38 replies to this topic

[Glassthrower]

Hi Folks,

 

Was waxing nostalgic today and was wondering if any of the old regulars from this forum were still lurking around? I'm talking about the period of time roughly from 2004 to 2008-ish. I'm not going to name drop, because you know who you are - you probably recognize me and are surprised to see my name suddenly pop up in here. If so, please de-lurk and confirm you are alive and well.

 

I haven't posted in here much (if at all) in about 10 years. I still have some of my binoculars and do some casual observing from time to time, but I don't get nearly as much stargazing time as I used to back in my days of being a regular here.

 

I'm still doing the meteorite thing and have expanded into fossil-hunting with my grandson. I've been thinking of breaking out the scopes and binoculars more often to try to get him interested in something that doesn't involve a screen (my grandson).

 

Best regards and clear dark skies,

 

MikeG

 

[Rich V.]

Some of us are still here, Mike.   

 

Rich

[davidmcgo]

Indeed.

 

Dave

[Binojunky]

Possibly me? the other Dave.

[Mark9473]

I check in regularly but since Fiske re-joined I've given up trying to look at most of the threads. Just a matter of volume, that's all.

[Erik Bakker]

Good to see you back Mike!

[Erik Bakker]

Funny thing is that nowadays I use my 42-70mm binoculars more than my 55mm-130mm high-end APO’s and Questar 7 that I was using predominantly in those early days of CloudyNights 

[litesong]

Hi Folks……with my grandson…… I've been thinking of breaking out the scopes and binoculars more often to try to get him interested in something that doesn't involve a screen (my grandson)…..

MikeG

In and out of astro viewing, the last time I got involved in double and multiple stars. I found them fascinating, especially when I used Astronomical Units (as inches) & light-years(as miles or kilometers) to obtain scale-model star distances from our sun. I compared the DS’s & their AU separations to our sun & planets in our solar system. It helped draw newbees into astronomy. 

Edited by litesong, 18 June 2022 - 06:04 PM.

[edwincjones]

welcome back Mike, stay a while

 

we are older,  wiser  ,  still here  

 

not doing anything with meteorites,

not much with astro,

still addicted to binoculars and  looking at nature stuff 

 

edj

Edited by edwincjones, 19 June 2022 - 12:54 PM.

[Vesper818]

Hey Mike!
You should try this in the Classics forum and see if you can wake up some of us dinosaurs! 😊

Good to see you're still here!
Carol
Formerly known as Siderea...

[Pinewood]

Hello,

 

I am like Johnnie Walker, still walking.

 

Stay safe,

Arthur

[Terra Nova]

Funny thing is that nowadays I use my 42-70mm binoculars more than my 55mm-130mm high-end APO’s and Questar 7 that I was using predominantly in those early days of CloudyNights 

That happens to a lot of us I think. Especially those of us who started with them. I like to reconnect with that youthful phase in my love and devotion to this wonderful hobby, and as I’ve gotten older (72 now), binoculars are also just so much easier.

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Mike,

I am here time to time and not observing as regular as I used to do but when I get a chance, I take the binocular out and watching for 30-45 minutes

[edwincjones]

I am enjoying naked eye viewing more,

try it with the Moon during the day.  

 

edj

[Thotmosis]

[djeber2]

That happens to a lot of us I think. Especially those of us who started with them. I like to reconnect with that youthful phase in my love and devotion to this wonderful hobby, and as I’ve gotten older (72 now), binoculars are also just so much easier.

 

 

Funny thing is that nowadays I use my 42-70mm binoculars more than my 55mm-130mm high-end APO’s and Questar 7 that I was using predominantly in those early days of CloudyNights 

I am glad I am not the only one.   5 years ago I was 75% telescope, 25% binocular observing, now those percentages are reversed and at times up to 90% binoc observing.

[Illinois]

I am still here and still use telescopes and binoculars. I used 10X50 a lot until now I use 8X42 binocular often because I getting old and I can hold 8X42 much longer.  I still use 10X50 for comets or darker sky. 

[Jon Isaacs]

Hi Mike:

 

Not exactly a regular in this forum but I do stop by on a regular basis to wake up the regulars..

 

Jon

[Rich V.]

[Jon Isaacs]

 

I only wake up the regulars that need waking up..

 

Jon

[Glassthrower]

Hi Folks!

 

Wow, a lot of old names that are a blast from the past. Sorry I haven't replied yet. I've been busy, but dropping in from time to time to read the replies. 

 

I still use my binoculars regularly : the 15x70mm and trusty 8x42mm. Like Ed said above, I probably do more nature-watching than stargazing now. My current location doesn't have a dark sky or good skylines, so my backyard stargazing is limited to a washed-out hole in the trees near the zenith. If I go out into the front yard, I have blazing streetlights on top of me. But, we get about 30 species of birds and 20-ish butterflies in our feeders and gardens, and that gives me plenty of opportunity to use the 8x42mm.

 

What happened to our intrepid moderator and resident optics guru EdZ? Is he still around? 

 

Best regards and clear dark skies,

 

MikeG

 

PS - does Jack still have/use his big Obie binoscope? Is Kenny Jones still lurking around watching chimneys? Is Bill Cook still extant (our old resident binocular curmudgeon)? 

[Glassthrower]

Hey Mike!
You should try this in the Classics forum and see if you can wake up some of us dinosaurs!

Good to see you're still here!
Carol
Formerly known as Siderea...

That's not a bad idea. I might just do that. I had a lot fun and learned a lot in that forum.  

 

Glad to see you are still kicking around. 

[Glassthrower]

Hello,

 

I am like Johnnie Walker, still walking.

 

Stay safe,

Arthur

Been Basil Haydens for me lately. 

[bob midiri]

Long time Mike hope all is well...and yeah im still here

[garret]

Hi Folks!

 

Wow, a lot of old names that are a blast from the past. Sorry I haven't replied yet. I've been busy, but dropping in from time to time to read the replies. 

 

I still use my binoculars regularly : the 15x70mm and trusty 8x42mm. Like Ed said above, I probably do more nature-watching than stargazing now. My current location doesn't have a dark sky or good skylines, so my backyard stargazing is limited to a washed-out hole in the trees near the zenith. If I go out into the front yard, I have blazing streetlights on top of me. But, we get about 30 species of birds and 20-ish butterflies in our feeders and gardens, and that gives me plenty of opportunity to use the 8x42mm.

 

What happened to our intrepid moderator and resident optics guru EdZ? Is he still around? 

 

Best regards and clear dark skies,

 

MikeG

 

PS - does Jack still have/use his big Obie binoscope? Is Kenny Jones still lurking around watching chimneys? Is Bill Cook still extant (our old resident binocular curmudgeon)? 

A number of highly valued binocular users and CN members have left this Topic due to new members wanting to teach others the wrong lesson using sometimes inappropriate language.

 

Unfortunately Edz hasn't posted for many years.

 

New member and moderator J. Gardavsky has a lot of knowledge about binoculars and optics but unfortunately doesn't post often anymore.

 

Excellent binoculars and binocular telescopes made in China have appeared on the market for 10-12 years, unfortunately certain 'rebranders' do nothing or too little with quality control at the factory or shop and also have a very poor 'aftersale service'