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Post by mikey cee on Oct 29, 2011 21:58:39 GMT -5
A shot of the scope assembled. We have yet to mount 45lbs. of sliding weights to the rear of the main OTA. They will sit in the gap from the rear of the saddle to the rear tube ring. Right where the rope drops down with the temporary tube weights attached. When the new weights are added the temps will be removed and the portable 2x4 brace will be removed. I have yet to have a 17" dew shield fabricated. Mike Attachments:
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Post by Watcher3 on Oct 30, 2011 20:37:04 GMT -5
Absolutely AWESOME! It's gonna feel like you turbocharged the Brandt. Can't wait for your first light. I think it's gonna be really good!
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Post by Watcher3 on Nov 8, 2011 2:52:16 GMT -5
So, how does she handle? Does the extra weight have the same feel when you're slewing, or is there a difference from the Brandt?
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Post by mikey cee on Nov 8, 2011 9:54:09 GMT -5
Joe...Yeah it handles about the same except you can tell a 100 lbs. have been added. Still floats but a tad more umph is needed to get it moving....not a lot but it's there. Mike
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Post by mikey cee on Jan 15, 2012 11:16:45 GMT -5
A pick of the lens installed. Note the "service" hatch. Nothing would bug me more than having a fleck of dirt or a fog spot that dried goofy on the back of the lens and not have a way to get at it. This 30.5 pound piece of....well it ain't coming back out that's all I know! ;D Mike Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Jan 15, 2012 11:21:13 GMT -5
Shot of a 99% completed scope. Waiting for the changeover to 2" diagonals etc. Attachments:
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Post by mikey cee on Jan 15, 2012 11:24:21 GMT -5
The scope is "completed". Well you know the story. There is always going to be modifications...it's a learning process when you custom build anything. ;D ;D Mike Attachments:
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Post by vmetoile on Jan 15, 2012 11:56:07 GMT -5
very interesting Mike has i can see the mount is quite huge too, homemade ? what is the weight of the complete scope? THANK YOU FOR THE PICTURES. Vince
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Post by mikey cee on Jan 15, 2012 14:02:18 GMT -5
Vince...It is somewhere around 1200 lbs. now. Mike
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Post by Watcher3 on Jan 15, 2012 14:24:20 GMT -5
So Mike, how do you like the extra FOV the 2" gives you? I really wish someone would come out with affordable 3" stuff for scopes like these.
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Post by mikey cee on Jan 15, 2012 15:36:36 GMT -5
Never gave it much thought Joe because I was really after the extra weight. I use Agena's WA 20mm 65° eyepieces in my binos. The only 65° ones that don't VIGNETTE! Only $33 shipped!! These give me 410x. I can see nearly all of M42. Now I'm sure there are parts that I can't see because of skyglow.....but not much. My 38x finder shows a pair of Pleides or 4 full moons at 2°. I'm so dang thrilled I could vote intelligently next November that's for sure!! Mike
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Post by Watcher3 on Jan 15, 2012 15:53:51 GMT -5
Hmmmm. Never did the bino thing myself, but I gotta think a full degree and 10 inches of light would make it worth trying a 31 Nagler in cyclops mode.
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Post by borispider on Jan 16, 2012 0:20:10 GMT -5
Awesome looking scope Mike. Yeah, I might be talked into bino viewing
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Post by mikey cee on Jul 29, 2013 12:11:59 GMT -5
Well I just finished up two nights of double star hunting. Wow oh wow oh wow! This lens can't be stopped. Perfect diffraction rings up to 815x with binos and a pair of Kohki 12.5mm orthos. All I can think about during the daytime is another night out under the stars. I love my rotateable 12 click stop focuser that my late friend John Battleson did for me about a month before he died of liver cancer. I was most fortunate to have known him for such a relatively short time. Luckily he managed to finish my "big" projects before he passed. Here is a pick of the rotating focuser in the 10:oclock position. Mike
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Post by mikey cee on Jul 29, 2013 12:18:31 GMT -5
Also a pick of my newly elevated finderscope thanks to that dang big old Istar lens! When ever my observing buds come over to view they just shake their heads in disbelief at the amzingly sharp performance of this lens. Now if I can just get me a Raycorr 6 we'll all be in hog heaven!! Mike
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