thanks for responding
Greetings from the netherlands
--
================================================
Ray Porter
Applications Analyst Programmer
Administrative Information Services, UNC-CH
Phone: 966-5878
email: ray_p...@unc.edu
dra...@email.unc.edu
Home Page: http://www.unc.edu/~dragon/
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
"P.r. van den Berg" <p...@vdenberg.demon.nl> wrote in message
news:962306846.9086....@news.demon.nl...
-=bob=-
"Ray Porter" <ray_p...@unc.edu> wrote in message
news:8jgdja$qc5$1...@news2.isis.unc.edu...
Do plan on eventually replacing the tripod legs if you get one. Even for
visual work, more stable legs will be a real help. You should also consider
getting the dual-axis drives, just for their slewing capability if nothing
else. The scope is very front heavy as other have noted and you really have
to slide it back on the mount to balance it in declination. That makes the
slow-motion controls a long reach from the eyepiece.
--
******************************************************
Ray Porter
lrpo...@mindspring.com
dra...@email.unc.edu
ray_p...@unc.edu
Home Page: http://www.unc.edu/~dragon/
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons
for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup"
"Robert Gorichanaz" <rmgori...@ameritech.net> wrote in message
news:8pR65.1019$e5.4...@nntp0.chicago.il.ameritech.net...
> How's the false-color in that scope? How blue is the moon?
>
> -=bob=-
>
> "Ray Porter" <ray_p...@unc.edu> wrote in message
> news:8jgdja$qc5$1...@news2.isis.unc.edu...
> > You get 2 inches more of aperture. The views through my CR150 rival
those
> > through an 8" SCT. It was definitely worth the difference to me. The
> only
> > concern is that the aluminum tripod that comes with the CG-5 mount is
way
> > too light for this OTA.
> >
> >
> > --
> > ================================================
> > Ray Porter
> > Applications Analyst Programmer
> > Administrative Information Services, UNC-CH
> > Phone: 966-5878
> > email: ray_p...@unc.edu
> > dra...@email.unc.edu
> > Home Page: http://www.unc.edu/~dragon/
> >
> > "Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
> > for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
> >
> >
> > "P.r. van den Berg" <p...@vdenberg.demon.nl> wrote in message
> > news:962306846.9086....@news.demon.nl...
The G8 has a bit more light gathering capability, is more easily portable,
and doesn't have the 150's long lever-arm to balance, whereas the 150
doesn't have a central obstruction so it could achieve more contrast. G8
images would be a bit brighter and have no color, 150 would be crisper but
have a bit of false color.
I've seen G8 tubes for around $650 - what's the price on a CR150 OTA only?
-=bob=-
"Ray Porter" <lrpo...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:8jgufd$5hv$1...@slb7.atl.mindspring.net...
-----------------------------------------------------------
Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com.
Up to 100 minutes free!
http://www.keen.com
The real answer lies in what you want to do with the
scope....and more importantly what mount you get the SCT
on. If you get it on the German mount you will have only
the OTA different. But if you get the 8" on a fork
mount...especially the Deluxe mount...it is a better mount
for tracking if you want to do astrophotography or CCD
imaging. The SCT is also better for photography since it
has superior color correction by virtue of its mirror vs.
achromat of the refractor. For visual use....they are very
close. The refractor is maybe just a hair less bright but
it is also contrastier. Resolution are close but the nod
goes to the SCT if you have a good one. Mine is a
particularly excellent SCT so may not be typical. The stock
German mount is equal to the Vixen Great Polaris. In fact I
am VERY impressed with it both in casting and machining.
VEry nice work and with the dual axis drive it works great.
Tracking is fine but has a bit of backlash and isn't quite
as precise in fine adjustments through the hand control pad
as the Deluxe. The real weak spot of the refractor is the
tripod which is fine for a smaller scope but WAY overloaded
with the huge 6" refractor which weighs 20# not including
accessories. I was aware of this but bought the scope for
the German mount and OTA which has had very high reviews. I
junked the stock legs and built my own out of ash hardwood.
Now it is rock solid....easily supports the refractor and
an additional 10# or so of piggeyback 35mm camera and 300mm
APO lens. Turns out the German mount itself is easily
capable of handling the load. I used the stock tripod
spreader and the top piece that holds the German mount. If
you have access to a table saw and power drill you can
build it...or you can buy premade legs from Hands On
Optics. With my new home made legs the scope will
completely dampen out a hard smack to the tube or tripod in
less than a second.
