Hey guys, do any of you remember me? Maybe the word "Optisan" will jog your memory. After being incredibly busy with lots of different things... I'm still incredibly busy, but I've come back to finish off the story of the Optisan.
For some who don't know what I'm talking about, search for Optisan on this forum. It's a chilling tale of lots of stuff, and was rated as a pretty good read for its time. But for those of us who don't have the patience to sit through something that long (and being honest, my attention span isn't exactly long) the story basically turns out with me tearing the tripod apart for use as a binocular mount. That mount is currently stacked under a lot of stuff while we finish building the extension to our house (a second storey, how exciting!), so I can't get to it anymore though I'd really, really like to pull it out. Just without a torrent of stuff crushing me.
Anyway recently I became the owner of an ETX-70AT scope that I got cheaply from a friend. I'm happy with it (mostly because I knew exactly what I could expect to see with it, and after the Optisan I think I'd be happy with a coke bottle on a stick) and I'm happy that I have a reason to sit there out in the feezing cold that doesn't include a wobbly tripod mount hack for my binoculars (which didn't really work anway, though it served its purpose till now).
Now, to actually get to the point, I have some questions.
Firstly, I seem to remember somebody having an ETX-70AT as well, but I can't remember if that was here or somewhere else. My question is about power. I have a rather large collection of NiMH AA batteries (six of which I used tonight, but in typical New Scope Syndrome fashion, clouds rolled in) as well as two chargers. I have no idea why I have these, I just happen to like them I guess. I've read that the ETX chews up batteries quickly, but I don't know if they were talking about NiMH rechargables or stock standard batteries. I was out there for a decent amount of time tonight and they didn't go flat, but then again I wasn't out there for as long as I usually am. If it doesn't chew through NiMH batteries too quickly, I'm going to buy six of them especially for the scope to use (so I don't get confused or use them in other devices, where I'm likely to never find them again until they go flat), but if the ETX has a tendancy to eat them like popcorn, I may as well go and buy an adapter and wire it up. I don't particularly want to do this since it'd mean running extension cables from the nearest socket to the scope, but if I'm not going to get a decent look on NiMH then I may as well do it. Any comments, and if it's better to wire up an adapter, any specifics? I know it's 9 volt, but what about amps? And does it have to be regulated?
Second question: the manual says to align it with "north" when doing 2 star alignment. I've seen some people say "north" and others saying "true north". The manual just says "north". Which is it, and more importantly, what's the real difference between true north and north?
Third question: Anyone got any suitable suggetions for accessories? Currently I've got the two stock standard 9mm and 25mm MA eyepieces that come with the ETX-70AT, and I'm building my own tripod since I've heard the stock Meade one is flimsy and prone to breaking. I was thinking of buying some sort of fliter. Is it worth it with the ETX? If I was going to buy just one, which one should it be? Any price approximations? I like viewing the brighter DSOs (my skies aren't exceptionally dark).
Uh... there was something else I was going to ask, but I can't actually remember it right now. Blame the exam I've got tomorrow which I haven't really figured out yet. Anyway thanks for taking the time listening to me ramble on again... for the third time.
Oh and if anyone's wondering what happened to the rest of the Optisan: it still exists... sort of
back soldant - have fun with your new toy mate
