--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "David Hanych" <dhanych2@...> wrote:
>
> Anyone know of a reliable detailed review of the NH Classic? I see
> they are on clearance. The only scope I own now is the SV66.
>
> DAH
>

Slightly older than the others, but still worth a read:
<http://www.scopereviews.com/page1k.html>.

Note that the specs have changed since though

Ted

--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "Vince Garland" <bart12345@...>
wrote:
>
> Dave,
>
> That's true.  The quality of the Chinese products is getting
better every year.
>
> Fortunately, there are a few companies like StellarVue in the USA
that are innovative and committed to quality and offering new and
improved ideas and giving the community a choice.
>
> I have some of the Chinese finders and they're ok.  A few I have
are simply horrible.  Quality control is what kills these guys.
Sometimes they get it right, and a lot of the time they don't.
That's not a problem with Stellarvue.  And, Vic is always working to
improve his product line.  He offers great value for the dollar, and
a superior product.
> It's all about choice.
>
> Just my take on all of this.  :-)
>
> Vince
>
>
>    Well Vince I think I would expect a better product from
Stellarvue because you have to pay more,some of this cost is due to
more attention to detail and tighter Q.C., all I know is that I have
had several scopes over the years with the straight through Synta 30
and 50 mm finders as standard and havn,t had a bad one yet, maybe I
was lucky?.
         My SV 50mm cost me three times what a Synta 50mm costs so I
would expect it to be better,regarding Q.C. "killing these guys" and
a "lot of times they don,t get it right",well they are doing
something right because Synta is the biggest scope maker on the
planet, they sell hundreds of thousands of scopes every year and yes
once in a while some bad ones get out but that happens when you are
dealing in these quantities.
       Smaller far east companies have got quality spot on, Williams
Optics make wonderfull stuff,as good as anything out there,anyway
this is just my opinion,but I will stick with what I said
earlier,the Chinese made scope ownership available to the masses and
also made other makers who had sat on their laurels for far too long
buck their ideas up big time, regards dave A.

Ted,
The scope in Ed Ting's review was the original AT1002, which bears
little resemblence to today's Nighthawk.  It had a cemented objective,
non-sliding dewshield, and 1.25" R&P focuser.  On the surface it seems
much the same, and indeed it was the scope that set the stage for the
later AT1010 and NH series, but other than the focal length and
aperture, the changes in the specs really make this a totally
different instrument than the NH Classic.

FWIW, I had one of these scopes for several years.  I ordered it at
the "introductory" price in April 2000 and took delivery in early June
2000, shortly before the Ed Ting review.  The cemented objective
performed well if it was properly matched and aligned before the
elements were cemented, but Vic once told me he rejected 9 out of 10
of those lenses.  I was somewhat surprised a couple of years ago to
see another manufacturer using 80mm/F6 cemented objectives, and can't
help but wonder if those receive the same careful scrutiny that Vic
insisted on before those scopes hit the dealer shelves.

The AT1002 served me well for several years, and was the first of many
Stellarvue scopes (I'm now on #6).  I blackened the edges of the lens
and upgraded to a 2" R&P focuser before I eventually exchanged it for
a NH Classic, which I still own.  You can see a photo of me and the
AT1002 in the Group Mug Shots folder in the files section.  You can
see it looks almost identical to the later R&P Nighthawks.  Also, for
those that haven't read it, there is an interesting article in the
Stellarvue FAQs folder titled SV History by Vic.pdf that discusses the
very early days of Stellarvue.

JimC
Denver

--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "Ted Bracht" <ted@...> wrote:
>
> Slightly older than the others, but still worth a read:
> <http://www.scopereviews.com/page1k.html>.
>
> Note that the specs have changed since though
>
> Ted
>

Cool, Very Cool!!

--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "Brian Schilt" <brianschilt@...> wrote:
>
> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17156385/
>
> Caught my attention.
>
> Brian S.
>

Hmmm...

