Guest peter shah Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I took a trip down to Orion Optics today and put together my sons first scope....(to be honest its just as much for me as him). Its a custom 150mm f/10.3 .......spent some time collimating it using the catseye and got it perfect. To my amazement the skies cleared. The scope had been outside long enough to cool down nicely. I pointed it at Jupiter and....Wow! it nearly poked out my eye!!! The views were the sharpest I've seen through any scope, Even with a cheap 9mm EP the detail was stunning. I scanned around the sky for a while took a look at the usual stuff. The views are simply jaw dropping pin sharp and dare I say Apo like performance. To say I'm pleased would be an understatement. Its a planet killer for sure....cant wait for Saturn, mars and the Moon....lets hope the skies hold out. BTW my son is six years old, I was the same age when I started but I never had anything like this for my first scope. cheers Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Did you also buy him a step-ladder Peter?? Cracking looking scope!! Cheers Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Nice one Peter, you cannot beat a high f number for detailed planetary views, very forgiving on eyepieces. Its nice to see a long fl newt for a change, gone out of fashion along with long fl refractors I suppose, folks want short tubed scopes these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter shah Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Ah he'll grow into it....in the mean time.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter shah Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Nice one Peter, you cannot beat a high f number for detailed planetary views, very forgiving on eyepieces. Its nice to see a long fl newt for a change, gone out of fashion along with long fl refractors I suppose, folks want short tubed scopes these days You are not wrong....fast scope for wide field imaging deep sky is perfect, but planets you cant beat a long slow tanker...plus there is virtually no coma and the central obstruction is tiny so contrast is amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toymaster Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Like the look of that one Peter... The mount looks really solid. Nice that you are impressed with it as you cannot exactly try it properly in the shop. Looks like you live in a nice rural area with dark skies... Enjoy, Ade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 "Its a custom 150mm f/10.3" Looks smashing Peter - when you say "custom" - do you mean you had it made to order? If so what sort of specs/mods did you ask for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Nice........ I aim to do something similar with my son, currently trying to persuade the wife to let me get another scope even though he is only 4, after all, he keeps asking for one..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 A good looking scope there Pete. Have you informed your son it's his yet, or maybe just waiting for the right moment. I suppose it's got to be right before he get's it eh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fwm891 Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Er you did say your 'sons' scope! might need recoating by the time he reaches that EP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter shah Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) "Its a custom 150mm f/10.3" Looks smashing Peter - when you say "custom" - do you mean you had it made to order? If so what sort of specs/mods did you ask for? I know them well at the factory and I wanted something special for my boy....I decided that a good planetary scope would be best for him to start with...so I was looking at an SCT but decided on a long Newt because on axis there is nothing that will out perform one....They don't do a 6inch longer than f/8 I wanted at least f/10 or longer so I had a word with John...I also had it on a pedestal instead of a tripod so I could get the clearance for the longer tube and an thicker wall on the tube.....and the optics had to be good and I know Orion Optics make some of the finest mirrors out there. I actually put the scope together at the factory and did the testing. Like the look of that one Peter... The mount looks really solid. Nice that you are impressed with it as you cannot exactly try it properly in the shop. Looks like you live in a nice rural area with dark skies... Enjoy, Ade Hi Ade, Ive looked through a lot of scope over the years so I have a pretty good idea of what sort of performance you would get out of a style of scope. So in theory I knew what I was getting....Knowing the staff very well at Orion Optics I know how and what care they take over making their mirrors and there isn't many companies that will give you a test report on your mirror.....I understand the testing process and what makes a good mirror so it really wasn't that much of a gamble....but still a surprise to see how good it performed. As for my skies it would be a crime not to have a scope...or two!....it is almost as dark as it gets here. Nice........ I aim to do something similar with my son, currently trying to persuade the wife to let me get another scope even though he is only 4, after all, he keeps asking for one..... Daz just don't tell her ;-) besides if you cant spoil your son and it would be cruel not to get him one especially after he has asked for one. A good looking scope there Pete. Have you informed your son it's his yet, or maybe just waiting for the right moment. I suppose it's got to be right before he get's it eh! He knows its his...but he also knows he must be supervised by me at all times Edited February 22, 2014 by peter shah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tweedledum Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Thats a bit different from my first scope when I was a kid, the usual 60mm refractor but a decent one, and with dark skies in north wales! Looks like you also have a great location Pete, on a hill & no flooding!!: Enjoy it both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Very nice. I remember when all newtonians used to look like that. F8 or F10. Then they started coming out with a funny looking F6 short tube! