Well, this was a rather intesting weekend at Chiefland Astronomy Village (CAV)
when it comes to looking up and using huge portable telescopes. How about
getting to gorge on views through two 30's and two 28's within 100 feet of each
other? It really does not get much better than this. Many of you know that I am
somewhat biased toward Starmasters having owned 19 of them and currently owning
Tom Back's 20" f/4.3 Zambuto/Starmaster which I dearly love and have decided is
my last large scope. I owned a 24" ZOC/Starmaster and had the best lifetime
views of Jupiter and Saturn with it at Chiefland Astronomy Village. Well, let me
just cut to the chase and say that the 30" f/3.3 Lockwood/Starmaster is the
finest large aperture portable telescope that I have ever looked through and I
have been very fortunate to have been able to look through a bunch of absolutely
superb high-end large scopes (28-32"). What absolutely blew me away was that on
the first evening I got to play with Duane's scope, at dusk, Jupiter was
strutting its stuff as the Sun was going down. To have such a large mirror/scope
produce the images I saw was astounding. That scope with a 20mm TV Nagler and a
Hydrogen-beta filter produced the finest image I have ever seen of the Horsehead
Nebula and I have seen it live hundreds of times both naturally as we did and
with image intensifiers and astrovideo cameras.  The dimensions of that scope
were just. dare I say it, "perfect" for a large aperture scope. OK enough about
Duane's scope. Now we move on to the other three huge scopes in the group that
included a 28" f/3.6 Kennedy/Starmaster, a 28" f/3.5 Lockwood Starmaster and the
other huge scope of a 30" f/3.7 Lockwood Starmaster. The other three were
spectacular. John's 28" f/3.6 Kennedy/Starmaster has been the standard by which
I have judged all other 28" scopes. Well, Kirk with his new 28" f/3.5
Lockwood/Starmaster has answered the challenge. I frankly was skeptical that
Lockwood could keep up with Kennedy in the super-large category (sorry Mike but
I too used to be a scientist). Well, I am here to tell you that the Lockwood
flat performed. Then, we need to remember that the other HUGE 30" f/3.7
Lockwood/Starmaster owned by Dan showed us some of the finest views of the
Eskimo Planetary Nebula at 2250x. The views of the Horsehead through the scope
were absolutely spectacular with his 17mm Ethos and the H-b filter. I wish we
could have compared the two views of the Horse with the same magnification. OK,
so I am thinking, this Lockwood guy maybe has something going on here? Well, all
you had to do was go over to John's 16.5" Lockwood/Starmaster or Gary's 20"
f/3.7 Lockwood Starmaster to see some of the finest views that can be had in
those respective aperture classes. Gary's 20" on M42 happened to be one of the
finest views of the nebula that I have ever seen. The pinprick protostars were
popping out all over the place in the nebula surrounding the Trapezium. The 20"
by far put up the finest view of the object of all of the scopes we were viewing
through. If you guessed that I am sort of "high" on Lockwood optics, you would
have guessed correctly. From my personal vantage point, it appears that he has
joined the lengendary ranks of Kennedy and Zambuto in the large aperture world.
My hats off to Mike and Rick for producing some very spectacular instruments. I
mentioned to Kirk that when these boys show up in the neighborhood (CAV), I am
just going to leave my exquisite 20" at home because it is just so
outclassed<g>. Well, these are my personal views with very little specifics.
There was a lot of other evaluation going on but that is simply not important to
discuss. The finest batch of Starmasters I have ever seen assembled happened
this week in a 100 foot radius. It was all the better that Rick Singmaster and
Carol Singmaster were able to join us and revel in the superb accomplishments of
the moment. Bob Schilling, Tallahassee, Florida

All this talk of big scopes with great mirrors really makes me want one. I
was talking with the wife last night about getting a 28". Well that didn't go
over at all. Maybe if I keep at it sooner or later she will come around. Until
then I'll just have to be happy with my little 20".

    Best, John




--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "gumbydad2002" <wsrs@...> wrote:
>
> Well, this was a rather intesting weekend at Chiefland Astronomy Village (CAV)
when it comes to looking up and using huge portable telescopes. How about
getting to gorge on views through two 30's and two 28's within 100 feet of each
other? It really does not get much better than this. Many of you know that I am
somewhat biased toward Starmasters having owned 19 of them and currently owning
Tom Back's 20" f/4.3 Zambuto/Starmaster which I dearly love and have decided is
my last large scope. I owned a 24" ZOC/Starmaster and had the best lifetime
views of Jupiter and Saturn with it at Chiefland Astronomy Village. Well, let me
just cut to the chase and say that the 30" f/3.3 Lockwood/Starmaster is the
finest large aperture portable telescope that I have ever looked through and I
have been very fortunate to have been able to look through a bunch of absolutely
superb high-end large scopes (28-32"). What absolutely blew me away was that on
the first evening I got to play with Duane's scope, at dusk, Jupiter was
strutting its stuff as the Sun was going down. To have such a large mirror/scope
produce the images I saw was astounding. That scope with a 20mm TV Nagler and a
Hydrogen-beta filter produced the finest image I have ever seen of the Horsehead
Nebula and I have seen it live hundreds of times both naturally as we did and
with image intensifiers and astrovideo cameras.  The dimensions of that scope
were just. dare I say it, "perfect" for a large aperture scope. OK enough about
Duane's scope. Now we move on to the other three huge scopes in the group that
included a 28" f/3.6 Kennedy/Starmaster, a 28" f/3.5 Lockwood Starmaster and the
other huge scope of a 30" f/3.7 Lockwood Starmaster. The other three were
spectacular. John's 28" f/3.6 Kennedy/Starmaster has been the standard by which
I have judged all other 28" scopes. Well, Kirk with his new 28" f/3.5
Lockwood/Starmaster has answered the challenge. I frankly was skeptical that
Lockwood could keep up with Kennedy in the super-large category (sorry Mike but
I too used to be a scientist). Well, I am here to tell you that the Lockwood
flat performed. Then, we need to remember that the other HUGE 30" f/3.7
Lockwood/Starmaster owned by Dan showed us some of the finest views of the
Eskimo Planetary Nebula at 2250x. The views of the Horsehead through the scope
were absolutely spectacular with his 17mm Ethos and the H-b filter. I wish we
could have compared the two views of the Horse with the same magnification. OK,
so I am thinking, this Lockwood guy maybe has something going on here? Well, all
you had to do was go over to John's 16.5" Lockwood/Starmaster or Gary's 20"
f/3.7 Lockwood Starmaster to see some of the finest views that can be had in
those respective aperture classes. Gary's 20" on M42 happened to be one of the
finest views of the nebula that I have ever seen. The pinprick protostars were
popping out all over the place in the nebula surrounding the Trapezium. The 20"
by far put up the finest view of the object of all of the scopes we were viewing
through. If you guessed that I am sort of "high" on Lockwood optics, you would
have guessed correctly. From my personal vantage point, it appears that he has
joined the lengendary ranks of Kennedy and Zambuto in the large aperture world.
My hats off to Mike and Rick for producing some very spectacular instruments. I
mentioned to Kirk that when these boys show up in the neighborhood (CAV), I am
just going to leave my exquisite 20" at home because it is just so
outclassed<g>. Well, these are my personal views with very little specifics.
There was a lot of other evaluation going on but that is simply not important to
discuss. The finest batch of Starmasters I have ever seen assembled happened
this week in a 100 foot radius. It was all the better that Rick Singmaster and
Carol Singmaster were able to join us and revel in the superb accomplishments of
the moment. Bob Schilling, Tallahassee, Florida
>