Until Tom Robinson's message, "[Stellarvue] Re: Hawking news,"
time-stamped 3:10 pm today, I've received no Stellarvue group messages
by email since last night about 6 pm.  And it's the only one, so far,
since then.  I know this group isn't that quiet, and I can see quite a
few messages, including one of my own posted between then and now by
looking on the web site.  Has anyone else had a Yahoo group email
outage? (Hah! If you have, you won't see this unless email delivery of
group messages resumes or if you look on the website, but I've got to
start somewhere).

Larry

--
Larry A. Shurr (lshurr@...)

I apologize for this being slightly off topic, but I know there are
many Stellarvue owners who make it to Rocky Mountain Star Stare (RMSS
2007)each year.

Registration is now OPEN!!  Visit www.rmss.org for details, and to
register.

Thanks

Al Schlafli
80/9D
Chairman, RMSS 2007

If you've heard of or are otherwise interested in the One Laptop per
Child educational initiative run by Nicholas Negroponte, formerly of the
MIT Media Lab, I just received a missive from Red Hat, which has been
developing the software.  See "Up close with the One Laptop per Child
XO" at
"http://www.redhatmagazine.com/2007/02/20/up-close-with-the-one-laptop-per-child\
-xo/"
for a video showing the current machine prototype and "Building the XO:
Introducing Sugar" at
"http://www.redhatmagazine.com/2007/02/23/building-the-xo-introducing-sugar/"
for information about the software.  You can visit the OLPC wiki site at
"http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Main_Page" and learn how to run a prototype
of the Linux-based software under emulation using QEMU on PC or MAC at
"http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OS_images_for_emulation".

Larry

--
Larry A. Shurr (lshurr@...)

I was wondering if there was any thought of SV offering a 'cloud filter'
<sigh>

Rick (under cloudy skies since Dec 24)

Well Ozzy:
   In the category of fantasy filters, using an infrared CO2 laser beam
to cut through the clouds could work.... but you have to turn ot off if
a plane flies through or you toast the plane. Then too it kinda roils
the atmosphere.
God's Peace
Denny

-----Original Message-----
From: ozzzy@...
To: Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 3:08 PM
Subject: [Stellarvue] Filters

     I was wondering if there was any thought of SV offering a 'cloud
filter'
<sigh>

Rick (under cloudy skies since Dec 24)




To unsubscribe, send an email to:
Stellarvue-unsubscribe@egroups.com.

Remember: the archives are a rich source of information and they are
searchable.


Yahoo! Groups Links





________________________________________________________________________
AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free
from AOL at AOL.com.

Yeah, but they're expensive. About the price of a plane ticket to New
Mexico ;-)

Good thing SV makes a number of airplane-friendly scopes!!
Mike


--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, Rick Saunders <ozzzy@...> wrote:
>
> I was wondering if there was any thought of SV offering a 'cloud
filter'
> <sigh>

And what would the power and cooling requirements be for a laser
powerful enough to actually do some good as far as dissipating
clouds?  Multiple power plants to power it and a large river to cool
it, not too practical unfortunately ;-)

Rich Wood


--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, mgriswold@... wrote:
>
> Well Ozzy:
>   In the category of fantasy filters, using an infrared CO2 laser
beam
> to cut through the clouds could work.... but you have to turn ot
off if
> a plane flies through or you toast the plane. Then too it kinda
roils
> the atmosphere.
> God's Peace
> Denny
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ozzzy@...
> To: Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 3:08 PM
> Subject: [Stellarvue] Filters
>
>     I was wondering if there was any thought of SV offering
a 'cloud
> filter'
> <sigh>
>
> Rick (under cloudy skies since Dec 24)
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe, send an email to:
> Stellarvue-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
> Remember: the archives are a rich source of information and they
are
> searchable.
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
_____________________________________________________________________
___
> AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's
free
> from AOL at AOL.com.
>

I'll second Vince's review of SV finders.  In my opinion, this was a more
pertinent and specific report on SV finders than any I have seen published to
date; although Preston's Sparrowhawk review wasn't too shabby!  Way to go Vince!

   I have original F50's for each of my SV scopes.   I have experimented with
other finders and they are "OK" but nowhere near as good as Vic's.

   That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
   Clear skies,
   Joe Martin

Vince Garland <bart12345@...> wrote:
           Hi Guys n' Gals,

Some thoughts on Vic's superb finders following my opportunity to see and use
them while at the Winter Star Party in the FL Keys a couple of weeks ago.

