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F15Rules last won the day on February 5
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11,242 ExcellentAbout F15Rules
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Life: my Christian faith, my family, This wonderfully created Universe we inhabit.
Hobbies: Visual Astronomy, Refractors, especially Apo doublets and long traditional achromats.
Fishing, Rock Music, Guitar playing (badly). Cycling (badly). Good food and company. -
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Telescope you'd like in your collection within budget.
F15Rules replied to Grump Martian's topic in The Astro Lounge
I know what you mean, John.. I think it very irritating of Richard Day to offer that scope, in pristine condition, and with absolutely no good reason for me to want it other than the way it looks! Am a bit, er, "brassed off" to be honest!!š Dave -
I have had just two scopes for several years, although I have bought and sold literally dozens over the past 10 to 15 years. Until very recently the two were a wonderful Tak FS128 which I owned for 7 years, and an excellent Vixen 80mm F15 achromat which I've had for perhaps 18 months or so. For reasons well documented elsewhere, I reluctantly sold my FS128 just over a month ago and downsized slightly to a superb Vixen SD115S Apo as my primary scope. Thanks to the appalling weather since I bought it, I've managed less than 2 hours viewing with the new Vixen, but already I know it will see me out for the rest of my observing days. I will keep the old 1980s 80mm Vixen achromat longer term also, I think, as a nod to the days of my youth and because it is a delightful double star splitting scope in it's own right. I do totally get why so many people on here own so many scopes. I used to love buying scopes, trying them, and then moving them on to try something else. I often owned up to 6 or 7 scopes at one time.. But ultimately, (and this also applies to eyepieces), I realised that however many scopes I owned, I will only ever have one pair of eyes (and in my case slowly deteriorating eyes), so it no longer makes sense for me to waste time and money chasing the "perfect scope and the perfect view".. So I now have two great scopes for the kind of observing I want to do, some great eyepieces, and I will use them as much as conditions will allow, to their full potential, without being distracted by the "Green Grass" of the other side. My SNC phase (Scope Nirvana Chasing) is over, and I am content. š Dave
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It's really interesting that this object seems so elusive or faint in relatively large 10-12" reflectors, but is visible in relatively (compared to the former) "small" 4" refractors. Why would that be?š¤ - better contrast in the refractors? Or something else? This isn't a "Refractors vs Reflectors" loaded question..I'm genuinely intrigued by this and keen to hear opinions on thisš.. Thanks! Dave
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Sorry, Paul, just teasing!š. From the photos I doubt very much you will see any deterioration in the views as compared without the chips. I had a lens (also a Vixen achro) which I also managed to put a clam shell chip onto..it bugged me something rotten, but the views were indistinguishable from the pre-chip views.. If you can just have a good session through the scope as it is, I think it will be fine. All the best with it Paulš Dave
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..and of course, maybe a nice haddock fillet and salt n vinegar..š
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Well, thank goodness that: - I don't use small spotting scopes or big reflectors - I dont wear sunglasses for astronomy observations, and - the Japanese clearly sent their premier stock to the UK! Your absolute right to draw your conclusions and give your opinions. Same for meš Dave
