First Telescope - Epilogue

Thank you everybody for your continued help. I went up to Oceanside
Photo and Telescope (OPT) today and bought a telescope. If anybody is
in the marked for a telescope, I highly recommend them. Very nice
people who do not try to sell you something you don't need.

Sorry Jon, but I ended up with the 9 1/4 SCT. I really liked the 10
inch Reflector but it simply wasn't going to fit into my car (well, at
least not and let me drive). As for accessories, they talked me out
of the dew heater system at first (I did get a nice Dew Shield), out
of the focal length reducer, out of the GN16 (GPS attachment), and
wouldn't let me buy any of the cases they had in house (but gave me
instructions on how to make a better one myself for a fraction of the
money). In all, they told me not to buy over $700 worth of things
that I would have without their advice.

Instead, he told me that what I really wanted was at least 1 good
eyepiece. My plan was to use the "accessory kit" eyepieces to decide
what I really needed but, after having them save me so much money, I
let myself be talked into a Teleview 8mm Radian. This looks to be a
very nice eyepiece with excellent eye relief.

I came home and spent the evening putting the telescope together in
the Garage. I considered taking it outside for a test but decided
that I'd wait until tomorrow when I've had a chance to align the
Finder Scope and the Telrad while it is still light out. Instead, I
took out my trusty binoculars and did a little gazing that way.

So, I have officially joined the telescope world and can now look
forward to starting a brand new series of "How do I" posts.

Thank you everybody for your continued help. I went up to Oceanside
Photo and Telescope (OPT) today and bought a telescope. If anybody is
in the marked for a telescope, I highly recommend them. Very nice
people who do not try to sell you something you don't need.

Congratulations on your new scope. Of all the advice one can give to someone
in San Diego, recommending OPT is the only one necessary...

You do know that it has been scientifically established that buying a new scope
results in cloudy nights in the region for approximately 3 weeks. You
probably should have taken the chance last night to get some viewing in before
the weather gods discovered your purchase. g

The real lesson here though is that one must never believe because it is clear
tonite, it will be clear tomorrow. If the skies are clear, get that scope out
and do some looking...

Sorry Jon, but I ended up with the 9 1/4 SCT. I really liked the 10
inch Reflector but it simply wasn't going to fit into my car (well, at
least not and let me drive).

Probably could be done, I could fit my 12.5 incher in my 1989 Nissan Sentra,
but I wouldn't recommend it.... One needs room for passengers and sitting in
the back seat behind the driver makes for awkward conversation and an oddly
balanced car. The scope you choose should be a good one.

As for accessories, they talked me out
of the dew heater system at first (I did get a nice Dew Shield), out
of the focal length reducer....

In San Diego, a dew shield will handle most situations, we don't have that
dripping humidity that folks have in many other parts of the country...

Regarding the focal reducer, I think that focal reducers are a good thing, I
have one for my C-5 and that wider, flatter field of view is a good thing.
The one that fits the C5 also fits the C-8 OTAs and probably the 9.25 incher as
well. If you wanted to try it out sometime, you could. I don't use the C-5
much except for eclipes.



Instead, he told me that what I really wanted was at least 1 good
eyepiece. My plan was to use the "accessory kit" eyepieces to decide
what I really needed but, after having them save me so much money, I
let myself be talked into a Teleview 8mm Radian.

Having a really good eyepiece is nice. But having a selection is nice as well.
Did you still purchase the accessory kit, or did you pass on it?

Best wishes, I am sure all will work out. Those guys at OPT will make sure
that it does.

And when it comes time to upgrade that SCT to a DOB, they'll be ready to
help....

Big Grin

jon

Instead, he told me that what I really wanted was at least 1 good
eyepiece. My plan was to use the "accessory kit" eyepieces to decide
what I really needed but, after having them save me so much money, I
let myself be talked into a Teleview 8mm Radian.

Having a really good eyepiece is nice. But having a selection is nice as well.
Did you still purchase the accessory kit, or did you pass on it?

Oh, yes. I bought it. My initial thoughts were still valid. I
wanted the "accessory kit" so I could learn what I needed and what I
needed to upgrade. The 8mm Radian was a present to myself (and to
OPT) for having the whole setup cost so much less than I had planned.

Instead, he told me that what I really wanted was at least 1 good
eyepiece. My plan was to use the "accessory kit" eyepieces to decide
what I really needed but, after having them save me so much money, I
let myself be talked into a Teleview 8mm Radian.

Having a really good eyepiece is nice. But having a selection is nice as well.
Did you still purchase the accessory kit, or did you pass on it?

Oh, yes. I bought it. My initial thoughts were still valid. I
wanted the "accessory kit" so I could learn what I needed and what I
needed to upgrade. The 8mm Radian was a present to myself (and to
OPT) for having the whole setup cost so much less than I had planned.

Thank you everybody for your continued help. I went up to Oceanside
Photo and Telescope (OPT) today and bought a telescope. If anybody is
in the marked for a telescope, I highly recommend them. Very nice
people who do not try to sell you something you don't need.

Congratulations on your new scope. Of all the advice one can give to someone
in San Diego, recommending OPT is the only one necessary...

You do know that it has been scientifically established that buying a new scope
results in cloudy nights in the region for approximately 3 weeks. You
probably should have taken the chance last night to get some viewing in before
the weather gods discovered your purchase. g

The real lesson here though is that one must never believe because it is clear
tonite, it will be clear tomorrow. If the skies are clear, get that scope out
and do some looking...

Sorry Jon, but I ended up with the 9 1/4 SCT. I really liked the 10
inch Reflector but it simply wasn't going to fit into my car (well, at
least not and let me drive).