First, let me say that I am a finder scope crazy. I must have at least 30 of
them and probably have almost every make and model that's been offered to the
amateur astronomy community over the last 20 years. Never met a finder scope I
didn't love and of course, had to have! :-)

I'd been waiting to examine Vic's finders and see for myself how they performed.
Working the Stellarvue booth at the WSP gave me the perfect opportunity to
carefully examine each one. As you know, he is offering three models: the F502,
F60, and the F80.

The specs are all found on Vic's web page, but I must tell you that the photos
do not do justice to these fine instruments.

Fit and finish on each model is superb, not to mention the optical quality.
Fully multicoated objectives, not just multicoated, for one thing. Long dew
shields, which for a finder, is a critical component of the design.

Most finders dew up fairly quickly down here in Atlanta where the relative
humidity is normally quite high. I frequently find myself using a dew heater
strap on both the objective and the eyepiece of my finders to stay ahead of the
dew. A finder with a short dew shield has no chance if the relative humidity is
high and you're not using the dew strap. Check yours out...bet it has one of
those dew shields that end about 0.5 inches in front of the objective.

Another critical point (at least for me) in a quality finder scope is the
requirement to have an erect image view of the sky. Most finders don't offer
this. I'm a visual observer and there is nothing more annoying to me than
looking for an object with my image stabilized binoculars, swinging the scope
around to line it up in the finder and having the view flipped. Arrgh! I want to
see an image in the finder that looks like the same one in the binoculars, and,
oh by the way, appears properly oriented with regards to the star atlas.

No problem with the SV design. Right angle, erect image all the way. Bravo, Vic!

I consider a right angle finder the only way to go. I don't want to be straining
my neck to peek thru the eyepiece of the finder because it's a straight thru
design. Many quality finders don't offer this feature. Go figure.

One of Vic's most innovative features is the rotating diagonal assembly, which
he patented. You won't find this on any other finder being sold in America. It
leaps beyond any other finder made by any other company and finally puts the
finder scope in the category of being completely user friendly.

Once you collimate the finder, you no longer need to loosen the set screws on
the finderscope rings to move the eyepiece to a convenient viewing angle. Simply
loosen the tension on the set screw at the rear of the finderscope, and rotate
the entire diagonal/eyepiece combination to a more convenient angle, and off you
go. No need to recollimate the finder. Simple; elegant. The better mousetrap!

Vic also offers a superb helical focuser on the diagonal for precise focus of
his 23mm plossl (a superb design, btw). These come with crosshairs and the
illuminated version comes with the Rigel Pulse Guide. And, each 23mm eyepiece
has it's own helical focus, as well. How many times have you used one of those
cheap Chinese finders without any way to focus the view other than moving the
objective forward or aft? That's no longer a problem with Vic's models. Out with
the cheap junk!!

I bought both the R502 and the R60 and will probably pick up the R80 at NEAF.
These finders are 9x50, 10x60, and 13x80. The diagonal will also accommodate any
1.25" eyepiece, should you elect to substitute one for Vic's superb 23mm.

The real sleeper of the bunch is the F60M (M for "matte"). This model generated
a great deal of interest at the WSP, and we sold every one we had. The matte
finish is superb, and does not show fingerprints. I HIGHLY recommend this one to
any of you who may be "fence sitting" about buying a finder. Also, the R50
finder rings that Vic sells will fit both the F502 and the F60.

I examined the R80 and found the views (IMHO) to be slightly better than those
with my Lumicon 80mm finder. I used the 23mm SV eyepiece in each finder. The SV
80mm is longer than the Lumicon, and both have nearly the same field of view
with the 23mm eyepiece.

Bottom line is this: you get a lot of band for the buck, and you won't ever need
another finderscope. All three are excellent in design, execution, and
workmanship.

Vic does not rush products to market. Each design only sees the light of day
after much thought and development. Once again, he's hit the bulls eye when it
comes to finders.

