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Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125



 
 
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  #11  
Old September 29th 03, 04:37 PM
Stephen Paul
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Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125

"Jackie" wrote in message
news:YSudb.451114$cF.144774@rwcrnsc53...

Beyond the portability and transport issues, your choice of viewing
instrument should probably be dictated by what you want to look at. For
planets, star clusters, doubles, and extended deep sky objects, a nice, 5"
instrument will do a nice job. One caveat is that Maks and SCTs take

awhile
to cool down, especially if you bring them to the cold outside from a warm
inside. Best if you can keep those type of scopes in an unheated garage or
shed, so you can cut down the cooling time.


Just to echo another response, once you're into shed or garage storage
solutions, think wheels. I've been praising this setup on saa for over a
year. A simple $40 handtruck is enough to haul the XT10. For $50 or
thereabouts I put together a two-by-four wheelie bar for my 8" SCT. Cooldown
and setup/breakdown become a non-issue.

But for any solution that doesn't include external storage, there's no doubt
in my mind that a 4" or 5" refractor rules. Although something that helps,
is to store the 5" SCT or Mak in the car trunk. There small, so you can
store one of each. ;-)

-Stephen

  #12  
Old September 29th 03, 06:05 PM
Jan Owen
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Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125



--
To reply, remove the "z" if one appears in my address
"Stephen Paul" wrote in message
...
"Jackie" wrote in message
news:YSudb.451114$cF.144774@rwcrnsc53...

Beyond the portability and transport issues, your choice of viewing
instrument should probably be dictated by what you want to look at.

For
planets, star clusters, doubles, and extended deep sky objects, a

nice, 5"
instrument will do a nice job. One caveat is that Maks and SCTs take

awhile
to cool down, especially if you bring them to the cold outside from a

warm
inside. Best if you can keep those type of scopes in an unheated

garage or
shed, so you can cut down the cooling time.


Just to echo another response, once you're into shed or garage storage
solutions, think wheels. I've been praising this setup on saa for over a
year. A simple $40 handtruck is enough to haul the XT10. For $50 or
thereabouts I put together a two-by-four wheelie bar for my 8" SCT.

Cooldown
and setup/breakdown become a non-issue.

But for any solution that doesn't include external storage, there's no

doubt
in my mind that a 4" or 5" refractor rules. Although something that

helps,
is to store the 5" SCT or Mak in the car trunk. There small, so you can
store one of each. ;-)

-Stephen

Stephen makes a key point here. And I fully concur.

I, too, have been preaching this for a long time.

NEVER underestimate how much something as simple as a hand truck or a
wheelie bar can make your setup prior to observing. One of these methods
(and I use both methods, depending on the scope), can make even a large
scope a grab and go.

A couple suggestions: If you buy a hand truck, make sure it has pneumatic
tires, and NOT hard rubber tires. You'll be AMAZED at how much difference
THAT will make. And if you make or buy a wheelie bar, make sure you use
BIG wheels. The JMI Wheeley Bar I use on my 10" SCT has the optional 5"
wheels; but you can make your own wheelie bar using these same wheels, if
you prefer the do-it-yourself approach... The larger wheels make it a one
hander moving things around in the house, and are far smoother on uneven
ground outside...

I can have my 13" ready to observe in about three or four minutes
INCLUDING collimation check. Same with my 10" SCT. Well, I can't do a
CRITICAL collimation check on either scope until I begin observing,
because this is done with a star test, but I can see, within a very small
amount, if the anything has moved since my last observing run.

I can't set up my 94mm APO any faster, and either of these other scopes
will show detail in objects the 94mm will barely SHOW. Don't get me
wrong; I LOVE that APO, but aperture does win...

The only issue with either of the larger scopes is how close they are to
thermal equilibrium when they get set into place... Otherwise they are
ready to go.

So many folks talk about how hard it is to set up their scopes, especially
in the 8" and up range, but quite often, they simply haven't thought
through what it would take to make their setup a snap... Most of the
time, it's FAR easier than one might think...


  #13  
Old September 29th 03, 07:20 PM
Jon Isaacs
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Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125


So many folks talk about how hard it is to set up their scopes, especially
in the 8" and up range, but quite often, they simply haven't thought
through what it would take to make their setup a snap... Most of the
time, it's FAR easier than one might think...


I think that both you and Stephen have made some good points, setup can be
easy, even for a large scope, depending off course on where it is stored etc.

However, the equations do change significantly when transporting a larger scope
to a dark site because if it may require assembly and disassembly.

And sometimes, there is just not room for a large scope in the vehicle, too
many people/too much junk...

A small scope can be just the thing....

jon

  #14  
Old September 29th 03, 08:37 PM
Jan Owen
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Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125


--
To reply, remove the "z" if one appears in my address
"Jon Isaacs" wrote in message
...

So many folks talk about how hard it is to set up their scopes,

especially
in the 8" and up range, but quite often, they simply haven't thought
through what it would take to make their setup a snap... Most of the
time, it's FAR easier than one might think...


I think that both you and Stephen have made some good points, setup can

be
easy, even for a large scope, depending off course on where it is stored

etc.

