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  #1  
Old 13-10-2005, 05:54 AM
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davidpretorius
lots of eyes on you!

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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Launceston Tasmania
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Snake Valley EP / Toucam comparison test

Hi Guys, a month or so ago, i flagged that I was keen to look at as many eyepieces and write a report for IIS from a noobies point of view. I have series 500 so the only way is up. I alo believe I can also be objective as i have not looked thru a nagler or pentax, and hold no allegiance for any brand (except the top of the line series 500!).

Based upon feedback from last time. There will be 9 categories. A matrix of "market quality" vs "magnification". "Market quality" is like a good, better, best principle.

Good: under say $70, Series 500, GS & Bintel house brand
Better: $70 to $200, Meades series 4000 and 5000 etc
Best: Over $200, Meade superwide, pentax, televue.

As most guys are getting dobs, lets say 10" with a fl of 1250, the mag breakdown would be:

Low: 20mm and greater, giving 60 x and lower
Medium: 10mm to 19mm, giving 120x - 60x
High: 9mm and less, giving 120x to over 300x

Properties like contrast, eye relief, field of view, overall x factor etc will be looked at.

I know that a lot of guys have already mentioned that they are willing to let me look thru naglers etc, but at the same time, guys are well within their rights not to be bothered by me tapping them on the shoulder at the camp.

If you will allow me to use your EP/EP's for a comparison test at Snake Valley could you please post here informing me of:

1. Which EP/EP's will you allow me to test?
2. May I place your EP/EP's into nominated telescopes?
3. Would you like to nominate your scope for the comparison test?
4. If nominating your scope, what is it & what sort of tracking?
5. Are you happy for me to take a long exposure image with a toucam through your telescope?

If your name is not on this list, i will respect your right to quiet and peaceful viewing!

Please note, i will be wearing proper gloves like a butler, as i fully respect the value of eyepieces that will be there. I know i would not appreciate a finger mark in the middle of the lens!

Thanks all~
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  #2  
Old 13-10-2005, 02:27 PM
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ballaratdragons (Ken)
The 'DRAGON MAN'

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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: In the Dark at Snake Valley, Victoria
Posts: 14,412
Dave, I am happy for you to use my EP's in the comparison test.

Some you already have so you might like to test my:
2" GS 30mm SV,
2" GS 2x Barlow
GS 9mm Plossl.

I will also make my 12" GS Dob available for the 12" f/5 test of the EP's.(after it is collimated to perfection). It has no Tracking method.

Glad to help out with the test! The results will be very helpful in determining what is better for my scope.


.
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  #3  
Old 13-10-2005, 06:31 PM
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Dave47tuc (David)
IIS member 65

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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mornington peninsula. Victoria.
Posts: 1,658
As the Star Party is over 3 full days & 4 nights, we are hopefull for a least one day & night of clear weather.

You don't have to do all the testing at night. Daytime testing is very usefull.

I'm sure we can find time for a little EP testing. You maybe supprised on what you find.

My sig, has what scope i have I was hopeing for a standard GSO10" Dob being at the camp, to see what a scope out of the box is like to a modified one

See you then
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  #4  
Old 19-10-2005, 12:24 PM
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davidpretorius
lots of eyes on you!

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Location: Launceston Tasmania
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Summary of objects to view and then rate eyepieces based upon a recent link to the pentax comparisons of xw & xl's

Moon (high contrast surface features)
Planets (bright object, low contrast surface features)
Double stars
Detailed nebulaes / galaxy
Diffuse nebulas / galaxy
Compact clusters
Open cluster.

So thinking of objects to suit over the nights of star camp

Moon: NA
Planets: Mars @ 1am
Double stars: Gamma2Delphini @ 9pm
Detailed nebulaes / galaxy: Orion @ 2am, Sculptor galaxy @ 11pm
Diffuse nebulas / galaxy: NGC2070 @ 12pm
Compact clusters: M2 @ 10pm
Open cluster: clusters around the keyhole @ 3am

& finish off with saturn at 4am!!!

This is a rough guide of things i could find that will hopefully give me a wide range of viewing objects and a long enough timeframe.

Any comments / suggestions would be great. Or any other objects that provide a better test???

thanks
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  #5  
Old 24-10-2005, 11:40 PM
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asimov (John)
Planet photographer

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Location: Bundaberg
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You may test all mine. I'll give you a list of them shortly.
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  #6  
Old 24-10-2005, 11:58 PM
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janoskiss (Steve H)
Registered User

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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sale, VIC
Posts: 6,033
Feel free to check out my Nagler and Panoptic. I would like to compare the 19mm Pan against a 20mm GSO SV in both my scope and other people's well collimated fast scopes. In my 8" the 19mm Pan and 30mm SV perform similarly, so maybe the top EPs are a waste of money for me. I am really looking forward to checking out everyone else's gear to get a better perspective.
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  #7  
Old 25-10-2005, 12:02 AM
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davidpretorius
lots of eyes on you!

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thanks guys, appreciate it
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  #8  
Old 25-10-2005, 12:09 AM
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asimov (John)
Planet photographer

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Location: Bundaberg
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All 1.25"

35mm celestron ultima
24mm celestron ultima
20mm TV plossl
15mm GS-5 Parks
7.5mm Baader eudiascopic
5mm LV vixen
Meade #140 2X APO barlow
---------------------------
Baader 'fringe-killer'
Baader 'contrast-booster'
Baader UHC-S neb. filter
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