If you're thinking of buying one of these fine instruments, don't delay. Vic has
them in stock. If you've got to see one before making a choice, come by the SV
booth at NEAF and RTMC. Vic will have them on display. Bring money and come
early; they won't last long.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers,

Vince Garland
Atlanta

SV-78S
102d
80 BV
Vince Garland
bart12345@...
EarthLink Revolves Around You.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






---------------------------------
It's here! Your new message!
Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I noticed the same thing Larry. I hope they get that fixed soon.
Robert

--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, Larry Shurr <lshurr@...> wrote:
>
> Hmmm...
>
> Until Tom Robinson's message, "[Stellarvue] Re: Hawking news,"
> time-stamped 3:10 pm today, I've received no Stellarvue group
messages
> by email since last night about 6 pm.  And it's the only one, so
far,
> since then.  I know this group isn't that quiet, and I can see
quite a
> few messages, including one of my own posted between then and now
by
> looking on the web site.  Has anyone else had a Yahoo group email
> outage? (Hah! If you have, you won't see this unless email delivery
of
> group messages resumes or if you look on the website, but I've got
to
> start somewhere).
>
> Larry
>
> --
> Larry A. Shurr (lshurr@...)
>

I believe there was a post by Jon Talbot about using a Herschel Wedge
with a SV152. I would like to use a Herschel Wedge with a SV152,
however I think there was some discussion about the 3.5" feathertouch
having a plastic collet that may suffer damage with use of the wedge.
Jon, if you are listening, has your FT focuser been modified or is it
standard issue? Thanks, Stephen Agnor

Darren should have an update on his cloud filter design I would think.  He's
only been working on it for what 2 or 3 years?  Come on you hoser get that
filter done!!  And take off yourself to the great white north, I'll keep my
88F weather today thank you.  ;-)

Eric
Under nice blue skies if you can see through the dust in Abu Dhabi...


On 3/2/07, Rick Saunders <ozzzy@...> wrote:
>
> I was wondering if there was any thought of SV offering a 'cloud filter'
> <sigh>
>
> Rick (under cloudy skies since Dec 24)
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe, send an email to:
> Stellarvue-unsubscribe@egroups.com.
>
> Remember: the archives are a rich source of information and they are
> searchable.
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Folks,


   I was just wondring if anyone has heard if Vic has performed the
optical tests between the NH BVA and the 80/9D yet?
I am getting closer to the time of purchasing a scope and would like
Vics feedback as to which one he really thinks is better for color
correction before I invest the money in one or the other of the two
scopes.I have been looking real hard at the 80/9D but am thinking maybe
a shorter scope. Why I do not know as I have alot of light pollution In
my area so longer might be better.I would love a NHNG but can not
afford one so I am stuck with the NH BVA or the 80/9D.I am not much for
bino viewing as I have tried it and was not that impressed with it plus
the cost of buying matched EPs is a big cost and it is more stuff to
haul around.Oh well just wondering.

Thank You,

Bill in Arvada,Co.

Chris Lord did a test which he reported on in the TEC group.  He got
smoke from the plastic collet in the 3.5" FT focuser under direct
sunlight illumination in about 10 seconds when he let he sun drift out
of the Herschel wedge nosepiece.  I have replaced my focuser tailpiece
with the 2.7" AP threaded one and an AP triple thumbscrew accessory
clamping ring, all metal items.  As I recall the Starlight Instruments
web site now lists an alternative all metal tailpiece with thumbscrews.

Rich Wood


--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "snjagnor" <snjagnor@...> wrote:
>
> I believe there was a post by Jon Talbot about using a Herschel
Wedge
> with a SV152. I would like to use a Herschel Wedge with a SV152,
> however I think there was some discussion about the 3.5"
feathertouch
> having a plastic collet that may suffer damage with use of the
wedge.
> Jon, if you are listening, has your FT focuser been modified or is
it
> standard issue? Thanks, Stephen Agnor
>

Hi Bill,
I just received NH BVA .  I was looking for a guide  scope, but what fun this
scope is!
SV Bino mode unreal! This is the best value out there  period in my opinion.
Write me if you would be interested in the  details.
-Curt
CGE1400, SV80s, Questar 3 1/2, Orange C8 vintage, Vixen  4" Fluorite w/Sky
sensor, and now the NHBVA.




