[SJAAboard] Compustar appears to be working

[Nelsonastro at aol.com]

In a message dated 03/19/2008 1:55:28 PM Pacific Daylight Time,  
rob at robhawley.net writes:

It is a GO TO scope.  The individual components are lighter than  my 10" so I
can see an argument to keep it in the program.  On the  other hand we now
have the newer Ultima.



(----)  

Thanks to Phil and Rob (I see why Mike relied on and recommended  Phil)
 
 
The history of the technology in the Compustar is that it represented  the
best effort in the "stepper motor" control era.  The gears are  precision
with very low periodic mechanical error (no PEC correction).  I  agree
with Rob that because of the power consumption - this is not a  'field'
unit.  It IS a very good complete system where 120 AC power is  avaliable.
i.e. school, backyard or an RV with a generator.
 
IMO it would be a shame to take it apart!  Better to give it to  an
observatory where it could update a lesser scope - and be
wall powered.  It is not impossible for the SJAA to just give
away a complete working scope to a school (or for a little $
to another club).  A 'long term educational loan'  is  another
way to do this.  There is a middle school in Santa Clara with
a very active Astronomy Club - perhaps a victim?
 
I'm glad of the decision to dump the Dynamax, it has a reputation
for bad optics [exact opposite of C11! ].
 
Steven Nelson


 
 
 







**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL 
Home.      
(http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030000000001)