Mike - I spent a few nights observing with Rick on the 30" F/3.3. We had
views of Jupiter that were simply jaw dropping. The myth that only slower
scopes are good for planetary viewing has been busted. Rick and I toured the
Veil and with no filter, it looked awesome. Bob Schilling stopped by with
his H-beta filter and we saw the horsehead as plain as day. Everytime I have
viewed the horsehead visually in the past it was always "I kinda see it".
Not this time, it was there. Dan's 30" next to me was giving amazing views.
The Eskimo at over 2k power, looked incredible. Definitely a memorable view.
Rick gave John V and myself a star testing 101 lesson. Having Rick there was
really amazing. He is a treasure trove of information and I was very
fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from him.



Duane



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

Duane,

Thanks for your report and the photos you sent.  The really amazing thing is
that when you get one of the new Paracorrs, your big F/3.3 scope is going to get
even better!

Also, Bob S., thanks so much for your detailed report and feedback.  I hope you
don't mind if I borrow it for my customer comments page.

Reports like these really make my work rewarding, and I look forward to meeting
more of you at future star parties.

I will mention this here only once - just in case any of you want a scope larger
than 30" in aperture, I make monolithic mirrors up to 42" in diameter, and cast
cellulars up to 50".  I also have a Yahoo group, "lockwood_optics", than any of
you are welcome to join.

Mike Lockwood
Lockwood Custom Optics

--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "DuaneS" <DuaneSmith@...> wrote:
> Mike - I spent a few nights observing with Rick on the 30" F/3.3.
> We had views of Jupiter that were simply jaw dropping. The myth
> that only slower scopes are good for planetary viewing has been
> busted. Rick and I toured the Veil and with no filter, it looked
> awesome. Bob Schilling stopped by with his H-beta filter and we saw
> the horsehead as plain as day. Everytime I have viewed the
> horsehead visually in the past it was always "I kinda see it".
> Not this time, it was there. Dan's 30" next to me was giving
> amazing views. The Eskimo at over 2k power, looked incredible.
> Definitely a memorable view. Rick gave John V and myself a star
> testing 101 lesson. Having Rick there was really amazing. He is a
> treasure trove of information and I was very fortunate to have the
> opportunity to learn from him.

As many of you know, StarMaster Telescopes do not work with any telescope
control software like Starry Night, The Sky, Sky Tools, Maxim DL, and all
others.

Does anyone know if there is an ASCOM driver available yet, for the StarMaster
Dob Telescopes?

We need a driver that uses ASCOM as a go between to talk to our Sky Tracker and
Sky Commander.  The resopsibility for writing this driver falls on the developer
of the Sky Tracker / Sky Commander system.

Many of us have been waiting years for some one to write this driver. As far as
I can tell, we could be waiting another decade or more if we don't do something.
I suggest we take matters into our own hands and get it done once and for all.

The GOTO and track system is called "Sky Tracker",  and the setting circles are
called "Sky Commander".

The ASCOM driver needs to talk to both in order to work.

If no one knows of a working driver for this system, then I will ask if anyone
here wants to earn some money to program the driver?
Or does anyone here know someone who can do it? I personally do not have the
expertise to do it.


Best regards,
Carson Hicks

----- Original Message ----

> From: magnum79707 <hicksco@...>
>
> As many of you know, StarMaster Telescopes do not work with any telescope
> control software like Starry Night, The Sky, Sky Tools, Maxim DL, and all
> others.

Not quite.  There are one or two programs that work with the Sky Tracker/Sky
Commander.  I wish I knew how they did it.

> Does anyone know if there is an ASCOM driver available yet, for the StarMaster
> Dob Telescopes?

Not yet.  One member here recently tried, and eventually decided he didn't have
enough time for it.

> We need a driver that uses ASCOM as a go between to talk to our Sky Tracker
and
> Sky Commander.  The resopsibility for writing this driver falls on the
developer
> of the Sky Tracker / Sky Commander system.
>
> Many of us have been waiting years for some one to write this driver. As far
as
> I can tell, we could be waiting another decade or more if we don't do
something.
> I suggest we take matters into our own hands and get it done once and for all.
>
> The GOTO and track system is called "Sky Tracker",  and the setting circles
are
> called "Sky Commander".
>
> The ASCOM driver needs to talk to both in order to work.

A computer program can talk to either the ST or SC by connecting to the
SkyTracker.  Details are in the group files- see the last pdf file at:
<http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/starmaster_scopes/files/Reference%20Data/>
Slewing and goto commands are sent to the SkyTracker, other commands go
"through" the ST to the SC.  From my limited experience playing with this, the
problem is that communication to the SC "through" the ST is very unreliable.

