ep's selection recommendations ? - Page 2

janoskiss (Steve H) · #21 02-03-2005, 03:17 PM

That's no good Ken. The two GS Ploessls are supposed to come standard with the scope. It must be just you, because you got the initial $999 super deal for the deluxe scope with the buttery focuser, before Lee realised that he's running a business & not a charity.

iceman (Mike) · #22 02-03-2005, 03:32 PM

The bintel scopes are supplied with GS plossls.. I know this because mine are GS plossls. I got the 4 of mine with the scope.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #23 02-03-2005, 03:45 PM

That'll teach me!

Gonna have to get me some good GS ones now. Could be half the problem with trying to get perfect focus.

Thought something was a bit odd when my old melted Huygenians gave better views in my 4.25" reflector, but surely the Series 500 can't be that bad.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #24 02-03-2005, 04:12 PM

Ken, You're joking, right?! about the Huygensians giving better views! The 500's are not bad at all; very similar to the GS ploessls. Perhaps not quite as sharp near the edges, but I have little to compare: 9 & 25mm GS vs 4 & 20mm Ser-500. Then I also have the Dick Smith Ploessls at 6,10 & 30mm. The 6 & 10 are pretty horrible; lots of internal reflections and glare.

If you have focus problems, your EPs are definitely not the cause.

Striker (Tony) · #25 02-03-2005, 04:15 PM

Time for a new scope KEN...can I suggest LX200.....

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #26 03-03-2005, 12:15 AM

O.K. Are you all ready for a shock!!!

Today I made an adapter to take my 20 year old melted and distorted 1" Huygenian EP's. (adapter made from an 'Oates' paint roller extension handle attachment).

The clouds have just parted for about 10 mins so I raced out with the scope.

No time to wait for cool-down time, stuck in the H=20.

BLOOMING HECK!! It is crisp, clear and focuses.

Clouds coming back, stuck in the H=12.5. Same result.
Quick star test - passed with flying colours!!!!!!
Saturn and Jupiter as clear as photos, beautiful coloured bands.

Quick, try the H=6. No good, too melted.

Back to the H=12.5 tried Orion Neb. Beautiful!!!

Split Alpha Cent - easy!!! even through haze.

Clouds came back, now I'm writing this in shock.

My damaged 20 year old 'K Mart' el-crappo 1" Hugenians have out-performed the Series 500 Ep's.

I am definately getting new EP's. These ones are terrible!

Steve, your 500's might be good but these aren't.

Tony, stick your LX200 (for a year or two anyway)

I thought I was doing something wrong in the collimation, but no, it's these blasted 500's.

MiG · #27 03-03-2005, 12:21 AM

LOL, isn't life amusing.

RAJAH235 · #28 03-03-2005, 12:26 AM

Buy *MEADE*.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #29 03-03-2005, 12:28 AM

Got to laugh though.

These Huygenians were $3.99 each at K. Mart (20 years ago, but)

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #30 03-03-2005, 01:18 AM

Clouds have gone again, sky is clear, and to be fair, I have gone out to do a comparison.

The mirrors have cooled (1 hour). I placed the Series 500 15mm Plossl in the barrel. Yep, same as before! Seagulls flying everywhere, and can't get a crisp image.

Took out the 500-15mm, swapped it for the H=12.5mm (closest two for comparison). Better image. Stars are pinpoints.

Jupiter - 500-15mm, good image but Galilean moons are seagulls.
H=12.5 - Perfect image, coloured bands clear and distinct, moons crisp.

The only problem with the Huygenian is the usual Huygenian problem, crappy around the edge. But centre is amazingly perfect.

Got me buggered!

p.s. These are not the plastic crap Huygens you get these days, these ones are Steel shaft, Steel top, and plastic inner.

EDIT: Something even more laughable - The fog has rolled in so I packed the scope away, brought the Huygenians in for a good look,
and the lenses aren't even clean!!!

ving (David) · #31 03-03-2005, 07:16 AM

and you had how much to drink?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #32 03-03-2005, 10:26 PM

I don't drink, maybe that's the problem.

I was talking to next door neighbbour today (the retired Physics and Maths Professor). This is how the conversation went.

Me: Tried my old Huygenians last night in the 12 incher and found they work better than my new EP's.

Him: Yes, that's right. (blank faced)

He said that with a look of "so, what's the problem".

The next thing I said was a big mistake if you know my neighbour (he never shuts up). I said: "Why?"

You never ask my neighbour "why?" unless you have nowhere to go for the next week.

He then went into the most complicated and mind-boggling facts and maths about radius of curvature and pi = square something and K1 to P1 to D1 and all this Algebra stuff, then the history of when he ground his own lenses with his students and effect of curvature on curvature, multiple elements. One and a half hours later my missus finally dragged me away as we were late for my youngest daughters 14th birthday tea.

I did not understand 90% of what he said (as usual) but I must admit, the bloke is bloody clever.

Apparently (short version) Huygenians prefer a Parabaloid to a spherical objective more than other types of EP's because it has a negative lens and the convex field lens also adapts itself better to the Parabaloid.

In plain lingo: the Convex Field lens is a perfect match to the length of light rays from the mirror (unfortunately only at the centre, that was their downfall).

So, after all that I am still not much wiser, just more confused, but apparently Huygenians love my size scope! but don't like small refractors.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #33 03-03-2005, 10:50 PM

Very interesting Ken. Thanks for keeping us informed. Might have to look into this...

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #34 03-03-2005, 11:05 PM

Steve, come and talk to my neighbour about it. But bring a tent, you'll be stuck with him a looooooong time.

ving (David) · #35 04-03-2005, 11:26 AM

and a sleeping bag and a flask of hot chocky....

clear as mud that was