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[katodog]

I know everyone is going to be mad at me for bringing on the cloudy weather, but Santa Claus is bringing me a new toy.

I spent about a week building quite a wish list. I started with the Wicked Laser Advanced Series 75mW green laser. This would be awesome compared to the Ebay green laser I have, but would probably only be used to burn the hairs on my cousin's arm, or see what I could light on fire. Not really practical, but fuels the inner child.

I had assorted eyepieces, a soft case for my LXD75 AR6-AT, and accesories on the list. The only rough part was the case, but I figurd with the weight of the mount, tripod, and ota in it it would not only be heavy, but I don't know how sturdy it would be. Plus being a soft case makes me wonder how much protection it would really provide. But while cruising Orion's website I came across the Express 80. It's a darned sweet looking scope, and is supposed to be really good optically. Plus it would be great for wide-field shots. That pretty much knocked the accessories off the list. I can always get an eyepiece or accessory any time, so they all went bye bye. The Express 80 presented a hard decision between it and the laser.

Then, while cruising different sites looking for reviews on the Express 80, I came across the Stellarvue Nighthawk. Okay, now the list is getting hard again. The Stellarvue is pretty much the same as the Express 80, but I think the optics are better on the Nighthawk and I like the fact that it comes with a finder and a dovetail bar that will fit it on my LXD75. Plus OPT has free shipping. I like the word free.

Now, Orion has free shipping and a reduced price on the Express 80, but I'd have to make a dovetail for it, or buy tube rings. If I bought tube rings, I'd have to pay shipping for them. So the price goes up to probably $350-$370, depending on how much the shipping was. The Nighthawk comes with a dovetail, a finder, and has free shipping for $350.

I weighed the decision, and unfortunately the laser got knocked off the list. I could probably wait for it, and it would only be used for evil. The decision between the two scopes was slightly harder, but the Nighthawk won.

So, to make a long story short, I am awaiting the arrival of a new Stellarvue Nighthawk 80mm f/6 Refractor. Please refrain from cussing me out for the impending bad weather. Instead, blame Santa Claus (the boss) for letting me ask for it and saying "yes".

As is required by astro law, I will post pics of it's arrival along with my deeply smilling face. ;D ;D

[Mahinamama]

I wont cuss you out hun, it's to be expected with a new gift...lol

Though I cant do much outside anyways as I have a very painful spur on my foot that is pressing on nerves.


I hope when you get your gift that the skies are clear and crisp for you.

[katodog]

Okay, now comes the part where I look like a complete insane screwball.

The Stellarvue has been knocked off the list. I have decided to get an Astro Tech AT80. I kept looking at more and more telescopes and companies and kept coming across more and more that were similar to what I was looking for, but each had minute differences.





The Stellarvue and the Astro Tech are similar, but the Astro Tech has a dual speed Crayford focuser, while Stellarvue has only single speed. The Astro Tech, if I get it from High Point Scientific, comes with a 2" diagonal, while the Stellarvue does not. I also like the colors of the Astro Tech. It comes in chrome, which is what I thought I wanted, but decided against because it may be a bit obnoxious in a crowd. Too much reflectivity. It also came in other colors, including red, which is the one I want to get. The Stellarvue came with a dovetail that would fit my LXD75, but I could always make a dovetail for the Astro Tech.

So, to make a long story short, as long as I stop looking at telescopes, the Astro Tech is the winner.

I wish to apologize in advance for the impending bad weather this purchase will bring.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Great that you are expanding your arsenal, and getting a refractor. It will be nice to compare your scopes in performance...reflector vs. refractor.

I enjoyed your images and story when you got the last one...I anticipate the new arrival vicariously.

I would have chosen the chrome scope myself... ;D

[katodog]

I would have picked the chrome, but I thought maybe it would be a bit much for anyone nearby. Reflections off the tube into someone's eyes would not be too good. Especially in the daytime.

But, anyhow, it is ordered. Just have to wait for Santa in the brown pants.

