Andy's Shot Glass Webstore - Astronomy Equipment for Non-Gazillionaires

Orion 80mm ED Apochromatic Refractor

Salivate, my friends, for this is, in my opinion, one of the best buys in the world of apochromatic refractors! This is a fantastic buy! Apochromatic lenses are simply a combination of lenses that focus the colors to roughly the same spot, eliminating (or nearly so, depending on the quality of the lenses) the chromatic aberration common in achromats. I am tempted to say it's not rocket science, but actually it is. These scopes are not easy to make and usually cost many thousands of dollars. Orion uses a special ED (extra-dispersion) glass that accomplishes nearly the same result for a fraction of the cost. It's a great grab-n-go scope for quick setup and viewing, but it really shines when you place a camera on the back for those long exposures of night sky. One look though this one and you'll be sold.

100mm ED Apochromatic Refractor

The 100ED is the 80mmED on steroids. The 4-inch aperture pulls in 56% more light than the 80ED. It's 900mm focal length is ideal for planetary and lunar viewing. This telescope's focal ratio is f/9. This means that you'll have to take longer exposures to get the same effects, but you can add a focal reducer to it to bring it within the realm of reasonable exposures. Our side-by-side comparison with a scope that cost over $2500 MORE than the 100ED revealed that the sharp, crisp views of the 100ED were 90% of the more expensive telescope. For less than $900, this one is a steal.

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Orion 120mm ED Apochromatic Refractor

The minute the 80mm ED Apochromatic Refractor hit the market we were asking, "When will we see the 100mm ED"? The second the 100mm ED hit the market we were asking, "When will we see the 120mm ED"? Well, just as soon as I opened the box that contained the 120mm ED I thought , "Refractors don't get much bigger than this". This telescope is everything we were hoping for. Just under 5" of aperture with a 900mm focal length, this f/7.5 is indeed the rather large big brother to the 80mm which is also an f7.5. I predict that within a short time this will be one of the most used astrophotography telescopes around. Even if you are not a photographer, the views through this APO will knock your socks off. It pulls in a whopping 43% more light than the 100mm ED.

Read about our first night out with the 120ED here.

Orion Premium 102mm ED Apochromatic Refractor

This is not simply a 102mm copy of the popular 80ED and 120ED refractors. Orion built this one new from the ground up. New lenses, premium 2-speed focuser, all alluminum construction, high-quality rings, and features you find on the high-end telescopes, all set this one apart from the rest. It has a focal length of 714mm placing it's focal ratio at f/7. I was able to get immediate results using a variety of cameras on this scope. See my article online.

This photo of the Flame Nebula (below) was taken the first night I had it out.

SkyView Pro 80ED EQ Apo Refractor With Upgrade Kit

If you've been through most of the articles on my website you probably already know already how I feel about the 80ED. Isn't it interesting that I use the word "feel" rather than "think"? When you see the views through the 80ED you'll understand the difference. Orion now sells the SkyView Pro 80ED WITH the upgrade kit! This is a great combination for the beginning astrophotographer. The upgrade kit allows you to find thousands of objects with the help of its computerized object locator. Upgrade Kit

SkyView Pro 80mm ED EQ Apochromatic Refractor

If your budget won't allow you to spring for the upgrade kit initially, you can always buy the SkyView Pro 80ED without it, then, simply add it on at a later date! It is still my contention that the SkyView Pro equatorial mount is the best rig for the beginning astronomer who is serious about growing in the hobby. Combine it with the 80ED and you've got a winning combination.

Sirius 120ED EQ-G GoTo Refractor

The 120 ED refractor is another ground-breaking telescope from Orion. Their perservering to give us the best heavenly views possible without breaking the bank has delivered to us yet another example of their success. The Sirius EQ-G equatorial mount is a superb match to the 120ED. Whether you're in it for the views or for astrophotography or BOTH, this could be the combination for you.

