We were so shocked and surprised we figured that if we encourage you it will happen again. Hey, it happened once already.

Happy Holidays!

[Nebhunter]

I have read your reasoning, and can see your point of view very clearly. I too made a descision many years ago to never be a victim, or allow my family to become one. Make it chopped, cocked, and a 45.

I've been reading many of the write ups concerning various manufacturers of Apo's, and this is eventually where I would like to end up. In the meantime, I have much to learn about observing, and about equipment. The fact that poor weather is the norm hear, or at least cloudy conditions are prevelent, makes this a very long learning curve. I jumped ship, and decided against the 10" Dob and went for a 120mm Konus refractor. Why? A hunch, plus I plain love lenses, older camera's and refractors.

I have had a few great nights or early mornings of observation, especially of M42, Saturn and Jupiter. I know not of this chromatic aberation as I just don't see it in this scope at the dark sky site. Under orange coloured sodium lights, I have a yellow ring around the full moon. When sun light hits Jupiter, I can get a violet colour which was not there earlier, and which goes away after a couple of minutes after it's appearance. I have gone to 300x on a Barlow on all the mentioned items and have yet to see a ring or limb of any colour, except under heavy lights or a frosted front lens. Yes, I am not colour blind, and have been blessed with an incredible pair of eyes for sharpness, clarity and being able to see a long, long way.

The direction I'm thinking about is this. Present outfit cost for the 120mm Konus with Super Polar is about $525.00 US Funds. Upgrade to a motorized pier mount - trade in EQ3 - another 400.00. Chromacor lens - 800.00. Upgrade the focuser and diagonal - say 800.00. All the other items such a oculars, barlow, photo stuff will happen regardless and is not part of the cost of the 'final product'. Let's round it off at 3 grand, spent over time as money allows. I suspect that a superb 120 mm "dang near Apo" scope will be the result. What can you buy off the shelf for 3 grand? It's like the old days. You either bought a show room muscle car - or you slowly built one. Once you were done, it was YOURS - built for you, and would smoke even the baddest of the big boys. Sorry about the analogy, flash back.

So, am I missing anything in your opinion? I may have lucked out on a really good unit, and as such, cannot understand what all the hubbub is about. Ignorance can be bliss, as long as you don't read too fast.

[techmgr]

Well, to put some finality on this thread that I started, I'm likely going to end up with the APO. I've put myself on the notification list for an AP155EDFS (), and I have a TEC 140 in my Anacortes Wish List - I'll probably keep the TV-76 at least for a while, until my wife () decides I'm allowed to spend a bunch more money. I eventually will build an observatory, but for now the big achro is too much for these 54 year old bones to haul in and out of storage for a look-see. I've already got the big SCT, so the 5" or 6" APO will do nicely when seeing isn't at a 10 - which is nearly ALL the time in NEOhio! There's just something sexy about those premium APO's!!

John in NEOhio

[Charles]

Actually I have been really crabby this week. As all of you are aware of whats been missing the last four weeks is:

ANY NEW PICTURES FROM ME!

Between Bad weather, traveling and a million other excuses I have not had a scope outside for four weeks now. I had Bertha outside last Saturday doing drive training on her before she gets shipped off this week. I had to do that after I upgraded the software version to 1.7k.

Anyway, I was hoping while traveling for great weather this weekend so I can try out my new toys. I bought a Camera Angle Adjuster (CAA) from TAK which I think will fix my Back focus problem and allow me to start using the reducer. Bought a 2" IDAS LPS filter which should block the light pollution and improve my images. I'm ready for some imaging but no... the weather just has to roll in.

SO You'll are stuck we me for the weekend unless you'll are lucky enough to get clear skies and be out visualizing or imaging.

Charles

[Echo]

Charles,
We're all cranky over the weather so you will fit right in! I hope you can get out there soon. I really do miss your wonderful photos.

[rboe]

Be cool guys! Don't do this!

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[Stacy]

I KNEW ya'll were not talking about telescopes in here! 157 posts ...

[Charles]

John, you'll be too old to enjoy a APO if you plan on waiting for a AP. I'm over fifty and that is why I bought a TOA-130, no wait list; plus I couldn't talk Mike Sandy out of his AP-130. As to the weather I hear you. Just flat stinks this winter!

Echo saw your web site and it is really nice. All you need is a camera and some astro pictures now! That is some dog though! I bet you'll never have problems with break-ins at your house.

Charles

[rboe]

My mistake, should have posted in the CAT forum

[Charles]

Ron you're bad just really bad! But I do hate cats!

Charles

[Charles]

HEY GUYS AND GALS. SCI-FI Channel has that special on the UFO at that Air Force base in England starting at 8 cnetral Time. Got to go watch it!.

Charles

[rboe]

Oh, I like cats. We have two (dumb as bricks at times though, my old cat was a lot smarter).

Midwestguy; shoot the moon man! And the planets don't care if the moon is out.

[Echo]

Charles,
I have a camera adapter and may try some photography IF the sky ever clears. If they look like my normal pictures it will be a terrible waste of film. We'll see. My dog is quite a beast. He is extremely protective of me but otherwise is a big goofball. I forgot about that UFO special. I meant to tape it while we were at our astronomy club party tonight.

[rboe]

We got two of each. Both dogs are smart but left to their own devices would run amok. The cats love to jump up on things and see what they can steal, then bring it into the kitchen to play with. But they are fun.

[moynihan]

When I opened my daily digest for "refractors" this a.m. I found mostly catas, dogs, and guns
a quick search of yahoo groups found 1,134 gun hits. The cat and dog ones too numerous to list. Many fewer on refractor.
A moderator, a moderator, my kingdom for a moderator

jay

[Don W]

Sorry, I haven't been watching this topic. If you want to talk about cats dogs and guns, please find another venue. If you want to talk about refractors, this is the place.

The moderator