[katodog]

Good news: scope is ordered ;D

Bad news: scope is out of stock

Good news: scope will be drop shipped from another dealer in about 3 business days

Bad news: I don't want to wait

Good news: 3 days isn't that long to wait


Good news?: it's cloudy and rainy, so I couldn't use it anyway

Bad news: you guys are gonna be mad for my bringing the bad weather

Good news: I'm out of good news, bad news

;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

[shadow=red,left,300]If the chrome one was ordered.... ____________

[/shadow]

[katodog]

The scope has arrived!!!!

Sorry Joe, it's not chrome. I couldn't find an appropriate set of fuzzy dice and pimp curtains to go on it, so I went with red.

This scope is awesome!!! The anodized finish is sweeeeet!!

Here are some shots of the little beauty. There is one shot next to my 20x80 binos for comparison. At first, when I read the reviews of the scope, it seemed like everyone made a big deal about it being heavy. I kept thinking, "Why are they making such a big deal about 5 pounds?" It's actually pretty heavy. I think the LXD75 will be more than enough to handle it, and I'm looking to have the option to mount it on my other EQ mount.

Anyway, on to the pics.


What it is




Scope in case. Very nice case, but I would have designed it to conform to different accessories better




Dew shield retracted




Dew shield extended




Nice shot of underside




Next to 20x80 binos




I ordered it from High Point Scientific, and since it was out of stock with them, they had it drop shipped from Astronomics. That was no problem, but now I have the 1.25" Dialectric diag instead of the Enhanced 2" that High Point had. No big deal. I am more than happy with either. Besides, I can use the 2" I already have.

The scope has an awesome 2" dual speed Crayford focuser that is super, super smooth. I can't bleieve the quality of this thing. Too bad it didn't come yesterday. The skies were beautiful. Tonight is cloudy.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Aw Kdog,

What a beautiful looking scope! Chicago Astronomer Bill has one similar, and it is a sweet instrument. I can attest the views will be crisp and clear, and I can't wait to read about your first views and observations.

Get a pic for us with the assembled scope sitting in it's mount...and you with it. In your excitement, don't mix up the silica bags there on the table with Earl Grey tea bags.

Edward has the sickness...real bad.

Too cool!...

[katodog]

If you're referring to the mental sickness I have to constantly go back and forth in an attempt to do something simple, then yes, I have the sickness.

In an attempt to make a dovetail for the AT80 to mount onto the LXD75, I trashed the first one. Oh well, it weighed 2 and a half pounds, so it probably was too heavy. The next one was easy, since it was already made. I just had to drill holes for bolts. That was the easy part. Once I got home to put the scope on the mount, I found that the scope sat too low and would go on the mount. So now, I have to wait until tomorrow, go back to work, get longer bolts and some spavers, and wait all day to come home to assemble them. But I'm sure something else will goof and I'll have to wait another day.

At least the one good() thing is that it's cloudy, so I couldn't use the scope anyway.

Now to today's other project; A new case for the AT80.

The original case was good, but didn't give much leeway for adding stuff to it, so I went and got another case. Aluminum, with pluck foam. It needs some fine tuning, but here is the AT80 in it's new home.







Well, the weather man says it's going to be overcast until Monday or Tuesday, so maybe I'll sneek over to Joe's house and peek in his windows.

Gotta use the scope for something.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

If you're referring to the mental sickness I have to constantly go back and forth in an attempt to do something simple, then yes, I have the sickness.

Lol....I was referring to the sickness we astronomers get when we just have to obtain another piece of equipment. Then we will be content...but it never ends.

Similar to aperture envy, the sickness has no cure.

I have a question and a suggestion...

What are these? It looks like two .38 bullet cartridges! If so, only two?

And...and I thought I would include something to warm you up on those cold, bitter observational session.

Cheers!...

[katodog]

As requested, here are a few shots on the LXD75. Sorry, Joe. No shots of me next to it. Maybe when I shower and shave I'll let you see me. Right now, I don't want to take anything away from the shots of the scope.







Here are a few of the dovetail.








By the way, Joe. Remember the pics of the swords on the wall? Not only do they attest to my vast knife collection, but they would also indicate my over 30 years studying Martial Arts. Which you will be witnessing first-hand if you don't stop Photoshopping my pictures.

(Okay, that was a joke, just in case you didn't think so. But seriously, don't make me come down there) ;D



On an even more serious note. I just had a great idea for an astro-event. I work at a bowling center in Willowbrook. We could all get together some night with our scopes and have a night of bowling, and have a nice little gathering in the parking lot. Of course, that would depend on the weather.

