2335 replies to this topic

[RichA]

Like this one I bought recently? Cheap…

 

https://www.aliexpre...ayAdapt=glo2usa

Likely stopped down singlet to 7mm.

[John R.]

Likely stopped down singlet to 7mm.

On one version I have it is a 24mm plastic singlet stopped to 10mm. 

For a on thread note, the last two days were so bad with haze that I couldn’t barely even spot cassiopeia. So waited for Saturn to clear the trees at 9:45 and Goldilocks acquitted itself quite well in the warm muggy air at up to 125x. 
Today and the next 10 days are wiped out so the next possible time to view Saturn it should clear trees by about 9:00. 
 

Exciting times eh. 

Edited by John R., 07 September 2024 - 05:27 PM.

[Dale Smith]

On one version I have it is a 24mm plastic singlet stopped to 10mm. 

For a on thread note, the last two days were so bad with haze that I couldn’t barely even spot cassiopeia. So waited for Saturn to clear the trees at 9:45 and Goldilocks acquitted itself quite well in the warm muggy air at up to 125x. 
Today and the next 10 days are wiped out so the next possible time to view Saturn it should clear trees by about 9:00. 
 

Exciting times eh. 

The haze has been here as well with a vengeance since Tuesday. I guess I should count myself fortunate that we’ve had so many clear nights since May. Looking forward to seeing Saturn again in the not-to-distant future.

[John R.]

Was out with ‘Stubby’ (Spectrum 70/400) last night. Partly cloudy with hazy conditions was predicted and indeed the moon was behind occasional clouds. Still, a good deal of detail could be seen at 72x with an AT5.5mm. 
Turned to Saturn with the same eyepiece and although small, it was a little jewel, hanging in the SW sky. 
Amazingly the haze and clouds just seemed to dissolve over the next 10-15 minutes. With a bright moon I didn’t try for any galaxies but just slowly sweeping the milky way at 16x was still a treat. 
Stubby was on the Spectrum AZ mount head, adapted to my medium duty tripod to facilitate getting the eyepiece to a comfortable position via the center column. 
Edit; forgot the photo

 

 

 

Edited by John R., 20 September 2024 - 07:50 AM.

[AstroPhotog]

Glad to hear you're getting some viewing in John, and it sounds like Stubby just keeps on performing like the bunny.

 

fwiw - The Zhumell 70/400 mentioned in previous posts, and compared favorably to John's Stubby, is now $29.00 w/ travel bag, 10 & 20mm EPs, 45^o diagonal, and tripod. It's $23.00 in Used-Very Good condition. (I almost bought one and sure don't need it.)   Cheers y'all!

 

https://www.amazon.c...19B82D4KP7&th=1

Edited by AstroPhotog, 20 September 2024 - 10:43 PM.

[John R.]

Yep, been following the price on that Zhumell Z70 on Amazon. Right now I really need to thin out, not acquire. Need to get around to the lumber yard to buy some 3/4 inch plywood for a dob mount, and that will lighten my wallet enough for this month. 

[AstroPhotog]

I hear ya John, posted it for those who might read your positive comments and be interested. You sure don't need another 70/400 with Stubby by your side   Don't mean to pressure, but am looking forward to seeing your dob mount. (btw - Spectrum OI has continued with their great customer service, but that's another story.)  Cheers!

 

fwiw - When I joined in with you fine folks it was because of a discussion about an old TV series that I knew where to watch it - TubiTV.com. Then I got hooked, and several refractors later I find myself still watching old movies and a lifer as posted by another. It's all good, and Fall, with its better weather is around the corner! As they would say on radio station WSAY - "be big, be a builder"

 

Edit: I suppose everyone knows about Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS that's near the Sun - https://www.heavens-...ts&alt=0&tz=EST

Edited by AstroPhotog, 21 September 2024 - 05:26 PM.

[MrsM75]

Svbony SV207 SPL ep set (30mm 25mm 15mm 8mm) sale Amazon for $48 new whole set.

 

Svbony SV207 SPL ep set (30mm 25mm 15mm 8mm) sale Amazon for $48 whole set.

I just got mine, it is the clone of Vixen NPL set. Exactly identical, I just test mine tonight.

 

If you new to the hobby, you should get it for a spare set, $48 for four eyepieces is totally worth it.

 

 

The SvBony set is the exact clone of this Vixen NPL, I got a whole set of the Vixen NPL but I still get the Svbony one for a spare.

