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July 14, 2025
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HomeColin Graves

Colin Graves

Profile picture of Colin Graves

@colinrgraves

Active 8 months, 2 weeks ago
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  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves replied to the topic Meade DS2114ATS in the forum General Discussion 8 months, 2 weeks ago

    Sounds like a plan to me, I’ll be there a little before 530 on November 12th.

    Colin

     

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves replied to the topic Meade DS2114ATS in the forum General Discussion 8 months, 2 weeks ago

    Randy, I would really like to do that, if I bring it to the next meeting could we do it then?

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves started the topic Meade DS2114ATS in the forum General Discussion 8 months, 2 weeks ago

    I was given a Meade DS 2114ATS.

    I believe it is what you call a Jones Bird telescope as it has a 2x Barlow mounted in the focuser. Any ways, the go to mount operates, but I haven’t been able to get it to actually point to the object . Also when observing Saturn I was disappointed with the view, blurry and shaky. My personal thoughts on this t…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves replied to the topic Orion website, telescope.com in the forum General Discussion 10 months, 2 weeks ago

    Thanks for the links Josef.

    I did get the ZBolt green laser pointer, I don’t care for the on/off button being on the bottom end. It’s just a little awkward using your thumb to actuate it. But it does have a constant on option. Still prefer the Orion one I have.

    Colin Graves

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves replied to the topic Orion website, telescope.com in the forum General Discussion 11 months, 1 week ago

    Thanks again for all the great info, I actually just ordered a zbolt green laser pointer,

    not the exact one you mentioned. I really like my Orion skyline deluxe green laser pointer,

    and I’ll let you know how the z-bolt compares, hopefully the friend I’m getting it for will like it.

    Colin

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves replied to the topic Orion website, telescope.com in the forum General Discussion 11 months, 1 week ago

    Thanks for the info all.

    We haven’t seen a charge on our credit card, so thinking I’ll be okay.

    Any suggestions for an alternate green laser pointer?

    Colin

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves started the topic Orion website, telescope.com in the forum General Discussion 11 months, 1 week ago

    So I went to the Orion web site to order their green laser pen for a friend of mine,

    I received an email confirming my order, but ever since then the website doesn’t even load up on my screen, phone calls to them go nowhere as the message says the mailbox is full.
    I’m getting the feeling maybe they are out of business.

    Does anyone have any inf…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves replied to the topic Laser collimating in the forum General Discussion 2 years, 10 months ago

    Yeah, I was going to go to the last meeting but it didn’t work out. I’ll wait till I can bring it to an event. Thank you.

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves replied to the topic Laser collimating in the forum General Discussion 2 years, 10 months ago

    Jim, I’ve been just using the collimation cap that came with my scope, it appears to my untrained eye that it’s pretty darn close. It would be nice to check it with a laser. Im in Red Wing , but would be willing to travel to get some training on the use of the laser. Is that something you would be interested in helping me with.

    Colin

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves started the topic Laser collimating in the forum General Discussion 2 years, 10 months ago

    I’m looking at lasers to aid in collimating my 8 inch dob.

    Any recommendations welcomed.

    My focuser accepts 1.25 and 2 inch.

    Thank you in advance.

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves replied to the topic Eyepiece recommendations. in the forum General Discussion 3 years ago

    Thanks for the insight, I actually think I’ll get the 41mm panoptic for my first addition.

    And I see it weighs just over 2 lbs. so I’m pretty sure you’re right about the counterweight.

     

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves started the topic Eyepiece recommendations. in the forum General Discussion 3 years, 1 month ago

    I’m thinking about getting a 35 mm panoptic eyepiece for my Orion xt8 dobsonian.

    Any thoughts or insight are appreciated.

    Colin Graves

  • Profile picture of Colin Graves

    Colin Graves became a registered member 3 years, 2 months ago

Upcoming Events

Jul
19
Sat
9:30 pm Public Sky Observing 2025-07/19 @ Root River Park
Public Sky Observing 2025-07/19 @ Root River Park
Jul 19 @ 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Public Sky Observing of the planets Mars bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club. NASA and Astroleague have prepared an observing challenge for the general public on the 35th anniversary of the Hubble launch. To earn a silver certificate, you must do some outreach (on the web or in person) and [...]
Jul
25
Fri
7:00 pm Eagle Bluff Member’s Night @ Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
Eagle Bluff Member’s Night @ Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
Jul 25 @ 7:00 pm
Eagle Bluff Member's Night @ Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center | Lanesboro | Minnesota | United States
Eagle Bluff is our dark sky site for astronomical observing. Bring a scope or enjoy views through ours. The new moon at Eagle Bluff always delivers fantastic Milky Way vistas, and the area around the Teapot is especially rich with detail. This time of year, one of my favorite sights is spotting the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye. The [...]
Jul
26
Sat
8:30 pm Public Presentation & Sky Observ... @ Frontenac State Park
Public Presentation & Sky Observ... @ Frontenac State Park
Jul 26 @ 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
8:30 PM Presentation about Sky Join us for a captivating evening under the stars!  John Atwell will guide us on a celestial journey, exploring the wonders of the night sky. From the birth and death of stars to the vast expanse of galaxies, we’ll delve into the mysteries of the cosmos. We’ll also discuss the unique beauty of the summer [...]
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