[katodog]

Latest AT80 News: I had to order an extra counterweight for the AT80 to go onto the LXD75. I'll take the two ten pounders off and use the new 7.5 pound weight with the AT80. I have a few shots of the new scope piggybacked on the AR6, which is an awesome setup. It is ridiculously out of balance, but I used it last night with no problems at all. I'll have to add the new counterweight to the other two when I have the piggyback setup. Even with the two tens all the way down, it still wants to play wheel of fortune.








I also have the first official shots from the AT80. It has an awesome field of view, and the colors are perfect. I haven't seen a hint of CA on the moon shots I took, and for an achromat that's pretty odd. But I am definitely not going to complain.


Here is a shot of M42. Taken with the Fuji S5000, with a 2 second exposure, ISO 400, and 32mm eyepiece.




Here are two shots of the Pleiades. I found out after looking through my pics that there was something flying through the shot. I don't know if it was an airplane or a satellite. Could've been Santa.







Anyhow. When I get the techniques down with the new scope, and the mounting is complete, the shots will get better

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Kdog,

Great shots there.

The M45 shots with an object flying thru it is a satellite. Aircraft would display the tell-tale flashes.

How are you collimating/aligning the new scope to the larger one? I don't see any adjustment screws, just two hold down bolts. Is that enough? I would think tube rings are in order, but they look good together.

Will you be keeping that configuration, or switch back and forth as desired between mounts?

Were the M45/M42 shots taken piggy back, or on a tripod? I'm seeing some coma aberrations around the brighter stars...do you know why?

Good stuff...

[katodog]

As usual, Joe, you whip out the technical questions. Well, I'll try to answer them the best I can.

I checked Starry Night today, and kicked it back to Jan 1, and there was a satellite going pretty close to the Pleiades. I'm sure that is what it was.

The new scope when mounted on the handle of the AR6 is pretty close to being lined up. When there is an object in the center of fov in the AT80, the same object will be off-center in the AR6. When I get bothered by the difference, I only have to shim up one end of the handle to match the two scopes together. Plus the fact that with the modification I made to the focuser on the AR6, I can collimate the diagonal in the focuser, which will allow more adjustment when I want everything perfect. I already have a couple of Teflon washers just in case. Side to side I can just turn the AT80. It only has one 1/4-20 knob to hold it on. It's actually pretty secure. I added some cork to the handle to assist cork that is on the AT80, so it would stay put a lot better. Plus, I won't have to crank down too much on the knob.











I will probably use the AT80 piggybacked on the AR6 most of the time. I made a dovetail to mount the AT80 on the LXD75, so if I want to use the setup grab-and-go, I can. I didn't want to limit what I could do, so I opted for both methods. I'm also working on a way to mount the AT80 onto my other EQ mount, but I think I'll either have to make or buy rings for it.

The shots were taken with the new scope piggybacked on the AR6. As far as how the pics came out, it's just a matter of fime tuning the scopes together, and fine tuning myself to the new setup. I'm sure I'll have to play around with the camera settings to get the most out of the AT80.

I'll have to remember when I post pics to give you the usuall smart alec details.

[katodog]

Well, I got the extra counterweight I ordered from Orion. I put it on, and it fit like a glove. It's the same diameter as the Meade counterweights, so it doesn't look out of place. Well, except for the difference in color. No big deal, I can always paint it. I think I'll wait until it comes time to repaint everything and do it with some really good auto paint and finish.

It made balancing the scopes perfect. When I want to take out just the AT on the LXD, I can just drop the two Meade weights off and move the Orion weight down a bit, and it works out great. Now all I have to do is quit being a chicken from the freezing cold and go out to observe. I think I might make a quick release for the counterweight shaft so I won't have to keep unscrewing the safety bolt from the bottom of the shaft to get the weights off. Maybe I'll look into one of those toe-saver connects that I 've seen. They can't be too much money, and are probably good for getting the weights off quick.

My cousin and I tried to find the comet today, but there were clouds that were perfectly in line with where we needed to see, so no deal. We got a few breaks, and were able to see Venus, but no comet. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.