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I went to an event last summer, organised by a club which promised a session about one of the Meteor showers (the Lyrids, I think), followed by an observing session. I got my wife to go (yes, really) and there was a session first about Meteors, what they are etc, which was quite interesting. We then decamped to a local dark sky site a couple of miles away in the hope of spotting some meteors, sitting on a mat or rug or in our case on folding chairs.. There was a guy nearby setting up a scope, and honestly, it was hilarious..a couple of clearly non astro types walked past him and were promptly regaled with every fact and feature of his scope, how brilliant it was, the best 4" apochromat money can buy, blah blah. It was a Televue 4"...a nice scope. Remember, these were people who knew nothing about astronomy, scopes or anything else, and they were clearly nonplussed by this guy's overbearing manner. Not once did he ask them about themselves or their interests or why they had come that night. My wife thought it all quite amusing, whereas I found it very irritating! She said I should go over and tell him about my scope. I said I'd love to, but I didn't want to spoil his evening, and pop his bubble, so to speak, as my scope at the time was a Tak FS128! I later met a nice friendly chap who offered to let me look through his 20" Dob...and then the clouds rolled in..typical!!! It did illustrate to me how easy it is to both impress (and scare half to death!) newbies with knowledge, but also how important it is not to assume that everyone knows much about our hobby, or really wants to be "droned to death" about our equipment! Dont think I'm cut out for clubs.. especially Mensa!!š š Dave
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I didn't remark on the XF zoom, only on the XW. I did use one (XF) for a short time and found it awful, literally, with huge amounts of false colour in night use. Others have sung its praises for solar observing, however (I dont do solar). Regarding the XL zoom, which I have used quite extensively on and off over many night sessions, most recently in high end Takahashi and Vixen refractors at F8.1 and F7.7 respectively, I have never seen noticeable darkening of the XL zoom versus XWs : indeed, I actually let go an XW7mm and XL10.5mm simply because I felt I could see everything in the zoom that I could see in the fixed length eyepieces. A test of the quality of seeing I use very regularly is the visibility of the E & F stars in M42's Trapezium in Orion: I can see both on good seeing nights in the XL zoom at a magnificaion of c 100x..the same as with my fixed length eyepieces at the same magnification. Here is the actual review I posted of the Pentax XL zoom I bought new from FLO in 2016..(my review follows the FLO product description and specifications). Home > Eyepieces & Barlows > Pentax Zoom Pentax XL 8-24mm Zoom Ā£398 Model: PentaxXLzoomPart Number: 70509 This premium quality six-element zoom eyepiece with ED and Lanthanum glass can be used in any telescope that accepts 1.25" accessories. Mechanically and optically this is a benchmark zoom eyepiece! Zoom eyepieces enable the observer to match magnification to changing lighting or seeing conditions. This together with Pentax-grade optics results in an exceptionally useful eyepiece for terrestrial or astronomical observing. For astronomical use, the zoom is usable for medium to high power observing with telescopes of all optical designs ā from long focal ratio refractors down to fast f/4.5 Dobsonian reflectors. Like most other Zoom eyepieces the FOV varies across the zoom range (from 38Ā° at 24mm, to 60Ā° at 8mm). Features: Premium optical design with six lenses in four groups. ED (extra low dispersion) glass lens elements that include Lanthanum glass minimise chromatic aberrations and astigmatism. The result is very high contrast and centre resolution, with very little ghosting. All air-to-glass surfaces are fully multi-coated with proprietary Pentax SMC (Super Multi-Coated) anti-reflection coatings for high light transmission. For optimum contrast, lens edges and interior mechanical surfaces are all blackened to minimise reflections and ghosting. A rubber eyecup twists in and out of eyepiece body to optimise shield your eye from ambient light. The knurled rubber grip is turned to change magnifications. When the twist-up rubber eyecup is fully retracted for eyeglass use, the eye-relief ranges from 18mm (at 8mm setting) to 22mm (at 24mm). This enables observers with eyeglasses to see the entire field of view at low magnifications. When observing at high magnifications while wearing eyeglasses some vignetting of the outer field will occur (at these high magnifications you will likely be observing smaller objects that do not fill the FOV so minor edge vignetting is rarely a concern). The barrel of the eyepiece is marked in both magnifications (when used an 80mm Pentax spotting scope) and in focal lengths for astronomical observing. An index mark shows the power in use. The 1.25" nosepiece is threaded to accept 1.25" astronomy filters. JIS-4 weatherproof construction for protection against wet weather and night-time dew. Weight: 550g (1.2lb) Length: 114mm (4.5") Width: 69mm (2.7") Customer reviews Write a Review: Big Zoom, Big Performance, Big Price! 