"Getting the best out of the Orion 80mm F11 refractor" ... I enjoyed working on this little scope ... modified it with 2" dual speed crayford focuser from Agena Astro Produces, Astro Tech 90mm rings from Astronomics, top and bottom KD ring plates, KD intergraded dovetail bar for the CG-4 mount (80mm), and a coupled of machined aluminum baffle rings...one inserted inside the 2" focuser tube to eliminate the glare from the walls of the focuser tube and one baffle inside the dew shield to remove the glare from the very edge of the lens cell....now when you look into the rear of the diagonal, only the glass objective is visible resulting in a large increase in contrast...the rest if up to the lens, diagonal, and eyepiece. The image contrast is now near perfect...and that it makes observing with this little scope a real pleasure.
	Over the years one of my favorite refractors had been the economical and portable C-102 F-5 Achromatic refractor... (image ASGT C102) . After mounting it to a new CG5-go-to mount, the combination proved to be a perfect low cost wide field observing tool. However, the C-102 F-5 wide field was not designed to perform as a high power, high resolution refractor. Looking for a perfect mid size lunar and planetary refractor and wanting something portable and with highly corrected optics, I decided on the WO 90mm APO doublet ... (image 90APO1) . I liked the Celestron ASGT mount, but wanted a lighter manual type equatorial mount of high quality for this scope. After doing research on various types mounts, I discovered the new Omni EQ4 mount that has balled bearings installed in the RA and DEC drive and also a fine dovetail saddle for quick attachment of the scope ... (image 90APO2) . This was what I was looking for. As it turned out, the mount is a perfect match for the WO90 APO and handles it with exceptional smoothness and precision. As for the William Optics 90 APO, the white colors of the scope and mount match well and the scopes feels at home in the saddle ... (image 90APO3) . I machined a super dovetail bar for the WO shoe from 3/4" thick Aircraft aluminum that is extremely lightweight and solid. False color from the optics?...non here...and I can push the powers to over 300 X and still see no false color on the moon or planets. Using my hand held digital camera over the lens, I snapped these images of the moon at 44X ... (image moon 01) and 200X (image moon 02) ...the slight color at the left edge of the moon is coming not from the scope's lens but from unsteady hand supported and mis-allignment between the camera and the orion 6mm eyepiece and 2 power barlow.
	This is one of the last LX200 12" SCT from Meade. It is supported extremely solid on the modified Atlas EQ6 mount. With it's enhanced 304mm diameter optics and 3048mm focal length, it is an impressive performer. I am impressed with the internal baffling of the shade tube. In this photo ... 0120062b.jpg , you can see the design that helps to deliver high contrast images with minumin internal reflections.
	(Click on the blue letters for detail photos) Just received the new William Optics 66mm SD... mini-scope. I've added a red dot rifle scope as a finder. 66SD2 If you like a super little take out refractor with all the frills, you will like this one for sure. The focuser reduction and finish is a gem ... and so are the optics ! The old modified Unitron mount is my favoriate portable platform. Together with the WO 66SD, I can carry this out doors to observe in seconds. The WO 66SD has incredable optics, even as compaired to my Pronto or my old Unitron 60mm F-15 refractor. 66SD3 My highest power ocular, the 4.8mm Nagler (81x), displays virtually no detectable false color in daytime viewing. Check out the camera photo of the trees and compare the detail in the closeups. This image is taken using only the 20mm Meade RGE for 19X. I used the 20mm Research Grade Erfle behind a 3x barlow for the 57X shot. Ken...
	This is one of the latest version Black C-11s with starbright coatings. The optics proved to be extremely good. The 1st night out, the seeing was about at 8 out of 10 ... using a 6mm WF Ocular (467x) the star test display near perfect patterns on both sides of focus. I am very impressed. The William Optics ZenithStar 80 seems to make a great finder and guide scope.
	Ken's personal WO ZenithStar 80mm (3.15" f/6) Doublet Refractor OTA mounted onto the European version Deluxe EQ mount with DC drive features a center tripod reinforcement that really improves the stablity of the tripod and still retains the light weight of the aluminum tripod. Ken's Rings with brass nuts and knobs supports the scope onto a special dovetail bar and saddle that allows easy disassembly for travel. This is one of the finest and most enjoyable 80mm scopes that I have ever owned.
	Another close-up of the ZenithStar 80mm. By mounting the Hitachi 780A DVD CamCorder, (image1) I can capture high quality digital images from low power by zooming from approx 20X to up to nearly 300x. I find somewhere half way at about 150x is best for high image quality playback. Here is a close-up of the camera attachment...(image2) Video sample of an insect on a flower at 50 yards using the Hitachi DVD/ZenithStar80 at approx 200x... Window's Media Player movie clip 599kb.
	This is one of Jim Wegat's last 127mm F-15 Maks ...Jim sent me a really good one...perfect star test. I made a special one-piece felt lined ring and a very HD dovetail for the CG5 mount. The extendable pier was a tedious and detailed task but paid off in compactness. The zoom 3-9 power x 50mm large rifle finder (see detail photo here... 0420051c.jpg 74.9kb) delivers a brilliant upright image...and works super as a night or daytime spotter. The ring tension can be adjusted to rotate the finder if so desired (see details here ... 0420051d.jpg 67.6kb).
	The new Orion 100mm F-6 optics were so good... about 1/6 wave as near as I can tell...near zero false color below 60x...and very little up to 120x...The violet filter allows good images up to 240x. Ken decided to modify it again...this time with a new HD alt/az mount and refitted with the latest AP focuser w/feathertouch 9:1 drive. The tripod is from the EQ6 mount...The combination makes a fantastic portable scope...rock solid, smooth, and fun to use!
