astrosean
Full Member
Jack and Jill
Posts: 50
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Post by astrosean on Apr 2, 2011 7:47:50 GMT -5
I spent most of this winter rebuilding my mount so it has been a long time since I've had my 6"f15 out. In the meantime I have been using my 12" newt.
I love my 12" newt, I spent a lot of time designing it and the scope has always worked so well for me that in my off-achro time I started wondering if my 6"f15 would hold up or perhaps last year was like a quick fling with a hot redhead...
I put the mount back together last weekend and had the chance to get out a couple of nights this week and let me tell you,
Big achros just plain rock! It wasn't even collimated! The combination of comfortable viewing position, tracking mount and sharp image were just too much.
Cassini's division popping in and out storms just visible... the E star of the trapezium just visible... and not a single nudge. Ahhh, my love is back!!!
Sean
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Post by Watcher3 on Apr 2, 2011 7:55:46 GMT -5
Hopefully Istar will bring that sublime experience to a lot more folks! Bigger is better, but a big refractor is better yet.
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Post by mikey cee on Apr 2, 2011 10:00:46 GMT -5
Here it is mid morning and I'm already itching for tonight. My club is having their big Messier Marathon 40 miles south of Omaha at the club's 4 acres near Weeping Water tonight. They'll have hot dogs,chips and pop and some even like beer! I unfortunately do not have a portable scope.  Alas  all I get to do is power open my home observatory's roofs and get behind my big Brandt 8" f/13.3 and zero in on tight doubles and later Saturn. Bummer city huh......NOT!  Mike "Lover of big achros" |
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Post by Watcher3 on Apr 2, 2011 10:26:05 GMT -5
I'd rather be at your place. I'll even bring the beer!
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Post by mikey cee on Apr 2, 2011 19:08:52 GMT -5
Looks like we got skunked tonight from Weatherbug. But after dinner out tonight over the "Big Mo" we'll come back home and hopefully Saturn will show. The high thin cloud cover may help. ;DMike
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Jun 22, 2011 5:42:44 GMT -5
I envy you guys. As a scope manufacturer I hardly find time to actually look thru any of them..lately.. and now I dont even have a scope of my own. I hope and pray that this will change soon. I am planning on moving part of manufacturing over to USA and I would like to move back to Arizona sometimes in 2012-2013 and my goal is to join many of you during the star parties. And I will DEFINITELY bring enough beer and steaks. But for now I am stuck in Europe because of the manufacturing process and designing many new lenses and scopes.. by end of 2012 we should have around 25 different models available from small 127 f5 to 220 (possibly 250) F12. After this we will ad only couple new models annually, but anyone looking for a decent refractor will be able to buy exactly what they want and need. Being totally overworked at all times is no fun.. but just browsing thru your posts gives me new drive and motivation.. enjoy your new Istar lenses and scopes, stay in touch with us,
cheers,
Ales
Istar Optical,
owner
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Post by criverside on Sept 12, 2012 0:27:42 GMT -5
Anyone ( besides me ) interested in building a rich-field 204mm f/8.8 R35 ? Its a project I would need time to prepare, construct and save for, but I am sure it would be more than worth it. If there's enough interest we could request Mike form a Pre-order list.
If anyone has a Anastigmatic 5 or 6 in. f/5, f/8, please!! post your opinion, if not a test report, Thanks, Craig
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Post by criverside on Sept 13, 2012 1:03:20 GMT -5
I have continued the discussion in ANASTIGMATS / 7", 8" Anastigmats
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Post by boomboom on Sept 14, 2012 0:44:58 GMT -5
When I started I got really lucky and was able to use the 9" Oddie refractor on Mt Stromlo as a 16 year old doing astronomy as a school subject...ever since have wanted a big long frac. One day I might just get there but in the meantime I'll keep dreamin'.....  Matt |
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Sept 14, 2012 4:46:18 GMT -5
Hello Matt, what a coincidence. After the Mt. Stromlo burned down, ISTAR designed and produced the optics for the 220mm F15 refractor. The same scope you looked thru when you were 16 years old... Im sure you know the story, if not, check istar-optical.com main page and Reviews under lenses and telescopes. Im sure you will be able to get one of our great quality refractors, we offer a great scopes from 127mm and larger, I strongly suggest the 150mm and if you have a decent mount (or plan on buying one) than go for 180mm or even 204mm. There is a huge light gathering difference between 127 and 150 but also between 150 and 180 or 200mm. Ask Mike Harden about his experience with his 150 F8 Fluorite APO vs. Perseus AT 204-9. I will be more than happy to work on this future plan with you as soon as I get back to my European office by first week of November. We also plan on introducing some new models and I want you to get the most of your new scope. After you know exactly what you want and what you need for the type of observing you want to do, it is much easier to pull forward and save enough money for us to start designing and building your scope. Before we are done you can save up for the rest...  cheers, Ales |
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Post by Mike on Sept 14, 2012 23:00:50 GMT -5
Ales, if you would get up off the couch and stop lurking in the forums you might have a enough time to do a little observing. If you don't own a scope I'll be glad to lend you one of mine. I own a big SCT, two refractors and a reflector. I have a great little 102 F11 that would be perfect for you and your Celestron CG5 |
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Post by boomboom on Sept 18, 2012 2:24:32 GMT -5
Hi Ales,
Yes I know the Istar link with the Oddie and Mt Stromlo. I was up there in 1979 to be exact. Its very impressive what you and Dr Tim have done there, hopefully I can go back for a visit soon. I don't know if the scope is up and running, but I look forward to the day it is, thats for sure. At the moment I have 2 refractors a 4" f9 ED and 6" f8 achro and love em both.
The dream is to have a small place out in the dark zone within the next 10 years...gulp seems like forever. A 200mm f 8-10 on a possible mount like the skywatcher EQ8 on a pier in its own obs is the general idea. Really not that expensive under 10K for the scope and mount???
So no rush!
Cheers Matt
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Alas 
all I get to do is power open my home observatory's roofs and get behind my big Brandt 8" f/13.3 and zero in on tight doubles and later Saturn. Bummer city huh......NOT! 
Mike "Lover of big achros"