-John

Hey folks,
As we speak, a very seasoned astronomer is testing the USB Beta version of Skyfi
and Voyager software from Carina Software for a ServoCat-Argo Navis system and
will be migrating it to a friends Skycommander-SkyTracker system in the near
future. The wireless Skyfi already talks with the SkyCommander and shortly will
be talking with the SkyTracker I suspect. You can have SkyVoyager planetarium
software on your I-phone and control your telescope with you phone<g>. The Skyfi
is self-contained with batteries and will have thousands of individual codes to
keep from someone else controlling your telescope. If you go to Carinasoft.com,
you can learn more about the system.
Bob Schilling

--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, John Mahony <jmmahony@...> wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message ----
>
> > From: magnum79707 <hicksco@...>
> >
> > As many of you know, StarMaster Telescopes do not work with any telescope
> > control software like Starry Night, The Sky, Sky Tools, Maxim DL, and all
> > others.
>
> Not quite.  There are one or two programs that work with the Sky Tracker/Sky
Commander.  I wish I knew how they did it.
>
> > Does anyone know if there is an ASCOM driver available yet, for the
StarMaster
> > Dob Telescopes?
>
> Not yet.  One member here recently tried, and eventually decided he didn't
have enough time for it.
>
> > We need a driver that uses ASCOM as a go between to talk to our Sky Tracker
and
> > Sky Commander.  The resopsibility for writing this driver falls on the
developer
> > of the Sky Tracker / Sky Commander system.
> >
> > Many of us have been waiting years for some one to write this driver. As far
as
> > I can tell, we could be waiting another decade or more if we don't do
something.
> > I suggest we take matters into our own hands and get it done once and for
all.
> >
> > The GOTO and track system is called "Sky Tracker",  and the setting circles
are
> > called "Sky Commander".
> >
> > The ASCOM driver needs to talk to both in order to work.
>
> A computer program can talk to either the ST or SC by connecting to the
SkyTracker.  Details are in the group files- see the last pdf file at:
> <http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/starmaster_scopes/files/Reference%20Data/>
> Slewing and goto commands are sent to the SkyTracker, other commands go
"through" the ST to the SC.  From my limited experience playing with this, the
problem is that communication to the SC "through" the ST is very unreliable.
>
> -John
>

What are the softwares that work with Starmasters telescopes.Iwas going to buy
SKY PRO, but I guess I better not.Thanks.Joseph.
rozasj@...




________________________________
From: John Mahony <jmmahony@...>
To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, November 20, 2009 11:41:08 PM
Subject: Re: [starmaster_scopes] ASCOM driver for StarMaster Telescopes.

 
----- Original Message ----

> From: magnum79707 <hicksco@suddenlink. net>
>
> As many of you know, StarMaster Telescopes do not work with any telescope
> control software like Starry Night, The Sky, Sky Tools, Maxim DL, and all
> others.

Not quite. There are one or two programs that work with the Sky Tracker/Sky
Commander. I wish I knew how they did it.

> Does anyone know if there is an ASCOM driver available yet, for the StarMaster
> Dob Telescopes?

Not yet. One member here recently tried, and eventually decided he didn't have
enough time for it.

> We need a driver that uses ASCOM as a go between to talk to our Sky Tracker
and
> Sky Commander. The resopsibility for writing this driver falls on the
developer
> of the Sky Tracker / Sky Commander system.
>
> Many of us have been waiting years for some one to write this driver. As far
as
> I can tell, we could be waiting another decade or more if we don't do
something.
> I suggest we take matters into our own hands and get it done once and for all.
>
> The GOTO and track system is called "Sky Tracker", and the setting circles are
> called "Sky Commander".
>
> The ASCOM driver needs to talk to both in order to work.

A computer program can talk to either the ST or SC by connecting to the
SkyTracker. Details are in the group files- see the last pdf file at:
<http://tech. groups.yahoo. com/group/ starmaster_ scopes/files/ Reference%
20Data/>
Slewing and goto commands are sent to the SkyTracker, other commands go
"through" the ST to the SC. From my limited experience playing with this, the
problem is that communication to the SC "through" the ST is very unreliable.

-John




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

This topic seems to be resurfacing more often these days!



A fellow Starmaster owner, Jerry Merz wrote a plugin for the Mac  OS Version of
Starry Night Pro V6. I use it with an AirCable USB serial port, and it works
great!  Jerry hasn't been on the forum recently. I have not tested this with
Snow Leopard, Mac's recent OS upgrade...

Software similar to Sky Tools, called AstroPlanner, also works very good, altho
there are times when the system will just ignore your request to slew to an
object. Wait a few seconds, try again, and it will slew to the object. This with
the same AirCable port as above.

Paul Rodman is the author
http://www.ilangainc.com/astroplanner/

I have not had success with the Beta Version talking to the Sky Tracker system,
but have not tested later releases of the Beta software since I had the problem
about 6 weeks ago.

Al Schlafli



--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, Joseph Rozas <rozasj@...> wrote:
>
> What are the softwares that work with Starmasters telescopes.Iwas going to buy
SKY PRO, but I guess I better not.Thanks.Joseph.
> rozasj@...
>

Try Guide 8. I heard it works well

Duane

--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, Joseph Rozas <rozasj@...> wrote:
>
> What are the softwares that work with Starmasters telescopes.Iwas going to buy
SKY PRO, but I guess I better not.Thanks.Joseph.
> rozasj@...
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: John Mahony <jmmahony@...>
> To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Fri, November 20, 2009 11:41:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [starmaster_scopes] ASCOM driver for StarMaster Telescopes.
>
>  
> ----- Original Message ----
>
> > From: magnum79707 <hicksco@suddenlink. net>
> >
> > As many of you know, StarMaster Telescopes do not work with any telescope
> > control software like Starry Night, The Sky, Sky Tools, Maxim DL, and all
> > others.
>
> Not quite. There are one or two programs that work with the Sky Tracker/Sky
Commander. I wish I knew how they did it.
>
> > Does anyone know if there is an ASCOM driver available yet, for the
StarMaster
> > Dob Telescopes?
>
> Not yet. One member here recently tried, and eventually decided he didn't have
enough time for it.
>
> > We need a driver that uses ASCOM as a go between to talk to our Sky Tracker
and
> > Sky Commander. The resopsibility for writing this driver falls on the
developer
> > of the Sky Tracker / Sky Commander system.
> >
> > Many of us have been waiting years for some one to write this driver. As far
as
> > I can tell, we could be waiting another decade or more if we don't do
something.
> > I suggest we take matters into our own hands and get it done once and for
all.
> >
> > The GOTO and track system is called "Sky Tracker", and the setting circles
are
> > called "Sky Commander".
> >
> > The ASCOM driver needs to talk to both in order to work.
>
> A computer program can talk to either the ST or SC by connecting to the
SkyTracker. Details are in the group files- see the last pdf file at:
> <http://tech. groups.yahoo. com/group/ starmaster_ scopes/files/ Reference%
20Data/>
> Slewing and goto commands are sent to the SkyTracker, other commands go
"through" the ST to the SC. From my limited experience playing with this, the
problem is that communication to the SC "through" the ST is very unreliable.
>
> -John
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi all,

It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be the
place to ask an eyepiece question.

