52 replies to this topic

[25585]

A  Moonraker 6" F5  "Wideboy" is tempting me.

 

Has anyone here succumed to Moonrakers' steampunk charm?

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[jrschmidt2]

Looks cool!  How much does that thing weigh? Looks like a tank.

[Stellar1]

Their scopes are off the wall gorgeous, they built a scope for the Netflix series "Altered Carbon" it's a monster and stunning to look at.

They use top notch optics too, so its no all glitz and no gut, made to order if you have the coin. Buy it! you only live once.

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Edited by Stellar1, 17 January 2021 - 05:19 PM.

[dan_1984]

Looks beautiful. 

[ButterFly]

I obviously don't have one.  I'd get two to put right next to each other!

 

Seeing the 8" Moonraker at dusk when the roof rolled off the new observatory at Lowell was lovely.  It's a lovely red that was glowing brighter with the red at dusk.  It got even better when I looked through it.

[SkyHunter1]

Wow... Just checked out their site... Gorgeous...

 

Could probably afford one but would feel funny dragging such a work of art to the beach for AP.

 

Regards,

Skyhunter1

[mikeDnight]

I must be an odd ball, as I think all the unnecessary turning on the metalwork, and everything being highly polished makes them look cheap. I much prefer the classic, clean, understated look to a refractor such as those produced by Tak and Televue.

[Binofrac]

I've often looked at the website and dreamed of owning such a beautiful thing. The idea of meeting with the man who makes such things and spending time specifying exactly what I would like makes those boring days go a bit quicker.

 

That Lowell scope looks fantastic in the pictures. I can't imagine what it would be like in real life. 

[alan.dang]

https://www.cloudyni...or-rises-again/

This is a good read.

[Tyson M]

I think they are absolutely exquisite.  I sent him an email on my 9" Istar custom job.  No reply but I didnt expect he would.  I was looking for a quote. 

 

I actually love the design and scope of the 6" f5 wide boy as well.  I would definitely buy a scope like that with a 6" f5 Istar lens. 

Edited by Tyson M, 17 January 2021 - 06:41 PM.

[Book66]

Lowell Observatory has a Moonraker at their GODO. Its red and just beautiful.

[bobhen]

I must be an odd ball, as I think all the unnecessary turning on the metalwork, and everything being highly polished makes them look cheap. I much prefer the classic, clean, understated look to a refractor such as those produced by Tak and Televue.

HERE is a link to the Lowell observatory page. People can see for themselves the Moonraker red refractor set up along side other traditional telescopes. I will leave it up to each to decide which they like.  But there is no question which one stands out.

 

Bob

[25585]

I must be an odd ball, as I think all the unnecessary turning on the metalwork, and everything being highly polished makes them look cheap. I much prefer the classic, clean, understated look to a refractor such as those produced by Tak and Televue.

Don't get me wrong, I like my ordinary looking refractors too. But having bought a couple of TV Renaissance brass tubed fracs last year, the old world look has grown on me.

 

Also Moonraker now do special Feather Touch and Moonlite focusers to match an OTA colour. 

Edited by 25585, 19 January 2021 - 02:03 PM.

[Tyson M]

HERE is a link to the Lowell observatory page. People can see for themselves the Moonraker red refractor set up along side other traditional telescopes. I will leave it up to each to decide which they like.  But there is no question which one stands out.

 

Bob

I'd so love to go to this place.  What a collection of fine instruments.

[David I]

Very cool , powerful looking , I've seen these before in a Mad Max movie ....

[25585]

I'd so love to go to this place.  What a collection of fine instruments.

Bucket list visit for me. After today & when Covid is more under control.

[John Huntley]

Bucket list visit for me. After today & when Covid is more under control.

We were there in September 2019. About a month before the new observing deck opened

 

Still a wonderful place to visit though. That plus Meteor Crater have long been on my "to do" list and we managed both within a few days plus many other excellent things. I highly recommend a stay in Northern Arizona

Edited by John Huntley, 20 January 2021 - 06:10 PM.

[Kent10]

There are some really good views of the Moonraker at Lowell in this video.  Watch the 1st 2 minutes.  https://www.youtube....eature=youtu.be

 

I live in Flagstaff so have seen it and viewed through it several times but not recently due to COVID.  It is so beautiful.

[25585]

I would be drooling over it!  San Francisco here I come! 

 

Maybe my Wide Boy in Lowell colours    Who chose red?

[Kent10]

A couple more links 

 

https://www.cloudyni...ervatory-8-f12/

 

https://www.cloudyni...aker-in-action/

 

I don't know for sure who decided on red.  But Jim, rockethead26 on CN, was the main decision maker on the scopes and putting the Giovale Open Deck Observatory (GODO) all together.  I bet he picked the red.  It really stands out and is a beautiful red. 

[25585]

I have sent an enquiry to Moonraker about a Wideboy in Lowell colours.

 

What focuser does the Lowell have? 

[Tyson M]

I have sent an enquiry to Moonraker about a Wideboy in Lowell colours.

 

What focuser does the Lowell have? 

That would be a beautiful, unique scope. 

[SteveG]

I have sent an enquiry to Moonraker about a Wideboy in Lowell colours.

 

What focuser does the Lowell have? 

It's a 3" Moonlite, single-speed.

[Bowlerhat]

I must be an odd ball, as I think all the unnecessary turning on the metalwork, and everything being highly polished makes them look cheap. I much prefer the classic, clean, understated look to a refractor such as those produced by Tak and Televue.

always like the simple mechanical design of zeiss.

[Ken Sturrock]

Although he specializes in a certain aesthetic style, Mark Turner will make you whatever you want.

 

This is an 80mm astrograph with a LOMO lens in a Moonraker tube. It's definitely shiny, but not too baroque.