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 "I actually put the scope together at the factory and did the testing" You lucky thing - I'll bet a lot of folks would be jealous of getting that kinda access to manufacturers. Did you test the mirrors in detail? (e.g. ronchi test). Wouldn't mind hearing about that if you have time. Btw - will you be participating at the IAS again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter shah Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) "I actually put the scope together at the factory and did the testing" You lucky thing - I'll bet a lot of folks would be jealous of getting that kinda access to manufacturers. Did you test the mirrors in detail? (e.g. ronchi test). Wouldn't mind hearing about that if you have time. Btw - will you be participating at the IAS again? I help Orion Optics with some of their development....I had a big part to play with AG series and help out with a few other bits and bobs too. I Ronchi tested the mirror and then again when the scope was complete.....it gave nice lines. I also did a artificial star test....to be honest I new then it was going to give a nice image....but it didn't still prepare me for the views Jupiter I had that evening. The zygo test I left to the optics wizard Rich who figured it for me. When they do the figuring and testing of the mirrors they have to wait until the glass temperature has stabilised enough, depending on the size of the mirror its normally a day or two between figuring and testing....but all the mirrors and testing are made in a temperature controlled environment to minimise any expansion of the surfaces. When they test the mirror its rotated and tested many times and they take the average....the strehl tells you if you have a good mirror and the PV wave front tells you the maximum errors. For instance you might have a mirror that has a PV of 1/6th wave front but it might be a tiny portion of the mirror that knocks it down; The majority might be 1/10th PV or higher with only a very small percentage being below at 1/6.....so the strehl give you a better idea of how good the mirror is.....I'm know expert but I do know what to look for ;-) I will probably be helping out on the Orion Optics stand this year IAS....just to help anyone who wants to know about imaging set up's and what they might need to think about.....not as a sales man....just to help with a more informed choice. id post a picture of the test report if I knew how to upload a file....I normally add a link to the URL This was made for the Discovery Channel for 'How its Made' at the old factory you see a brief testing but not really in a lot of detail (the testing room in the factory is a lot nicer now).......BTW it was my shot of the Orion area they used ;-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X6tNJpJY_A Edited February 22, 2014 by peter shah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Great stuff Peter - thanks for that - it's given me as few ideas about checking the optics on my scopes. I'll drop over for a few imaging tips at the show - I'm bound to need some by then lol. Are these "ronchi test" eyepieces any good would you know? http://www.365astronomy.com/ronchi-eyepiece-10lmm-for-visual-testing-p-3430.html I have an interferogram from one of my scopes but have never been able to translate it into something I understand - so I'm keen to know exactly what I spent my money on lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Wow Pete! You're an awesome dad! That looks like a beaut of a scope! I would love to do my planetary imaging through something like that! I will drop by and have a chat at the IAS-we can catch up and discuss two awesome subjects; astro and skydiving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cazz Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 That's very nice, lucky lad :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter shah Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Great stuff Peter - thanks for that - it's given me as few ideas about checking the optics on my scopes. I'll drop over for a few imaging tips at the show - I'm bound to need some by then lol. Are these "ronchi test" eyepieces any good would you know? http://www.365astronomy.com/ronchi-eyepiece-10lmm-for-visual-testing-p-3430.html I have an interferogram from one of my scopes but have never been able to translate it into something I understand - so I'm keen to know exactly what I spent my money on lol. Looks good to me...but I'm really no expert Kim Wow Pete! You're an awesome dad! That looks like a beaut of a scope! I would love to do my planetary imaging through something like that! I will drop by and have a chat at the IAS-we can catch up and discuss two awesome subjects; astro and skydiving yeah drop in (no pun intended) it'll be good to meet up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Lovely looking scope Peter....... Its a shame OO discontinued the 150mm F/11 ( and the 200mm F/8 ) They are both sought after scopes now, and i'd snap one up if a used one came up for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter shah Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 They will still make them to order, its just there seems to be a trend for the faster scope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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