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Post by ukjohn on Aug 8, 2013 17:22:25 GMT -5
Hello, My name is John and I've been an amateur astronomer here in the UK for over 30 years. I've owned plenty of scopes but more refractors than any other design. I've always been lured by large refractors despite the challenges they present in terms of finding a stable mount. I've very recently been presented with a chance to own an Istar Perseus 150mm F/12 at an incredibly reasonable price so I've thrown caution to the wind and jumped at the chance. I know it's going to be a really large, heavy optical tube and I know that I'm going to have to devise some way to mount it as my current mounts are not up to the task. I love using simple alt-azimuth mounts so I'd like to go down that route with the Perseus 150 F/12 too. The prospect of being at the eyepiece end of that long tube under a dark sky is really exciting. I'm looking forward to seeing the various scopes that members here own and operate and to sharing experiences when I have an Istar of my own shortly. Cheers John
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Post by Watcher3 on Aug 8, 2013 17:34:52 GMT -5
Let me officially welcome you. I hope you enjoy the time you spend with us. Great bunch of regulars here!
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Post by jimcurry on Aug 8, 2013 19:09:58 GMT -5
Hello, My name is John and I've been an amateur astronomer here in the UK for over 30 years. I've owned plenty of scopes but more refractors than any other design. I've always been lured by large refractors despite the challenges they present in terms of finding a stable mount. I've very recently been presented with a chance to own an Istar Perseus 150mm F/12 at an incredibly reasonable price so I've thrown caution to the wind and jumped at the chance. I know it's going to be a really large, heavy optical tube and I know that I'm going to have to devise some way to mount it as my current mounts are not up to the task. I love using simple alt-azimuth mounts so I'd like to go down that route with the Perseus 150 F/12 too. The prospect of being at the eyepiece end of that long tube under a dark sky is really exciting. I'm looking forward to seeing the various scopes that members here own and operate and to sharing experiences when I have an Istar of my own shortly. Cheers John Hi John: Yes, you've got yourself a mansized scope there. I too have a 6" f/12 ISTAR. I bought the lens and built the ota. I mount in on a G11 which, for visual use, is a good, stable mount. You're going to have a LOT of fun with that rig. Get yourself some quality short focal length orthscopics and you'll have yourself a real planet killer with the APO lens arrangement. Jim
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Post by Mike on Aug 8, 2013 20:47:41 GMT -5
Welcome John. A 150mm F12 is the first Istar scope I ever looked through. It's what reassured me joining Istar was the right move. I used a Celestron CGE to mount it. The mount was plenty stable but when looking at the zenith I was on the ground. OPT still has the scope in their showroom on a CGE Pro. I think the GM is going to buy it as we are replacing it with a TCR. He was so impressed with it they decided right away they wanted to be a dealer. You're going to enjoy it John. Report back to us your impression.
Mike
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Post by bn1777 on Aug 12, 2013 7:04:36 GMT -5
Hi, John , yes that a big chunk of scope you have there , sweet scope . Look forward to photos and first light . Oh yes welcome to the club mate . Brian.
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Post by ukjohn on Aug 13, 2013 18:57:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the warm welcome folks - much appreciated. I take delivery of the scope next week so I'm getting excited !
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Post by bn1777 on Aug 14, 2013 22:16:38 GMT -5
Photo mate , lots of photos please . Brian.
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Post by boomboom on Aug 21, 2013 20:31:23 GMT -5
Hi John, Love to hear your experiences with the f12. What other scopes have you had? Maybe a lot by the sounds of it! My wish is an Istar 6" f?? Not sure yet. My Synta 6" f8 is quite nice but....f10-12 would be better. Maybe you have had a Synta f8 at some stage and could compare. Oh and as Brian says photos, lots of photos. Cheers Matt
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