	Refractors always seem to give the finest lunar, planetary, and star images.. (in my opinion). One of my favorite refractors is the CR150 or C6R (as the new version is now called.) In this array I have mounted the Celestron 102mm F5 as a wide field super finder opposite the C-80mm F11 medium power guide scope. The 6" F-8 optics are so good that the standard focuser is waiting to be replaced with the new AP focuser and FeatherTouch reduction for fine focus. This assembly rides on a very capable Atlas mount. Note the large counterweight shaft modification.
	Ken's new Orion 100mm F-6 very portable scope modified with lots of brass and a 3-9x 50mm scope for brilliant high quality upright images.
	Mounted to the CL700, this is the latest 10" F10 SCT taken from it's GPS mount. This sample OTA proved to have extremely fine figured optics...using the Binoviewer with it has given me the finest views ever of Saturn, Jupiter, and The Moon. The fine focuser is a real asset at high powers.
	Another...Modified 127 MAK on the EQ mount. Completed October 2002.
	Ken's personal 120mm F5 with machined aluminum Alt/Az fork and heafty elevated tripod...lightweight yet rock solid...a powerful all purpose and easy take out scope!
	Ken's Mak 127 F12 mounted to the CI700 and portable pier.
	Close up of Mak 127 system showing detailed features.
	Meade 178ED with Astro 120mm F5 Wide Angle Finder.
	My latest designed 154mm F-8 refractor mounted onto the CI700 mount.
	Refractor in North polar axis direction.
	120mm F-5 Refractor mounted onto the Untron Model #160 mount and sturdy 8" lightweight aluminum pier.
	Brass ring saddle and brass knurled knobs add an elegance touch to the '120.
	OTA designed for the 150mm F-8 synta lens.
	150mm F-8 OTA mounted on the G-11 and light weight & portable thinwall pier with locking casters. Mounting head & pier legs easly remove with hand knobs & wing nuts.
	Note that the three rear focuser plate knobs allow for easy collimation of the objective lens while observing thru the ocular. (The objective lens can deliver much finer detail when collimated to it's highest degree)
	Latest design tube assembly upgrade for the synta 150mm F8 optics. Features 4" ID focuser with 3-pt objective collimation adjustment located on rear focus plate (real time collimation)...Tube Diameter... 8", Tube Length including dew shield and focuser... 53.5", Tube weight including saddle rings with G-11 dovetail bar and top accessory bar, finder and finder ring, and brass weights... 29 lbs.
	The "Dauzat 222" in field operation has given me some of the finest lunar, planetary, and double star images that I have ever seen...very little false color, 3-D like images on Jupiter at 300X and displaying a wealth of detail. The contrast and sharpness of the lunar images are impressive even at 600X... Star images with the Meade 15.5 Research Grade Erfle display brilliant round points of light over velvet black skys!
	Close-up of the 222mm Dia, 2700mm FL, fully coated lens and and adjustable cell.
	All aluminum and stainless steel refractor OTA, 46 lbs... (plus rings and saddle) finished in gloss black lacquer and clear lacquer.
	Completed OTA mounted on G-11 mount and special pier for testing.
	Another all aluminum pier especially designed for the CG5 & Mak. The Mak has been refinished in black with the addition of a carrying handle with detachable wide field 4 x 32mm rifle scope, rear tube handles, CG5 dovetail mounting bar, and a large 3" visual back with 2" adapter.
	Closeup view of the 7" Mak... excellent lunar, planetary, and double star scope.
	All aluminum Pier for CG-5 Mount.
	Small pier with detachable legs with Orion mount and 102mm F-5 refractor.
	16" Cassegrain F-3 primary F-12 secondary on two speed DC electric mount.
	My first C-8 in 1976.
	I acquired this 1889 5" F-15 Alvan Clark from Symira Georgia in 1982.
	20 X 80 Celestron Binoculars.
	4" Cave Astrola mounted on a modified Starfinder equatorial and pedistal.
	C-102 Refractor in 1985.
	Built around an Edmond 5" F-15 lens. This was a very portable refractor.
	My last and finest Celestar "8". Sold to make room for my C-11.
	Jaegers 5" F-5 Refractor on machined GEM.
	Jaegers 6" F-10 Refractor. Highly baffled and built into a classical design.
	5" Meade OTA.
	My son, Dwayne, and his new 60mm Refractor, Christmas, 1991.
	Copper mounted 4.25" F-4 Newtonian.
	TAK FC-100 F-8 version in 1992.
	Heavy duty GEM with 3" Polar and 2" RA shafts. This unit included a 40lb. counterweight and 2 speed DC electric slow motions.
	My first attempt at a heavy duty GEM in 1978.
	GEM and Meade 90mm MAK.
	12.5" F-10 Newtonian with 6 tube baffles and 1.25" secondary.
	One of my favorite refractors, this is the WF "80" with red dot finder, mounted on the highly competent CG-5.
	This is the Skyview 102mm F-5 Wide Field Refractor mounted to the CG-5 using the 8" long milled dovetail bar for easy balance when using different accessories.
	All aluminum pedistal and CG-5 mount features ... detachable legs and top plate for easy transport.
	After a complete overhaul, the huge C-14 now replaces the old C-11. These Lunar and Jupiter photos were taken using the Eyepeice Projection Digital Camera Bracket and the C-14... Lunar @ 244X , Lunar @ 868X, Moon, and Jupiter

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