BarryE's Stats
- Review Count8
- Helpfulness Votes11
- First ReviewOctober 19, 2011
- Last ReviewOctober 19, 2011
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.1
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First Review CommentNone
- Last Review CommentNone
- Featured Review Comments0
BarryE's Reviews
Starry Night Enthusiast Astronomy software gives you the entire sky right at your fingertips. Simulate the night sky at any time and date, and get info on 13,000 deep-sky , 2.5 million stars, and all our neighboring planets.
Rating
Good for beginners all the way to experienced users
PostedOctober 19, 2011
Content Quality
4
/
5
Value
4
/
5
I purchased this software when I first got into astronomy. It is very easy to use, intuitive and informative. Now that I have more experience and do a lot of astrophotography, I still find Starry Nights the easiest planetarium program to use. Granted, there are other options out there, some cheaper, some with more features, but this one has a good balance of features and cost. My children and I enjoy the guided tours and animations.
Yes, I recommend this product!
Share:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
For the best images from your reflecting telescope, the optics need to be in precise alignment (also known as collimation). The Orion Collimating Eyepiece is an economical and accurate way to ensure perfect Newtonian mirror alignment every time.
Rating
No need for a laser collimator
PostedOctober 19, 2011
Quality
5
/
5
Value
5
/
5
I started with a laser collimator, but then switched to this simple (and cheap) alternative. Granted, you'll need to know how to use it and it may take a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, you should have no problems. I can collimate my 8" reflector in a few minutes using nothing but this tool.
Yes, I recommend this product!
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Want to replace your existing rack-and-pinion focuser on your Orion reflector? The 2" Orion Crayford-Style Focuser is a good upgrade and provides smooth, accurate focusing. Very easy to install and lets you easily achieve the sharpest possible focus.
Rating
Good for viewing, not astrophotography
PostedOctober 19, 2011
Mechanical Quality
3
/
5
Ease of Use
4
/
5
Fit
5
/
5
Value
4
/
5
If you have a rack-and-pinion focuser, this would be a good upgrade for viewing. But don't think that this will take you any further than that. If you are looking for astrophotography, you will need something that can handle more weight and have less flexure than this focuser. But again, if you are interested in viewing only and have a R&P focuser, by all means, upgrade!
Yes, I recommend this product!
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
If you are an avid astronomer you know that you should always use red light instead of white to help protet your night vision. The Orion RedBeam II LED Flashlight has adjustable brightness which lets you observe without ruining your night vision.
Rating
Not very durable
PostedOctober 19, 2011
Quality
2
/
5
Value
2
/
5
I purchased this light in hopes of keeping it in my astronomy toolbox. After the second outing, it broke. Yes, I had it in a case with other accessories and so it was probably banged around, but it should have been more durable than it was. I switched to a headlamp shortly thereafter.
No, I do not recommend this product.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Orion Shorty-Plus 2x 3-Element Barlow Lens
The 1.25" 2x Orion Shorty-Plus 3-Element Barlow Lens doubles the magnifying power of any eyepiece, providing better eye relief and edge sharpness. The fully multi-coated lens design provides superior image sharpness and color correction.
Rating
Must-Have Planetary Accessory
PostedOctober 19, 2011
Optical Quality
4
/
5
Mechanical Quality
4
/
5
Ease of Assembly & Use
5
/
5
Value
4
/
5
If you want to get good views of Jupiter, Saturn and the moon, you will need this accessory. It doubles the magnification of the eyepiece. This one is nice and compact and provides very good views.
Yes, I recommend this product!
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
The Orion EZ Finder Deluxe Telescope Reflex Sight gives you 4 different patterns to choose from to make aiming your telescope easier than before. And a larger viewing window than the EZ Finder II projects the chosen pattern on a wider span of sky.
Rating
Must-have Accessory
PostedOctober 19, 2011
Optical Quality
5
/
5
Ease of Use
5
/
5
Value
5
/
5
This finder is so much better than a typical finder scope, that I don't even use a finder scope anymore. I have had to replace the small battery a couple of times, but it seems to last a long time as long as you remember to turn it off when you're done! I haven't used any of the cross-hair variants except for the circle, and I never use any intensity except "1".
Yes, I recommend this product!
Share:
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
The Orion Awesome AutoGuider Package will add tracking accuracy to any astrophotography set-up. Package includes everything you need to autoguide: ShortTube 80 guidescope, StarShoot AutoGuider, guidescope rings & plate, and extension tube for focus.
Rating
Everything you need to get guiding
PostedOctober 19, 2011
Optical Quality
3
/
5
Mechanical Quality
3
/
5
Image Quality
4
/
5
Portability
3
/
5
Value
5
/
5
This is a good package because it comes with everything you need to get started with autoguiding. But don't expect to use the scope for anything but guiding because it isn't really the best optical or mechanical quality. Its focuser is very cheap. But, once you get the StarShoot Autoguider CCD in place and get the system focused, you can lock everything down and forget about it. It uses PHDGuiding software, so make sure to download the latest from stark-labs.com.
Yes, I recommend this product!
Share:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
If you're looking for a heavy duty GoTo mount for all your observing or astrophotography needs, the Orion Atlas EQ-G computerized GoTo telescope mount is perfect. It supports up to 40lbs and finds over 42,900 celestial objects with pushbutton ease.
Rating
Workhorse of the amatuer astrophotography community
PostedOctober 19, 2011
Mechanical Quality
4
/
5
Tracking Accuracy
4
/
5
Ease of Assembly & Use
5
/
5
Stability
4
/
5
Value
5
/
5
There isn't a mount out there at this price point that measures up against the Atlas. It is a solid platform for imaging. I use it for things as small as a DSLR camera all the way up to a fully-loaded 8" OTA with an 80mm guidescope. For astrophotography, I suggest controlling the mount from a laptop using a planetarium package and a Shoestring USB controller. You can then use software such as EQMOD to give you control over PEC, pointing accuracy and polar alignment.
Yes, I recommend this product!
Share:
+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
BarryE's Review Comments
BarryE has not submitted comments on any reviews.