Re: [APML] guide scopes

["warren and amy keller" <warhen@mindspring.com>]

Sean,
           Just my unsolicited, possibly unwanted and deviant humble
opinion-

Our hobby is a money pit to begin with, and there are so many important and
exciting things to spend our hard earned dough on. I simply can not
understand any reason to sink it into guide scopes. If the refractor will be
used as an alternate, fast, wide-field imager, then by all means, go for the
gold: Tak, Ap, Vix, etc.

If however you are seeking a classic, long and slow one, useless except for
possibly lunar and planetary; for me it was madness to spend the big bucks
unless, you have money to burn!

The sole purpose of the OTA is to form a bright, pinpoint guide star for
your eye or autoguider. A $200 maximum for a light Celestron 60 or 70mm with
a locking focuser tube is excellent. OK, it's achromatic, Taiwanese and has
some plastic, if that bothers you, go a little nicer but over $400- I don't
think so.

Again, just my 1 cent's worth! I currently use the STV eFinder.

Thanks, Warren
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt BenDaniel" <matt@exceloncorp.com>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 1:44 AM
Subject: Re: [APML] guide scopes


> At 01:29 AM 5/29/2001, Sean Houghton wrote:
> >...
> >Does anyone have a great guidescope that they want to share their opinion
about?
>
> The Vixen 60mm f/11.7 guide scope is good, and I use it. Orion sells it.
Unfortunately the mounting bracket it comes with has massive flexure; throw
it away. If you can find the OTA separately for under $200 that would be a
good deal. Put Losmandy DR90's (or similar) on it.
>
> It's light in weight, has a rigid focuser and is achromatic.
>
> Matt BenDaniel
> http://starmatt.com
>
>
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