However, the equations do change significantly when transporting a

larger scope
to a dark site because if it may require assembly and disassembly.

And sometimes, there is just not room for a large scope in the vehicle,

too
many people/too much junk...


Transporting a scope is just a matter of establishing priorities
consistent with the scopes you have chosen to use... Starlord, with some
help, got that right... It's really no different than choosing the right
devices to help move them around at your home. Those same devices will
get them to your vehicle, and move them from the vehicle to your place on
the observing field or your own little piece of mountain top...

I can transport ANY of my scopes in EITHER of my vehicles Mustang GT
hatchback, Dodge Dakota Pickup). And all but the 13" will fit in my
wife's 300M, as well.

A small scope can be just the thing....


Yes they certainly can (I LOVE my APO)!!! But IF YOU WANT IT TO BE, so
can a BIG scope... Priorities, and ingenuity. Never disassemble it if
you can easily move it in one piece. Always use the right tool for the
job... If you don't think you can manage it, I GUARANTEE you never
will...


jon

Jan


  #15  
Old September 30th 03, 12:35 AM
Jon Isaacs
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Posts: n/a
Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125

Transporting a scope is just a matter of establishing priorities consistent
with the scopes you have chosen to use... Starlord, with some help, got that
right... It's really no different than choosing the right devices to help move
them around at your home. Those same devices will
get them to your vehicle, and move them from the vehicle to your place on
the observing field or your own little piece of mountain top...

I can transport ANY of my scopes in EITHER of my vehicles Mustang GT
hatchback, Dodge Dakota Pickup). And all but the 13" will fit in my
wife's 300M, as well.


It is true it is about establishing priorities, but often the number one
priority is has nothing to do with astronomy.

I could fit my 12.5 inch DOB in our 1989 Nissan Sentra. It easily fits in
either of our current Escort.

But that may not leave room for other equipment.

Until a few years ago we used to Car camp with that car doing 2000-3000 mile
treks across the Southwest. The car was loaded with a tent, clothes, sleeping
bags, ice chest, cooking gear, food, tarps, 3 bicycles (one a tandem) on the
roof, wheels, tires, helmets etc.

Not really any room for a C8, let alone a large scope. My little 5 inch
Cometron Jr. did very nicely for this.

So my point is that while a large scope may well fit in a car, it may not leave
room for other items of greater priority.

jon
  #16  
Old September 30th 03, 03:44 AM
Jan Owen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125

--
To reply, remove the "z" if one appears in my address
"Jon Isaacs" wrote in message
...
Transporting a scope is just a matter of establishing priorities

consistent
with the scopes you have chosen to use... Starlord, with some help, got

that
right... It's really no different than choosing the right devices to

help move
them around at your home. Those same devices will
get them to your vehicle, and move them from the vehicle to your place

on
the observing field or your own little piece of mountain top...

I can transport ANY of my scopes in EITHER of my vehicles Mustang GT
hatchback, Dodge Dakota Pickup). And all but the 13" will fit in my
wife's 300M, as well.


It is true it is about establishing priorities, but often the number one
priority is has nothing to do with astronomy.

I could fit my 12.5 inch DOB in our 1989 Nissan Sentra. It easily fits

in
either of our current Escort.

But that may not leave room for other equipment.

Until a few years ago we used to Car camp with that car doing 2000-3000

mile
treks across the Southwest. The car was loaded with a tent, clothes,

sleeping
bags, ice chest, cooking gear, food, tarps, 3 bicycles (one a tandem) on

the
roof, wheels, tires, helmets etc.

Not really any room for a C8, let alone a large scope. My little 5 inch
Cometron Jr. did very nicely for this.

So my point is that while a large scope may well fit in a car, it may

not leave
room for other items of greater priority.

jon


I don't disagree with anything you've said. It just doesn't necessarily
apply to me, and it may or may not apply to others. As they say, your
mileage may vary...

Take care!

Jan


  #17  
Old September 30th 03, 05:08 AM
Jon Isaacs
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Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125

I don't disagree with anything you've said. It just doesn't necessarily
apply to me, and it may or may not apply to others. As they say, your
mileage may vary...

Take care!

Jan


I don't claim that it applies to anyone other than me. I just use myself as an
example of someone whose priorities are such sometimes a taking a small scope
is the wise choice.

jon
  #18  
Old September 30th 03, 06:16 PM
mjd
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Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125

If you want to look though the eyepiece and actually see something I
would go with the 10" DOB. Having looked through an ETX-90 my
thoughts were 'why bother'. I suspect the 125 is a bit better than
the 90 though.


The Orion 10" is a bit more portable than my 10" Discovery PDHQ. The
addition of 'push to' encoder capability for $150.00 makes the Orion
that much more attractive. Good luck whichever way you go.

mjd
  #19  
Old October 1st 03, 08:36 AM
Jskies187
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Default Orion XT-10 or Meade ETX-125

Transporting a scope is just a matter of establishing priorities
consistent with the scopes you have chosen to use...

Truth!
john
 




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