I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
months or so from a darker site.

I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr from Rick
at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.

I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool Christmas
present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans, shirts,
socks, etc.

My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of course,
I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what magnification
I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure the same
magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom provides would be a
different experience.

The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've been
drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price range but I'm
not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be best for a 4th
eyepiece.

Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Alan

Hi Alan,

    I have a 14.5" f/4.3 Starmaster, and my favorite eyepiece on globs is my 9mm
Nagler Type6. This gives me 176X, and is perfect. Doing some quick math this
eyepiece will give you 159X which should work great for your scope. This is my
most used eyepiece in this scope, and there have been nights when I never use
anything else. This eyepiece also works great on planetary nebula and small
galaxies. The nice thing about a Starmaster scope is its able to take high
power.  However my second most used eyepiece in that scope is the 13 Nagler
Type6.

    Best, John




--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "antsalan2002" <ANTSALAN@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be the
place to ask an eyepiece question.
>
> I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
months or so from a darker site.
>
> I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr from
Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.
>
> I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans,
shirts, socks, etc.
>
> My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
magnification I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure the
same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom provides would
be a different experience.
>
> The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've been
drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price range but I'm
not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be best for a 4th
eyepiece.
>
> Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?
>
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> Alan
>

At the local public obs I use a 20 Nagler for finding things, and then usually a
12 Nagler for "zooming in" on smaller objects like globulars.  But that's with a
large 28" f/4.1 scope where the limit imposed by the seeing hits earlier (in
terms of EP focal lengths).  For a 12" f4.5, I agree with John (Kuhl?) that
you'd probably want to go to higher power, like a 9mm, for globulars and
planetary nebulas.

-John




----- Original Message ----
> From: john <2kuhl@...>
>
>    Hi Alan,
>
>    I have a 14.5" f/4.3 Starmaster, and my favorite eyepiece on globs is my
9mm
> Nagler Type6. This gives me 176X, and is perfect. Doing some quick math this
> eyepiece will give you 159X which should work great for your scope. This is my
> most used eyepiece in this scope, and there have been nights when I never use
> anything else. This eyepiece also works great on planetary nebula and small
> galaxies. The nice thing about a Starmaster scope is its able to take high
> power.  However my second most used eyepiece in that scope is the 13 Nagler
> Type6.
>
>    Best, John
>
>
>
>
> --- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "antsalan2002" wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be
the
> place to ask an eyepiece question.
> >
> > I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
> observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
> months or so from a darker site.
> >
> > I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr from
> Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.
> >
> > I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
> Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans,
> shirts, socks, etc.
> >
> > My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
> course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
> magnification I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure the
> same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom provides
would
> be a different experience.
> >
> > The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've
been
> drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price range but
I'm
> not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be best for a
4th
> eyepiece.
> >
> > Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
> eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?
> >
> > Thanks for any suggestions.
> >
> > Alan
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Hi again,

I wanted to make sure I understood the 9mm eyepiece size recommendation by
looking at the astronomical terminology for the size of an object I'm looking
at.  Is the following correct?

The Televue Eyepiece Calculator lists the true Field of an eyepiece in degrees.

From a Google search:  1 degree = 60 arcminutes

From the Deep-Sky Companions The Messier Objects book, globular clusters range
from 6'(M72) to 35'(M4) diameter.  The "'" symbol I'm taking to be arcminutes,
so this equates to the globular clusters ranging from 0.1 to 0.58 degrees
diameter.

For example, M5 is 22' (or 0.37 degrees) diameter. According to the eyepiece
calculator, for my telescope a 9mm Nagler provides the following:
With a Paracorr: 0.43 degree true field & a 183X magnification
Without a Paracorr: 0.5 degree true field & a 159X magnification

With most globular clusters being under 22 arcminutes in size, the "framing"
around the clusters should be nice using the 9mm Nagler.

I don't have an equatorial platform so I should be able to view for a while
before having to nudge the telescope.

Do I get an "A" or an "F"?

Thanks again.

Alan



--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, John Mahony <jmmahony@...> wrote:
>
> At the local public obs I use a 20 Nagler for finding things, and then usually
a 12 Nagler for "zooming in" on smaller objects like globulars.  But that's with
a large 28" f/4.1 scope where the limit imposed by the seeing hits earlier (in
terms of EP focal lengths).  For a 12" f4.5, I agree with John (Kuhl?) that
you'd probably want to go to higher power, like a 9mm, for globulars and
planetary nebulas.
>
> -John
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> > From: john <2kuhl@...>
> >
> >    Hi Alan,
> >
> >    I have a 14.5" f/4.3 Starmaster, and my favorite eyepiece on globs is my
9mm
> > Nagler Type6. This gives me 176X, and is perfect. Doing some quick math this
> > eyepiece will give you 159X which should work great for your scope. This is
my
> > most used eyepiece in this scope, and there have been nights when I never
use
> > anything else. This eyepiece also works great on planetary nebula and small
> > galaxies. The nice thing about a Starmaster scope is its able to take high
> > power.  However my second most used eyepiece in that scope is the 13 Nagler
> > Type6.
> >
> >    Best, John
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "antsalan2002" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be
the
> > place to ask an eyepiece question.
> > >
> > > I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
> > observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
> > months or so from a darker site.
> > >
> > > I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr
from
> > Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.
> > >
> > > I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
> > Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans,
> > shirts, socks, etc.
> > >
> > > My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
> > course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
> > magnification I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure
the
> > same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom provides
would
> > be a different experience.
> > >
> > > The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've
been
> > drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price range but
I'm
> > not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be best for a
4th
> > eyepiece.
> > >
> > > Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
> > eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any suggestions.
> > >
> > > Alan
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>

Alan,

You already have the Paracorr, so that bumps you up a letter in my gradebook. 
:)

You have done most of your homework, so you get a "B" - the only thing you
haven't done is find someone in your area with the 13mm T6 or 16mm T5 and try
them out.  (If that's not possible, I'll bump it up to an "A".)

The 13mm and 9mm T6 are two of my favorite eyepieces, and I often use them for
planetary observing.  You already have the 5mm T6, and I find that performance
of those three eyepieces is quite similar.

I'm not sure I've ever used the 16mm T5, but its big brother the 31mm is superb.

The fixed focal length eyepieces will perform better than the zoom and have a
wider field.