Probably could be done, I could fit my 12.5 incher in my 1989 Nissan Sentra,
but I wouldn't recommend it.... One needs room for passengers and sitting in
the back seat behind the driver makes for awkward conversation and an oddly
balanced car. The scope you choose should be a good one.

As for accessories, they talked me out
of the dew heater system at first (I did get a nice Dew Shield), out
of the focal length reducer....

In San Diego, a dew shield will handle most situations, we don't have that
dripping humidity that folks have in many other parts of the country...

Regarding the focal reducer, I think that focal reducers are a good thing, I
have one for my C-5 and that wider, flatter field of view is a good thing.
The one that fits the C5 also fits the C-8 OTAs and probably the 9.25 incher as
well. If you wanted to try it out sometime, you could. I don't use the C-5
much except for eclipes.



Instead, he told me that what I really wanted was at least 1 good
eyepiece. My plan was to use the "accessory kit" eyepieces to decide
what I really needed but, after having them save me so much money, I
let myself be talked into a Teleview 8mm Radian.

Having a really good eyepiece is nice. But having a selection is nice as well.
Did you still purchase the accessory kit, or did you pass on it?

Best wishes, I am sure all will work out. Those guys at OPT will make sure
that it does.

And when it comes time to upgrade that SCT to a DOB, they'll be ready to
help....

Big Grin

jon

On Fri, 6 Feb 2004 0:21:12 -0600, Edward Smith wrote
(in message ):

So, I have officially joined the telescope world and can now look forward to
starting a brand new series of "How do I" posts.

Congratulations, and hopefully the clouds will stay away.

--
Harry F. Leopold
aa #2076
AA/Vet #4
The Prints of Darkness

The Internet is full, we can not accept any more posts until further
notice. Thank you. - Kalinka Djnepropetrovska

On Fri, 6 Feb 2004 0:21:12 -0600, Edward Smith wrote
(in message ):

So, I have officially joined the telescope world and can now look forward to
starting a brand new series of "How do I" posts.

Congratulations, and hopefully the clouds will stay away.

--
Harry F. Leopold
aa #2076
AA/Vet #4
The Prints of Darkness

The Internet is full, we can not accept any more posts until further
notice. Thank you. - Kalinka Djnepropetrovska

"Edward Smith" wrote in message
...

9 1/4 SCT.
Teleview 8mm Radian

I'm jealous g. 9.25's have a great reputation for good optics, and the
8mm Radian will make an awesome planet eyepiece at ~294x when the seeing
supports it. Planet and moon viewing aren't affected by light pollution, and
they are easy to find, so you have a great setup to start with for driveway
astronomy.

I would just caution you to take your time and become experienced. Those
first several sessions sometimes leave you wondering if there is something
wrong somewhere. My first several planet observations weren't so great (or
deep sky for that matter), but now that I have observing skill, collimation
skill and the ability to evaluate the atmospheric conditions based on a star
test, I can't believe I ever thought the images were ever anything but great
in those very same telescopes.

One of the issues I have at home is that 200x+ is not always useful
(nevermind 290x). You may find you need other eyepieces for those nights
when 290x is too much magnification. But even if it's not a problem in your
area on most nights, you will still want at least a 25mm Plossl for ~100x,
a half degree true field of view and a 2.5mm exit pupil. When you aren't
looking at the moon or planets, medium to low powers really come into their
own. As for widest possible fields of view, the F6.3 R/C is one way to go,
and a 2" diagonal with 2" eyepieces is another. Something like the 2" TV
50mm Plossl will get you all the way down to 47x and 1 degree of field
without the R/C, but I'm not sure about vignetting. I "think" the 9.25 has a
large enough primary baffle to allow the maximum field stop in a 2" eyepiece
to be used, but someone might correct me.

Anyway, great choice and best wishes,
Stephen Paul

"Edward Smith" wrote in message
...

9 1/4 SCT.
Teleview 8mm Radian

I'm jealous g. 9.25's have a great reputation for good optics, and the
8mm Radian will make an awesome planet eyepiece at ~294x when the seeing
supports it. Planet and moon viewing aren't affected by light pollution, and
they are easy to find, so you have a great setup to start with for driveway
astronomy.

I would just caution you to take your time and become experienced. Those
first several sessions sometimes leave you wondering if there is something
wrong somewhere. My first several planet observations weren't so great (or
deep sky for that matter), but now that I have observing skill, collimation
skill and the ability to evaluate the atmospheric conditions based on a star
test, I can't believe I ever thought the images were ever anything but great
in those very same telescopes.

One of the issues I have at home is that 200x+ is not always useful
(nevermind 290x). You may find you need other eyepieces for those nights
when 290x is too much magnification. But even if it's not a problem in your
area on most nights, you will still want at least a 25mm Plossl for ~100x,
a half degree true field of view and a 2.5mm exit pupil. When you aren't
looking at the moon or planets, medium to low powers really come into their
own. As for widest possible fields of view, the F6.3 R/C is one way to go,
and a 2" diagonal with 2" eyepieces is another. Something like the 2" TV
50mm Plossl will get you all the way down to 47x and 1 degree of field
without the R/C, but I'm not sure about vignetting. I "think" the 9.25 has a
large enough primary baffle to allow the maximum field stop in a 2" eyepiece
to be used, but someone might correct me.

Anyway, great choice and best wishes,
Stephen Paul

You made a great choice. While I went with the C10 I've heard nothing but
praise for the 9.25. If I had a chance to make the choice over I would have
gone with the 9.25 myself.
Don't bother with the GPS attachment for the CG5 mount. The go to system
only uses the latitude and longitude info, nothing else. About the only
item you might want to look into is a Polar alignment finder for the mount,
the one sold by Orion works better than Celestrons.
Enjoy! the 9.25 is a great scope.
Clay