Post by katodog on Dec 16, 2006 15:53:25 GMT -6
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
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