61 replies to this topic

[starman876]

I will just clean it inside the ball.

better if you remove it to give it and give it a  good bath.  Have always had the best results that way. 

[scout]

Chas, when you buy these older reflectors, do you ever send the mirror off for a recoating? The mirror may look fine after a cleaning, but the coatings on a 24-year-old mirror is bound to be degraded if it's never been done, and a Zambuto with a fresh coating would be stunning. 

[davidc135]

What speed is the mirror and the diagonal is how big?  David

 

PS Ooops, I see it's f6.

Edited by davidc135, 07 May 2025 - 02:24 PM.

[Jae]

  Do not make the ball more slippery.  As you change eyepieces that weigh lees or more the ball will move.  You need some friction to make it work. 

Yes, I listened to Peter Smitka and put Rain-X on my aluminum 12.5 and it was tough when switching to heavy eyepieces, forget about a binoviewer.   I had to add weight inside the ball to better balance it.

[CHASLX200]

Chas, when you buy these older reflectors, do you ever send the mirror off for a recoating? The mirror may look fine after a cleaning, but the coatings on a 24-year-old mirror is bound to be degraded if it's never been done, and a Zambuto with a fresh coating would be stunning. 

Never. Never trust shipping these days.  It will clean up fine and i already know it is better than the 826.  Them extra steps Zambuto takes makes a diff when making optics.

[CHASLX200]

What speed is the mirror and the diagonal is how big?  David

 

PS Ooops, I see it's f6.

Small like 1.52" like in my 826.

[jragsdale]

Never. Never trust shipping these days.

How long has it been since you've shipped anything substatial? Not sure you can call it "these days" anymore. Just pack it really well and insure it, no big deal Neal. I ship about 500 items a year through my business. Maybe 1 or 2 ever have any damage.

[CHASLX200]

How long has it been since you've shipped anything substatial? Not sure you can call it "these days" anymore. Just pack it really well and insure it, no big deal Neal. I ship about 500 items a year through my business. Maybe 1 or 2 ever have any damage.

Nothing since my $1200 pellet gun looked like a train ran it over in 2005. Last scope i shipped was a 8" LX50 that i paid $70 to ship and then out of the blue UPS sends me a bill to pay another 70 around 2005.  So that was it for good and i have done fine not shipping all these years. Always find a buyer local and i gotta wait out on deal longer vs if i paid for something to be shipped to me.  The $1200 pellet gun was the only thing that was ever messed up and trust me i have shipped more than anyone here since 1976 until 2005.  Talking over 1000 scopes and maybe 5000 eyepieces and many K in parts and mounts.  More gets broke today vs 1977 since shipping has to be a 100 times what it is was in 1977 and more rushed and peeps don't care anymore.

 

Now i may ship a eyepiece but that is as big as my boxes will be to ship.  So the 8" Z wins the contest.

Edited by CHASLX200, 07 May 2025 - 06:26 PM.

[Tony Cifani]

If need be, take that Zambuto on a road trip to Deltona to Spectrum Coatings. They'll do a nice job re-coating and no need for a post office.

[starman876]

Let Chas do what he wants.  He will never know how good the mirror could possibly be.   Shine a flashlight behind the mirror and see if there are any pinholes.  I am sure after 24 years the coating is getting thin.

[starman876]

Did you say 24 years.  It's not 25 years old.  Does not meet the requirements to be a classic

[deSitter]

so the 8" Z wins the contest.

 

That was quick I thought it would go 7.

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Did you say 24 years.  It's not 25 years old.  Does not meet the requirements to be a classic

Ohhhhh!!!

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[Kitfox]

 He's comparing it to the certified classic 826.  Sort of...

[deSitter]

 He's comparing it to the certified classic 826.  Sort of...

 

That's right! This is about that legendary freaky sharp Meade!

 

-drl

[CHASLX200]

Let Chas do what he wants.  He will never know how good the mirror could possibly be.   Shine a flashlight behind the mirror and see if there are any pinholes.  I am sure after 24 years the coating is getting thin.

Coatings are fine as wine. Just needs cleaning.  No time now as i am getting the house back to normal before it is taken away from me.

[CHASLX200]

Did you say 24 years.  It's not 25 years old.  Does not meet the requirements to be a classic

The classic is the 826 in this thread.  I don't count anything made before 1983 a real classic classic. And made before 1960 is more of a more real classic. I don't even need to put both scopes side by side to know the Z wins.  I would rate it past nuts insane freaky sharp and the 826 freaky sharp.

Edited by CHASLX200, 08 May 2025 - 05:55 AM.

[bobhen]

Never. Never trust shipping these days.  It will clean up fine and i already know it is better than the 826.  Them extra steps Zambuto takes makes a diff when making optics.

You bet.

 

The same goes for Astro-Physics, TEC, LZOS, Takahashi/Canon, etc. and all other high-end and custom mirror and lens makers.

 

You going to put the Zambuto mirror in the 826 tube? I know you like GEMs, even if you push them. 

 

Bob

[CHASLX200]

You bet.

 

The same goes for Astro-Physics, TEC, LZOS, Takahashi/Canon, etc. and all other high-end and custom mirror and lens makers.

 

You going to put the Zambuto mirror in the 826 tube? I know you like GEMs, even if you push them. 

 

Bob

No.  Just so much more easy to take the ball out and plop it on the stand. I am gonna sell the AP 900 and piers and 826 and the vey good 8" F/5 OTA and more for a killer price.  I like the focuser on my ball better than anything else.  So easy to focus at 450x and up.  

Edited by CHASLX200, 08 May 2025 - 06:16 AM.

[Tom Stock]

8" F5? After all that complaining about coma? Are you planning to use a coma corrector?

[deSitter]

No.  Just so much more easy to take the ball out and plop it on the stand. I am gonna sell the AP 900 and piers and 826 and the vey good 8" F/5 OTA and more for a killer price.  I like the focuser on my ball better than anything else.  So easy to focus at 450x and up.  

 

I mean this Chas - I'm glad you found something that you like. Hang onto it.

 

-drl

[CHASLX200]

8" F5? After all that complaining about coma? Are you planning to use a coma corrector?

F/6 Nix.  No P needed.

[starman876]

No.  Just so much more easy to take the ball out and plop it on the stand. I am gonna sell the AP 900 and piers and 826 and the vey good 8" F/5 OTA and more for a killer price.  I like the focuser on my ball better than anything else.  So easy to focus at 450x and up.  

thats what I loved about my portaball   Just flop it down and ready to use.  You think you like the 8" you would be amazed what the 12" will do.  A lot heavier,   but just so much more to see.  

[CHASLX200]

thats what I loved about my portaball   Just flop it down and ready to use.  You think you like the 8" you would be amazed what the 12" will do.  A lot heavier,   but just so much more to see.  

I am a one trick pony. Jupiter is about all i care about. All scopes are put away until Sept.

[starman876]

I am a one trick pony. Jupiter is about all i care about. All scopes are put away until Sept.

you could still play with the PST. Maybe the one you have is the one I used to have