19 April 2016 | David Having owned several Baader 8-24mm zooms, and having always hankered after a premium Pentax one, I finally took the plunge in early 2016. FLO service was excellent, as always and I received the eyepiece 24 hours after ordering it. First impressions, (with all too few later sessions due to weather and work commitments): Size: This is a Big zoom, considerably bigger than the Baader, but looks fantastic and comes with branded eyeglass cover and bomb proof bolt case for storage. Build quality - superb, exemplary: Zoom mechanism is quite stiff, due to the O Seal JIS waterproofing, but it does ease off and I have found that the best results come when using a Baader Click Lock 1.25" adapter in my 2" scope focuser. This holds the ep rock solid and enables plenty of torque to allow the smooth rotation of the zoom mechanism. A real, tangible step up on the build of the Baader zoom. Optics: The optics are very, very good for a zoom. In comparison to a world class Meade Japan UWA 14mm, I would say the Meade ever so slightly edged it in terms of faint stars visible, but it was a very slight advantage: from darker skies than mine this might disappear as a factor, and a tiny price to pay for having several eyepieces in one unit. Stellar images are pinpoint to the edge in my F7.7 apo doublet, with very good contrast. Field of view. The range of this zoom is 24mm, at which the specs say the view is 38degrees, going up to the highest 8mm power, at which the view is 60 degrees. On the face of it, the 24mm setting is quite narrow, but it never feels tunnel like, and the quality of the views are excellent. I have a wide 68 deg 24mm for that purpose anyway, so I do tend to look at this (and Baaders are the same fov) as an 8mm-20mm eyepiece. At 20mm the field is approximately 45degrees, and at 16mm about 50 degrees (same as most plossls). But, unlike many cheaper fixed eyepieces, the whole field of view is very sharp right to the edge. At 14mm and above, the field increases steadily up to the very healthy 60 degrees at 8mm. And, of course, you can increase or decrease the magnification in very small increments/decrements as conditions dictate. The zoom is NOT 100% parfocal. As you move from the 24mm setting to the highest 8mm setting, you need about a 2mm further in-focus setting on my focuser to achieve perfect focus. This is not a deal breaker at all for me, but just something to be aware of. Perhaps the best feature optically of the Pentax zoom is it's versatility. On any given night the seeing can vary quite significantly, and, when using fixed length eyepieces it can be very tiresome to have to keep swapping eyepieces to get the best view at a given moment. With the Pentax, you just dial in the magnification that gives the best view, simple, with just one eyepiece. So, you can observe for longer and see more. This is not a cheap eyepiece. But, it is of superb quality in all respects, and will last you a lifetime if you want it to. The Baader is an excellent unit to be sure, but in my honest opinion the Pentax has it comfortably beaten on all counts. And, at about twice the price of the Baader, so it should! Highly recommended. Quote: The Baader Hyperion Mk.IV was better in every way--wider, brighter, and sharper, and was the same price as the XL! The Uk price of the Pentax zoom when I bought it from FLO in April 2016 was Ā£400. The Baader (I think it was the MkIII then) was around Ā£150 - Ā£170). Today (I've checked!), the Pentax zoom is Ā£398 from FLO and the Baader MKIV is Ā£237 from FLO. These 2 fine eyepieces have never been the same price here in the UK. And that reflects the different class of build quality and labour/manufacturing costs of the Japanese Pentax and the Chinese made Baader. You might prefer the lighter weight and the cheaper price of the Baader, just as you might prefer, say, a Tele Vue Delos to a Celestron Xcel LX, but you'd have to acknowledge the difference in build quality. I myself am a fan of Baader equipment, and use a number of their products, including their Maxbright II binoviewers and have owned and liked their Morpheus range very much..but any fair minded person, having handled a Pentax XL zoom and a Baader zoom would, IMHO, have to say that the Pentax build quality is a significant step above the Baader..and that is reflected in the price! The Pentax will be intact and working perfectly in 30 or 40 years time or more..not sure that will be the case for the Baader zoom, which have been known for rattles, looseness, etc? Dave