Mike Lockwood
Lockwood Custom Optics

--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "antsalan2002" <ANTSALAN@...> wrote:
> For example, M5 is 22' (or 0.37 degrees) diameter. According to the
> eyepiece calculator, for my telescope a 9mm Nagler provides the
> following:
> With a Paracorr: 0.43 degree true field & a 183X magnification
> Without a Paracorr: 0.5 degree true field & a 159X magnification
>
> With most globular clusters being under 22 arcminutes in size, the
> "framing" around the clusters should be nice using the 9mm Nagler.
>
> I don't have an equatorial platform so I should be able to view for a while
before having to nudge the telescope.
>
> Do I get an "A" or an "F"?

Alan,

I have both 13mm and 9mm Nagler T6 that I use with my 11" Starmaster, and I
always leave the Paracorr in the telescope.  I use the 13 more than the 9, but I
use both of them quite a bit.  I find the 13 to be an excellent medium power
eyepiece.  With the Paracorr in your telescope you have an effective F ratio of
about 5.2 and an effective focal length of about 1600mm.  This corresponds to an
exit pupil of 2.5mm and a magnification of 123x.  I find that 2.5mm exit pupil
to be very comfortable, and that magnification gives you both enough
magnification to see some detail and a reasonable actual field of view.

The 9mm is nice because it gives you more magnification and globulars generally
take magnification well, but of course it depends on your local sky conditions
too.  It is what I would call medium power just getting into the realm of how
power observing.  However, if your seeing is bumpy, the 13mm may give you the
better view.

BTW, at those powers you should have no trouble tracking by hand, especially if
you leave the Paracorr in because it gives you a much larger coma free field. 
At 177x your actual field of view would be 82/177= .46 degrees.  If you were
viewing an object at zero declination (where the sky moves fastest) it would
take almost two minutes to drift through the field of view.  Of course you would
be nudging the telescope long before that, but it is not a second by second
tracking problem.

Alan

--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "antsalan2002" <ANTSALAN@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be the
place to ask an eyepiece question.
>
> I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
months or so from a darker site.
>
> I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr from
Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.
>
> I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans,
shirts, socks, etc.
>
> My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
magnification I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure the
same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom provides would
be a different experience.
>
> The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've been
drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price range but I'm
not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be best for a 4th
eyepiece.
>
> Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?
>
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> Alan
>

Alan brings up a good point about your local sky conditions. I'm lucky in
that I live on the west coast (San Diego), and though most of it isn't as dark
as it use to be, we have really good skies that allow us to use very high power
often. If you end up not being able to decide between the 9 or 13 Nagler Type6
you can always get both, or there is the 11 Nagler Type6. This is a great
eyepiece also, but some think it is a little short on eye relief. However it
might make a good compromise between the other two.

    Best, John Kuhl




--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "ailevin" <ailevin@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Alan,
>
> I have both 13mm and 9mm Nagler T6 that I use with my 11" Starmaster, and I
always leave the Paracorr in the telescope.  I use the 13 more than the 9, but I
use both of them quite a bit.  I find the 13 to be an excellent medium power
eyepiece.  With the Paracorr in your telescope you have an effective F ratio of
about 5.2 and an effective focal length of about 1600mm.  This corresponds to an
exit pupil of 2.5mm and a magnification of 123x.  I find that 2.5mm exit pupil
to be very comfortable, and that magnification gives you both enough
magnification to see some detail and a reasonable actual field of view.
>
> The 9mm is nice because it gives you more magnification and globulars
generally take magnification well, but of course it depends on your local sky
conditions too.  It is what I would call medium power just getting into the
realm of how power observing.  However, if your seeing is bumpy, the 13mm may
give you the better view.
>
> BTW, at those powers you should have no trouble tracking by hand, especially
if you leave the Paracorr in because it gives you a much larger coma free field.
At 177x your actual field of view would be 82/177= .46 degrees.  If you were
viewing an object at zero declination (where the sky moves fastest) it would
take almost two minutes to drift through the field of view.  Of course you would
be nudging the telescope long before that, but it is not a second by second
tracking problem.
>
> Alan
>
> --- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "antsalan2002" <ANTSALAN@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be
the place to ask an eyepiece question.
> >
> > I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
months or so from a darker site.
> >
> > I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr from
Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.
> >
> > I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans,
shirts, socks, etc.
> >
> > My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
magnification I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure the
same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom provides would
be a different experience.
> >
> > The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've
been drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price range but
I'm not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be best for a
4th eyepiece.
> >
> > Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?
> >
> > Thanks for any suggestions.
> >
> > Alan
> >
>

Alan,
I've read the responses to your question and haven't seen anyone mention the
Nagler 17mm T4. It is probably my most used eyepiece, followed by my 9mm T6,
35mm Panoptic, then my 12mm T4. I have four other Naglers, but don't use
them much (and I'm going to sell either my Nagler 26mm or my 35mm Panoptic).
So, like Mike suggested, see if you can borrow a 17mm, and until you move up
to an Ethos lineup, it certainly is a serious contender for a slot in your
eyepiece case.
Joe C
14.5" 4.3f w/Skytracker

-----Original Message-----
From: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of antsalan2002
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 11:31 PM
To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [starmaster_scopes] Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5



Hi all,

It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be
the place to ask an eyepiece question.

I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
months or so from a darker site.

I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr from
Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.

I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans,
shirts, socks, etc.

My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
magnification I've been using. Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure
the same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom
provides would be a different experience.

The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've
been drooling over. They are probably at the upper limit of the price range
but I'm not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be
best for a 4th eyepiece.

Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Alan






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

----- Original Message ----

> From: gumbydad2002 <wsrs@...>
>
> Hey folks,
> As we speak, a very seasoned astronomer is testing the USB Beta version of
Skyfi
> and Voyager software from Carina Software for a ServoCat-Argo Navis system and
> will be migrating it to a friends Skycommander-SkyTracker system in the near
> future. The wireless Skyfi already talks with the SkyCommander and shortly
will
> be talking with the SkyTracker I suspect.

I hope so.  The problem doesn't have anything to do with wireless itself, but
just plain computer communication with the ST/SC combo.  If the people at Carina
can figure that out, I hope they let us know the secret.