In a message dated 3/1/2007 9:24:58 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
NIKIBICE@... writes:

I  would love a NHNG but can not
afford one so I am stuck with the or the  80/9D.I am not much for
bino viewing as I have tried it and was not that  impressed with it plus
the cost of buying matched EPs is a big cost and it  is more stuff to
haul around.Oh well just  wondering.





<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free
email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at
http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thank you, Rich for the info. I will inquire with Starlight. Jon, can you tell
me specifically what modifications you have done? Thanks, Stephen Agnor
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Rich Wood<mailto:astronut1001@...>
   To: Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com>
   Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 9:32 PM
   Subject: [Stellarvue] Re: SV152 and Hercshel Wedge


   Chris Lord did a test which he reported on in the TEC group. He got
   smoke from the plastic collet in the 3.5" FT focuser under direct
   sunlight illumination in about 10 seconds when he let he sun drift out
   of the Herschel wedge nosepiece. I have replaced my focuser tailpiece
   with the 2.7" AP threaded one and an AP triple thumbscrew accessory
   clamping ring, all metal items. As I recall the Starlight Instruments
   web site now lists an alternative all metal tailpiece with thumbscrews.

   Rich Wood

   --- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Stellarvue%40yahoogroups.com>,
"snjagnor" <snjagnor@...> wrote:
   >
   > I believe there was a post by Jon Talbot about using a Herschel
   Wedge
   > with a SV152. I would like to use a Herschel Wedge with a SV152,
   > however I think there was some discussion about the 3.5"
   feathertouch
   > having a plastic collet that may suffer damage with use of the
   wedge.
   > Jon, if you are listening, has your FT focuser been modified or is
   it
   > standard issue? Thanks, Stephen Agnor
   >





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Curt,

Have fun with your NH BVA. I too would like to dabble with binoviewers but
later! When I get my SV190 in future. ;-)

Note your SV80s and that Questar sitting there in your line up. I sold my
Questar to buy the forthcoming SV90T to enjoy more wide-field views and
comparable portability.

Just wondered how you find the viewing between your Questar and those SV80s.
Any comments? Does the SV80 visually outperform your Questar for lunar and
planetary views, for example? (Interested in straight observation only, no
interest in imaging.)

Best regards,
Richard
Hong Kong
ETX-125, SV90T (soon), PST, and some binocs.


-------------


Hi Bill,
I just received NH BVA . I was looking for a guide scope, but what fun this
scope is!
SV Bino mode unreal! This is the best value out there period in my opinion.
Write me if you would be interested in the details.
-Curt
CGE1400, SV80s, Questar 3 1/2, Orange C8 vintage, Vixen 4" Fluorite w/Sky
sensor, and now the NHBVA.




In a message dated 3/1/2007 9:24:58 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
NIKIBICE@AOL. <mailto:NIKIBICE%40AOL.COM> COM writes:

I would love a NHNG but can not
afford one so I am stuck with the or the 80/9D.I am not much for
bino viewing as I have tried it and was not that impressed with it plus
the cost of buying matched EPs is a big cost and it is more stuff to
haul around.Oh well just wondering.

<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free
email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at
http://www.aol. <http://www.aol.com.> com.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The skies were beautifully black, the weather was cold (couple of
degrees freezing) and the occultation was going to be high in the sky
from about 02.30 to about 02.45. So the only thing that could let me
down was .... my body ... Having worked too hard all week, my body
really told me that it needed its sleep by around midnight - OH NO!!!
Sorry for letting you down, group.

Still, managed to get some great views of the moon and saturn in one
view - wonderful. The sky was so stable that I managed to get saturn
in at my highest magnification (133* - 9mm Nagler with 2.5*
powermate) with no degradation. Cassini division and I think at least
one moon.

I tried some afocal, moon was ok-ish but saturn was disappointing.
Not worth posting. To be honest, I find that the ap takes the
enjoyment away from the viewing, it's taking too much effort to get
the subject in view and in focus. As my camera doesn't have a way to
fix the focus, it's constantly adjusting while I try to get the focus
right on the scope. So I think I'll practice a bit (lot) more with
daytime viewing and leave the ap to the many great ap-ers here in the
group.

