Welcome to the history list

[simmo]

Hello

It's interesting to see how people have travelled and where they have ended up.
Obviously we all start somewhere and travel roads somewhat different and arrive at a point where we are today (most of that can be seen in the sticky above). What I can't see is how you got there or how did you upgrade in between (if that's what you did) or what was your first upgrade and do you still have them/use them and are they useful.

So share your experiences of where you started, how you got to where you are today, some memorable ep's or some that you still wished you had? I'm not sure how this will go or whether it'll work out right but its easier to learn from people gone before!

I suppose me first

Started with Skywatcher plossl's (still so young, so many memories and still using them) and now have 1st upgrades University VT orthos. (Even younger but the range is now growing.)

Simmo

[MattT]

Hmmm...interesting,
My first upgrade was a down grade Started with an 8" f5 newt on HEQ5 Pro which drove me slightly insane...newt on eq mount doesn't go IMO so 'Downgraded' to a manual eq with a 6" f8 refractor...ahh now in astro heaven!
Eyepieces is another story. Upgrade all the way with 4 XW's, so far, 2 to go and a bunch of ES's. In the pipeline an Istar refractor , a 12" dob and....does it ever end?
Matt

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

I started of with 25mm and 10mm Plossl's in my 130mm EQ2 mounted Saxon Newt. Then I had a loaner 8" dob from the ASV that came with 2 EPs exactly identical to the ones I had.
Then I bought my 12" GSO dob. It came with (I think) a 32mm 2" Plossl and a set of 1.25" one's consiting of 25, 15, 12, 9 and 6. You used to get a lot of EPs in those days!
I then decided to get a premium EP and lashed out on a 13mm T6 Nagler. My reasoning was that I knew a few people who used 12mm T4 Nags and I had looked through a couple and it beat the socks off the shorter Plossls, but the 13mm was a little cheaper. That EP blew me away when I first used it.
Then I picked up a second hand 24mm Panoptic from Paddy and it was a lovely thing, wide, flat and easy to use. I picked up a 32mm Meade 68deg EP shortly after. With those 3 I decided to offload almost all the plossls, giving away some and selling the rest.
I then picked up a 10mm Ethos and a 7mm Nag on special at Border Stargaze in 2011 and that hooked me on Ethoi.
When I purchased the 20 late last year it came with a set of EPs (9mm Nag, 12mm Nag, 16mm Nag and 35 and 41mm Panoptics.
I have now sold everything except my 10, 13, 17 and 21mm Ethos that I have acquired in the past year, the 41mm Panoptic and a single 10mm Plossl (one that came with my first scope) that I keep so very occasionally I have a look through to remind me how good the quality EPs really are.

Oh and my latest acquisition is a 12mm reticle EP that I acquired to assist with aligning the Argo. But trying to use with the 20" at 254x and such a tiny FOV is no fun.

So that is my potted EP history

Malcolm

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

1980-something: bought a department store refractor on a tergiversating tripod.

1980-something-plus-5-minutes: surely there is no point pursuing astronomy unless you have $1,000,000 because you obviously can't see squat with amateur equipment.

Geological age passes...

2000-something: bought an 8 inch dob with SW plossls.



Slowly acquired Televues and Pentaxes, Apos and Maks and other gear, many things have come and gone, and much of it is very impressive, but nothing compares to the realization that you can actually get decent views with some pretty basic equipment after all.

[simmo]

Hello and thanks for the replies,

A downgrade as an upgrade, not something I would have figured . I checked out the istar website too MattT. Scopes looked very nice. Specially the 140 Apo, Haven't been in astro too long but $3000 grand for a 140 Apo seems pretty reasonable huh?
About your ep's, do you rate xw's as better than the ES's or are they used for different purposes?

Barx, Q's about the ethois/naglers that you have/had? When viewing dso's do you get a little sidetracked with the "Total" view or are they still easy to use when honing in on the detail of what your looking at? Do you lose any light or detail with an eyepiece that has so many elements or are they that good that it is not something you need to worry about when thinking of purchasing? Sorry but my chances of looking through one are zip at the moment. I wouldn't mind adding one or two later on for bigger DSO stuff. What I'm afraid of is that I'll get caught up in the scene and possibly lose the detail I really want to find.

Miaplacidus I think we all need to cheer and thank Mr Dobson. His idea has opened the night sky to so many people. If there's a hall of fame or something for the advancement of amatuer astronomers I think he would have to definately be there.