-John


> You can have SkyVoyager planetarium
> software on your I-phone and control your telescope with you phone. The Skyfi
> is self-contained with batteries and will have thousands of individual codes
to
> keep from someone else controlling your telescope. If you go to
Carinasoft.com,
> you can learn more about the system.
> Bob Schilling
>
> --- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, John Mahony wrote:
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> >
> > > From: magnum79707
> > >
> > > As many of you know, StarMaster Telescopes do not work with any telescope
> > > control software like Starry Night, The Sky, Sky Tools, Maxim DL, and all
> > > others.
> >
> > Not quite.  There are one or two programs that work with the Sky Tracker/Sky
> Commander.  I wish I knew how they did it.
> >
> > > Does anyone know if there is an ASCOM driver available yet, for the
> StarMaster
> > > Dob Telescopes?
> >
> > Not yet.  One member here recently tried, and eventually decided he didn't
> have enough time for it.
> >
> > > We need a driver that uses ASCOM as a go between to talk to our Sky
Tracker
> and
> > > Sky Commander.  The resopsibility for writing this driver falls on the
> developer
> > > of the Sky Tracker / Sky Commander system.
> > >
> > > Many of us have been waiting years for some one to write this driver. As
far
> as
> > > I can tell, we could be waiting another decade or more if we don't do
> something.
> > > I suggest we take matters into our own hands and get it done once and for
> all.
> > >
> > > The GOTO and track system is called "Sky Tracker",  and the setting
circles
> are
> > > called "Sky Commander".
> > >
> > > The ASCOM driver needs to talk to both in order to work.
> >
> > A computer program can talk to either the ST or SC by connecting to the
> SkyTracker.  Details are in the group files- see the last pdf file at:
> >
> > Slewing and goto commands are sent to the SkyTracker, other commands go
> "through" the ST to the SC.  From my limited experience playing with this, the
> problem is that communication to the SC "through" the ST is very unreliable.
> >
> > -John
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Joe,

I didn't mention it because it costs more than the 16mm T5.

Definitely a good eyepiece, but I find positioning my eye to use it is a bit
different than with other eyepieces (no doubt yet another reason why some prefer
various types and models more than others).

Mike Lockwood

--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "Joe Castor" <Joe_Castor@...> wrote:
> I've read the responses to your question and haven't seen anyone
> mention the Nagler 17mm T4. It is probably my most used eyepiece,
> followed by my 9mm T6, 35mm Panoptic, then my 12mm T4. I have four
> other Naglers, but don't use them much (and I'm going to sell
> either my Nagler 26mm or my 35mm Panoptic).
> So, like Mike suggested, see if you can borrow a 17mm, and until
> you move up to an Ethos lineup, it certainly is a serious contender
> for a slot in your eyepiece case.
> Joe C
> 14.5" 4.3f w/Skytracker

Alan,

I would recommend the 12mm Ngler Type 2.

Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "antsalan2002" <ANTSALAN@...>
To: <starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 12:30 AM
Subject: [starmaster_scopes] Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5


> Hi all,
>
> It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be
> the place to ask an eyepiece question.
>
> I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
> observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every
> two months or so from a darker site.
>
> I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr
> from Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.
>
> I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
> Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of
> jeans, shirts, socks, etc.
>
> My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
> course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
> magnification I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure
> the same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom
> provides would be a different experience.
>
> The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've
> been drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price
> range but I'm not sure of the best magnification and "object framing"
> would be best for a 4th eyepiece.
>
> Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
> eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?
>
> Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> Alan
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Hi,
I live just outside of Memphis, TN and see unsteady skies quite a bit.  The
light pollution is bad at my house, but just an hour away, the Milky Way can be
seen. I bought the 5mm Nagler for Jupiter & Saturn, but don't get to use it much
because of the unsteady seeing.  Saturn & Jupiter are steady when using the Zoom
at ~9mm on most nights I have observed them.

The 9mm was sounding good and would serve a dual purpose, as Jupiter/Saturn
would look good in it as well as the globular clusters, but now I'm leaning
towards the 13mm -- or the 11mm if the eye relief is there.

The 16mm & 17mm eyepieces would be nice to have, but probably have too large of
a field of view to see as much resolution in the globulars as I'm wanting to see
- and they cost more.

Thanks again for all of the comments.

Alan



--- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "john" <2kuhl@...> wrote:
>
>    Alan brings up a good point about your local sky conditions. I'm lucky in
that I live on the west coast (San Diego), and though most of it isn't as dark
as it use to be, we have really good skies that allow us to use very high power
often. If you end up not being able to decide between the 9 or 13 Nagler Type6
you can always get both, or there is the 11 Nagler Type6. This is a great
eyepiece also, but some think it is a little short on eye relief. However it
might make a good compromise between the other two.
>
>    Best, John Kuhl
>
>
>
>
> --- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "ailevin" <ailevin@> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Alan,
> >
> > I have both 13mm and 9mm Nagler T6 that I use with my 11" Starmaster, and I
always leave the Paracorr in the telescope.  I use the 13 more than the 9, but I
use both of them quite a bit.  I find the 13 to be an excellent medium power
eyepiece.  With the Paracorr in your telescope you have an effective F ratio of
about 5.2 and an effective focal length of about 1600mm.  This corresponds to an
exit pupil of 2.5mm and a magnification of 123x.  I find that 2.5mm exit pupil
to be very comfortable, and that magnification gives you both enough
magnification to see some detail and a reasonable actual field of view.
> >
> > The 9mm is nice because it gives you more magnification and globulars
generally take magnification well, but of course it depends on your local sky
conditions too.  It is what I would call medium power just getting into the
realm of how power observing.  However, if your seeing is bumpy, the 13mm may
give you the better view.
> >
> > BTW, at those powers you should have no trouble tracking by hand, especially
if you leave the Paracorr in because it gives you a much larger coma free field.
At 177x your actual field of view would be 82/177= .46 degrees.  If you were
viewing an object at zero declination (where the sky moves fastest) it would
take almost two minutes to drift through the field of view.  Of course you would
be nudging the telescope long before that, but it is not a second by second
tracking problem.
> >
> > Alan
> >
> > --- In starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com, "antsalan2002" <ANTSALAN@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be
the place to ask an eyepiece question.
> > >
> > > I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
months or so from a darker site.
> > >
> > > I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr
from Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.
> > >
> > > I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans,
shirts, socks, etc.
> > >
> > > My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
magnification I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure the
same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom provides would
be a different experience.
> > >
> > > The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've
been drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price range but
I'm not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be best for a
4th eyepiece.
> > >
> > > Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any suggestions.
> > >
> > > Alan
> > >
> >
>

Hi Mike,
I don't have any experience with the 16mm, but I sure love the 17mm. I like
my 12mm T4 least of all my EPs. It just isn't comfortable, and it has, for
me, some ghosting. But like you say, different EPs for different eyes.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of parabola30
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 6:38 PM
To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [starmaster_scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5





Joe,

I didn't mention it because it costs more than the 16mm T5.