Optically the refractor is really surprising. I was
expecting lots of color ghosting. On mine I get only a
barely perceptible yellow line around the moon. I don't get
any blue or false color on the moon itself...pretty good
performance. I would preface this with the fact that I use
a Lumicon Enhanced Star Diagonal and one of my Pentax XL
eyepieces with it. A scope this good needs a good diagonal
and eyepiece to really show what it can do. Don't cripple
it with the stock stuff.
Compared to the SCT the SCT doesn't have as wide of a FOV
which is one of the main advantages of the refractor but in
just about everything else it is very good. I get nearly
text book perfect star tests on my SCT. Tracking on the
SCTs Deluxe fork mount allows me to go 2 minutes unguided
CCD exposures and as much as 4 minutes under ideal
conditions (super accurate polar alignment). This is
exceptionally good performance.
I have the Fastar Optic option for the SCT along with the
matched SBIG ST 237 which in my book makes this the
absolute FIRST choice if you are into CCD imaging and want
to get the most bang for the buck.
The Refractor has been used for CCD imaging also...in black
and white it does quite well with a yellow and IR filter
but due to its being a achromat it isn't a good choice for
color work. I bought it for visual use and am not
dissapointed. Compared to the 4" and 4.7" refractors, the
image quality is quite obviously superior. The focuser is
very smooth...as smooth as some high priced spreads I have
used. It runs on three rails one of which is adjustable for
removing any slop. It also has a 2" focuser with a 1 1/4"
adaptor. It is internally baffled with (as I recall) 3 big
baffles in the main tube and about 3 smaller baffles in
the focuser. Due to the great contrast the image is very
impressive and rivals the SCT in overall perceived
sharpness although the SCT is actually resolving slightly
better but with the less contrast it is close in perceived
image quality.
One advantage of a refractor is fast cool down time. The
SCT takes about an hour to reach equilibrium....the
refractor is just a few minutes.
Other advantages of a SCT besides photography...short tube
lenght means the eypeice doesn't move over a wide range.
With the refractor you will be doing a lot of moving around
as you scan the sky. Compact size of the SCT is nice if you
have a small car...I have a mini van so no problem. A SCT
is also relatively light....the Deluxe with OTA fork and
mount is around 50#. The refractor is about 70# and with
the wooden legs and a couple of items like a DSC kit mine
is around 90#....don't know where Celestron gets that 30#
they mention in their web site.
Like one of the other responders I did not buy the
Celestron version...not because of dissastisfaction with
Celestron...in my case just the opposite....I have gotten
superior service from them. I went with the Skywatcher
brand from Hands On Optics since I could save $200 to start
with compared to the identical Celestron...and could also
order it in any combo. I wanted the mount and OTa and
finder scope but not the stock diagonal, barlow or
eyepieces. I have a large collection of premium gear from
my other scopes so have no need for more spare parts. This
saved me some more bucks. You can also buy just the OTA if
you wish which is something you an not do with Celestron.
ok...how about in the field performance of the refractor. I
have been impressed with the overall image quality, lack of
any objectionable color ghosting and VERY impressed with
the quality of the whole kit. I was expecting "chinese"
quality but this is right up there with the Vixens at
least. Other who have looked through my scope have been
impressed. At the last star party I checked out the ring
nebula with my scope and a 10" Meade SCT. At the same
magnification the image was nearly as bright (surprised me
too) and the ring itself showed more structure...probably
due to the contrast.
While I am a deep sky observer, I am looking forward to
some views of Jupiter and Saturn. Originally I thought that
color ghosting might be an issue but after the images of
the moon I think this might be a credible planetary
scope....no it isn't APO but than again it doesn't cost
what a 6" APO would by a lllooonnnnnggggg shot.
Unless the extra $3-400 is a problem I can't see getting
one of the smaller Chinese scopes...the advantages of the
bigger aperture are very evident the first time you take it
out.
Bottom line....if you are into photography go with a SCT on
a better mount than the lower level German mounts....a fork
mount or one of the heavy duty German mounts like a
Losmandy. If you want a GREAT scope for visual use for
under a grand go with the refractor. Just make sure you
have a medium sized car <g>.
* Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping. Smart is Beautiful
Don
"Ray Porter" <lrpo...@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:8jgufd$5hv$1...@slb7.atl.mindspring.net...
--
"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have
good
people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good
people to do evil things, that takes religion."
Hi Phillip:
Which 10 inch SCT are you referring to? I don't know of a new one that's less
expensive than the 6 inch Chinese refractors!
Peace,
Rod Mollise
Mobile Astronomical Society
http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index7.html
The Home of _From City Lights to Deep Space_:
Rod's Guidebook for the _Urban_ Deep Sky NUT!!
*********************************************************
> > Home Page: http://www.unc.edu/~dragon/
> >
> > "Meddle not in the affairs of dragons
> > for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup"
> >
> > "Robert Gorichanaz" <rmgori...@ameritech.net> wrote in message
> > news:8pR65.1019$e5.4...@nntp0.chicago.il.ameritech.net...
> > > How's the false-color in that scope? How blue is the moon?
> > >
> > > -=bob=-
> > >
Although you get 2" more aperture in the C8, the images are not brighter or
sharper.
Both the Meade 8" and Celestron 8" with their best coatings transmit only 84% of
the light to the diagonal at yellow/green and less in the red and blue region.
The 150mm refractor transmits 95%
Gary Hand
Philip Trevorrow wrote:
> Then why not buy an 8" SCT or even a 10"? It'll certainly be cheaper than
> a 150.
>
> --
>
> "Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have
> good
> people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good
> people to do evil things, that takes religion."
>
Jim Idone wrote:
> Well I was almost ready to buy a CR150HD which after having the worst
> consumer nightmare with Celestron was against my better judgment, I came
> across a USA dealer who was selling the Skywatcher 150 which is the same as
> the CR150HD just $200 less. Jim
>
> "P.r. van den Berg" wrote:
>
Has anyone done any film based astrophotography with these scopes? I'm
curious as to how well they would do. I saw a couple pics this guy did with
a Photon 127 and they looked pretty good IMHO. The color error wasn't bad
at all. If the Skywatcher 6" performs at least as well, it would be worth
it to me. I bet the filter kills blue (reflection) nebulosity though.
Stephen
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
"Gasoline price increases are systematically destroying the longest running
economic boom in American history. The machinations of OPEC and the
environmental lobby (Gore the Bore) prove their ultimate goal is to hurt the
U.S."
Gary Hand wrote:
> Jim, that will change soon. The price of the Skywatcher is going up next week.
> Gary Hand
>
> Jim Idone wrote:
>
> > Well I was almost ready to buy a CR150HD which after having the worst
> > consumer nightmare with Celestron was against my better judgment, I came
> > across a USA dealer who was selling the Skywatcher 150 which is the same as
> > the CR150HD just $200 less. Jim
>
> >
Peter
In article <jpV65.3417$Sj5....@typhoon2.ba-dsg.net>, "Donald
J. D'Egidio" <dj...@bellatlantic.net> writes:
>It is virtually eliminated with a #8 yellow
>filter without adding a yellow cast.
That's a classic.
Philip J. Blanda III
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My testing was limited to days of so-so seeing and I was
looking for a chance to ring it out. Took it to my clubs
star party on Mt. Tamalpais last weekend. Great night with
excellent seeing. Wow...did that scope perform. I was
astounded at the contrast and detail it was able to
provide. Several people tried it out and they were pretty
impressed. M17 and m16 had incredible detail and the Ring
Nebula had lots of structure evident. I was comparing the
views to my 8" SCT on previous occasions. Yeah...the 8" had
a slight amount of light gathering over the 6" as would be
expected. The resolution was just a hair more on the 8" but
the contrast was better on the 6" SO the perceived image
was about identical...although I still think that the
contrast did give a more detailed/better image on the 6".
Until I can put them alongside each other, with same
eyepiece/magnifications, etc. I won't know for sure...but
the 6" is certainly a VERY good performing scope. The 8"
SCT is a particularly excellent example optically as
evidenced in star tests (Sleuter methods). But the 6" is
right up there...will have to check out further but it
looks like it is certainly 1/4 wave and probably somewhat
higher.
Looking through some 4" APOs it was evident that the 6"
gave a better image...a APO is wonderful but a 6" has a big
advantage that is hard to overcome.
