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Post by borispider on May 7, 2011 15:05:51 GMT -5
Are the fires we're having right now affect you in Ft.Myers??
Hopefully they'll be gone by the time you get your scope.
I know the Fak will be a no-go w/ the fires raging.
They're messing up my bkyrd skies up alil.
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Post by Mike on May 8, 2011 23:01:36 GMT -5
Although my address is Fort Myers, I live about 15 miles east of the city on Rt 82 about 8 miles from the Hendry County line. I have seen the smoke plume to the east of me but never closer than 4 or 5 miles. And, I hope it stays that way. I can smell it on occasion though when the wind is right.
As far as my new scope, it's being tested. Ales won't send me a scope he is not completely confident in. As you may have read, there might be an issue with coatings and/ or these lenses staying put during shipping. It is important to note that the lenses Gord and I bought were "prototypes". This was explained to us in the beginning and we got a special price on them. But, just because they were prototypes doesn't mean ISTAR thought there was anything wrong with them. Ales would never have sent the lens out in the first place. This situation with these two prototypes has no bearing on the regular production 160 mm Lanthanum APO Triplets that ISTAR is currently selling. Gord and I certainly don't want to give the wrong impression of ISTAR. As Gord clearly noted in his post, Ales is on top of the situation and won't rest until everything is resolved and we're happy. ISTAR's goal is to resolve this issue quickly. I'll keep you posted.
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Post by Mike on May 17, 2011 20:07:55 GMT -5
OK, I've been waiting for my new 160 mm Lanthanum Triplet. In the meantime Ales and I have been talking... about many things including the Phantom CFT 152-8 Fluorite. Can't fight it anymore! Always wanted a fluorite but couldn't see spending the 12K. OK, 8K is still a lot of cash but what can I say... once in a lifetime. So, I'm now waiting on the 152. Still going to do a review. In fact, a few different reviews as a few different scopes are coming to me first before their destinations as loaner samples. I sold my Celestron C11 and my Stellarvue 80 LOMO Triplet and now I have no scope. I have about 5 weeks until the delivery of the 152 so I bought a hold me over. It's a, I hope Ales doesn't read this, Astro Telescope 102 F11. Have you seen these? Not the scope you want as your main instrument but a good grab and go. It will be here on Friday so we'll see. Anybody seen one of these? Only difficult thing looks like where to put a finder.
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Post by borispider on May 18, 2011 3:55:23 GMT -5
I saw your CN thread. Looks like a great scope. What's wrong w/ having a 4"f... scope as your main??  |
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Post by Mike on May 18, 2011 12:06:16 GMT -5
A 4 inch is too small. I like to run with the big dogs like Mike Cee and Joe |
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Post by cherubino on May 18, 2011 12:27:38 GMT -5
boh... I'm not so sure... I have a lot of 4" refractors. (more or less 6 or 7 pieces) Also a: Nikon 100ED F12 Takahashi FC100-N F10 Pentax 105-SD F9.5 I must say that these optics are REALLY outstanding...  Paolo |
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Post by Mike on May 18, 2011 16:15:32 GMT -5
Obviously, I'm kidding Paolo. Many times I post just to evoke a response. Like referring to Mike Cee and Joe as big dogs. If you look at pictures of their scopes you will know why. A 4" Televue is what I used for several years and I was happy as a clam. However, the light gathering ability of a 4" is limited no matter what brand. My Televue was side by side with a 160 mm TEC and the difference was dramatic (at least from our view in the Everglades). Of course, I'm not talking about astrophotography as I'm sure that Takahashi is outstanding.
My personal preference is at least a 6" in a refractor. If I had a permanent mount, I would go bigger. Some would say that's fine as long as you can afford a 6". Because that kind of purchase is some pretty big bucks. But, obviously that's not the case with you because I know what Takahashi, NIkon and Pentax cost. However, I know I'll have a good time with this Astro Telescope 4" F11. At least until my Istar comes...
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Post by cherubino on May 19, 2011 10:15:48 GMT -5
Of course, Mike, you are right
Aperture rules 9 time on 10...
But (and I a have very big refractors and also large compound, cassegrain or newton scopes too) normally the image you have in a top level 4" refractor is calm, marvellous and really detailed.
Yes, my 150 apo wins, and normally also my 130 apo against theese 4", even if they are "fantastic"
paolo
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Post by Mike on May 19, 2011 12:32:37 GMT -5
Astro Telescope came in today. Focuser was trashed. Looks like it took a big hit  Weather is going to be perfect all weekend. However, Sherry at Hands On Optics is shipping me a new one today no charge. They are some nice people to deal with. How many companies do you know that will ship a new one with out getting the old one back first? Yes, I'm a little bummed but since I know the new one is on the way already without a new hit on my bank account, I don't feel so bad. Sounds like you have a pretty nice collection Paolo. Pretty decent skies there in Milano? |
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Post by borispider on May 19, 2011 12:47:57 GMT -5
I got my old RP focuser from my C4R still.
I think it would fit.
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Post by Mike on May 19, 2011 21:40:32 GMT -5
If you're offering, thanks. I almost mounted my dovetail and took the scope out tonight anyway despite the focuser. However, I got to thinking what if I scratch it or something? Anything that would show I used it. Decided I better not. I can stick it out until Monday.
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Post by Mike on May 19, 2011 21:43:56 GMT -5
Storm is still raging on Saturn. Check out this image my buddy just sent me from Naples. It barely processed so still a little grainy. It was taken only 30 minutes ago. Attachments:
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Post by Mike on May 20, 2011 22:09:18 GMT -5
heres another Attachments:
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Post by cherubino on Jun 8, 2011 12:14:57 GMT -5
Yes, a nice image... ok, really good one! Good job, Tex. Milano is not properly the best high resolution place were use a top level scope but... where I live (inside a great park) local seeing is general good (from 6/10 to 8/10 so.. not bad) and I obtain nice views of solar system planets and of double and multiple stars (my favorite target). But, for deep sky observations mountanis are the best in my country, despite the local turbolence very easy to find in our Alpes. So: where you have good or norml hight resolution views forget deep sky objects and under our black skies is normaly very difficult to have good seeing conditions.  Paolo |
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Post by Mike on Jun 8, 2011 21:40:01 GMT -5
I would love to see your part of the world. Italy is my wife and my ultimate vacation destination. We enjoy some very good seeing here most of the year. Even during the rainy season (coming up soon) it clears out at night for some spectacular views of the summer milky way. It got into the mid 90s today. Actualy I was sitting in a parking lot today and my car thermometer said 101. Since I live about 15 miles outside Fort Myers the skies are pretty dark. No problem seeing 10th magnitude galaxies with a 4" F11 refractor. I will be posting plenty of images with several different scopes that are coming my way. Stay tuned... Nice talking to you Paolo.
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Weather is going to be perfect all weekend. However, Sherry at Hands On Optics is shipping me a new one today no charge. They are some nice people to deal with. How many companies do you know that will ship a new one with out getting the old one back first? Yes, I'm a little bummed but since I know the new one is on the way already without a new hit on my bank account, I don't feel so bad. 