Definitely a good eyepiece, but I find positioning my eye to use it is a bit
different than with other eyepieces (no doubt yet another reason why some
prefer various types and models more than others).

Mike Lockwood

  Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use
.




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

I use the 9mm T6 Nagler on globs as I like to resolve to the core. I achieve
282X in my 20" F5 scope with the eyepiece. You might also consider the Pentax
10mm XW which is a beautiful eyepiece. It however would deliver a bit less
power. I like the throughput of the Pentax maybe a bit more than the Nagler. I
do have to sacrifice some field of view, but it is worth it.  These two
eyepieces will deliver 158X and 142X respectively with your scope.

I have four eyepieces in this range as it is about the max my scope will do with
the usual seeing conditions. I have the 9mm T6 Nagler, and an old Meade 9mm
orthoscopic, a University Optics 9mm, and the 10mm Pentax XW. I like to
experiment among the four for the best view and also depending if I am doing
planetary or deep sky observing.

My 5mm Nagler gets very  little use too, and my 2.5 Nagler is a hedge on that
one in a thousand nights that could happen.

Regards and clear skies,

Erwin Miller






________________________________
From: antsalan2002 <ANTSALAN@...>
To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, November 22, 2009 7:58:36 PM
Subject: [starmaster_scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5


Hi,
I live just outside of Memphis, TN and see unsteady skies quite a bit.  The
light pollution is bad at my house, but just an hour away, the Milky Way can be
seen. I bought the 5mm Nagler for Jupiter & Saturn, but don't get to use it much
because of the unsteady seeing.  Saturn & Jupiter are steady when using the Zoom
at ~9mm on most nights I have observed them.

The 9mm was sounding good and would serve a dual purpose, as Jupiter/Saturn
would look good in it as well as the globular clusters, but now I'm leaning
towards the 13mm -- or the 11mm if the eye relief is there.

The 16mm & 17mm eyepieces would be nice to have, but probably have too large of
a field of view to see as much resolution in the globulars as I'm wanting to see
- and they cost more.

Thanks again for all of the comments.

Alan

--- In starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com, "john" <2kuhl@...> wrote:
>
>    Alan brings up a good point about your local sky conditions. I'm lucky in
that I live on the west coast (San Diego), and though most of it isn't as dark
as it use to be, we have really good skies that allow us to use very high power
often. If you end up not being able to decide between the 9 or 13 Nagler Type6
you can always get both, or there is the 11 Nagler Type6. This is a great
eyepiece also, but some think it is a little short on eye relief. However it
might make a good compromise between the other two.
>
>    Best, John Kuhl
>
>
>
>
> --- In starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com, "ailevin" <ailevin@> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Alan,
> >
> > I have both 13mm and 9mm Nagler T6 that I use with my 11" Starmaster, and I
always leave the Paracorr in the telescope.  I use the 13 more than the 9, but I
use both of them quite a bit.  I find the 13 to be an excellent medium power
eyepiece.  With the Paracorr in your telescope you have an effective F ratio of
about 5.2 and an effective focal length of about 1600mm.  This corresponds to an
exit pupil of 2.5mm and a magnification of 123x.  I find that 2.5mm exit pupil
to be very comfortable, and that magnification gives you both enough
magnification to see some detail and a reasonable actual field of view.
> >
> > The 9mm is nice because it gives you more magnification and globulars
generally take magnification well, but of course it depends on your local sky
conditions too.  It is what I would call medium power just getting into the
realm of how power observing.  However, if your seeing is bumpy, the 13mm may
give you the better view.
> >
> > BTW, at those powers you should have no trouble tracking by hand, especially
if you leave the Paracorr in because it gives you a much larger coma free field.
At 177x your actual field of view would be 82/177= .46 degrees.  If you were
viewing an object at zero declination (where the sky moves fastest) it would
take almost two minutes to drift through the field of view.  Of course you would
be nudging the telescope long before that, but it is not a second by second
tracking problem.
> >
> > Alan
> >
> > --- In starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com, "antsalan2002" <ANTSALAN@>
wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > It has been a while since I've visited the group and thought this would be
the place to ask an eyepiece question.
> > >
> > > I bought my Starmaster 12.5" f4.5 6 to 7 years ago and have been casually
observing once to twice a month from my suburban backyard and once every two
months or so from a darker site.
> > >
> > > I bought a 35mm Panoptic, an 8-24mm Zoom, a 5mm Nagler, and a Paracorr
from Rick at the same time I bought the scope and had some spare funds.
> > >
> > > I am considering suggesting to my wife that she and our relatives pool
Christmas present money and purchase a 4th eyepiece for me in lieu of jeans,
shirts, socks, etc.
> > >
> > > My favorite observing objects so far have been the globular clusters. Of
course, I've been using the zoom for these and haven't thought to see what
magnification I've been using.  Even if I know the magnification, I'm sure the
same magnification with a wider field of view than the 8-24 zoom provides would
be a different experience.
> > >
> > > The 13mm Nagler Type 6 or 16mm Nagler Type 5 are two eyepieces that I've
been drooling over.  They are probably at the upper limit of the price range but
I'm not sure of the best magnification and "object framing" would be best for a
4th eyepiece.
> > >
> > > Does anyone have some eyepiece suggestions (Televue and non-Televue) for
eyepieces that you've found to be your favorites for globular clusters?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any suggestions.
> > >
> > > Alan
> > >
> >
>







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

Hi,my name is Joseph and I also own a 14.5/f4.3 Starmaster.I already have a
Panoptic 24 televue eyepiece and a televue 11mm.I was thinking of buying the
Ethos 17mm.What do you think?Joseph.  rozasj@...




________________________________
From: Joe Castor <Joe_Castor@...>
To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 12:55:51 AM
Subject: RE: [starmaster_scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5

 
Hi Mike,
I don't have any experience with the 16mm, but I sure love the 17mm. I like
my 12mm T4 least of all my EPs. It just isn't comfortable, and it has, for
me, some ghosting. But like you say, different EPs for different eyes.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com
[mailto:starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com]On Behalf Of parabola30
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 6:38 PM
To: starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: [starmaster_ scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5

Joe,

I didn't mention it because it costs more than the 16mm T5.

