ed76's Stats
- Review Count2
- Helpfulness Votes3
- First ReviewJune 26, 2011
- Last ReviewJanuary 8, 2012
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4
Reviews Comments
- Review Comment Count0
- Helpfulness Votes0
- First Review CommentNone
- Last Review CommentNone
- Featured Review Comments0
ed76's Reviews
Orion TeleTrack GoTo Altazimuth Telescope Mount
The Orion TeleTrack Goto Altazimuth Telescope Mount is perfect for the beginner or the avid user seeking a portable GoTo setup. The mount allows you to automatically pinpoint over 42,000 celestial objects and comes with an adjustable aluminum tripod.
Rating
Good Value
PostedJanuary 8, 2012
Mechanical Quality
4
/
5
Ease of Assembly & Use
4
/
5
Stability
4
/
5
Value
5
/
5
Simple, low cost intro to goto scopes if you have something suitable to put on it already. I attached a 16x80 rt/angle finder to the L bracket. All pretty easy to setup and use.
However, when I first setup, I placed the scope such that the dovetail lock knob was towards the sky. This didn't work at all! The unit would "successfully align", but on trying to find an object it would be 30 deg off or more! I then flipped the scope around 180 /dovetail lock knob towards eyepeice/, and then it worked fine /note a previous user had same comment/issue/. The manual needs an update on this. Additionally, the unit could be shipped with the dovetail lock knob already at a 45deg angle so there is only one way to mount the L bracket with scope looking upward. I received the unit with the dovetail lock knob directly up, so it was ambiguous which way to mount the L bracket.
After "successful alignment", I still found the unit was not very accurately hitting objects. I may have had the 16x80 perhaps slightly off true on the L bracket, but with a 3+ deg field, I was expecting better. Perhaps mounting directly on the dovetail base without the L bracket will be better. Next time I'll try the PAE too.
A few suggestions. It would be really nice if Venus, Jupiter, the Moon /and the Sun/ would be included in the star alignment list. Given those objects, one could achieve alignment Much earlier in the evening. I understand the issues with including the sun, perhaps just allow a User Object in the alignment list. I'd like to use the unit to find Jupiter and Venus in the daytime. The advanced user could enter a User Object with the RA/DEC of the sun, then align to Polaris /with compass and protractor/, and to the sun /by shadow or protected scope of course!/.
Pros: simple effective, computer interface (although rs232), large database, standard 12v power, gps interface option
Cons: only 50-50 chance of correct initial setup
Yes, I recommend this product!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
The Orion RedBeam SP Self-Powered LED Flashlight is a great Green choice. Never needs additional batteries so no waste! Just 1 minute of winding cranks out up to 15 minutes of red LED light. It can also be charged from a USB port.
Rating
Good concept, crank questionable
PostedJune 26, 2011
Quality
4
/
5
Value
3
/
5
I like the concept, but after > 1 yr of use, I've never found the crank very useful. Just could never get enough power into it to by cranking alone. I found myself cranking it continuously for light. But use the included USB cord to get it fully charged, then it runs fine. I can also power/charge it directly from my laptop, which is great. Would like to see the "low" setting use only One LED, instead of three. Three LEDs is often too bright. Then it should get 3x the run time!
Yes, I recommend this product!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
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