[APML] Thank you to John Mirtle for advising me about Lumicon's 6Xcritical focus scope

[Alan Voetsch <alanv12952@yahoo.com>]

Hey John,

Last Summer (or so) you had replied to one of my many posts, in this
case it was about tightening up the focus a little bit on my OM-1. You
suggested trying the Lumicon critical focus scope. Well, I was able to
find one on astromart a couple months ago and have had it sitting in my
closet since then.

I'm in the process of fine tuning the new G-11/Gemini and Tak FS-102. I
have been noticing slightly elongated, bloated stars. To some extent,
this was not at the top of my priority list as I was more concerned
with making sure the ST-4 was working well with the mount, and learning
jow to navigate through the Gemini menues while setting up shots.

Anyway, since the Moon was taking over the sky, I decided to pull out
the little focus scope, and run through the Polar Axis correction
routine in the Gemini menu. Did those a couple nights ago, even though
lining up the focus scpe was a HUGE pain in the ###. Took a couple
shots of M3 Monday night to test the results and picked them up today
from the camera store. Nice tight little pinpoints with little or no
field rotation anywhere. I am extremely pleased and feel it's time to
really put the new equipment through it's paces. Of course that's
several days away, and by then the weather will probably turn lousy
again. 8-)

Possibly the best thing about it is that because I'm using a Taurus and
guiding oxx axis, I was able to refine the focus on the helical
viewport so that I may never have to use the focus scope again. I'll
simply focus with the 10mm EP and all should be a 'go'.

Just wanted to send you a 'thanks".

Alan


	
		
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