5 replies to this topic

[Doc Willie]

Our club will be doing its January program on "How to use the telescope you got for Chrstmas." I have an introduction to astronomy talk, but I am looking for a Power Point presentation specifically on what can be done to make a department store scope more usable: mount, finders, eyepieces, etc. Are there any presentations already available?

[magic612]

Not that I know of offhand, but Jon Isaacs wrote a rather lengthy and informative post in this thread that perhaps you could adapt to a presentation. He might even let you use the picture he posted for the tripod legs, for nothing more than asking him (but I'd be sure to ask first).

[Jason B]

I have never done a Powerpoint on how to use, just what to look for.

When it comes to "how to use", we always do a hands on demontrations. Seems to work best as we have the attendees bring out there scopes. I may write a presentation/handout on upgrades, etc.

[Jon Isaacs]

Not that I know of offhand, but Jon Isaacs wrote a rather lengthy and informative post in this thread that perhaps you could adapt to a presentation. He might even let you use the picture he posted for the tripod legs, for nothing more than asking him (but I'd be sure to ask first).

If anyone wants to use anything I have written or photographed, I would be happy to see it go to a good purpose.

I applaud Doc's efforts but I hope is prepared for some surprises.

I imagine he will see people with a range of equipment and a range of expectations. I imagine he will see people with telescope ranging from the $15 Emerson 50x-100x refractor so some pretty good quality stuff. In the mix will be some pretty good department store scopes like the Powerseeker 70 and some over priced scopes that are not so good.

At some point he may have to consider asking the big question... "Can you still take it back?"

Doc: Here's a question for you. How much experience do you have with the various "Christmas Telescopes?" Do you have a pretty good idea of what to expect?

Jon

[oldtimer]

This used to be a pretty easy presentyation but now with a variety of 'go-to' units being sold it requires you to become familiar with each products approach to 'gp-to' set up. This job is not so easy and I applaud those willing to take it on.

[Doc Willie]

[quote name="Jon Isaacs"][quote]
Doc: Here's a question for you. How much experience do you have with the various "Christmas Telescopes?" Do you have a pretty good idea of what to expect?

Jon [/quote]
I have a 60 mm Jason refractor that I got for $10 at a garage sale. As you can guess, I paid too much. It has every problem imaginable with a department store scope.