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Chopin
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 Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:02 pm
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Well, now that I've tiptoed into BV'ing again, and I've established that I am dedicated to it...now that I finally have a light weight, high quality setup that works with all of my scopes...I have decided to take another plunge. I have been loving the Pentax XF 12's so much for mid power work that I have decided to add the XF 8.5's siblings to the pack for high power duty. I've actually been eyeballing them for quite some time now, so the addition is not an impulse purchase by any stretch. The harder choice has been what to do for low power duty. I am fairly determined to build a simple low/med/high three pair set, under the guise that keeping it simple will ensure the use of all pieces. Collecting single pieces for mono viewing is not at all difficult, and thus "collecting" becomes a risk. From a position of creativity I love collections, but pragmatically speaking I loathe wasted purchases.
Back to the point, I still have not yet settled on a perfect low power pair. I will eventually want something "premium" in that role. For now I have decided to add a second used Meade 26mm 4000 plössl to match the one I already have. OPT had one in the used dept that was of identical vintage to my current 26, and for $25 I figure I should have a good low power pair to get me by. I really wish Pentax made a longer focal length XF in the 17-21mm range. Then it would be easy. 
Aside from new BV eyepieces I also ordered a new Baader T-2 prism diagonal with a wicked short 38mm light path, and along with it a 2" nose piece which will replace the back focus robbing 10mm deep 1¼" focuser adapter of my AT72-ED. The new nose piece will still steal 2mm, but that is a gain of 8mm. If my calculations are correct there is a moderate probability that I will be able to achieve focus without the optical corrector, giving me "big bino" like views with the 26mm plössls (17x and 3.1º TFOV). If I can't reach focus I know I'll at least be really close. Then I will pick up a Baader 1.25x Glasspath Compensator which will still keep me in the wide field zone I am aiming for.
I'll definitely post pics once the new gear gets here. In the mean time, I need ideas for a superb pair of low power EP's. 
_________________ Jason® (Admin...and spoke-folk)
![[ img ]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/VnVlckCTcs0.gif)
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Veritable Imagery
Single ride personal records: Distance-76.7miles, Max Speed-50.4mph, Max sustained speed (20miles) 19.5mph
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein
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Chopin
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:35 pm
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Here's the "schtuff".
![[ img ]](http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u358/fowlmouth76/Starstuff%20stuff/20140305-13DC0277_zps2ca22d3d.jpg~original)
From left to right: Baader T2-01C prism diagonal, Baader 2" T2 nose piece, Meade 26mm 4000 plössl, (2x) Pentax SMC 8.5mm XF
![[ img ]](http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u358/fowlmouth76/Starstuff%20stuff/20140305-13DC0300_zps2245c17a.jpg~original)
![[ img ]](http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u358/fowlmouth76/Starstuff%20stuff/20140305-13DC0317_zps6fc95b5a.jpg~original)
![[ img ]](http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u358/fowlmouth76/Starstuff%20stuff/20140305-13DC0320_zps9edf5e79.jpg~original)
The light path is extremely short on this thing. Consider the average 2" mirror diagonal to be 120mm long, and the average 1¼" mirror diagonal 80mm. 1¼" prisms are inherently shorter at around 65mm, but still use a 20-25mm collet. Obviously the advantage here is having the ability to thread the Maxbright BV directly to the prism housing. Additionally, the 2" nose piece eliminates the need for a 2" to 1¼" focuser adapter, giving even more back focus. If you calculate for an average 1¼" mirror diagonal plus 2' to 1¼" focuser step down adapter you end up with 90mm. The T2-01C with nose piece is 40mm! The best part...drum roll, please........I removed the 1.7x Glasspath compensator and I can achieve focus with all three pairs of eyepieces! AWESOME! What's ironic is that I almost pulled the trigger on a William Optics BV instead of the Baader Maxbright. Had I done that I would have never realized the beauty of Baader's well known T2 system. I am now most certainly feeling the extra $100 for the Baader was justified.
And some eyepiece porn...
![[ img ]](http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u358/fowlmouth76/Starstuff%20stuff/20140305-13DC0325_zps897f7d0b.jpg~original)
![[ img ]](http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u358/fowlmouth76/Starstuff%20stuff/20140305-13DC0337_zpsc8aab583.jpg~original)
![[ img ]](http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u358/fowlmouth76/Starstuff%20stuff/20140305-13DC0346_zpsbbbb2fd3.jpg~original)
_________________ Jason® (Admin...and spoke-folk)
Veritable Imagery
Single ride personal records: Distance-76.7miles, Max Speed-50.4mph, Max sustained speed (20miles) 19.5mph
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein
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rathbaster
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:39 pm
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| molecule |
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Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:04 pm
Location: Lakeville, MA.
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Cool.
Can't wait to read how well it works.
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Chopin
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 8:44 pm
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Thanks, Joe. I just finished a one hour session, only ending because the 16°F temps were seizing the fluid in my Bogen video head. 
Seriously, the temps were barely an issue. Maybe in part because of the long string of Siberian like conditions we've had here for nearly two and a half months...sheesh. Also because there was absolutely no ground wind. It was a great all around night to test the gear. And frankly, it was just a great night to observe during a season of limited worthy evenings.
So, in a word, the gear all works splendidly. Quick commentary on the XF 8.5's, they seem to possess the same snap to focus that the 12's do. Really awesome eyepieces. Switching between three pairs of eyepieces to observe countless objects is not exactly convenient, especially with gloves on. That said, thanks to the quality of the XF's, it's well worth the inconvenience.