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SkyView Pro 8 EQ Reflector With Upgrade Kit

If you've gone through my website even casually, you'll know that my first guideline for purchasing a scope for deep-space viewing is: "Aperture is everything". The 8" aperture of the SVP 8EQ will allow you much better views of those dim galaxies. While it has been my contention for some time that the SkyView Pro mount is the best place for a beginning astronomer to start, I am even more adamant about the SVP 8EQ as a total package. This is the place the beginner should start. It is a great rig for viewing and astrophotography as well!! Upgrade Kit

Orion Atlas 8 EQ-G GoTo Reflector

The Atlas is the flagship of the Orion mounts. It is a GOTO mount with autoguiding capabilities! Add to it the formidable 8" Newtonian reflector and you have a comination that is tough to beat. The Atlas equatorial mount will pack 40 lbs. of scope and accessories and the 8" optical tube assembly only weighs 16 lbs! That leave you lots of room for guidescope and cameras! For the beginning serious astrophotographer whose budget allows, this could be the scope for you.

Orion Atlas 10 EQ-G GoTo Reflector

Warning: This Scope/mount combination is NOT for the faint-hearted. This is freakin' Hubble-in-the-backyard. Ok, maybe that's a bit of an exageration, but my point is: Don't buy this scope on a whim. If you're into whimming, go whim on one of the smaller rigs. But if you do whim on this one, be prepared for a trip through the heavens that few people experience. The 10" aperture gathers 53% more light than an 8" aperture. Take this scope out to a dark site and you'll declare "life is good".

StarBlast Astro Telescope

This scope cracks me up. Why? Because it's WAY more scope than I had as a kid and twice as cute. The 60mm telescope that my mom and dad gave me for my 12th birthday was junk compare to this. I have a friend who owns a 15" truss dob and a collection of expensive eyepieces and what did he show up to our usual Friday night gathering with? THIS!!!! This is meant to be a scope for kids, but apparently others get a blast out of them. No pun intended. The StarBlast is a 4" aperture reflector that kids will love and use for many years. For less than $200 you may be instilling in your child a foundational love for science that could carry into their adult years. I'll bet anything that you'll love it as much as they do.

StarBlast 4.5 Imaging Reflector OTA

Many newbie amateur astronomers ask me which affordable scope they should buy that will give them the best compromise between visual astronomy and astrophotography. My answer used to be one particular scope (namely Orion's 8" OTA). Even though I am still convinced of that choice, I now have an answer that is much better:

Buy two! Buy the scope that will give you the best visual astronomy, no matter the size or focal ratio. THEN, also buy the StarBlast 4.5 Imaging Reflector as a second OTA that is made precisely for astrophotography and is incredibly affordable! For about the cost of a good eyepiece, you can have a 4.5-inch, f/4 telescope that is free of chromatic aberration and very little coma! It only wieghs a few pounds so you can mount it on your existing equatorial mount and start taking photos! I'm seated at my desk looking over my computer screen at my StarBlast on my wall rack which arrived a week ago and has YET to be used. I'm waiting on the sky to clear.

SkyQuest XT4.5 Dobsonian Reflector

This another great scope for starting children in a life-long love of the sky. It's larger than the StarBlast, but still easily handled by wee people. I saw one of these at our viewing site being used by the most excited 11-year-old on earth. He beamed like the sun whenever grownups would ask if they could take a look through his telescope. He beamed even more when the adults muttered the same "WOW"s and "OHMIGOD"s that they did after viewing through the "adult" scopes. This is not a toy.

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SkyQuest XT6 Classic

Classic entry-level Dobsonian telescope combines quality optics with a stable mount. See crisp images from the craters of the moon to the edge of the galaxy; point-and-view ease of use.

• Ample light grasp
• Portable
• Stable mount
• Quick setup and take-down
• Easy to operate
• Affordable

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IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator

Computerized Pointing Access to 14,000+ Objects!

• Plug in to any SkyQuest XT IntelliScope for computerized pointing access to celestial objects
• Locates over 14,000 galaxies, nebulas, star clusters, and more with pushbutton ease
• Two-line, backlit LCD screen
• Illuminated keypad; illumination is adjustable
• User-friendly menu buttons

The IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator requires one 9-volt battery, which is included. Comes with coil cord, altitude encoder, adhesive-backed hook-and-loop fastener for mounting Object Locator on telescope, and illustrated instructions for use.

Affordable beginner's Dobsonian telescope!