Now hope that tomorrow night the skies are just as good and my body
will let me enjoy the total moon eclipse. Luckily that will happen
less late, but unfortunately the weather forecast is not good.

Ted

--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "stephen agnor" <snjagnor@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you, Rich for the info. I will inquire with Starlight. Jon, can
you tell me specifically what modifications you have done? Thanks,
Stephen Agnor

I'm not having trouble with my Baader wedge and SV152, but I abandoned
the collet for different reasons long ago. I found the collet was not
holding an SBIG camera securely, so I switched to the AP 3-point
compression-ring adapter. This also requires a machined adapter ahead
of the 3-point one. If I remember correctly, both parts came from AP.
The adapter has three set screws that secure it to the face of the
focuser.

I'll see if I can dig up the actual order form in my old email.

Jeff B.

You can see the adapters in place here:

http://www.starlightinstruments.com/images/3545-CR-End-Cap.jpg

I can't tell whether that is a package deal, or just the end cap. You
could inquire at Starlight Instruments about it.

The AP part is ADA2003, 2" adapter w/3 Large thumbscrews and is $50. It
is shown already attached to the FT end cap in the photo above.

I believe when 3RF ordered these, they came separately ... I know I
installed them separately. But I can't find the original order and
don't know if we ordered them as a package from SI ...

JB

Hi,

I picked up a Stellarvue 1.25" star diagonal for my Orion Short Tube
80.  There is some play when the star diagonal is inserted into the
focuser draw tube making it difficult to get consistent readings
with a laser collimator projected onto a paper mask covering the
objective. I'm satisfied with the draw tube alignment without the
diagonal.  When I insert the diagonal all the way in and tighten the
two set screws, the top of the diagonal tilts away from the end of
the draw tube. A a 1/16" gap between the body of the diagonal and
the end of the draw tube seems to provide a better alignment. There
is about a 1 mm difference where the laser hits the mask
with/without the diagonal, I'm not sure of the significance of the
delta?

I've been using pieces of automotive pinstripe tape to shim the
diagonal externally (electric too thick and messy), but I would
appreciate any suggestions from the group.

Thanks,

Ed Butterly

The Nighthawk Classic and the AT1002 are two completely different
telescopes. We only made about forty AT1002 telescopes which had the
disadvantage of using a 1.25" focuser. That reduces aperture when you
use a star diagonal, as we pointed out on our spec page back then.
Shortly after it was introduced we located a source for the 2" rack
and pinion focusers and this eliminated the aperture reduction issue.
This telescope, the AT1010, evolved into the Nighthawk.

It was the frustration of depending entirely on outside suppliers
back then that resulted in us developing our own shop. The rest is
history. When I think back about the garage days I realize that I
could not do this again. Those were very hard times with many
disappointments. It took a full year to produce one telescope model,
the AT1010. In contrast, we introduced over a dozen new (next
generation) telescopes last year which constitute the highest
standard in refractors available today. I could only have dreamed of
this 7 years ago. All of you helped to make this a reality and while
I have not said this lately, I really appreciate all of your support
through this endeavor. We made this dream a reality.

Vic Maris





--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "Ted Bracht" <ted@...> wrote:
>
> --- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "David Hanych" <dhanych2@> wrote:
> >
> > Anyone know of a reliable detailed review of the NH Classic? I
see
> > they are on clearance. The only scope I own now is the SV66.
> >
> > DAH
> >
>
> Slightly older than the others, but still worth a read:
> <http://www.scopereviews.com/page1k.html>.
>
> Note that the specs have changed since though
>
> Ted
>

Hi all,

I was randomly browsing scope sites, as you do,
when I found a pic of the new Tak TOA-150.

What was interesting to me was that there is a
handle attached to a kind of clamshell, near the
focuser. I would love to have an accessory like
that for my SV-102T. I am always nervous when
I set it up or break it down, especially if it's
cold and dry and therefore smooth and
slippery. I know a company called Scope-Tote
makes a fabric 'handle' but it's not really the same
thing. Has anyone ever found an accessory like this?

Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the pic....