Definitely a good eyepiece, but I find positioning my eye to use it is a bit
different than with other eyepieces (no doubt yet another reason why some
prefer various types and models more than others).

Mike Lockwood

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use
.

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




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

Joe,

I own the same scope.  The 17mm Ethos is fine if you are looking for a super
wide FOV at approximately 107x (with Paracorr) and have money to burn.  I've
considered the Ethos EP's but just can't justify the expense for any single
choice of power.  I go the cheap route and use a 17mm Stratus.  For the
price of one 17mm Ethos you could buy five Stratus or equivalent EP's or
a19mm Panoptic plus 16mm & 13mm Naglers!  I've looked through several of the
Ethos pieces but their price does not justify the extra 18 degree FOV when
compared to the multitude of options available for the same expense.  Not
trying to talk you out of it.  It's just that you have to do a lot of
viewing at that focal length to justify spending as much money as some 10"
Dobs cost.

Most of my viewing is done with a pair of Pan 24's in a Denkmier bino with
2-arm power switch.  For higher powers I switch to a pair of Stratus 17's.
For close up work I use a 12mm Nagler Type 2 or 8mm Stratus.  The 8mm tends
to push up against the predominant local seeing conditions.

Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Rozas" <rozasj@...>
To: <starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 9:48 AM
Subject: Re: [starmaster_scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5


Hi,my name is Joseph and I also own a 14.5/f4.3 Starmaster.I already have a
Panoptic 24 televue eyepiece and a televue 11mm.I was thinking of buying the
Ethos 17mm.What do you think?Joseph. rozasj@...




________________________________
From: Joe Castor <Joe_Castor@...>
To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 12:55:51 AM
Subject: RE: [starmaster_scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5


Hi Mike,
I don't have any experience with the 16mm, but I sure love the 17mm. I like
my 12mm T4 least of all my EPs. It just isn't comfortable, and it has, for
me, some ghosting. But like you say, different EPs for different eyes.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com
[mailto:starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com]On Behalf Of parabola30
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 6:38 PM
To: starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: [starmaster_ scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5

Joe,

I didn't mention it because it costs more than the 16mm T5.

Definitely a good eyepiece, but I find positioning my eye to use it is a bit
different than with other eyepieces (no doubt yet another reason why some
prefer various types and models more than others).

Mike Lockwood

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use
.

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




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



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

Yahoo! Groups Links

That makes alot of sense.Thanks for your advice.Joseph.




________________________________
From: Jim DellaPenna <jdellapenna@...>
To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 10:57:06 AM
Subject: Re: [starmaster_scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5

 
Joe,

I own the same scope. The 17mm Ethos is fine if you are looking for a super
wide FOV at approximately 107x (with Paracorr) and have money to burn. I've
considered the Ethos EP's but just can't justify the expense for any single
choice of power. I go the cheap route and use a 17mm Stratus. For the
price of one 17mm Ethos you could buy five Stratus or equivalent EP's or
a19mm Panoptic plus 16mm & 13mm Naglers! I've looked through several of the
Ethos pieces but their price does not justify the extra 18 degree FOV when
compared to the multitude of options available for the same expense. Not
trying to talk you out of it. It's just that you have to do a lot of
viewing at that focal length to justify spending as much money as some 10"
Dobs cost.

Most of my viewing is done with a pair of Pan 24's in a Denkmier bino with
2-arm power switch. For higher powers I switch to a pair of Stratus 17's.
For close up work I use a 12mm Nagler Type 2 or 8mm Stratus. The 8mm tends
to push up against the predominant local seeing conditions.

Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Rozas" <rozasj@bellsouth. net>
To: <starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 9:48 AM
Subject: Re: [starmaster_ scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5

Hi,my name is Joseph and I also own a 14.5/f4.3 Starmaster.I already have a
Panoptic 24 televue eyepiece and a televue 11mm.I was thinking of buying the
Ethos 17mm.What do you think?Joseph. rozasj@bellsouth. net

____________ _________ _________ __
From: Joe Castor <Joe_Castor@compuser ve..com>
To: starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 12:55:51 AM
Subject: RE: [starmaster_ scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5

Hi Mike,
I don't have any experience with the 16mm, but I sure love the 17mm. I like
my 12mm T4 least of all my EPs. It just isn't comfortable, and it has, for
me, some ghosting. But like you say, different EPs for different eyes.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com
[mailto:starmaster_ scopes@ yahoogroups. com]On Behalf Of parabola30
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 6:38 PM
To: starmaster_scopes@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: [starmaster_ scopes] Re: Eyepiece for 12.5" f4.5

Joe,

I didn't mention it because it costs more than the 16mm T5.

Definitely a good eyepiece, but I find positioning my eye to use it is a bit
different than with other eyepieces (no doubt yet another reason why some
prefer various types and models more than others)..

Mike Lockwood

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use
.

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

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

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

Yahoo! Groups Links




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

Hi,

The Super FX page is now up:
   http://www.starmastertelescopes.com/superFXscopes.htm

Also here's an article about the recent star party at Chiefland.  There are a
couple photos at the bottom, and hopefully more will be added soon:
   http://www.starmastertelescopes.com/chiefland_11_09.html

Mike Lockwood

Hi,

I'd appreciate some advice or guidance from those who have successfully replaced
their Sky Tracker hand controller cords. I have an 18" Starmaster and the time
has come to replace mine. I'd also be interested in making the replacement with
a coiled cord.

To me, the stock cord looks like standard phone cable with phone jacks but I've
read some older posts here indicating that the pins are reversed or the cord is
actually custom. Not sure if a trip to Radio Shack would suffice or if more is
involved...

Thanks in advance,
Rob

Rob,
Just call Rick Singmaster and he will give you all the info you need to
get/make the correct cable.
Joe C
-----Original Message-----
From: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of turtle86
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 7:25 PM
To: starmaster_scopes@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [starmaster_scopes] Replacement Cable for Sky Tracker Hand
Controller



Hi,

I'd appreciate some advice or guidance from those who have successfully
replaced their Sky Tracker hand controller cords. I have an 18" Starmaster
and the time has come to replace mine. I'd also be interested in making the
replacement with a coiled cord.

To me, the stock cord looks like standard phone cable with phone jacks but
I've read some older posts here indicating that the pins are reversed or the
cord is actually custom. Not sure if a trip to Radio Shack would suffice or
if more is involved...

Thanks in advance,
Rob






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