• Locate more than 14,000 fascinating celestial objects with pushbutton ease with included controller
• 150mm aperture and 1200mm focal length (f/8.0) for brighter, more detailed images
• Features a streamlined Dobsonian base for unflinching stability and superior balance
• Includes 2 eyepieces, finder scope, focuser, and FREE Starry Night astro software
  

SkyQuest XT6 IntelliScope without Object Locator

This affordable beginner's Dobsonian telescope contains the electronics which will allow you to upgrade later with the addition of an Object Locator. This is a great place to start for the beginner with a minimal budget, but you want something that will give you the tour of the heavens you hoped for.

SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope With Object Locator

One evening at the dam I was in the process setting up my equatorial mount when a white van pulled up. The owner got out and waved. I waved back and greeted him. I turned to retrieve my scope mount from the back of my truck, then walked back to set it on the tripod. Before I was done tightening the knob that holds it in place, the white van guy had already set up his 8" IntelliScope, and was seated and viewing. I had to get one. Now THAT is what I call "grab-n-go" technology. The object locator allows you to locate over 14,000 objects. Far-away galaxies are just a button push away! The story is not over. Read on to the XT10.

SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope Without Object Locator

If this Dobsonian falls within your budget then you should seriously consider it. Eight inches of aperture is a whole lot of mirror for a beginner. You'll see detail in such objects like Orion's Nebula that will keep you in awe for hours. Saturns rings will leap out at you on a clear night! You'll see the divisions in the rings themselves! The 8" mirror is Orion's techonological sweet-spot. They make these mirrors VERY well. Later, when you can afford the Object Locator, it's no big deal to upgrade.

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SkyQuest XT10 IntelliScope With Object Locator

When I told you the story about the white van guy, (see SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope With Object Locator above) I didn't tell you that when I went to purchase my own IntelliScope that I decided to upgrade to the XT10. Why? Well, I already owned an 8" reflector and didnt need two. Besides, the XT10 isn't THAT much bigger than the 8, is it? Well...yes and no. 'Yes' because the 10 is a light-bucket! It gathers 53% more light than the 8" aperture. But, 'no' because it still fits across the back seat of my vehicle. So it's almost as portable as the XT8, albeit a tad heavier. But the views are worth it. If you can afford the 10", by all means, go for it. You won't regret it.

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SkyQuest XT10 IntelliScope Without Object Locator

You have all the aperture you need to keep you searching the skies for years and years, but at a reduced priced becauase you're not getting the Object Locator. When you ARE able to save those bucks then you can always order later. I still have my XT10 for those nights when all I want to do is sit for hours studying deep space objects, wishing I could go there. This scope is a trip into space.

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SkyQuest XT12 IntelliScope With Object Locator

Let's all say it together: M O N S T E R S C O P E . This is a behemoth. It will not fit across the back seat of a small or mid-sized vehicle. I doubt that it will fit across the back seat of a HumVee (though I've not tested that theory). This one's got to ride in the back of the truck. If you have a bad back, get a smaller scope. If you're a beginner or just curious about astronomy, get a smaller scope. But if you have a serious dose of aperture fever and have a burning desire to move up to the big league, this is definitely the one to buy. The XT12 is a serious scope for serious observers. Using this scope is quite a trip through the cosmos. It'll blow you out of your socks.

SkyQuest XT12 IntelliScope Without Object Locator

Let's say it together: MONSTERSCOPE WITHOUT THE OBJECT LOCATOR. Almost repititious isn't it? But if you know your way around the heavens already or just enjoy the hunt then this is the light bucket for you. My cousin bought one of these and every time I gaze into the eyepiece I am overwhelmed with the light-gathering capabilities. You'll see the dust lanes in galaxies that are just a blurring mass in an 8-inch scope. Star Clusters will keep you enthralled all night on one of these. It is one amazing telescope.

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Orion 9.25" XLT Schmidt-Cassegrain Tube Assembly

Orion 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA

I've never owned a Maksutov-Cassegrain, but I've viewed through dozens of them. This model is truly the "big Mak". This 7.1" scope with its 2700mm focal length indeed gives you that clear, crisp, contrasty view of the planets that the officianados love.