The skies have not permitted any comparitive star testing yet and I
want to arrange a night when a number of staff people are there.
Aligning both telescopes on the bench, I see what appears to be
slightly better color correction in the aplanat but one must do the
star test to see the real difference. The purple fringe is not as
defined indoors with ambient light as it is outdoors under the night
sky. The bottom line is that we will be splitting hair here. Both
will color correct better than the Nighthawk 2 and neither as well as
the NHNG.

Vic Maris




--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, cpiper007@... wrote:
>
>
> Hi Bill,
> I just received NH BVA .  I was looking for a guide  scope, but
what fun this
> scope is!
> SV Bino mode unreal! This is the best value out there  period in my
opinion.
> Write me if you would be interested in the  details.
> -Curt
> CGE1400, SV80s, Questar 3 1/2, Orange C8 vintage, Vixen  4"
Fluorite w/Sky
> sensor, and now the NHBVA.
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 3/1/2007 9:24:58 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> NIKIBICE@... writes:
>
> I  would love a NHNG but can not
> afford one so I am stuck with the or the  80/9D.I am not much for
> bino viewing as I have tried it and was not that  impressed with it
plus
> the cost of buying matched EPs is a big cost and it  is more stuff
to
> haul around.Oh well just  wondering.
>
>
>
>
>
> <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now
offers free
> email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at
> http://www.aol.com.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

It sounds like your 1.25" adapter or focuser is too large in inner
diameter (if you have a 2" focuser) or the set screw on the focuser
is too close to the edge and it hits the safety groove edge on the
diagonal. If the latter is the case, you need to shim the edge of
your focuser so the set screw lands inside the safety groove on the
diagonal. A 1.25" ID washer will do this.

If the problem is the ID on the focuser is too large, and you have a
2" focuser, I suggest you get our FA2. If not, it would make sense to
shim the inside of the focuser to bring it to the correct ID.

I suspect the first issue and the washer will fix it.

Maybe there is a Nighthawk in your future?

Vic Maris



n Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "Ed Butterly" <edb61@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I picked up a Stellarvue 1.25" star diagonal for my Orion Short
Tube
> 80.  There is some play when the star diagonal is inserted into the
> focuser draw tube making it difficult to get consistent readings
> with a laser collimator projected onto a paper mask covering the
> objective. I'm satisfied with the draw tube alignment without the
> diagonal.  When I insert the diagonal all the way in and tighten
the
> two set screws, the top of the diagonal tilts away from the end of
> the draw tube. A a 1/16" gap between the body of the diagonal and
> the end of the draw tube seems to provide a better alignment. There
> is about a 1 mm difference where the laser hits the mask
> with/without the diagonal, I'm not sure of the significance of the
> delta?
>
> I've been using pieces of automotive pinstripe tape to shim the
> diagonal externally (electric too thick and messy), but I would
> appreciate any suggestions from the group.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ed Butterly
>

--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "Neil  (nheil as was)" <nsim_99@...>
wrote:
>
> ... there is a
> handle attached to a kind of clamshell, near the
> focuser ... Has anyone ever found an accessory like this?
>
Google Ken's Rings to find Ken Dauzat's site. He makes accessory rings
that have handles built into them. You can use them to lift a heavy
scope in and out of a cradle and/or just leave them on and use them as
rings.

Jeff B.

--- In Stellarvue@yahoogroups.com, "Ed Butterly" <edb61@...> wrote:
> There is some play when the star diagonal is inserted into the
> focuser draw tube making it difficult to get consistent readings
> with a laser collimator projected onto a paper mask covering the
> objective.
> I've been using pieces of automotive pinstripe tape to shim the
> diagonal externally (electric too thick and messy), but I would
> appreciate any suggestions from the group.
>
Ed: You could drill and tap a hole in the focuser tube for a third
screw. Three screws at 120 degrees apart would allow you to center
the diagonal accurately.

For awhile Scopestuff offered a replacement focuser tube (an insert)
for the Synta refractor focusers, in 1.25" size and a replacement
collet for 2" focusers. These had compression rings and were more
accurate in centering accessories.

If it's an option for you, you could center the diagonal and leave it
in place so collimation would be ON all the time ...

And if money isn't a problem, Moonlight offers replacement focusers
that fit many Synta tubes.