Thanks guys to for the history part. It gives me some sort of idea of where you guys have been and gotten to and it has given me some ideas for how I would like to structure my progression in astronomy. I want this to be a journey and kind of like martial arts I would like to study and master my belt before moving on. But to move on someone needs to now where they are going. And in saying that we all need a grandmaster to teach us how to do it first!

So Cheers and thanks again
Simmo

[MattT]

Istar refractors are the new 'Dobs' of refractor land The 140 apo is ok but it's the achro lenses that are the best value anywhere. I'm a refractorholic I'll have to say. XW v ES is really no competition. I use the ES for the wide views in my 6" refractor which are really nice, but on the rare good nights the XW's are miles ahead. Have come to that conclusion after selling a 10mm XW, missing the views and then buying another one, along with a few others On the other hand ES are the best value for money with maybe the AT Paradigms too...will let you know when I get the 15 and 12 pairs for the bino's.
Upgrades...bino's fall into that one too. The other night watched Io transit Jupiter and could easily see the moon with 15mm GSO Superview eyepieces in the bino's. Put in the 6.7mm ES and mono viewing found it hard to see the moon.
Happy viewing
Matt

[Kunama]

Started observing in 1963 targets were the Aurora Borealis and the heavens above central Finland using a WW2 Russian made rifle sight scope. Nearest street lights were a decade away, totally dark skies and observing could take place from 3pm to 9am in winter in summer there was no dark to talk of.

In the 70s spied the skies from Canberra with regular trips to Mt Stromlo and the Oddie Refractor, own scope was a 60mm Tasco or similar ....

Fast forward to 2013: now again have nice dark skies over Jindabyne
with 6" F10 Istar Achro refractor and Vixen R200SS fast Newt.

Favourite eyepieces Vixen LVW 13mm and 17mm.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

I started in 1985 with a Tasco 60mm refractor (junk). Then I got a Meade 2120 LX3 and started doing astro-photography. Added a Meade 80 mm refactor (Mizar) and got hooked on refractors.
Next came an Astro-Physics 5" f8-pre ED glass, then an Astro-Physics 6" f9 EDT-best scope I ever had. Also had a Televue Pronto-an absolutely brilliant little scope-I regularly observed Mars at 200x with it.
Sold everything when I could no longer manage the weight of the 6" AP, and got a Televue 102mm, which I hardly ever used through lack of time, and eventually sold it and quit the hobby for many years.
Now I have a North Group 102mm f7 and a Stellarview Nitehawk 80mm.
I have always used Televue eyepieces-Naglers and Panoptics, but currently have all Naglers.

[LewisM]

Started in 1978 with a Japanese made refractor that had been handed down from my father's uncle, to my father, to me. It was superlative quality - ash tripod, beautiful white tube, green felt ring lining. Typical Japanese, it was straight through, which being knee high to a grasshopper was no inconvenience whatsoever. I accidentally dropped it once, and seriously bent the drawtube. We tried to fix it.... I still have the objective SOMEWHERE. Lasted me from age 5 to 10

Then came a Tasco plastic not-so-fantastic, that had a finder that doubled as a pocket microscope. It was utter junk, but it was something, which lead to me asking my parents for a better scope - ended up with - as so many here seem to have - a Tasco cherry red 60mm refractor Favourite EP with that one was definitely the 12.5mm - I could see Saturn SO well, or so I thought. I saw my first galaxy with it (M31), and my first nebula - M42 of course. I tried - in vein - to see Barnard 33

Then the aperture bug bit as I browsed all over the old blue Tasco catalogue.Scribbled notes all over it... eventually ended up with I THINK it was called the 66E, which I bought in Honolulu. It was THE only thing I bought on our holiday. I was 15. Favourite EP had now shifted to 20mm

That was a disaster of a scope, with it's silly alt locking bar arrangement, so I tired of that after a few years, and after saving up for what seemed an eternity, I bought my first reflector - an 8" Bushnell Dobsonian.

I saw a LOT with it. I toured the sky for HOURS every night. It has TERRIBLE coma mere mm off centre, but it did the job well enough, even with the cruddy 40mm Kellner it came with. Wife and I moved to PErth for work, and I gave the scope to a friend. When we came back to QLD, I asked my friend if he still had it, and he did - sitting in his back shed covered in central QLD red dust!

I got it back, cleaned it up, and used it for the next 3 years, until finally, I could no longer restrain my astrophotography bug, and bought a 190mm Maksutov on an EQ3 mount. It was a pretty darned good visual scope, though mirror flop was a PITA, but I learned to LOVE the Orion 40mm Plossl.