Sirius 9.25 XLT EQ-G GoTo Schmidt-Cassegrain

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Atlas 11 EQ-G XLT GoTo Schmidt-Cassegrain

Now THIS is one that I'd love to own, but......It's just not in the stars yet.

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Atlas EQ-G GoTo Mount

Boy do I love this!

• slewing demo
• polar alignment demo
• two star alignment demo
• finding objects demo

Orion SkyView Pro Mount

I'll repeat myself here since it's important for new amateur astronomers to know: The SkyView Pro equatorial mount is the perfect mount for beginners who feel reluctant to drop a load of money coming out of the gates. This mount is sturdy and perfect for small to medium sized telscopes. The German equatorial mount was designed to compensate for the rotation of the earth. You might say it tracks the celestial objects in space. Once you learn how to set it up you'll appreciate it's ability to keep whatever object you line up in the eyepiece there for a long time.

If you would like to get your feet wet in astrophotography, this mount is capable of giving you the satisfaction you seek IF you stick to very fast scopes. Fast is a term used to describe certain scopes with a low focal ratio. The focal ratio of a scope is the focal length divided by the aperture. So, a scope that is 1000mm in focal length and has a 200mm aperture would be an f/5. Anything approaching an f/5 would be fast, and anything around f/10 and higher would be slow. This mount is great for those fast scopes.

If you are just beginning, on a budget and want to go equatorial, this is the mount for you.

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Polar Alignment Scope for the SkyView Pro Mount

I only have one thing to say about the Orion Polar Alignment scope: Why don't you already own one?? It's fast, easy and a "must-have". This is the quickest method of insuring that your equatorial mount is polar aligned for visual observation.

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Dovetail Mounting Plate, 13"

It's important, when you're mounting a longer telescope that you get your rings as far apart as you can. This is where owning extra dovetail mounting plates comes in handy. Notice in the photo on the right I mounted a 13" plate for the large refractor on the bottom as well as the smaller refractor on top. Having the two mounting plates reduces the "flexture" (or "give") in your mount, thereby making it much more stable for astrophotography.

2" Crayford-Style Focuser

If you have the old-style rack and pinion focuser, you should replace it with one of these. Watch my video about the Crayford-Style Focuser.

Helical Fine-Focusing Adapter

If you don't have one of these already, please do yourself a favor and click the link above and buy one. I own two of them. I keep one for my accessory box and one for my XT10. This goes into the 2"Crayford focuser that comes with your telescope. Then, you put your eyepiece into this. Turn the big knobs on the focuser to get a rough focus, then turn this helical focuser left or right to achieve a very fine focus. The only thing that could possibly be better for achieving a smooth, fine focus is to spend hundreds of dollars for a dual-speed focuser. This is worth every penny you pay for it. Once you use one, you'll wonder why you didn't buy one a long time ago.

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StarShoot II Deep-Space CCD Color Imaging Camera

Holy Guacamolies....and to think I almost passed up buying one of these! I'd been playing with an expensive CCD camera and really questioned whether I even had a place for the StarShoot II in my camera box. The very first time I used it, it absolutely blew me away. This camera could go head to head with ANY camera in its price range, but as you can see, it holds its own against cameras costing 5 times as much! The photos below were taken with the same telescope (Orion 120mm ED) under the same conditions. The StarShoot is a one-shot color while the other camera is monochrome and I had to shoot LRGB. I'm sure one day I'll get much better at LRGB photography, but with the StarShoot, I got immediate results! If you're a beginner who can afford the $699 price tag, this is THE place to start.

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Set of three Q70 widefield eyepieces

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1. 17mm Stratus Wide-Field Eyepiece 08245
2. 8.0mm Stratus Wide-Field Eyepiece 08243
3. 21mm Stratus Wide-Field Eyepiece 08246
4. 13mm Stratus Wide-Field Eyepiece 08244
5. 5.0mm Stratus Wide-Field Eyepiece 08242
6. 3.5mm Stratus Wide-Field Eyepiece 08241

For those who cannot afford to spend $300 apiece on TeleVue Naglers and Panoptic eyepieces, the Stratus Wide-Field Eyepieces are for you. Are they as good as TeleVue Naglers and Panoptics? No. But, we have compared the Stratus wide-fields to eyepieces costing twice as much and have found none that could beat it. These are the best buy for the money.

