(Viewed 2,697 times)

[jglover]

Al said:

It looks just like the one I bought at Menards last month for $15 (regularly $19). The dimensions seem pretty close. Mine came with a shoulder strap which is handy. I bought it because I needed one with more

It's probably the same case Al, as mine also came with a shoulder strap....and the $19 regular prices is even better than Lowe's. Looks like a trip to Menard's is in order this week, as I need another......

Now all I need to find is a decent case for the ED80. Orion's $90 price just seems way too high. I've seen the same diced foam tool boxes used for ST80's but the ED80 is just a bit too long to fit in one of those.

[Al Degutis]

jglover said:

Now all I need to find is a decent case for the ED80. Orion's $90 price just seems way too high. I've seen the same diced foam tool boxes used for ST80's but the ED80 is just a bit too long to fit in one of those.

While you're at Menards, get a couple of PVC couplers, cut the ED80 tube in half so it'll fit. Use the PVC couplers to put it back together for viewing. But don't use PVC cement, otherwise you'll have to cut it again.

disclaimer - don't try this a home; cutting of the ED80 will cause internal injury to the OTA and the owner.

[jglover]

Al said:

While you're at Menards, get a couple of PVC couplers, cut the ED80 tube in half so it'll fit. Use the PVC couplers to put it back together for viewing. But don't

Wow! I'll be the first on my block to have a split tube ED80!! ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I defend use of the pvc.

My home made finder scope is made from one!

But I will be stopping at the Menards within the week.

[jglover]

Chicago said:

But I will be stopping at the Menards within the week.

PVC?? Perhaps a split tube Newt coming..........

[Alan]

Guys,

Thanks again for the great advice. Just got done arranging my eyepieces and stuff in my brand new aluminum case! ( I was driving past Menards on the way home so I ended up there before Lowe's). I also need a case for my ED100, or I've got a nice circular saw that I can use to split it in half! - I stopped by Guitar Center hoping to find a reasonably priced musical instrument case - the ones I saw were all the wrong size and very expensive anyway. Looks like I'm ordering the soft case from Orion.

Alan

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Alan,

Wait, don't be in a great rush to buy it from Orion as of yet. Look around a bit at other cases not necessarily with an astronomical application. Something will pop up and catch your attention...and besides, Orion will always be there.

I troll thrift shops for cases, holders etc...for pennies on the dollar. As I have mentioned, some have used hard shelled golf club cases for their scopes for the cost of a Happy meal. My eyepiece case is an adapted camera case that hinges open nicely.

[Alan]

Dear group,

Its very hard to believe we have another cloudy day in the city - a few clear spots but not much to work with

I ordered some binocs ( Orion ultraview 8x42 2nds for $119) this morning based on the following bino reviews:
www.newxspotters.bizland.com/todd/weatherman/binadler.htm

I was just looking for the most basic pair of binocs to start with - I'll let you guys know how it works out.

My budget is busted to pieces - hopefully with the binocs I am now at the end of the of my purchases.

I also found a deep sky site I really like - you just type in the messier number on the designation line ( eg 'messier 13') and a number of links to sketches pop up ( I like sketches because presumably they reflect real time views) and are arranged by type of telescope and amount of magnification.
www.deepsky-archive.com/search.php

Orion expanse 6mm just arrived today.

Alan

[jglover]

Alan said:

My budget is busted to pieces - hopefully with the binocs I am now at the end of the of my purchases.

If only you knew what was ahead..........

Just try not to look through a Nagler!

The binocs are a good purchase. And the 8x42's are a good size to handhold. A lot of folks recommend 10x50's but I've always been a little shaky trying to handhold a 10 power binoc. But my 8x32 Pentaxes are quite easy to keep steady. I've really not used these though for astronomy, they are my birding binos. I used to have a cheap old pair of 7x50's that were a great astronomy binocular, and they were Simmons, which I think just rebadges Chinese imports. Picked 'em up at Walmary on clearance for less than $20.

My main astrobinos now are a cheap pair of Bushnell 12x50's and 16x50's. I use them mounted on my photo tripod but I've also built an adapter out of PVC pipe to try and mount the binocs on my Celestron GOTO mount. I'll try that when it gets a bit warmer outside though.