I sold that off, bought a laptop (necessary for AP), and settled in - after dabbling with scopes I did not like much (Vixen VC200L, Sywatcher ED100 and a Northgroup ED127), but keeping an ED80 I traded for the EQ3 mount (Regret selling the ED80).

Finally got around by trading and selling, and got my dream scope - Vixen FL102S refractor (that has been owned by a few members here before me, but it now stays here!). Supplemented it with a Vixen R200SS astrograph that, whilst a SUPERB scope, is not "me" (though I had dreamed of owning one since the Tasco catalogue - Vixen made some of the high end scopes rebadged by Tasco) and I recently sold this scope.

So now, it is just the Vixen FL102S doublet, supplemented with a cheap Orion widefield guidescope achromat. I did visual for the first time in many oons last night, and of course THE only EP I used was my beloved Pentax 20mm. I was splitting doubles with ease, Jupiter's banding was HIGHLY evident (a very good contrast scope if ever there was one!), and the Trapezium in M42 was all individual stars - plus I could see enough green tinge to make me happy - not just grey smudge.

My EP collection is VERY large... all 3 of them. My much adored Pentax 20mm, my fantastic Orion 40mm Plossl, and an Orion illuminated reticle

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by MattT

The other night watched Io transit Jupiter and could easily see the moon with 15mm GSO Superview eyepieces in the bino's. Put in the 6.7mm ES and mono viewing found it hard to see the moon.
Happy viewing
Matt

I love my 15mm GSO Superview.
Mine is getting very long in the tooth now, and the coatings have taken a pounding.
I'll definitely be buying another one.

[simmo]

Hey all,

Wow! Last night I was left lost for words reading your posts.

I came in after viewing last night and while I updated my diary thought I'd check out this thread. It gave me the greatest of feelings.

I get a real sense of where you guys have been and your stories while words here are alive in imagination.

Kunama. That snippet of your young life painted an awesome scene.

It kind of reminds me of when I used to stay up in bed as a youngster with my little planisphere looking out the window with awe but still trying not to get caught by mum and dad. I had no idea how to use the thing but the heavens do hold so many wonders for young eyes, even with such modest viewing aids.

By the way I think you guys are subtly steering me in the direction of refractors!I saw your picture from yesterday Lewis, that's some scope! I don't think I've seen more stars in a background before.

Matt can't wait to hear about your paradigms. From what I've read they are good value. Could we possibly get a xw vs es vs paradigm review from you?!

Truly the paths walked have been different but one thing seems to be common in all so far.

All Regards
Simmo

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Originally Posted by simmo

Barx, Q's about the ethois/naglers that you have/had? When viewing dso's do you get a little sidetracked with the "Total" view or are they still easy to use when honing in on the detail of what your looking at? Do you lose any light or detail with an eyepiece that has so many elements or are they that good that it is not something you need to worry about when thinking of purchasing? Sorry but my chances of looking through one are zip at the moment. I wouldn't mind adding one or two later on for bigger DSO stuff. What I'm afraid of is that I'll get caught up in the scene and possibly lose the detail I really want to find.
Simmo

Simmo
I love the Ethos EPs. The widefield is not really a distraction, I think it puts the object in context as you can see a lot of surrounding sky. Loss of light appears to be minimal, certainly haven't noticed any difference between these and a Nagler or Panoptic. I am a TV fan, only really ever bothered with TV apart from the Meade 32mm, so cannot offer any comparison with similar wide EPs from other makers.
I am finding it very easy to tease out lots of detail with these EPs, I think the ease of use helps one to relax and enjoy, and the eye works better if you are relaxed.


Malcolm

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

That makes 2 of us Matt , I to am a 'Refractorholic' , and Istar owner , I got the 127mm f/8 achro lense in cell for $453 posted from the USA , awsome value and awsome optics .
Brian.

Originally Posted by MattT

Istar refractors are the new 'Dobs' of refractor land The 140 apo is ok but it's the achro lenses that are the best value anywhere. I'm a refractorholic I'll have to say. XW v ES is really no competition. I use the ES for the wide views in my 6" refractor which are really nice, but on the rare good nights the XW's are miles ahead. Have come to that conclusion after selling a 10mm XW, missing the views and then buying another one, along with a few others On the other hand ES are the best value for money with maybe the AT Paradigms too...will let you know when I get the 15 and 12 pairs for the bino's.
Upgrades...bino's fall into that one too. The other night watched Io transit Jupiter and could easily see the moon with 15mm GSO Superview eyepieces in the bino's. Put in the 6.7mm ES and mono viewing found it hard to see the moon.
Happy viewing
Matt