Edited by MrsM75, 23 September 2024 - 04:38 PM.

[John R.]

Thanks for the heads up on the plossls. Don’t need any more eyepieces at the moment but others might. A plossl is a well established and safe design in most cases. Good bang for the buck, so to speak. 

[AstroPhotog]

Svbony SV207 SPL ep set (30mm 25mm 15mm 8mm) sale Amazon for $48 new whole set.

-snip-

The SvBony set is the exact clone of this Vixen NPL, I got a whole set of the Vixen NPL but I still get the Svbony one for a spare.

Cool! Thanks for the heads up MrsM75. - - https://www.amazon.c...340&sr=8-1&th=1
 

Ships from Amazon and sold by Svbony Direct. FMC glass :-)

 

Edit: After looking at reviews in Eyepieces here and elsewhere I would definitely buy the set for my UIRs if needed.

Edited by AstroPhotog, 23 September 2024 - 01:12 PM.

[RichA]

Cool! Thanks for the heads up MrsM75. - - https://www.amazon.c...340&sr=8-1&th=1
 

Ships from Amazon and sold by Svbony Direct. FMC glass :-)

 

Edit: After looking at reviews in Eyepieces here and elsewhere I would definitely buy the set for my UIRs if needed.

"Side extinction ink?"  Edge blackening?

[AstroPhotog]

"Side extinction ink?"  Edge blackening?

Yeah, it can be quite funny what ends up in ads, especally those on Amazon. Do you have a point other than that RichA? I'm asking because you've added useful info in the past and I'm curious if there is more. Cheers!

 

Edit - had to edit a time or two to fix typos

 

Edit: RichA, feel free to PM me about the OSC being shut down. It was the best science museum I've ever been to in all my travels and am curious what those in Toronto think.

 

Edit: I must be nuts or bored; there's one set less at Amazon.   

Edited by AstroPhotog, 23 September 2024 - 04:03 PM.

[edsmx5]

I don't need them, ( I have a set of svbony redlines for grab-n-go use), but I couldn't find the set on Amazon at that price, only individual EPs. ( I had it yesterday, and lost it). At~$12 per, it has my interest.

[John R.]

The eyepiece that I maybe should buy is the AT25mm PF. The specs say it has a 60 degree  field. That would give 10x at 6 degrees with my AT 50mm finder. Fine for an ultra light rig to sweep the sky or as a finder. They are only $40 and my AT5.5mm PF has been really good so I have confidence in the line. 
Already have a 25mm plossl at 52 degrees that works fine, but I’m greedy and want that extra field of view. 
 

[AstroPhotog]

I don't need them, ( I have a set of svbony redlines for grab-n-go use), but I couldn't find the set on Amazon at that price, only individual EPs. ( I had it yesterday, and lost it). At~$12 per, it has my interest.

Unfortunately they only had 6 sets left around 5PM yesterday and were out of stock later. I don't need them either, but am curious how they'll compare to a Redline, a couple wide angle Celestrons, a couple MAs and a Kellner. I've read many reviews on the different EPs and am curious to see for myself. At least I'll have enough to go with the scopes that'll eventually be given away.

[edsmx5]

Quote:
" At least I'll have enough to go with the scopes that'll eventually be given away."


I got a good chuckle over that.

[Jon Isaacs]

I'm considering the Celestron "heavy duty" (my quotes) alt-az tripod with slow-motion handles.  Anybody else put their inexpective refractor on one of these?  If not this, any other suggested alt-az tripods with a slow-motion handles on the mount?

 

They are OK for terrestrial use but for astronomy, they suffer from balance issues.  The scope mounts on top of the tripod so as you view higher and higher, the scope falls back on itself.  It can slip quickly once it starts because the imbalance increases once it starts to slip.

 

They also use tangent arms rather than full circle gears.  A tangent arm is driven by a short threaded rod and when you run out of travel, you have to loosen the mount and reset the threads.  It's an awkward process for the altitude axis as the scope wants to move.

 

Jon

[Wolfwatcher]

Ditto for Jon's comments on the Celestron HD alt/az tripod above. In addition, based on my having owned two, any scope approaching the stated weight limit (10lbs) will likely cause the worm gears to fail...gears turn, but scope doesn't move. In my experience, there are better choices. A tripod with a ball head and Vixen style saddle that allows the scope to be mounted side saddle is a better option, IMO.