Did you notice that I put the 17mm on the top of the list? That was no accident. I think it's the best one of the bunch AND the best place to begin if you've decided to build a collection of eyepieces. I've listed them in the order that I would buy them.

Ultrascopic 5mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece

If you are interested in accurate polar alignment, this eyepiece is for you. This Ultrascopic eyepiece has double-crosshair illuminated reticles which allow you to perform drift-alignments in your Newtonian or short focal length scope (1200mm focal length or shorter). For those of you with a Schmidt-Cassagrain with long focal lengths (2000mm +), you might consider the 12mm Ultrascopic Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece.

Tele Vue 24.0mm Panoptic Eyepiece

Here is where I depart from my "astronomers-on-a-budget" philosophy. The TeleVue 24mm Panoptic eyepiece is expensive, but let me say unequivocally, that if you can afford this one, buy it. Scrimp, save, sell unused equipment, sell lemonade on the street, breed kittens for sale, juggle on the streetcorner singing Stairway to Heaven for money, do whatever you can (within the limits of the law) to buy one of these. The quality is THAT good. Uncle Al should be up for the Nobel Peace Prize for this one.

I apologize if I made my budget-minded fans cry here, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. There are times in a person's life when they must depart from their usual path for the good of mankind. This is one of those times. For those of you whose spouse would divorce you if you came home with a $300 eyepiece, then take my advice and buy an Orion Widefield Stratus.

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Orion Oxygen-III Nebula Filter, 1.25"

I have a movie in my articles section that covers most of the filters listed below. Check it out.

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Solar Filter – StarMax & Apex 102, SVP 100, ED80

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• Comet Hunters / Asteroid SeekersDVD 17168

  Comet Hunters/Asteroid Seekers is great information about a few dedicated astronomers who search the heavens for things that could bump into the earth. There are a few ideas that anyone who would like to join the search can borrow .

• Wheels on Mars DVD 17169

  The best documentary I've seen about the Mars mission to-date!

• Searching for Superstars DVD 17165

  I watched this DVD just about the time there was a supernova in M51. It was quite an education to see what forces are involved when a star goes supernova.

• Danger! Solar Storm DVD 17167

  I have to tell you, this DVD is an eye opener. Want to see what in FACT is the major contributor to global warming? This is IT. Our sun.

• Starry Night DVD Gift Set 17177

  These DVDs are VERY cool. I make them available to friends for viewing. You never know when you'll create another astronomy enthusiast.

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Starry Night Astrophoto Suite

I'm sure that many of you are familiar with the Starry Night software that comes free with many Orion Products. It's a great way to keep abreast of what celestial objects are over your head and helps you locate them. Well, Starry Night Astrophoto Suite is your quantum leap into techno-coolness. It has all the features of the demo software plus a ton more. Using the Astrophoto Suite, you can control an Atlas EQ-G GoTo mount! When someone comes up behind you and asks what you're doing you can point out a celestial object on your computer screen, right-click on it and the telescope begins moving (we call it "slewing") to that object.

If you don't have the Atlas EQ-G mount, you can use this software in combination with the Orion Intelliscope. That's right, the Intelliscope hand controller has an RS-232 jack that allows you to use your laptop to control it!

That's not HALF of it! You can also control your CCD camera to take astrophotos, then digitally process those photos using the MaximDL digital imaging software that is included in the package. It does it all! Click a button to take dark frames and the software automatically subtracts them from your subsequent shots! This is worth EVERY penny! Check it out.

Life is good when astronomy is easy.

StarTarg

Draggable, rotatable crosshairs that will pop up on top of everything on your desktop. Excellent aid for performing a drift alignment if you have a CCD camera capable of placing a live image on your computer desktop. (Detailed information here)

StarTarg now works with the Windows Vista OS! Doug Braidwood on the down under side of the planet figured it out. Here's how to get it to work on Vista:

1. Right click on startarg.exe and go to properties.

2. Click on the compatability tab.

3. Check the Windows XP compatability checkbox and select the Run as Administrator checkbox and it works fine.