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Where to start ,,
198?? something my girlfriend got me a Trust66 60mm alt/az refractor from those shopping booklets that always end up in your mail box , it was crap with the 4-12.5 and 20mm .965inch hygenes .. terrible , but usable .
That started me off .
Being a poor aprentice I had to make my own scopes ,
#1 , 10 inch f/10 newt ,EQ , aswome but HUGE !!
#2 , 5 inch f13, newt , EQ , planet killer !
#3 , 5 inch f/3.5 newt , ( made out of the tool from grinding the f13 ) .
#4 , 6 inch f8 newt , Dob mount
#5 , 8inch f/6 newt , Dob mount
#6 , 60mm f/15 1971 Meade refractor EQ 1 , the 20mm was my best eyepiece , and I still have this scope .
#7 , 100mm f10 Celestron Frac on EQ3 , my first taste of quality 1 1/4 inch eyepieces , 25mm , 18 mm and 10 mm Plossles .
#8 , 150mm Saxon f/8 Frac ( with Chromocor ) on HEQ5 , more good Plossles .
#9 , ED80 OTA , first taste of short quality scopes .
#10 , 150mm f/5 SW frac , more Plossles , great deep sky .
#11 , 63mm Zeiss Telementor , super quality Zeiss 16 and 25 mm Orthos , the best !! .
#12 , 80mm Stelarvue semi apo f/5.9?
#13 , Tak FS60C , nice
#14 , Tak SKY90 , nice
#15 , Tak Mewlon 210mm . Awsome !!
#16 , Home made Istar/Saxon 127mm f/8 refractor on TV Gibralter .
Eyepieces ,
Full set of CircleT Orthos 4mm -25mm for my Zeiss .
A few nice Vixen LV's .
11off TV's , 3x Radians , 3x Panoptics and 5x Naglers , all got here at IIS over the years , takes time , but you save a fortune .
Some Meade 1.1/4 and 2 inch eyepieces and my HUGE 31mm Celestron Axiom LV .
My 5 inch f13 and 150mm Saxon frac are in NZ being used by friends and family , the rest are sold , given away to newbys and apart from my Signiture here I still have ,
I probably missed a few , like Bino's and the such , but its been a great journey , thanks IIS . .
Brian.

[LewisM]

Originally Posted by brian nordstrom

That makes 2 of us Matt , I to am a 'Refractorholic' ...
Brian.

Thirded.

Refractor. Anything else is a substitute

Sold all my reflectors. Yeah, aperture, schmapature. I just keep the shutter open longer

Even sold the Vixen R200SS to afford a Takahashi FS60, but then my mount went poop... still not sure where that's going.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Thirded.

Refractor. Anything else is a substitute

Sold all my reflectors. Yeah, aperture, schmapature. I just keep the shutter open longer

Even sold the Vixen R200SS to afford a Takahashi FS60, but then my mount went poop... still not sure where that's going.

Thats 4 of us!

[simmo]

Hello all,

Thanks Barx for your reply. It puts the widefield ep into perspective. I was thinking last night it would have been handy to have had a widefield or two. I went looking for mag 7-10's around the M46-7 area and while I found a couple it would have been easier and more efficient too I think if I had a widefield. There was a lot of back and forth between the map to finder to ep and so on as I was starhopping. I was starting to wish for a rubber neck as it was all high in the sky!

I also agree with your statement about relaxing makes things easier as I did notice that effect between my orthos and the stock plossls. Just have find the funds now to get a widefield to experience another level of it.

Brian that's a heck of a lot of History list! I love the fact that you built the scopes yourself too. I notice your ZAO's, aren't they supposedly the holy grail of ep's?

Cheers
Simmo

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

They are the best in what they are designed to do Simmo , high power luna /planetary/double star work , yes the Zeiss orthos are excellent for this ,eg. blardy $$$$$ .
Brian.

Originally Posted by simmo

Hello all,

Thanks Barx for your reply. It puts the widefield ep into perspective. I was thinking last night it would have been handy to have had a widefield or two. I went looking for mag 7-10's around the M46-7 area and while I found a couple it would have been easier and more efficient too I think if I had a widefield. There was a lot of back and forth between the map to finder to ep and so on as I was starhopping. I was starting to wish for a rubber neck as it was all high in the sky!

I also agree with your statement about relaxing makes things easier as I did notice that effect between my orthos and the stock plossls. Just have find the funds now to get a widefield to experience another level of it.

Brian that's a heck of a lot of History list! I love the fact that you built the scopes yourself too. I notice your ZAO's, aren't they supposedly the holy grail of ep's?

Cheers
Simmo