 

Jett

[Anony]

Unfortunately they only had 6 sets left around 5PM yesterday and were out of stock later. I don't need them either, but am curious how they'll compare to a Redline, a couple wide angle Celestrons, a couple MAs and a Kellner. I've read many reviews on the different EPs and am curious to see for myself. At least I'll have enough to go with the scopes that'll eventually be given away.

I haven't had time this summer to do much with my scopes, but noticed that sale. And I can't pass up bargains....

 

Got one of the last sets coming my way this week. After I ordered, there was only 1 left. I probably have some of the same eyepieces to compare to as you. 

[Anony]

They are OK for terrestrial use but for astronomy, they suffer from balance issues.  The scope mounts on top of the tripod so as you view higher and higher, the scope falls back on itself.  It can slip quickly once it starts because the imbalance increases once it starts to slip.

 

That mount looks awfully similar to what I have with the Infinity 102. If so.... not so great...

[AstroPhotog]

I haven't had time this summer to do much with my scopes, but noticed that sale. And I can't pass up bargains....

 

Got one of the last sets coming my way this week. After I ordered, there was only 1 left. I probably have some of the same eyepieces to compare to as you. 

That's very likely Anony since almost all my separately purchased EPs - 6 of 7 - were bought because of your recommendation. One could say the sv207 set is an extension of your sage advice, making it 10 of 11.

 

I hope you had more interesting reasons than me to not use a scope so far this year. Cheers!

 

 

Thanks Jon for info on the use of "tangent arms rather than full circle gears".  Good to know.

[John R.]

They are OK for terrestrial use but for astronomy, they suffer from balance issues.  The scope mounts on top of the tripod so as you view higher and higher, the scope falls back on itself.  It can slip quickly once it starts because the imbalance increases once it starts to slip.

 

They also use tangent arms rather than full circle gears.  A tangent arm is driven by a short threaded rod and when you run out of travel, you have to loosen the mount and reset the threads.  It's an awkward process for the altitude axis as the scope wants to move.

 

Jon

Never understood top mounting. To me side mounting just seems natural, although even with that, heavy eyepieces can still mess with the CG, no matter how well you balance the OTA, placing the CG above the center line. I have that Celestron Omni 102 and it's kit AZ was never up to the task. You need to balance carefully and even then the altitude slow motion is touchy. Okay for a short tube 80 or 70 but not the 102. 

Edited by John R., 25 September 2024 - 08:01 PM.

[Jon Isaacs]

Never understood top mounting. To me side mounting just seems natural, although even with that, heavy eyepieces can still mess with the CG, no matter how well you balance the OTA, placing the CG above the center line. I have that Celestron Omni 102 and it's kit AZ was never up to the task. You need to balance carefully and even then the altitude slow motion is touchy. Okay for a short tube 80 or 70 but not the 102. 

 

I think top mounting works reasonably well for terrestrial but for astro, not so good.  There are two top mount alt-az mounts that are quite effective.  

 

The unique mount that came standard with the Asahi-Pentax 60mm x 800mm has a full circle gear for the azimuth and a partial sector gear for the altitude.  What is unique about these mounts is that the slow motion controls are pivoted so you can shift them in and out of gear. The altitude gear has a significant range of motion but I typically would shift it out of gear to star hop and once I found the target, I shifted it back in gear and centered the target. 

 

 

The other top mounted scope is the Mizar-Meade 310, an 80mm x 900mm achromat.  It uses full circle gears on both axes and they are quite quick so they can be used to scan the sky.

 

 

Jon

[scout]

The unique mount that came standard with the Asahi-Pentax 60mm x 800mm has a full circle gear for the azimuth and a partial sector gear for the altitude.  What is unique about these mounts is that the slow motion controls are pivoted so you can shift them in and out of gear. The altitude gear has a significant range of motion but I typically would shift it out of gear to star hop and once I found the target, I shifted it back in gear and centered the target. 

Yes, the Asahi-Pentax mount for the 60mm f/13.3 refractor is very smooth and steady. It's the perfect match for the OTA and is a pleasure to use compared to most other vintage mounts.

 

I'll count mine as appropriate for this topic Unusually Inexpensive Refractors since I paid only $60 for the complete kit including wooden box and accessories from a neighbor whose late father owned it. The 65-year-old telescope really made me appreciate the sharpness and virtually color-free views of well-made long focal ratio refractors.

[MrsM75]

Hi Amazon got more in stock then, it back sale again $48 this time there even a 5% coupon to take off $48