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Tegmine - Zeta Cancri: Resolved but not Split with a 4 inch
F15Rules replied to John's topic in Observing - Reports
..but what about with Foxy, your ED103Swt, Steve??š¤. That extra 3mm could make all the difference!!š Dave -
TeleVue objective cleaning
F15Rules replied to NGC 1502's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
Some photos please, Ed?? š Dave -
Thanks John. I first bought a Pentax zoom 8-24mm in 2016 from FLO. They had a sale on and the zoom was as I recall marked down to cĀ£300 from Ā£400..they aren't cheap zooms! Circumstances led me to have to sell that one after only a few months, but I managed to find one about 9 months ago in great condition, with all original packaging etc. It's especially good for short sessions where conditions may not be the best, but where the Pentax zoom, a baader zoom barlow and my Axiom LX 23mm UWA can be all I need to cover high magnifications to low power wide angle viewing. Dave
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To be honest, I found the spreadsheet referenced above totally confusing and user unfriendly, especially on my Smartphone. What really bemused me were the claims that the Hyperion Zoom and Pentax XL 8-24mm zooms both had had "terrible image quality". That assertion is completely at odds with my experience with both these zoom eyepieces.. I have owned both of these and still have the Pentax Zoom. Both showed very good image quality: you might not like the narrower field at the lower power settings versus fixed length eyepieces, but the actual image quality (which by the way I judge by the pleasure I derive from what the eyepiece shows me, NOT this "spot" or that "aberration"), and the build quality of the units are excellent. I can say with certainty that the Pentax zoom build quality is exemplary, and the images it delivers in terms of sharpness and contrast are very good indeed..very close to the fixed length XL and XW ranges. Dave
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Show us your Vixen Scope or mount
F15Rules replied to F15Rules's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
Hi Alan, Tim is correct, the knobs shown on your ED103S manual are different (and I think, better), than the round ones which seem to come as standard on the newer SD range. I've been in touch with Bresser UK asking about availability of the focuser knobs from the SD, for the benefit of other SD owners, as I found that they are much more solid and easier to use in the dark when rotating the tube in it's rings.. Bresser's representative firstly disputed that the focuser knobs are metal (! - said "as far as she was concerned, they are made of ABS!), so then took 2 days to confirm with Vixen that they are in fact metal (specifically, aluminium!). I then had to chase her and she did confirm that it is possible to buy a set of knobs (which has to include the pinion) at a cost of Ā£51plus Ā£5.95.UK delivery..so, not cheap! If I wasn't already sorted with a pair, thanks to Tim's (@Franklin) help, I think I'd be inclined to go for the set referenced above by @The60mmKid.. here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325409930148 Finally..quote by Tim above.. The AX103S, being the Vixen premium scope Er, that's not a scope, it's an Astrograph!! Now THIS is Vixen's Premium refractor... (IMHO, of course!! šš¤Ŗšš¤£).. Dave -
Sorry for my rather flippant response to your very worthwhile plan..I think I'm suffering from "new scope" syndrome, whereby the act of acquiring a new scope immediately guarantees endless clouds for weeks to come! I've had my new Vixen for about a month, and have managed barely 2 hours outside with it, and most of that was getting it set up and fettled properly! I'm actually quite optimistic by nature, but this year, (in fact since late October 23), I could literally count on both hands the number of nights with any chance to observe and half that for decent nights. I fear that our climate change is going to bring us even more cloud and wind going forward..lets hope I'm wrong! And if I am right, it makes even more sense for us to plan carefully which targets to go for, as you are!š Dave
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This is my observing list for March 24 W/C 4th - Clouds W/C 11th - More Clouds W/C 18th - Even More Clouds W/C 25th - Take a Wild Guess.. šš Dave