The real positive impression that I've come away with tonight is how amazing the prism is. Mind you I'm only pushing my system to 51x right now...8.5mm eyepieces and no optical corrector. But I see no additional false color of any kind. I'm so used to cheap 45° prism diagonals which tend to add CA to bright objects. If you told me I was looking through a mirror diagonal I would believe you. Very cool. Again, best part is that I can get really low mag, wide fields. The moon was stunning. Jupiter and Mars were also a blast. There was a very thin layer of clouds over the western horizon, so M42 was washed out. The Trapezium was still visible and made a terrific subject. I couldn't pull out SN2014J, although I swear I might have caught it during fleeting moments with averted vision, but I can't verify with certainty. For all I know it's not bright enough anymore.
Anyhow, great night. The setup was awesome to use, and perhaps the best grab n go system I've had to date.
_________________ Jason® (Admin...and spoke-folk)
Veritable Imagery
Single ride personal records: Distance-76.7miles, Max Speed-50.4mph, Max sustained speed (20miles) 19.5mph
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein
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Erik
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2014 8:26 pm
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Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:58 pm
Location: Off Grid in Paradise... Mag 7 skies
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Awesome looking gear, Jason! 
But I can't afford to buy 2 of every eyepiece I own so you're a bad influence!
_________________ -Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
8" Antares f/5 Newt
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson PipeMount
"Newt Gingrich is what stupid people think smart people sound like."
-The Great Paul Krugman
Evolution is both fact and theory. Creationism is neither. -Anonymous
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Chopin
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 4:53 am
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Erik
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:24 am
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Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:58 pm
Location: Off Grid in Paradise... Mag 7 skies
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Compromises, compromises. Oh the pain.
Can't you just sell one of your kidneys to fund the project? Come on, where are your priorities!
_________________ -Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
8" Antares f/5 Newt
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson PipeMount
"Newt Gingrich is what stupid people think smart people sound like."
-The Great Paul Krugman
Evolution is both fact and theory. Creationism is neither. -Anonymous
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Mark
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 3:06 pm
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| molecule |
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Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:57 pm
Location: Out Of My Mind
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Awesome Jason!
Now you'll be in planetary heaven! Binoviewers on planets are the schizz. LOL
_________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/DoktorDamage
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSpectralReview
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Chopin
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 4:56 pm
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Chopin
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 4:58 pm
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Erik
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 12:01 pm
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Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:58 pm
Location: Off Grid in Paradise... Mag 7 skies
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Damn! Another get-rich quick scheme down the tubes!
_________________ -Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
8" Antares f/5 Newt
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson PipeMount
"Newt Gingrich is what stupid people think smart people sound like."
-The Great Paul Krugman
Evolution is both fact and theory. Creationism is neither. -Anonymous
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Chopin
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:34 am
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Chopin
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 1:44 pm
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Mark
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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:00 am
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| molecule |
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Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:57 pm
Location: Out Of My Mind
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Indeed Jason!
Just last week a bunch of us were viewing Jupiter in my friend's TEC 140, with a pair of 17mm TV Smoothie Plossls in his Earthwin binoviewer.....the view was awesome! We also tried binos on a friends 11" SCT on M-3 and that was like a 3D picture!
_________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/DoktorDamage
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSpectralReview
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Mark
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Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 8:34 pm
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| molecule |
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Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:57 pm
Location: Out Of My Mind
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Hey Jason,
I know it's been 5 years since you posted this, but I have a question to ask you. How is the eye relief on those 26mm Meade Super Plossls? I can see that the top lenses are recessed.
Thanks bro!
https://photobucket.com/gallery/user/fo ... anBn/?ref=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
_________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/DoktorDamage
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSpectralReview
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Erik
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Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 12:25 am
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Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:58 pm
Location: Off Grid in Paradise... Mag 7 skies
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Way to dig up a thread, Markus!
_________________ -Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
8" Antares f/5 Newt
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson PipeMount
"Newt Gingrich is what stupid people think smart people sound like."
-The Great Paul Krugman
Evolution is both fact and theory. Creationism is neither. -Anonymous
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Chopin
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Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 9:32 am
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Erik
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:09 am
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Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:58 pm
Location: Off Grid in Paradise... Mag 7 skies
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I’ve got a 32mm Baader eyepiece with an odd plastic adapter that snaps on to the top for added eye relief. I think it’s for use when employing a Barlow but I’ve never gotten much use out of it. Nothing to do with this thread really but I was just reminded of it so I had to chime in. Now back to normal programming.
_________________ -Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
8" Antares f/5 Newt
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson PipeMount
"Newt Gingrich is what stupid people think smart people sound like."
-The Great Paul Krugman
Evolution is both fact and theory. Creationism is neither. -Anonymous
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Chopin
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Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 5:40 am
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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Erik
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 10:27 am
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Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:58 pm
Location: Off Grid in Paradise... Mag 7 skies
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I’m here to help.
_________________ -Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
8" Antares f/5 Newt
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson PipeMount
"Newt Gingrich is what stupid people think smart people sound like."
-The Great Paul Krugman
Evolution is both fact and theory. Creationism is neither. -Anonymous
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Kawx4d
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Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 5:59 pm
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Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:18 pm
Location: According to Heisenberg, I'm uncertain...
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Chopin
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:35 pm
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| Velocepedist |
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:28 pm
Location: In search of the ultimate switchbacks and single tracks
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