In the past I was amazed at the nearly complete lack of
color ghosting. Just the bare hint of yellow line on the
moon's limbs. Some have noted blue shadows on the moon with
other 6" examples of this scope...but I did not detect any.
I do think it is important to have a very good diagonal and
eyepiece to bring out the best in this scope. I have a
Lumicon Enhanced mirror diagonal and an assortment of
Pentax XLs. In particular the Pentax XL 14mm was a great
combo...90x gave a pleasing FOV and excellent sharpness and
detail.
What structure (aside from the hole)
does the Ring show?
Hi Rich:
Well, even in fairly small scope you can tell...it's not round...the inside is
hazy...a little bit of ring has been "pulled off" one end...there are some
subtle brightness variations.
Like many planetary nebulae, this sucker definitely benefits from high
magnification and filtration. They can give it a certain character that makes
you want to take a second, long look at an object we've all seem a zillion
times before.
Jim Idone wrote:
> Well Gary even at the higher price I would still buy the Skywatcher rather than
> the Celsetron. It comes with a better array of accessories than the CR150HD plus I
> feel the QC may be better from the importer as well as your own QC. In case you
> don't remember you sold me a 6" at the Neaf show and I am very pleased with your
> service that you have provided over the sale of the scope. I definitely recommend
> you and the Skywatcher 150 mm scope to anyone interested. Jim Idone
>
Peter wrote:
> How much will it be? We are negotiating with a source for grant money to purchase
> one as a "club telescope". A significant price change is going to put us into more
> debate.
>
> Peter
>
I see you are online all the days, why you not reply to my
privat e-mails and tell me whats going on with the damage claim
of my Takahashi Tripod you shipped to GCS and which have ben
damaged ? I know it is not the right place , but on your privat
place you don't answere to many e-mails .
thanks for an answere, hopefully now.
Markus
Hi Gary:
I'd say that this is not overall a very good test...it depends too much on not
just seeing being really good, but in the current state of illumination of the
Moon.
Anyway...the latest experiments involved pulling the
primary doublet out of the scope. There is a retaining ring
that screws in. It has two holes for a pin spanner. I just
used two 1/16" drill bits stuck in the deep holes for
leverage and unscrewed it by hand. The ring acts against a
O ring which is a pretty slick idea....allows for
expansion/contraction of the glass and will prevent things
like pinched optics. The doublet is an air spaced job with
three shims. The correct orientation of the two pieces of
glass is marked on the glass so it is obvious someone went
to the trouble to do some testing of the optics. My prime
reason for pulling the glass out was to see if it had
blackened edges...which I suspected and found was not done.
Previously I had found a improvement with a 80mm ST
refractor by blackening the edges of the glass so figures
it was worth a shot. I used a black felt tip permanent ink
marker to blacken the edges. Don't use paint...it is too
thick.
Note that all of this is under your own risk but for those
curious as to the inner workings...have fun. To remove the
lens place a clean cloth handkerchief of large lens paper
over your hand and hold against the front of the lens.
Invert the OTA so that the lens will fall out under gravity
into you covered hand...over a soft surface just incase it
slides out <g>. I would also note where the orientation of
the glass is in relation to the OTA cell so everything goes
back in exactly the same spot. To replace the lens place it
on a padded surface and gently lower the OTA onto the scope
aligning it carefully so it slips in. Slip your hand under
the glass after it is started and make sure that you gently
raise the lens further up into the cell untill it is
seated. On my scope it was a easy loose fit. NOTE...IF ANY
BINDING...do not force...go gently and don't let it get
skewed to the OTA...you don't want to force anything.
Once the lens is back in place put the scope on its side
and screw the retaining ring in partially. Now take the O
ring and slip it between the lens and the retaining ring
and than further tighten the retaining ring so it is snug
against the O ring.
After this I did some star tests and everything looks very
good with perfectly centered stars in the bulls eyes. I
tried several magnifications out starting at 60x going to
480x with Pentax XLs at the lower end and the highest using
a 5mm UO Abbe Ortho and Celestron Ultima 2x barlow. Image
was quite impressive at all magnifications but I intend to
mostly stick below 120x for 90% of my observing and take
advantage of the wide FOV the scope is capable of with say
a 40mm Pentax XL.
Bob Berta